6 Best North American National Parks

North America, the USA and Canada, is often overlooked for more exotic destinations, however lovers of the outdoors could spend a lifetime exploring their most beautiful national parks. There is everything from rugged mountaintops to giant glaciers and gleaming turquoise lakes, all in an easily accessible trip. To whet your appetite here are 6 of the most spectacular North American national parks.

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Canada’s oldest and most famous national park, Banff, is a must see. Located in the Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park covers 6,640 square kilometres with glaciers, mountains, mystical forests and an abundance of wildlife. The park contains 1,600km of hiking trails and 360km of cycling trails so there’s plenty of opportunity to get back to nature. And that’s before you consider horse riding, skiing or a dip in the hot springs. Don’t miss Lake Louise, whether for a swim in its turquoise waters, a canoe ride surrounded by snowcapped mountains or even tie on the ice skates for an unforgettable winter experience. Keep your eyes peeled and you may be lucky and see the grizzly or black bears the Rockies are famous for. Peak season is June-August when the roads are clear, the lakes are at their best and are perfect for outdoor activities. 

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

Beautifully carved by the Colorado River, this 446 kilometre long canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world and one of the most beautiful national parks in the US. Whether you want to hike through the canyon, simply go sightseeing, or take on rafting its waters, the Grand Canyon is full of adventure and natural beauty.

There are hiking trips for all abilities from short walks along the rim with awe-inspiring views to the 30 kilometre trek to Havasu Falls with its crystal blue waterfall. Each hike shows a different aspect of the Grand Canyon although you’ll need transport to get to the different starting points and find your way around. If you’re feeling flush stay a night in the park, the lodges have good offers off season and waking up with the canyon on your doorstep and deer on the path to breakfast really is something special.

Yosemite National Park, California, USA

A paradise for any outdoorsy traveler, the Yosemite National Park is located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains and is simply stunning. Whether you’re looking for massive rock formations, mile high cliffs, meadows or spectacular waterfalls,  there’s something for everyone. Grab the classic photo of El Capitan then explore one of the 800 hiking trails traversing the park. 

Climb up the popular Half Dome at sunset for a rewarding adventure or wander the forests in search of one of the many wild animals that live in the park. If you’re looking for full waterfalls, head to Yosemite in May or June when they’re at their peak.   

Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

At 11,000 square kilometres, Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies and is considered one of the wildest. Not only does it have the hiking and bike trails you would expect, there’s white water rafting, skiing in the winter and some of the rarest animals in North America including bears, moose, caribou and wolves. And those are just the activities. In terms of scenery it is spectacularly diverse, with majestic mountains and sparkling  lakes side by side with the famous Columbia Icefields. 

Head to Maligne Canyon or Medicine Lake for gorgeous views or treat yourself to a dip in the Miette Hot Spring, a hot spring naturally cooled by the mountain. If you’re feeling less energetic check out the glass floored Glacier Skywalk or the Jasper Skytram – all the views without the effort.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

If all the talk of ice fields leaves you cold, head to Yellowstone National Park. The world’s first national park, and the US’s most famous, Yellowstone is a hot pocket of volcanic activity. There are hundreds of hot springs and geysers, dramatic canyons, waterfalls and a petrified forest. Combine this with thousands of kilometres of walking trails and can understand why it’s one of the most visited parks in America. The Grand Loop covers the main attractions, including Old Faithful which erupts every 90 minutes or so, but there’s still plenty of space to get off the beaten track. Head away from the crowds to kayak on Yellowstone Lake or drive to the Bechler area and the aptly named “Cascade Corner” for some true escapism.

Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA

If you’re looking for something a little different, head to Joshua Tree National Park in southern California. The park, named after the prickly Joshua trees, crosses both the Mohave and Colorado deserts leading to unusual rock formations and cactus gardens as well as a range of historic structures and over 700 archeological sites. Most of the main sites are easily accessible on short hikes however if you’re looking for more of a challenge there are a number of longer trails heading from Hidden Valley. 

The park has all the activities that you’d expect, from hiking and biking, to climbing and horse riding. But there’s the added bonus of excellent stargazing when the sun goes down – maybe you’ll even spot a shooting star!