9 National Parks in the US You Should Visit This Year
Yosemite National Park
One of the most scenic national parks, Yosemite is renowned for its wealth of breathtaking waterfalls and steep granite cliffs that attract rock climbers from across the globe. Simply watching them makes for mesmerizing entertainment.
The free park shuttle takes passengers to many of the most popular Yosemite attractions, such as Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. You’ll also find lots of great hikes that allow you to view waterfalls up close, such as the Mist Trail which runs alongside Vernal Falls.
It climbs 600 granite steps to the top of the falls where you can enjoy the natural air conditioning of the gentle mist that rises from the thundering waters splashing down below.
Meanwhile, the scenic 39-mile drive to Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows will allow you to enjoy spectacular scenery without the crowds in a vast wilderness area that boasts granite domes, tranquil rivers, glistening lakes and lush meadows.
Redwood National and State Parks
Farther north in the Golden State, Redwood National Park features some of the tallest, most majestic trees on earth. Stand next to one and you’re sure to feel incredibly small.
Embark on the easy one-mile trek through Lady Bird Johnson Grove, where you’ll pass through a jungle of towering moss-draped sequoias, some of which are 2,000 years old, and where kids can crawl through some of the hollowed giants.
After you’ve had your fill of ancient sequoias, you can check out the marine life on the coast. Here, budding biologists can scramble around the rocks and look for underwater creatures in the tide pools, like the colorful anemones, purple and orange starfish and hermit crabs.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Vacationing in Hawaii equals lots of good times in the water and on the beach. Plus, if you visit the Big Island, you’ll be able to explore one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea. Many kids find the most memorable part of their trip is visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. While eruptions aren’t guaranteed, when the lava is flowing, it makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Even if you aren’t lucky enough to witness that, you’ll at least see steam, and after dark it glows an eerie red hue. Other highlights include visiting Thurston Lava Tube, an underground tunnel where lava once flowed, a variety of hikes and ranger-led walks.
