Across the United States, 11 parks under the protection of the National Park Service stand out due to their remarkable scenery, rich biological diversity, and significant cultural heritage. These sites have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites because of their outstanding natural beauty or historical value. Spanning from the majestic Grand Canyon to the lush Great Smoky Mountains, stretching across states like California and Florida, we can explore these invaluable natural wonders of the North American continent.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located within the ancient southern Appalachian mountain range.
In 2023, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomed 13 million visitors, making it the most frequented among America’s national parks. Situated across Tennessee and North Carolina, this park reaches up to 1,800 meters above sea level and offers vast expanses of rolling hills blanketed in ancient woodlands, providing endless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. It also serves as home to a large population of black bears.
Whether walking, cycling, or driving along the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway, you have the opportunity to encounter approximately 17,000 varieties of flora and fauna, explore over 1,300 kilometers of hiking paths, witness nearly a hundred cascading waterfalls, and enjoy breathtaking panoramic vistas of the region. Blue Ridge Mountains , the tallest peaks located east of the Mississippi River. It is an ideal place to visit during early fall when the woodlands transform into vibrant hues of yellow and orange.
Yellowstone National Park, home to the dormant supervolcano
Created in 1872, Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park, located in Wyoming, is the world's oldest national park. Initially established with conservation as the primary objective—to protect its spectacular canyons, vividly colored thermal pools, and operational geysers driven by the Yellowstone Caldera—it has become a highly favored attraction in the American West.
Over the supervolcano, numerous geological marvels await: the striking limestone structures at Mammoth Hot Springs, the forceful eruptions from massive geysers like Old Faithful, the vividly colored thermal pools of Grand Prismatic Spring, and the dramatic cliffs within the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone should not be missed.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a labyrinth of caverns and steep ravines
Situated in New Mexico, nestled between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains of North America, Carlsbad Caverns National Park encompasses over 80 known cavern systems spread across approximately 190 square kilometers, along with deep gorges and ancient marine sediments.
Overseen by the National Park Service, three caverns—Carlsbad Caverns, Slaughter Canyon Cave, and Spider Cave—are accessible to visitors. Known for their impressive dimensions, these caves showcase an awe-inspiring array of stalactites, stalagmites, and various rock structures formed over approximately 500,000 years. On the surface, the extensive canyons and large tracts of semiarid grasslands provide excellent opportunities for camping, hiking, and biking activities.
Step into Mesa Verde National Park, tracing the steps of the ancient Anasazi civilization.
Located in the southwestern corner of Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park stands as both a natural wonder and an archaeological treasure of the American West. To get there from Albuquerque, New Mexico, you'll travel along a stunning mountain route nestled between two picturesque canyons filled with pine trees and yucca plants.
Upon arrival, you will discover a large limestone plateau intersected by forest-filled ravines and dotted with remnants of an ancient civilization known as the Anasazi. These densely inhabited cliffside settlements, tucked away in rugged terrain, can be spotted from afar using binoculars or during a guided tour led by a park ranger.
Yosemite National Park, a vast canyon of enormous proportions
Established in 1890, Yosemite National Park encompasses 3,000 square kilometers of pristine wilderness nestled within the Sierra Nevada range in western California. Towering mountain summits rise up to an impressive height of 4,000 meters above sea level, twisting paths unveil colossal granite formations, ancient groves of giant sequoias overshadowed by sheer cliff faces, and cascading waterfalls—this landscape allows nature to express itself boldly through monumental grandeur, offering panoramic views from great heights that make for stunning photographs. Boasting approximately 1,200 kilometers of challenging hiking trails, the park serves as a haven for seasoned trekkers.
Everglades National Park, with its mangrove forests and wetlands in Florida, remains distinctive.
Located at the southeastern edge of Florida, within the eastern part of the United States, lies Everglades National Park, which presents itself as a highly appealing location. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1979, this expansive subtropical marsh serves as both a vital refuge for numerous native species such as alligators, turtles, manatees, and Florida panthers, and offers thrilling opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing aficionados.
Meandering through mangrove swamps, tropical hardwood forests, and rugged terrains, the hiking paths and elevated walkways attract many families and novice trekkers who enjoy these scenic routes.
Mammoth Cave National Park, a vast playground for cave enthusiasts in the United States.
Located approximately 90 minutes south of Louisville in Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park features an extraordinary geological wonder – the planet’s largest known cave network, extending for nearly 680 kilometers beneath the wooded areas of the Green River basin.
Adorned with numerous stalactites, stalagmites, limestone columns, and curtains, this vast cavern system has existed for more than 100 million years and provides habitat to approximately 130 subterranean creatures such as bats, pipistrelles, salamanders, among others. Above ground, an expansive network of 180 kilometers of hiking paths along with multiple campgrounds facilitate tourists' exploration of the area either on foot or bike.
At the base of Earth's most active volcanoes lies Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
On the Big Island of Hawaii, which is the largest within the Hawaiian archipelago, two of the world's most active volcanoes rule over the Pacific Ocean: Kīlauea, which experiences almost continuous volcanic eruptions, along with its neighbor, the intermittently active yet largely dormant Mauna Loa.
As you follow the paths through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you'll have the opportunity to safely observe both the craters and the surrounding volcano terrains, witnessing firsthand how dramatically they transform due to eruptions and lava movements: expansive forests filled with towering ferns on the slopes, stark basaltic plains, seething hot springs along the coastline, colossal lava tubes stretching down the volcanic cliffs. This park offers an unparalleled array of scenery exclusive to the wonders of Hawaii.
Visit Redwood National Park to witness the colossal sequoias of California.
If you visit California, it would be wise to make sure you see a giant sequoia The redwoods stand as the emblematic tree of an American state! Within both a state park and a national preserve, Redwood National Park beckons nature enthusiasts eager to witness wilderness at its rawest form. This sanctuary boasts extensive hiking paths adorned with colossal sequoias—some towering above one hundred meters—and stretches of rugged coastline littered with driftwood. Its waterways and open spaces teem with wildlife including otters, pelicans, Roosevelt elks, and mule deer, each captivating in their own right. Accessible yet secure, this natural haven offers ample chances for activities such as mountain biking, kayaking, and equestrian pursuits.
The Grand Canyon National Park, a iconic emblem of the American West
In Arizona The second most frequented national park in the United States offers an ever-present marvel for all visitors. Sculpted by the relentless flow of the Colorado River, this breathtaking canyon stretches over 447 kilometers and stands as a testament to a geologic history spanning more than two billion years.
Within the boundaries of the Grand Canyon's primary edges—the South Rim and the North Rim—you will find breathtaking red sandstone cliffs, rugged hills extending endlessly, remnants left behind by various ancient communities, and numerous exceptional viewpoints across the entire expanse of the plateau. This location stands as an astonishing site, ranking among Earth's most impressive geological wonders, and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Olympic National Park, an ancient natural treasure spanning a millennium with breathtaking scenery
This stands out as one of the most distinctive locations in the United States, untamed natural paradise Merging three fundamental environments—a vast glacier expanse, an extensive tropical rainforest, and a pristine coastline—on a northern Pacific coastal spit. Stunningly untamed terrains, with plant and animal life unparalleled elsewhere, offering a sense of solitude merely two hours away. Seattle A visit to Olympic National Park, designated as a Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is sure to impress everyone!