National Parks of America

Top 10 National Parks

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US National Parks - Places You Must Visit

By Wendy Pan

There are many national parks within the United States. Certain pieces of land are designated "national parks" by the government whenever there is a particular place that should somehow be remembered and commemorated for its beauty.

Although there are quite a substantial amount of national parks, this list should be comprehensive and detailed enough to portray some of the most treasured and beautiful of them all.

. The Denali National Park is located in Alaska. It was originally called the Mount McKinley National Park, until it was changed in 1980 to appease the angered Alaskans. They use the term Denali because it signifies more of an Alaskan approach then an American.

. The Grand Canyon National Park, located in Arizona, is one of the United States oldest national parks. Within this enormous national park, is the Grand Canyon, which is believed to be one of the natural wonders of the world.

. The Hot Springs National Park is one of the most widely visited national parks within the United States. This national park is located in the state of Arkansas. Although popular, this remains the smallest national park within the United States by a considerable amount. There are many trails for hiking and places to camp. Tourists have even used the hot springs as baths to enjoy while visiting.

. Sequoia National Park is located in California. It is one of many national parks located within this state. This particular park derives its name from its most prominent attraction: the giant Sequoia trees located throughout a large portion of the park. This particular park is mainly roadless wilderness.

. The Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Colorado. This particular park holds many beautiful mountain views. A large amount of the park consists of forests. There are plenty of campsites and hiking trails nestled within the park.

. Florida is resident to the Everglades National Park. This park is the habitat for many endangered species. The Everglades is largely a complex system of rivers and streams that lead throughout the entire park.

. Yellowstone National Park is located, for the most part, in Wyoming, though it also contains small areas in Idaho and Montana. Every year, the brittle and dry climate of the park, allows the park to succumb to forest fires.

. Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia. This park is a vast stretch of narrow valleys and rolling hills. This park is an excellent destination for hiking and camping.

. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in North Carolina. This park consists largely of the smoky mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has been determined that there is an entirety of 850 miles of hiking trails and unpaved roads located in various areas within the park.

Although this list does contain a large variety of national parks, there are considerably more of these majestic and often breathtaking parks located all around the continental United States. Many of these parks are excellent attractions for the family to enjoy on special occasions.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about US national parks [http://usnationalparksonline.info/us-national-parks-places-you-must-visit], please visit USA National Parks Online [http://usnationalparksonline.info] for current articles and discussions.

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Top 5 Overlooked US National Parks

By Caterina Christakos

There are 58 national parks in the United States, but most of us can only name a few of them off the tops of our heads. This is a sad fact, as each national park is truly a marvel of incredible scenery and wildlife that have to be seen to be believed. So, if you're considering a trip to one of our country's natural treasures, why not stay away from the old standbys and visit one of these less popular parks? You will not be disappointed.

Biscayne National Park, Florida: This park off the coast of southeast Florida is 95 percent underwater, comprising 30 small islands in addition to 173,000 acres of beautiful blue waters filled with colorful sea life, coral reefs, and dozens of shipwrecks. To put it simply, Biscayne National Park is a paradise for scuba divers and snorkelers. If you're not experienced with either of these activities, it's a great place to learn.

Congaree National Park, South Carolina: How many times in your life have you walked through a swamp? If you're like most people, the answer is zero. But if you've never seen a real-life swamp up close, you're missing out on a weird and wonderful scene. The watery bayous of this South Carolina park are teeming with thousands of species of plants and animals, including some of the tallest trees in the eastern United States-some reaching as high as 170 feet.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan: If you like the idea of getting away from the world and finding true isolation, this Michigan park is the one for you. The island park is accessible only by boat or seaplane, which makes it a truly unique preserve for plant and animal life. It's one of the only places in the world where moose and wolves thrive in the same environment without interference from bears. For an optimal experience, take a boat tour through the surrounding islands, and camp in the back country.

North Cascades National Park, Washington: Just south of the Canadian border in northwestern Washington state, this park features sawtooth snow-capped mountains and some of the highest waterfalls in the country. You'll see incredible old-growth forests full of majestic trees, more than half the glaciers in the U.S. (excepting those in Alaska), and even the occasional Grizzly. The mixture of greenery, glaciers, and rocky peaks makes for some of the most postcard-ready scenery you'll ever see.

Channel Islands National Park, California: Just offshore from the busy and smog-filled Los Angeles metropolitan region, these islands feature 175 miles of beautiful shores and plenty of untrammeled wilderness. Because they're only reachable via a fairly long ferry ride, the islands get a surprisingly low number of visitors each year, which makes it a perfect destination for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The islands are a breeding ground for sea lions and seals, and they have numerous plant and animal species, some of which aren't found anywhere else on the planet.

Caterina Christakos is a published author and reviewer. Read her latest reviews of auto insurance estimate quotes and where to get a free automobile insurance quote.