National Parks

A guide to America's national parks

General, non-commercial profiles of widely visited protected areas. This site is independent and is not affiliated with the National Park Service.

Park access, fees, reservations, road openings and closures change regularly. Always confirm current conditions with the official managing agency before planning a visit.

Yellowstone National Park

Location: Mainly Wyoming, extending into Montana and Idaho
Landscape type: High volcanic plateau, forests, river valleys and geothermal basins
Natural features: Geysers, hot springs and mudpots produced by heat from an underlying volcanic system, plus canyons and waterfalls on the Yellowstone River.
Flora and fauna: Bison, elk, bears, wolves and a range of birds; lodgepole pine forest and meadow vegetation.
Seasons and visiting: Roads and facilities open on a seasonal schedule, with heavy snow in winter. Verify current access before travelling.
Safety: Thermal ground can be thin and dangerously hot; stay on boardwalks and marked trails.

Yosemite National Park

Location: Sierra Nevada, California
Landscape type: Glacially carved granite valley, alpine terrain and giant sequoia groves
Natural features: Sheer granite walls, waterfalls fed by snowmelt, and high-country meadows and lakes.
Flora and fauna: Black bears, mule deer, marmots and diverse birdlife; sequoia, pine and oak woodland.
Seasons and visiting: Waterfalls are usually strongest in late spring during snowmelt; high-country roads close in winter.
Safety: Store food properly and keep a safe distance from all wildlife.

Grand Canyon National Park

Location: Northern Arizona
Landscape type: Deep river canyon cut into layered sedimentary rock
Natural features: Exposed rock layers spanning a long geologic record, with the Colorado River at the bottom of the canyon.
Flora and fauna: Bighorn sheep, condors, ravens and reptiles adapted to dry, rocky terrain.
Seasons and visiting: Inner-canyon temperatures are far higher than at the rim in summer. The North Rim has a shorter open season than the South Rim.
Safety: Hiking down is optional; hiking back up is not. Plan water, shade and turnaround times carefully.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Location: North Carolina and Tennessee
Landscape type: Ancient forested mountains with frequent mist and high rainfall
Natural features: Broad elevation range supporting many forest types, along with streams, waterfalls and historic structures.
Flora and fauna: Black bears, salamanders in exceptional variety, wildflowers and mixed hardwood forest.
Seasons and visiting: Spring wildflowers and autumn colour draw the largest visitation.
Safety: Roads such as high-elevation routes may close temporarily in bad weather.

Everglades National Park

Location: Southern Florida
Landscape type: Subtropical wetland of sawgrass marsh, mangroves and coastal waters
Natural features: A slow, shallow flow of freshwater moving south toward the coast, forming one of the largest wetland systems in the country.
Flora and fauna: Alligators, crocodiles, wading birds, manatees and abundant fish and invertebrates.
Seasons and visiting: The drier winter months usually offer easier conditions and concentrated wildlife viewing; summer is hot, wet and buggy.
Safety: Observe alligators from a distance and never feed wildlife.

Olympic National Park

Location: Olympic Peninsula, Washington
Landscape type: Temperate rainforest, glaciated mountains and wild Pacific coastline in one park
Natural features: Rainforest valleys with heavy moss cover, alpine ridges, and beaches with sea stacks and tide pools.
Flora and fauna: Roosevelt elk, black bears, seabirds, salmon and intertidal marine life.
Seasons and visiting: Rain is common much of the year; high mountain roads are seasonal.
Safety: Check tide charts before walking coastal stretches to avoid being cut off.