National Parks in the USA
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Paradise Found in America: A Guide to the National Parks of the USA
What brings the 270 million visitors to National Parks in United States every year, is it the beautiful scenic lookouts, the chance to spot unique wildlife, clean, fresh air, or just the opportunity to get away from it all? Ask anyone and they'll likely check off all of the above. 58 National Parks are located within the United States, each with their own distinct look, personality, flora, and inhabitants. Here is an overview of some of the most popular National Parks in the United States, along with some of the lesser known (but equally impressive) parks, and why you should make it a point to visit them in your lifetime.
Big Bend National Park
The protected area along the Mexican-USA border of the Rio Grande River

Big Bend National Park is a land of extremes...extremely dry weather in the spring and summer months, extremely isolated from populated areas, and an extreme abundance of unique desert wildlife and stunning scenery. Approximately 120 miles away from the nearest large town, Fort Stockton, the relative isolation has helped preserve this park's beauty, while still having to face some uphill battles being sharing the park's main attraction, the Rio Grande River, with adjoining Mexico.
Golden eagles, cacti, black bears, and 600 other animal species (along with 1200 plant species) and wildlife, can be found within the parks boundaries at times.

Yellowstone National Park
Perhaps the most famous of all National Parks, Yellowstone has something for everyone, from the once near extinct American Bison to the explosive geothermal activity taking place just inches below the surface.
Grand Teton National Park
The pristine park of northwest Wyoming
Which Came First?
Yellowstone National Park was the first established park in 1872, while the actual National Park Service was created in 1916.
A National Parks Poll...
Sturdy, Trusted Hiking Gear for your National Parks Visits
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore, just miles north of San Francisco, is a beautiful peninsula containing tranquil beaches, abundant hiking, and great Pacific scenery on the coast of California. It's also located on a major faultline and experienced a shift 17 feet northward during one of the earthquakes in the last century!
Yosemite National Park
What's your Favorite National Park?
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Southwestern Colorado's crystaline vertical Black Canyon
Mesa Verde National Park
Ancient culture found at the Four Corners region
Arches National Park
Sublime wonders of nature in eastern Utah

Arches...it may not sound like much beyond a bunch of natural arches. The main attraction of Arches National Park are of course, the strange, antique arches that are found in the park's boundaries. Windswept and water corroding rock has resulted in just a small shell of their former selves to be left standing, resulting in an unusual arch shape. Why so many at Arches NP? It's a complicated story having to do with salt flats, erosion, water, faults and science, but Wikipedia can explain it fully.
The best and most satisfying reason to visit Arches is for the unmatched hiking, mountain biking, and photography. During the midday hours, colors may seem a bit drab, and temperatures are slighly inhospitable in the summer months. However, a spring, fall or winter visit will leave you pleasantly surprised. For great color in your photos, arive to the park early, or catch the late afternoon sun for perfect reds, oranges and golds that this park has to offer.
Death Valley National Park
The largest park in the lower 48 states
Great Basin National Park
Caves and mammoth peaks in Eastern Nevada
Zion National Park
Stunning canyon views and water hiking in southern Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park
Utah's strange and majestic desert landscape
Canyonlands National Park
Eastern Utah's canyon gem
Denali National Park

