4 American National Parks You Need to Visit

America is filled with beauty and history, and it’s important that you visit landmarks throughout your lifetime to see unbelievable sights, experience culture and history and have a better understanding of the wonder the country contains.

Some people are fortunate to enjoy plenty of traveling experiences while others don’t have the same luxury. Whether you’re an avid traveler or only get out on occasion, the following are five American landmarks that you need to visit at some point in your lifetime.

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the entire country. This beautiful sight contains over 800 miles of trails and can be found between Tennessee and North Carolina. The park contains over 17,000 documented species, but many scientists believe there are at least 30,000 more living there.

Among the wonderment of the park, you will see a variety of plant and animal life, historic mountains, waterfalls, historic grist mill and remaining features from the Southern Appalachian mountain cultures. You can plan your visit through the park by yourself, or you can even do some great sightseeing with the help of a ranger. Admission to the park is free, and you can even camp out at the Smoky Mountains for only $14 to $23 per night.

2. The Grand Canyon National Park

Whether you simply want to take in the view or hike the entire 21-miles from rim to rim, the Grand Canyon is definitely a place you need to see. The Grand Canyon also contains lodging and campgrounds if you want to stay a bit longer.

There are two sides to the Grand Canyon, the north rim and the south rim. The north rim contains a visitor center where you can follow a guide to learn more about the landmark. The south rim is open year round and contains more activities and sights.

While there, you can walk on the Skywalk, which is a observation deck that has a glass bottom. This Skywalk sits 70 feet over the west rim and 4,000 feet above the Colorado River. If you want to enter the Grand Canyon by foot, it will cost you $12 per person. If you want to enter by car, it is $25 per vehicle.

3. Redwood National Park

When you think of Redwood National Park, you probably think of a park containing tall Redwood trees, but that’s not all this national park has to offer. This park contains over 40 miles of coastline, as well as prairies and river ways.

Redwood National Park is home to plenty of endangered animals. Fishing is only allowed in certain places, hunting is banned, and cars are not allowed to drive off road. Some of the endangered species found in Redwood National Park are bald eagles, northern spotted owls, sea lions and coho salmon.

While there, you can take in the sights by yourself or enlist the help of a park ranger. Enjoy scenic drives and visit many of the overlooks to get a great sight of the trees, water and wildlife.

Access to Redwood National Park is completely free, and if you decide to camp out, you’ll only have to pay a small fee.

4. Death Valley National Park

The Death Valley National Park can be found below sea level. High peaks are topped with snow while the lower basins are home to desserts. Home to Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in all of North America, can be found 282 feet below sea level.

Though the name is morbid, the sights you’ll see in Death Valley are unlike any other. Due to the heat, the floor of the valley can shimmer. Rain hardly gets past the mountains, and desert floors can actually be home to beautiful flowers. Most animals that call Death Valley home are nocturnal, and due to the heat, most wildlife live on the higher points.

If you want to visit Death Valley, you better plan on staying for a week. If you want to enter by vehicle, it will cost you $20 for 7 days. Individuals will pay $10 for 7 days. If you live close, you can also purchase a year pass for $40.

Carrie Johnson lives in Dallas and works with a travel agency. She enjoys writing about traveling and must-see sites in her spare time. Carrie recently wrote about her stay at a Bahamas beach resort.