8 Incredible National Parks in the USA
In October 2023, I stood atop Angel’s Landing in Zion, marvelled at the spanning mountain range in Grand Teton and trekked through hundreds of hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. I climbed to the top of Yosemite Falls in Yosemite, craned my neck to watch Old Faithful shoot into the air in Yellowstone, then craned it even further as I gazed up at the giant trees in Sequoia. I searched for Bigfoot in Redwood and biked along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Over four weeks, I visited eight US national parks, pitching my tent and stripping it down in each one.
I cannot count the number of memories I made, the people I connected with or the kilometres I put on my car, but I can tell you that every part was worth it. Especially taking this trek as a solo adventure. I welcomed the uncertainty of what lay ahead and returned with a grander appreciation for the natural world around me.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
My first stop was a short one. With only one night to spend in Yellowstone National Park, I packed my day with geysers, mud pots and hot springs.
As the first national park in the USA, I stood upon it with a deep appreciation for the history it holds. While seeing Old Faithful, Yellowstone’s most famous geyser, burst into the air is definitely worth the wait; there are almost 500 geysers in the entire park that are also fascinating to witness.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Just south of Yellowstone, I drove down to Grand Teton National Park and immersed myself in the jagged, seemingly infinite mountain range.
In early October, the deciduous trees take on a bright yellow that climbs up the mountain sides and rests along the popular Jackson Lake. Watching the clouds graze the snow-capped peaks of the Tetons could have entertained me for hours. This park has beauty beyond my understanding.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon was a last-minute addition to my itinerary, and it ended up being my favourite park I visited. Towering hoodoos, bright orange sandstone and concaving horizons made me feel like I was on a different planet.
I did two hikes while I was in the park: the Navajo Loop Trail and the Fairyland Loop Trail. The former is one of the most popular hikes in Bryce Canyon, with many zig-zagging switchbacks that take you deep into the canyon. The latter hike is a more moderately paced, longer trek that provides spanning views of the park.
Zion National Park, Utah
One of the most famous parks in the U.S., Zion was definitely worth every second. Standing at the top of Bryce Canyon, staring down at its hoodoos, and standing at the bottom of Zion’s canyon, gazing up at its looming walls, was a stark contrast that heightened the diverse beauty encompassing this country.
I was lucky enough to receive a permit to tackle Zion’s well-known hike, Angel’s Landing. Clinging onto chains bolted into the canyon wall and manoeuvring along winding switchbacks and narrow cliffs, I slowly scaled my way to the top of the canyon. Soon enough, I was peering down at the place I was standing only hours before and scanning the wide horizon once hidden behind sandstone. That was an accomplishment proudly checked off my bucket list.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
It’s difficult to describe something so vast and seemingly endless as the Grand Canyon. My biggest regret about this trip was that I only allotted one full day here. This was not nearly enough time to discover the wonders this park had to offer.
With my legs sore from multiple days of hiking in Zion, I didn’t trust them to carry me down—then back up—the steep canyon wall. I chose to bike along the canyon’s edge instead of going on a hike. My legs still weren’t pleased with this, but it was ultimately the safer option for a solo traveller.
Sequoia National Park, California
Leaving the desert behind, I made my way back into the mountains—yet this range was vastly different from the Rockies I’m used to. Giant sequoia trees blanketed the landscape, larger than life and taller than my mind could comprehend.
I chose to follow a trail that combines various hikes together, allowing me to be amidst the trees while still achieving the expansive views found at the top of more difficult climbs. Hiking through a giant sequoia forest with gnats swarming your entire being is an interesting way to spend an afternoon.
Yosemite National Park, California
This is a national park I’ve been waiting to see my entire life. As I saw El Capitan towering over the valley and Yosemite Falls casting a misty rainbow along the monolithic rock, it seemed impossible to tear my eyes away from what they beheld.
Of all the national parks, I spent the most time here. I completed two intense hikes: the Four Mile Trail (which is definitely longer than four miles) and the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. Both offered different spectacular views of the valley below. Unfortunately, the park removed the chains on Half Dome for the winter before I got the chance to test my skills on the steep climb.
Redwood National Park, California
Heading towards the coast, everything began to look much more green and fresh. As I entered the Redwoods and stepped into the clear, coastal atmosphere, it felt as though I had never truly breathed in fresh air until then.
I spent my time transfixed upon the rushing waves bordering the park, appreciating the lasting, uninterrupted sunsets that hovered over the ocean each night. I walked through the lush, moss-covered forest, desperately searching for a banana slug without success. I reminded myself that it is a privilege to be in each of these parks—to discover the beauty in each of them that has existed long before me and will thrive long after I’m gone.
As I drove further north into late October, the temperature quickly dropped to freezing temperatures. Parks in the surrounding areas were beginning to close. While I could have continued to see the wonders of the world for weeks on end, these conditions made it difficult to do so. I slowly made my way back to Canada, taking my car along the Pacific 101 and enjoying the eclectic towns and roaring ocean along the way. As I drew nearer to the border, I took the time to reflect on this trip, the beauty I witnessed and the resolutions I found. It was the trip of a lifetime, and I couldn’t recommend it more.