St. Mary Lake of Glacier National Park
Recommended National Parks DVDs and Books
Canvas National Parks Tote Bags
Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park contains some amazing sites in the state of Colorado. The high elevations result in near year-round snow, except for the summer months when it usually doesn't snow. Fishing, camping, rock climbing, hiking and skiing are all huge attractions for the famous park. Close to the park is the beautiful town of Estes Park, and not too far away at the foothills of the Rockies, the the artsy town of Boulder, Colorado.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Perhaps America's most exciting and vibrant National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park lies on the big island, Hawaii. As recent as March, 2008, there has been major volcanic activity on the big island. The island is constantly undergoing changes as evidenced by the steam plumes and black sand beaches. New islands are added to and even created with each lava explosion. It's truly unlike anywhere else on earth, and an unforgettable experience.
National Parks Links...
- NPS.gov
- Experience America through this website and get a better understanding of what this country has to offer. A great interactive website that you should visit before your real life visit.
- National Parks Foundation
- The official National charitable partner of America's National Parks.
- National Parks on Wikipedia
- A history of America's National Parks and the creation of the NPS.
- 30 of the Most Popular National Parks in America
- Discover 30 of America's most popular and underrated (and least visited) National Parks through photos, video and information.
The Creation of the National Park Service
Over 154,000 volunteers and over 20,000 paid employees make up the dedicated staff of the NPS, ensuring your visit to any of the National Parks of the United States are safe, fun, and memorable ones. Created on August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson passed a bill that enabled the NPS..."...to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
Unique National Parks Apparel!
The National Parks Group
Guestbook
* Kiwi T-Shirts
* Italian Heritage Gifts
* Political Apparel
* The Holiday Store
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sousababy
Mar 18, 2011 @ 3:36 pm | delete
- Fabulous photography and lens. Definitely something we need to do more often. Way healthier to get away from the computer games and take the kids to the park to explore nature (and have a picnic). I am featuring this lens (along with 2 others of yours) in the right sidebar of my 'Squidoo people with a good heart' one. I am featuring you in Part II of that series. Hope it helps! Rose
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flowski
Nov 16, 2010 @ 10:44 pm | delete
- I love to visit National Parks, I've been to several of them. Recently we visited Yosemite, absolutely breathtaking fall colors.
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DeborahLynne Jan 15, 2010 @ 12:29 pm | delete
- Really enjoyed your lens. We have family out west, and we have been to Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain National Park, and a few others. Wish we could have stayed longer. By the way, on one of our birding trips, we spotted a snowy owl, during the winter at the Jersey Shore, near our home.
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TheWhistler
Apr 16, 2009 @ 1:24 pm | delete
- Great lens, thanks.
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jessicahoward
Mar 12, 2009 @ 10:53 pm | delete
- wow really the great photos...excellent job...i think 5* is not enough for this one...great, amazing, marevellus.thanx for sharing such a great lens.
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Ramkitten
Mar 1, 2009 @ 10:07 am | delete
- Hey, I didn't know you had a bunch of National Park lenses. Great stuff! I'm lensrolling ya back to Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim and will go through your others as well. It's a desire of mine to visit all the National Parks in the U.S. and not just visit, but backpack in them. These lenses are great help in planning a trip.
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AndyPo
Feb 25, 2009 @ 11:37 am | delete
- Absolutely wonderful lens. I love the National Parks in the USA. I shall lensrolled to my National Parks, USA (in an RV) lens and some of my other travel lenses.
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JohannTheDog Nov 26, 2008 @ 5:55 am | delete
- Fabulous lens!!!One of my dreams is to go on a long, wonderful hiking and camping trip with my Mum. Thanks for all the great info! Woofs, Johann
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naturegirl7
Nov 24, 2008 @ 6:57 pm | delete
- Great lens. Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it.
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Tiddledeewinks
Nov 2, 2008 @ 2:17 am | delete
- WOW! What pictures! I've never been to the most visited park in the U.S., but I think it is my favorite-in the Smokey Mountains of Tn and NC.
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anthropos
Oct 25, 2008 @ 11:05 pm | delete
- Great job! Thanks for joining "Anything and Everything Travel" Group. We look forward to seeing your other travel related lenses in our group. Keep up the good work. For a categorized list of my travel lenses and other lenses see my Lensography..
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OhMe
Oct 20, 2008 @ 9:28 am | delete
- This is wonderful. I love the waterfall picture. This lens will be featured on my squidlit.
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KimGiancaterino Oct 15, 2008 @ 5:08 pm | delete
- Beautifully done! Welcome to All Things Travel. Squid Angel Blessed.
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beeobrien
Oct 14, 2008 @ 3:10 pm | delete
- Incredible images!
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spirituality
Oct 14, 2008 @ 9:26 am | delete
- Well done overview of the national parks in the USA.
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Rajays
Oct 13, 2008 @ 1:28 am | delete
- Love the pics. 5*
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The National Parks system of the United States has to offer some of the best scenic opportunities in the world, not to mention top notch camping, fish... more »
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