The Grand Canyon is a majestic park. The Colorado river winds through it for 277 river miles and it can take you up to 5 hours to drive the length of it. And there are a lot of things you can do while visiting.

Camping

There are over 600 campsites available in the park and many others outside. Reserve early as these are usually spoken for by early spring.

There are over 15 designated trails available for hiking the rim.

You can take a mule ride to the bottom of the rim. They have rides where you can go down the trail and spend 1 or 2 nights at Phantom Ranch.

You can take a bike trip through the park.

You can even take a whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River. They have at least 4 types of rafting trips and I would recommend the Full Day Motorized trip.

The Grand Canyon is one of the top tourist destinations in the country. There is something for everyone. That’s why it made number 5 on my list.

4. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in Tennessee and North Carolina. The park is around 816 square miles and is open year-round.

Camping

There are over 100 different campgrounds in the park.

You can hike all over the park. Just make sure you carry a map with you. It is a big park.

You can fish the over 2900 miles of streams.

You can take a ride. They have some well-trained horses and one stable has been in business over 17 years.

And don’t forget to visit the Burial Landscapes. They hold lots of historic information from days gone by.

This park is preserving the land as it was hundreds of years ago. The sites are kept pristine and if you love nature, this is the place for you.

3. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park covers 1200 square miles in the Sierra Nevada. It has a mix of meadows and cliffs. One of the most famous features is El Capitan, one of the most visited rock climbing destinations of the world.

Camping

Yosemite has 13 campgrounds. There are even places you can camp with your horse.

If you like rock climbing, this is the place for you.

You can go fly fishing and sport fishing in the 770 miles of streams.

Of course, you can go horseback riding. There are lots of options including 2 hour and half day rides.

You have your choice of tours available. My favorite is the Glacier Point Tour. The scenery is fabulous.And don’t miss the waterfalls in all their splendor.

Yosemite is, in my opinion, the most mesmerizing place to see in the state of California. The views are spectacular and great for photography.

2. Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park covers almost a million acres. With Over 70 miles of coastland and snow topped mountains it has something for almost everyone.

Camping

There are around 900 dedicated campsites in the park, Some with running water.

Activities include:

Boating on one of the either Lake Crescent, Lake Quinault or Lake Ozette.

You can canoe down one of 5 rivers. This is a year-round activity and some of the campgrounds that you can canoe to are open year-round also.

The rock climbing here is different from most other places. The shale and sandstone make for a harder climb but more rewarding for the experienced climbers who attempt it. This is not for the novice.

Olympic Park offers 600 lakes and 4000 miles of streams to fish. I like to salmon fish and the park is the perfect place for it.

I would recommend visiting one of the Tide Pools, you can creatures in their natural habitat. And they are beautiful.

With all the of hiking available at the park, there is sure to be a trail that matches your skill and endurance level. Just be sure to follow the rules.Overall, Olympic National Park has so much to offer and so many ecosystems that it is worth taking the time and visiting, you won’t regret it.

1. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park covers 3742 square miles and it has five entrances. There are 2 entrances in Wyoming, 3 in Montana, and 1 in Idaho. While the park is mostly in Wyoming, 3% is in Montana and 1% is in Idaho.

Yellowstone has a lot for you to do and see which include:

Campsites

There are over 2000 campsites in Yellowstone National Park in 12 different locations, You can also camp in the woods with a permit. Some of the campgrounds do accept reservations, but some are first come first serve.

So, plan ahead. If you are taking an RV, check at the park office as some roads are not RV friendly. They even have an app!

There are 1300 miles of trails available to hike in the park.

You can go backpacking. Take an overnight trip. Just get your permit early and be wary of the bears.

Yellowstone has some of the best fishing areas around. There are some of the largest trout I have ever seen in the lakes and rivers there.

Rock climbing is also popular at Yellowstone.

Local attractions

At or near the park there are many different attractions.

You can visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center and see wolves and bears in their natural habitat.

The National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole is something to see. You can take a sleigh ride through the elk.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is where you can learn all about Buffalo Bill Cody and his Wild West Show, and the West of his time.

At the Cody Firearms Museum, there are examples of the firearms that won the west. It is the world’s largest collection of early American and European firearms

I took a drive through the Yellowstone Bear World in Idaho and was impressed. They have moose, elk, wolves, bison, deer, mountain goats and of course bear. Both grizzly and black bear are there. This is a must-see attraction. I even got to bottle feed a baby bear!

As you can see, there is plenty to do!

If you get the chance, spend some time here. I would suggest at least 4 days although I prefer a week. This really is a little slice of heaven. I myself try to go at least every other year and stay for ten days.

It is my hope that you enjoyed this article. The beauty of these western government sites is something that photos cannot do justice.

If you have a comment or thought I would be thrilled to hear from you. And please, if you liked this article, share it with your friends.