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Zion National Park, Utah © Yun Gao | Dreamstime
Yellowstone became the United States’ first national park in 1872. Over the decades that followed, more natural treasures were protected until the National Park Service was established in 1916 to preserve the nation’s most remarkable landscapes. In honor of National Parks & Recreation Month, here are several of the country’s most inspiring parks, each offering unique scenery and experiences. -
© Demerzel21 | Dreamstime
Acadia National Park in Maine showcases a rugged Atlantic coastline, sheltered coves, offshore isles and dense pine forests. The park surrounds Cadillac Mountain and covers about 50,000 acres. Scenic drives along the 20-mile Park Loop Road and the park’s 57 miles of trails offer excellent opportunities for hiking, biking and coastal views. -
© Americanspirit | Dreamstime
A short distance off the southern California coast, the Channel Islands are a group of largely untouched islands with dramatic cliffs, grassy hills and sea-carved spires. Several islands are part of the national park system, home to unique plants and animals. Visitors can kayak through sea caves, hike coastal trails and, seasonally, see large marine mammals including blue whales offshore. -
© Nouseforname | Dreamstime
Denali National Park in Alaska covers roughly six million acres of subarctic wilderness and is dominated by North America’s tallest peaks. The park is rich in wildlife and offers remote hiking, backcountry adventures, white-water rafting and scenic viewpoints like Wonder Lake, where mountain vistas and expansive tundra capture the scale of the Alaskan interior. -
© Ericg1970 | Dreamstime
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park protects active volcanic landscapes, from palm-lined coasts near Hilo to the steaming summits of Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. Visitors can drive the Crater Rim and explore lava tubes, sulfur banks and the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The park’s volcanic activity periodically reshapes the shoreline and adds new land where flows reach the sea. -
© Curtis Smith | Dreamstime
Olympic National Park in Washington preserves a variety of ecosystems—from rugged Pacific coastline and temperate rainforests to alpine peaks. The park’s ancient forests, cascading waterfalls, pristine lakes and wildflower meadows form a complex and largely unspoiled landscape that supports diverse plant and animal life. -
© Jonmanjeot | Dreamstime
Saguaro National Park in Arizona is named for the iconic saguaro cactus and contains one of the largest concentrations of these towering cacti. The park’s desert landscapes come alive with seasonal wildflowers and support wildlife such as deer, owls and other desert-adapted species, offering classic Southwestern vistas and photography opportunities. -
© Pukkainc | Dreamstime
Utah hosts several national parks, and Zion is among the most visited due to its dramatic red-rock cliffs, narrow slot canyons and towering arches. Hikers and photographers come for the sweeping canyon views, unique sandstone formations and the sense of scale that defines the Colorado Plateau.
