Four National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List

By Claire Hatchell

Imagine gazing up at a clear night sky, with thousands of stars in sight. Imagine no skyscrapers, no light pollution, no traffic—a place so peaceful that you wouldn’t want to disturb it. These four parks will provide you with overwhelming peace. They are wondrous places that will truly leave you speechless.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park was the third most visited park in the United States in 2021. The park covers 3,500 square miles and crosses into three different states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. This park is famous for its reliable geysers, hot springs, and wildlife. The most well-known geyser, Old Faithful, erupts nearly once every hour. In the park, you can find beautiful hot springs that are nearly 40 feet deep and reach temperatures of nearly 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, some people have made the mistake of attempting to “test the waters” and have clumsily fallen in. People come from all over to visit the park and may encounter animals that are foreign to them. The park is home to buffalo, elk, moose, and many more species of wildlife. If you are planning to go, September and October are the best times. In the summer, more than one million people visit the park each month!

Zion

As the second most visited park in the United States, Zion is known for its breathtaking scenery. You can hike, walk through streams, or simply drive through the park. If you want to take a more adventurous path, hike to Angel’s Landing, a narrow cliff that leads to a peak with a miraculous view of the park.

The scenery in Zion is otherworldly, with red rocks reaching heights of 2,000 feet. The park is home to animals such as Bighorn sheep, deer, and California condors. The condors are a rare species, with a record low population of only 27 left in the wild in 1987. This was due to the use of lead bullets, which poisoned them when they consumed carcasses. Since then, California has banned the use of lead ammunition, and the condors can still soar over Zion. If you visit, they’re hard to miss, with a wingspan of almost 10 feet. Overall, Zion provides beautiful sights, adventurous hikes, and rare creatures throughout the 25-mile-long park.

Grand Canyon

Have you ever wanted to look up at an open sky and see nothing but hundreds of thousands of stars? Well, contrary to being known as a wondrous place to look down upon the canyons, the Grand Canyon also offers a spectacular night sky. Since it lies 7,000 feet above sea level, you have an uninterrupted view, free from buildings, light, or people.

The Grand Canyon is one of the more well-known parks, and for good reason. The canyon stretches over a whopping 227 miles and reaches 18 miles wide. The Colorado River flows through the canyon, winding through seven states. While the canyon offers activities such as zip lining and helicopter rides, hiking provides sights that are just as breathtaking. If you’re planning to visit this popular park, plan your trip for October or March through May to avoid the hectic crowds of hikers.

Badlands

Located in South Dakota, this park is home to incredibly striking views. People travel from all over to see the canyons, rocks, and wildlife in this great park. Animals you might spot include bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.

An interesting fact about this park is that it reserves sections for dozens of Native American tribes that once called this place home. For instance, a southern section of the park is specifically used by the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

If you’re planning a trip, bear in mind that the best seasons to visit are fall and spring, when you can experience great weather and fewer crowds! Additionally, this park is less than two hours away from the popular tourist attraction, Mount Rushmore, making it a great day trip to check off your list!

Sources:

Florida Virtual School Student Newspaper

Four National Parks to Add to Your Bucket List

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