I find national parks really cool. It is a fun challenge to travel to each one of them and explore the wilderness.
Of America’s 63 national parks, I have only visited nine, those being Yellowstone, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Great Smoky Mountains, Mammoth Cave, Badlands, Gateway Arch and Indiana Dunes.
The national parks that stand out most to me are those in America’s western quadrant. Located in three states and arguably the nation’s most iconic national park, Yellowstone is also its oldest, as it was established as a national park in 1872. I would love to visit Yellowstone again. There is an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. Additionally, Yellowstone’s colorful hot springs are gorgeous in person. It is definitely worth the drive out there.
Glacier National Park, which sits on the border of Montana and Canada, is also a cool national park. It is known for its melting glaciers and over 700 miles of trails. If one is a fan of hiking, I would recommend checking out Glacier’s Hidden Lake trail. The five mile out and back trail that only takes about three hours to complete leads to a beautiful, hidden outlook frequented by mountain goats.
Another national park that sticks out to me is Mammoth Cave National Park in Cave City, Kentucky. Mammoth Cave is appropriately named, being the largest cave system in the world. The park itself includes both the cave system and the land above it, spanning over 52,000 acres in south central Kentucky. The tour of the cave system was incredibly informative and it was definitely cool to walk for hours underground.
However, if Indiana residents are looking for adventure a little closer to home, I would recommend visiting the Indiana Dunes. Previously a state park, the dunes were recently established as a national park in 2019. They stretch across 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Though Lake Michigan has incredibly cold water, the Indiana Dunes resembles a beach. I enjoy collecting shells and stones whenever I visit the Indiana Dunes.
I wholeheartedly believe that America’s unique system of national parks is something worth protecting. They are incredible vacation destinations and provide unique opportunities for individuals to experience something new.