Number 8: Glacier Bay National Park

Glacier Bay is a park all about its glaciers, with the grounds including over 1,000 glaciers, they have become a huge attraction to types of people all over the globe. Spanning across 3.3 Million acres of land in Alaska, containing rugged mountains, balmy rainforests, crazy coastlines, grand glaciers,  and fantastic fjords. The park is surrounded by the Alsek river to the north, Deception hills to the east, the Gulf of Alaska to the south, and the Alsek river to the west (National Park Service, 2023). The park offers a variety of activities such as commercial fishing, subsistence pursuits, sport fishing, hunting, river running, ATV trails, camping, hiking, and boating. The weather of the park is greatly influenced by its proximity to the sea. There is heavy rainfall towards the coast. While at the higher elevations, towards the mountains, the park experiences heavy rain that turns into heavy snow. So make sure to pack depending on the season, Summer can reach the mid-fifties and sixties, but the winter holds near 0-degree temperatures. 

Number 7- Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone, in 1872, was labeled as the world’s first national park. It is located in the North-Western United States and spans 2.2 million acres in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. In 2021, Yellowstone recorded a whopping 4.86 million visits. The visitors of the park can indulge in a range of hydrothermal activities. The Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful Geyser, and Grand Prismatic Spring, as well as lakes, waterfalls, and a plethora of wildlife. The park offers a wide range of exploration, bike and horse trails, nature, swimming, fishing, boating, and even more to indulge in. The winters are commonly sub-zero, the summers are usually around 70 degrees, and the Spring/Fall season is around the middle. The weather in the park can change quickly, and stray far from the predictions, so make sure to prepare for any conditions possible when planning (National Park Service, 2023) to visit Yellowstone. 

Number 6- Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses 415 square miles in the state of Colorado. With a  whopping 4.4 million visits in 2021, Rocky Mountain was the 14th most visited park in America. With monstrous mountain ranges, perfect plateaus, and wonderful wildlife, this park has so much to offer. With scenic drives, hiking, wildlife watching, ranger programs, visitor centers, camping, fishing, and horseback riding, Rocky Mountain National Park provides something for people of all ages to enjoy. Not only are there beautiful ranges to experience, but there are small and not-so-small towns inside the park to shop, eat, and sleep, one of which is Breckenridge. Breckenridge is one of the ski capitals of the US. One can spend a day ripping the slopes, if not they can spend their time searching the town, visiting a spa, or one of the 100+ bars, or else just enjoying the wonderful weather the town has to offer. You should always check the weather forecast before packing because the park can be cold or warm, no matter what time of the year. 

Number 5- Kenai Fjords

Kenai Fjords National Park is a place where mountains, oceans, and ice meets. This park is one of the few that can be driven to, however, the park is mostly ice and water so flying, kayaking, hiking, or a cruise would be the best way to experience the park. The park is magnificent due to the vast array of activities you can participate in. While kayaking, climbing, or hiking might be the more active visitors if you would rather relax and enjoy the peace of the Fjords, they can be seen from a boat. For warmer weather lovers, the best time to visit is the summer months, because the temperature is between 30-50 degrees. However, winter weather visitors should always pack for the cold temperatures. The weather is almost always in the low double digits and in some months in the single digits. 

Number 4- North Cascades National Park

The snowy, jagged peaks of the North Cascades are an attention grabber to many travelers across the globe. North Cascades national park is one of the least visited national parks, but it is a perfect vacation for anyone wanting a calm, and beautiful trip. This park holds the biggest glacial system in the United States. With hiking, beautiful lakes, overlooks, communities, and glaciers, the park has almost anything to offer to anyone wanting to visit. The weather up in the North Cascades can change very rapidly. It is best to pack for any condition like rainy and cold winds. 

Number 3-Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier is an icon that stands above 14,000 feet. As an active volcano, it is the most glacier-like peak in the 48 contiguous states. Meadows encompass the icy volcano, which is scattered with flowers in the summer, and dense forest covering the mountain’s bottom portion. The park does not require visitors to travel far to reach amazing views. For older folk or people who do not like to walk much, there are short, gentle walking trails that still provide breathtaking views year-round. For the others, there are more strenuous, steep, and longer hikes that provide amazing views of the Cascade Range, and Mount Rainier. The weather is extremely influenced by the high altitude and the Pacific ocean not too far away. The weather is most commonly cool, and rainy. The temperature in the summer reaches up to around 60-70 degrees, however, visitors should still be aware that the higher they go there can be feet of snow on the ground, and the weather can be cold, and crisp. 

Number 2- Denali National Park

Denali National Park is one of the biggest national parks in the U.S. and is home to over 7,000 square miles of rugged terrain and beautiful wildlife. With so many adventures to take part in, people of all ages can enjoy the scenery and activities in the park. The breathtaking scenery of the tallest mountain peak in America should be at the top of almost anyone’s bucket list when traveling to the park. With an abundance of hiking trails, lookout points, campgrounds, and scenic lakes, no one’s schedule should be empty. The tough few come in winter when temperatures drop to experience comfort, peacefulness, and extreme weather. Even though the winter weather usually brings snow, the summer season can too. The summer climate is often wet and cool, and the temperature reaches around the low 50s to low 60s. The winter weather can drop to the negatives at any time, which results in multiple feet of snowfall every year. So visitors should pack very warmly if planning to go during the winter. 

Number 1- Grand Teton National Park 

Grand Teton certainly lives up to the name ‘Grand.’According to the National Park Service (2023),  With a scene rich with wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton stands as a monument and representation of the ones who fought for it. The “Grand Teton” is the highest point of the Park, standing at 13,775 feet. Very few have climbed the peak and made it back to tell the tale. Jenny Lake, Grand Teton, Teton Park Road, and Craig Thomas Discovery Center are just a few great activities inside this National Park. People can drive the scenic 42-mile loop that drives directly through the majority of The Grand Teton. Travelers can also visit secluded and hidden waterfalls scattered throughout the whole park. The summer climate in the Teton is fairly warm with the temperature reaching the mid-60s and upper-80s. Winter weather brings temperatures as low as single digits up to the 30s, 40s, and sometimes even the 50s. 

Works Cited

Travel, Mediavine. “Family Adventure Travel & Photography.” Earth Trekkers, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.earthtrekkers.com/. 

US Department of the Interior, National Park Service. “Nps.gov Homepage (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, https://www.nps.gov/index.htm.