This week is National Park Week here in the U.S., which is dedicated to recognizing the amazing places that have been set aside as protected spaces for the public to enjoy. Those locations include iconic destinations like Yosemite and Yellowstone, as well as some lesser known spots like the Dry Tortugas and Isle Royale. To help us celebrate the occasion, National Geographic has posted a list of the top 10 national park adventures, giving readers a seres of challenges and epic activities, all of which take place inside one of the parks.
Some of the adventures that Nat Geo recommends include searching for a great stargazing spot in Death Valley, scuba diving in the Channel Islands, and camping in the backcountry in Denali. Other options include climbing, hiking, horseback riding, and paddling through other top parks in the U.S. system, including some of most famous and popular places that the Park Service oversees. Of course, I won’t spoil them all, and let you find out for yourself, with each adventure paired with an equally great photo from a National Geographic photographer.
As a huge fan of the national parks, I always enjoy reading lists like this one. I’ve been fortunate enough to visit a lot of these places, but there are still a few more that I need to get to at some point. If I had to choose a favorite, for me it would probably be Yellowstone. My recommendation for a big adventure there would be to go in winter, when it is peacefully empty, the landscapes are covered in snow, and the wildlife has all come down from altitude. There won’t be any bears, as they’re all in hibernation, but it is time when you can truly enjoy the primal nature of the park.
What is your favorite national park? Do you have any major adventures to share from your time there? I’d love to hear about them. Leave a comment below!
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