Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

From the World Heritage inscription for Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a major North American refuge of temperate zone flora and fauna that survived the Pleistocene glaciations. The park includes the largest remnant of the diverse Arcto-Tertiary geoflora era left in the world and provides an indication of …

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Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite is one of the major parks in the U.S. and one of the first national parks in the U.S. Park Service. The Yosemite Valley is one of the most photographed and special places in the country. If I had to come up with a shortlist of places to visit in the United States, this …

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What to Do in Redwood National Park, California

Redwood National Park, California

Redwoods are the tallest trees in the world. These majestic giants tower over nearly all over species of tree—the closest I’ve seen was the giant eucalyptus trees of Tasmania, which are almost as tall as the redwoods. Tasmania’s trees aren’t quite as impressive as the redwoods in California mostly because they’re hardwoods and have a …

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Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Overview Kobuk Valley National Park is the most remote and least visited national park in the US National Park System. Official numbers claim that the park gets about 10,000 visitors per year, but this estimate includes native people who enter the park. The number of actual visitors to the park is probably less than 200 …

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Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Idaho/Montana

Yellowstone National Park is not only the first national park in the United States but the first national park in the world. Created in 1872, Yellowstone has held its position as the greatest of the parks in North America. It was also one of the first 12 sites to be named a UNESCO World Heritage …

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Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park

From the World Heritage inscription for Olympic National Park: Located in the northwest of Washington State, Olympic National Park is renowned for the diversity of its ecosystems. Glacier-clad peaks interspersed with extensive alpine meadows are surrounded by an extensive old growth forest, among which is the best example of intact and protected temperate rainforest in …

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Denali National Park, Alaska

Denali National Park, Alaska

Overview Denali National Park is Alaska’s most popular and well-known national park. The showpiece of the park is the eponymous Mount Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Originally called Mount McKinley National Park, it is a popular trip addition to people going on cruises in SE Alaska. It is a great place to view …

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Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri

Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri

Overview Gateway Arch National Park, formerly the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, is a United States National Park in St. Louis, Missouri. The primary attraction is the Gateway Arch, which commemorates the westward expansion of the United States. St. Louis used to be known as the “Gateway to the West”, which is why it was selected …

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13,311 Miles, 85 days, 25 States and 17 Heritage Sites Later

My three month North America road trip is over. This was by far the most driving I’ve ever done in a single period in my life. The final tally for what I saw and experienced was more than what I initially expected. It was a busy three months and in the end it was something …

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