Great National Parks for Day Hikes in the United States
Great National Parks for Day Hikes in the United States
Many national parks provide excellent day hiking trails around the united states. You can find national parks that offer beautiful hikes through the mountains, canyons, rivers, lakes, deserts and so much more. Whatever type of ecosystem you are looking for, there’s a good chance you will be able to find it in the United States.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the United States. It was established on March 1, 1972, by President Ulysses S. Grant. It nearly covers 3,500 square miles of recreational area. There are many hot springs and geysers, mixed in with lush forest, and even canyons. It is a great park to see wildlife like bison, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, and wolves. Yellowstone is so big you can spend your whole life hiking the 900 miles of trails.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park covers 1,583 square miles of wilderness areas in the Montana Rocky Mountains. Its territory reaches both Canada and the USA. The park was established in 1910. There are many breathtaking views of glaciers and mountains. The parks have close to 700 miles of hiking trails and support many outdoor activities like hiking and fishing.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park covers almost 56 square miles. It was established in 1928. It is located in southern Utah and is famous for its red rocks, pink cliffs, and vistas. There is no place like it in the United States. The rocks are hoodoos, which means irregular columns of rocks. There are over 15 easy trails ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 feet above sea level. When you go hiking here, make sure to bring plenty of water. The summer is a great time to go because you can see all the beautiful colors. Summer hiking is a great time for hiking in sandals, take a look at these keen women sandals for hiking.
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park was established in 1947. It is located in southern Florida. It covers 1.5 million acres of wetlands and is a critical piece of land for the overall health of Florida’s environment. It is made up of coastal mangroves, sawgrass, swamps, flatwoods, pines, and other important species. The Everglades is also home to some famous wildlife like the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida Panther, and West Indian manatee. If you are really lucky, you can spot saltwater crocodiles. There are alligators all over the Everglades. The trails are easy to hike because the Everglades is located at sea level, and there are no hills or mountains to hike. There are about 45 miles of trails. A good time to visit is during the fall or springtime. That is when the weather is the best, not too hot and not too buggy.
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park was established in 1890 in California. As you would have guessed with its name, it is named after the giant Sequoia trees that can live thousands of years. The park covers 631 square miles of these magical trees. It is amazing to hike through the forest among these giants. The park offers close to 75 miles of trails ranging from 2,700 ft to 14,400 feet above sea level. Make sure to bring enough water when you are hiking at high altitudes.
