By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 4th February 2018 | Updated: 1st November 2024
There are so many weird and wonderful national parks throughout America. I spent a short while in Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California not too long ago and during my time there I visited a number of awesome parks. So if you are in the area, or planning to be, here are my 7 can’t miss national parks;
Zion Canyon – Utah
Established in 1919, Zion National Park in southwest Utah is a nature reserve with a number of routes that allow you to fully engross yourself into the pure dramatic nature of the canyon. We walked the Angels Landing trail which at 2.4 miles long is not easy on a hot sticky day! Even so, it is a beautiful walk through the forest trails following along the river through to the Emerald Pools, waterfalls and hanging gardens. There are also deep chasms alongside the river called Zion Narrows where you can do a wading hike!
Bryce Canyon – Utah
With an area of 145km² Bryce Canyon, established in 1928, is known for its odd spire-shaped rock formations or hoodoos. The views of this otherworldly landscape are amazing from the rim of the canyon and the base. The bright red/orange sandstone cliffs let you weave down through the hoodoos along various length trails, all taking in the sights of Bryce Canyon. I chose to do the Navajo Loop which begins at Sunset Point and loops down through the cliffs and fir trees to the main amphitheatre before walking back up to Sunset Point. This 2-mile route lets you take in the ‘Silent City’, (the rock structures look like towers and buildings), as well as Thor’s Hammer, all the while walking in the footsteps of many before you. Upon finishing the Navajo Loop you even get an ‘I hiked the Hoodoos’ badge!
Antelope Canyon – Arizona
The most photographed canyon in the world, can’t be bad, can it! Well, it is certainly clear to see why the canyon is so photographed from the brim to the base. The slot canyon is on Navajo land and is split into to separate sections, ‘Upper Antelope Canyon’, (Tsé bighánílíní, which in Navajo means ‘the place where water runs through rocks’) or ‘The Crack’ and ‘Antelope Canyon’, (Hazdistazí, which in Navajo means ‘spiral rock arches’), or ‘The Corkscrew’. I ventured into ‘The Corkscrew’, 37m down steep sets of steps and ladders into the narrow passageways and colourful flowing rock shapes. Walking through the canyon, which was created due to erosion and flash flooding, is an incredible experience, the scale, the sounds, the light everything! It is a must visit if you are in Arizona.
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Monument Valley – Utah / Arizona
Monument Valley or ‘Valley of the Rocks’ as the Navajo call it, is an amazing red sand desert landscape known for its massive sandstone buttes, the largest of which reached 300m above the valley floor. The rock formations are thought to be eroded remains of the Navajo Rocky Mountain ancestors shaped by wind and water. With an area of over 74.4km² in discover get out and about walking through the famous red sand or hop on a Navajo guided jeep tour. Just make sure you visit The Totem Pole, The Three Sisters, The Cube and of course the famous West & East Mittens.
I also camped here as part of a group tour which made the experience all the more worthwhile. Falling asleep watching the sunset and the millions of stars and satellites shoot pass overhead to waking up to the sunrise through the ‘Mittens’ is something I will never forget.
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Grand Canyon – Arizona
Now for quite possibly the most famous National Park in America, the Grand Canyon. This immense landscape with layered bands of rock is a 4,926km² geological masterpiece! With viewpoints all around the rim down through the canyon to the Colorado River, which is especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset, it is a feast for the eyes. You have to make sure you walk down into the canyon as well to get the views from all angles. I walked the South Kaibab Trail down 3 miles to Cedar Ridge. It is steep and there’s little to no shade, but it gives you the best views for a short hike, specifically at Ooh Ah Point.
The best way to experience the canyon for the first time is to walk to the edge with your eyes at your feet, do not look yet! Then when you are close to the edge, (but not too close we all want you to be careful here!), look up… The view is made even more incredible with the uninterrupted lines of sight!
Death Valley – California / Nevada
Death Valley National Park, the hottest place I have ever encountered! It hit 50 degrees whilst we visited, hence I was finding sweat glands I never knew I had! Straddled between California and Nevada with an area of 13,628km² Death Valley is an incredible once in a lifetime visit landscape. With Badwater Basin and it’s salt flats, the lowest point in North America, and Dante’s View along the Black Mountains, you can truly view Death Valley from every angle. You can even stay in the local town called Furnace Creek if you’re brave enough to stick out the heat!
Yosemite – California
Giant sequoias, granite cliffs and incredible waterfalls… Where other than Yosemite National Park. Situated in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains this park, first protected in 1864, is rammed with things to see/do. You can walk through the vast meadows, gaze at Bridalveil Fall or climb the cliffs of El Capitan all before stopping for a picnic with the local chipmunks! With an area of 3,027 km² you will not be lost of things to do, even just admiring the Tunnel View or the iconic Half Dome can make the minutes turn into hours.
And there you have it, my top 7 National Parks you must visit in Utah, Arizona and California!
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Gemma (i.e The Travelling Tedaldi)
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Gemma Tedaldi
Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.
