America's national parks and what makes each special
20 cards · nature
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| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains | Tennessee/North Carolina; most visited; biodiversity; misty ridges Cades Cove and Clingmans Dome are highlights; peak fall colors in October. |
| Grand Canyon | Arizona; mile-deep canyon; layered geology; Colorado River South Rim is open year-round; 277 miles long; sunsets are spectacular. |
| Zion | Utah; sandstone canyon; slot canyons; famed hikes Angels Landing and The Narrows are iconic; shuttle runs most of the year. |
| Rocky Mountain | Colorado; alpine peaks; tundra; Trail Ridge Road Over 60 peaks above 12,000 ft; elk rut in fall; spans the Continental Divide. |
| Yosemite | California; granite cliffs; waterfalls; giant sequoias El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls anchor the famed valley. |
| Yellowstone | Wyoming/Montana/Idaho; first park (1872); geysers, hot springs, wildlife Old Faithful erupts about every 90 minutes; atop a vast volcanic caldera. |
| Acadia | Maine; rocky coast; Cadillac Mountain; carriage roads Sunrise from Cadillac is a classic; explore Jordan Pond and Park Loop Road. |
| Grand Teton | Wyoming; jagged peaks; Snake River; glacial lakes Tetons rise abruptly from the valley; Jenny and Jackson Lakes are favorites. |
| Joshua Tree | California; Joshua trees; boulders; two deserts meet Where Mojave meets Colorado Desert; stellar climbing and night skies. |
| Bryce Canyon | Utah; hoodoo amphitheaters; high plateau views Best at sunrise and sunset; Bryce Amphitheater is the marquee sight. |
| Arches | Utah; 2,000+ stone arches; red rock vistas Delicate Arch is iconic; timed entry is required in peak season. |
| Glacier | Montana; glaciers; alpine lakes; Going-to-the-Sun Road Named for remnant glaciers; the scenic road is typically open in summer. |
| Olympic | Washington; rainforest, coast, and mountains in one park Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, and wild beaches offer sharp contrasts. |
| Death Valley | California/Nevada; lowest, hottest; salt flats, dunes Badwater Basin is -282 ft; visit in winter; record heat occurs here. |
| Sequoia | California; giant sequoias; General Sherman Tree Home to Earth’s largest tree by volume; borders Kings Canyon. |
| Everglades | Florida; subtropical wetlands; mangroves; unique wildlife Only place where alligators and crocodiles coexist; best Nov–Apr dry season. |
| Big Bend | Texas; Rio Grande canyons; Chihuahuan Desert; dark skies Remote and uncrowded; hot springs and starry nights; best in fall or spring. |
| Denali | Alaska; tallest peak; tundra; big wildlife Denali is 20,310 ft; private cars limited—most travel is by park bus. |
| Hawaiʻi Volcanoes | Hawaiʻi; Kīlauea and Mauna Loa; active volcanism Lava activity varies; Chain of Craters Road reaches dramatic coastlines. |
| Haleakalā | Hawaiʻi; massive volcano; summit crater; sunrise views Summit often above the clouds; sunrise requires an advance reservation. |