Welcome to Travel Tuesdays! In this week’s video we share with you our picks for the top National Parks in the united states. From the turquoise waters of the Dry Tortugas, to the sand dunes of Death Valley, and the majestic mountains of Denali, America truly is beautiful. But with over 60 national parks, the task of choosing the right one to visit can be daunting. So without further adieu, we bring you our Top 10 picks, starting with…

#10 Dry Tortugas

Is located in Florida, about 68 miles west of Key West. This 100 square mile national park preserves the 7 Dry Tortugas islands as well as the historic Fort Jefferson. If you love snorkelling, then you’re going to fall in love with this park and its turquoise waters, immaculate coral reef, and abundant marine life. There is also plenty of history here, as you can tour the old fort, built in the 19th century. Being an island, you have to get there by boat or seaplane, both of which are expensive, starting at $190 and going up to about $360. You can also arrive by private boat or seaplane, and save yourself some money. However you get here, you’ll love the experience!

#9 Acadia

Is located in the central Atlantic region of Maine, just southwest of Bar Harbour. This park preserves about 17 islands and a peninsula, off the coast of Maine, encompasses about 76 square miles, and is home to Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the US Atlantic Coast. Acadia is sure to offer plenty of trails and activities for the avid outdoors person. From hiking to biking and kayaking to swimming, this park really does have a little something for everyone. Summer is certainly the most crowded season, as visitors get out and about to enjoy the lovely weather, so we’d recommend a trip during September & October. The entrance fee to the park is $30 per vehicle and many of the attractions require a special permit, so make sure you reserve yours in advance.

#8 Grand Canyon

Is located in northwestern Arizona and is considered one of the wonders of the world, is a UNESCO world heritage site, and celebrated its 100th birthday in February 2019. The canyon averages approximately 277 river miles in length, 18 miles in width and a mile deep. The entrance fee to the park is $35 per vehicle and gives you access to the south rim, which is open 24 hours a day year round. You can also access the north rim, but it is limited to visits between May and October.  Grand Canyon averages over 6 million visitors a year, so making reservations ahead of time is certainly recommended, especially during the peak season.

#7 Zion

Is located in southwestern Utah near the town of Springdale. This park encompasses over 220 square miles and is best known for Zion Canyon, which is 15 miles long and up to just over 2600 feet deep. Entrance fees for the park start at $35 per vehicle and give you access to al the wonderful trails, overlooks, canyons, and scenic drives. Popular areas of the park include The Narrows, Angels Landing, Watchman Trail, and observation point,  just to name a few. As more than 4 million people visit the park each year, we recommend you avoid the summer crowds and instead visit the park in spring or fall.

#6 Grand Teton

Is located in northwestern Wyoming, in the Jackson Hole valley, and encompasses about 480 square miles. The Teton Range is it’s crowning glory and is about 40 miles long. Grand Teton is only about 10 miles south of Yellowstone, making it possible to enjoy both parks on one vacation. This park offers its visitor adventure, history, and views galore! There are no shortage of opportunities to hike, bike, and paddle to your hearts content. The park is open 24 hours a day year round, and is quite popular, so we suggest you book your $35 pass in advance, especially you plan to visit in the summer months.

#5 Yellowstone

Is located mostly in the northwestern corner of Wyoming but also extends into Montana and Idaho. It is only about 10 miles north of Grand Teton and encompasses more than 3400 square miles. This park is magical to behold with its geothermal activity creating blowing geysers and multicolored hot springs pools, as well as its mountain ranges, canyons, rivers, and lakes.  The park has an abundance of wildlife that freely roams its grounds such as bear, elk, wolves, and bison. As this is one of the more popular parks in the US, we’d recommend you avoid visiting in summer, and instead opt for a shoulder or off season visit to avoid the crowds and beat the heat.

#4 Glacier

Is located in northwestern Montana, on the US-Canada border. The park encompasses more than 1 million acres and is home to two mountain ranges, over 100 lakes, hundreds of species of animals and thousands of species of plants. From mountain ranges and alpine meadows to lakes And waterfalls, as well as over 700 trails to enjoy it all from, you’ll find something to fuel your adventurous side in this stunning park. The park is open 24 hours a day year round, and the entrance fee is $35 a vehicle.

#3 Death Valley

Is located on the California Nevada border east of the Sierra Nevada. It is the largest park in the lower 48 and is also the driest, hottest, and lowest in elevation. The lowest point in Death Valley is located at badwater basin and it sits 282 feet below seas level. Temperatures can reach in access of 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and for this reason we recommend visiting during fall winter and spring. Death Valley is a UNESCO world heritage site and includes mountains, valleys, canyons, and sand dunes. This is a photographers and outdoors persons paradise. Entrance fees to the park are $30 per vehicle.

#2 Yosemite

Is located in northern California and encompasses nearly 1200 square miles. This spectacular park is one of the most popular US national parks, and offers up valleys, meadows, wilderness, waterfalls, mountains, wildlife, and majestic sequoias. The park is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year, but now requires a permit to enter, as well as the entrance fee of $35. Making reservations in advance is a must in order to guarantee your entrance. This park is iconic in its beauty and is definitely an Instagrammable destination, so don’t forget your camera.

#1 Denali

Is located in interior Alaska and its crowing jewel is Denali, the highest peak in North America, at 20,310 feet! Denali NP sits on more than 6 million acres with mountains, glaciers, tundra, and meadows to keep you in awe of nature. There are plenty of trails for hiking, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and cross country skiing to keep adventure seekers coming back for more. Wildlife abounds in this park, as it roams free of boundaries, so keep this in mind and keep yourself and the wildlife safe by keeping your distance. Denali is open year round and the entrance fee to the park is $15 per person.

What are you favorite US National Parks? Let me know in the comments below. And, remember to check out the Travel Tuesdays video for the fully immersive experience! Until next time, be loving, be kind, be better!