Author: Maria Alfano
National parks trips may not have been on your radar till now. There are approximately 4000 national parks all around the world. Of course, Yosemite National Park is the most famous park but there are some that can be considered much more beautiful than good ole Yosemite.
Whether you are a nature lover or not, these national parks do not disappoint. Some parks are so picture-perfect, they look like they were painted from an artist’s imagination. The good news is these are not just a figment of brilliant imagination, they are very real and there for you to explore.
In a world where everything has been turned on its head with global warming, too much plastic, and a pandemic, it is good to know there are some absolutely stunning national parks trips you can take that will put a smile on your face and hope in your heart. A vacation doesn’t have to be a beach chair and a good drink by the ocean. In fact, as you go through midlife you likely have had several beach vacations. Now is the time for some culture and beauty that will take your breath away.
9 Stunning National Parks Trips Around The World
These natural wonders are in places that perhaps have not been on your travel bucket list. Before you completely count them out, put your imagination to work and picture yourself at any one of these locations to create an awesome national parks trip for yourself and your family or a best friend.
This post will take on a world journey to 9 stunning and picturesque national parks around the world. Fasten your seatbelt and come along for the ride.
Banff National Park – Alberta, Canada
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park is considered to be the oldest national park in western Canada. I have to admit, this is my personal favorite. Even if you don’t like to ski, the quaint Banff village with its shops and restaurants will have something for everyone. Drive a little up the mountain and witness wildlife like moose as you head to the natural sulfur hot springs. Banff National Park is a year-round destination. If you didn’t see it in person, you would believe this place is simply a painting. I promise you this stunner is real!
Kruger National Park – South Africa
Located just 260 miles northeast of Johannesburg, these 5 acres are beaming with birds and other wildlife. Stay in the wild and look out the window of your luxurious lodge as big game animals like lions, elephants, buffalo, and hippos take a stroll across the properties. The Kruger National Parks trip is a sight to remember. This games park is rated #8 place to visit in all of Africa and the #9 best national park in the world. Go for a bushwalk and “spy” on the hippos bathing in the mud pool. Or, go on the jeep tour and see more of these majestic mammoths in a single day. If you prefer camping to a luxury resort, that option is available to you as well. Avoid the rainy season and enjoy your vacation between April and September.
Arches National Park -Utah, USA
Sitting just outside of Moab, UT, the Arches National Park is truly a marvel of nature. Literally, hundreds of arches made from red rock and sand have been carved into the landscape by erosion, winds, and rains over thousands if not millions of years. As the sun moves across the sky, the lights and shadows create an ever-changing landscape. It is heaven for those with cameras in hand ready for the next picture. Take a short 20-minute walk to enjoy the views of the Balanced Rock or Double Arch. And, if you’re up for the challenge go to the Fiery Furnace and the Delicate Arch. Because summers can be scorching hot, the best times to visit are April – May, and September – October.
gros Morne National Park – Newfoundland, Canada
On the easternmost coast of Canada, you will find Newfoundland. This province is made up of two parts. One part is attached to the mainland and the other is an island. A 3-day trek through one of Unesco’s World Heritage sites makes one of the most perfect national parks trips you can imagine. Gros Morne National Park lies on the western coast of Newfoundland and is reminiscent of the Norwegian fjords. Take in the amazing waterfalls that spot the national parkland like Pissing Mare Falls. Or, discover the unusual rock formation on the Tablelands area of the park. Don’t forget to stop at the Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse. The best times to visit this park are between July and September so you can enjoy it without rain, cold, or snow.
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – Northern Territory, Australia
Venturing to the Northern Territory in Australia would not be complete without a national parks trip to Uluru-Kata Tjuti. This park is named after the sacred Aboriginal lands of Uluru (meaning sandstone) and Kata Tjuta (meaning red domes). Millions of years ago as the seawater receded, these formations started to pop up across the terrain. The world shifting and continents colliding caused the racks to fold into themselves and create these wondrous structures. Walk along park trails for free or drive the many paths. Either way, the best time to be there is between May and September when the weather is simply perfect.
Fundy National Park – New Brunswick, Canada
Walk the ocean floor, marvel at the giant rock formations, swim in the Atlantic ocean. All these are possible at Fundy National Park. When the tide is in, the flower pot rock formations look like miniature islands speckling the seascape. But, when the tide goes out, you can walk on the ocean floor that was covered by many feet of deep water a few hours earlier. The miniature islands suddenly are overwhelming large rock formations with greenery and vegetation on the very top. Prefer to go out into the ocean while the tide is in? No problem. Take one of the many tours and go whale watching. Since this is also on Canada’s eastern seaboard, you can take the national parks trips on the road and visit both Fundy and Gros Morne parks during the same vacation.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – Hunan, China
Zhangjiajie became China’s first national park in the 1980s. In 2004 it was labeled a UNESCO global geopark. This dense forest is lined with pointy pillar-like formations covered in deep green vegetation. These are often used as a backdrop for Chinese artists. They have become synonymous with the Chinese landscape. Tourists are well-appreciated and there are plenty of things to do in and around the national park. Walk the trails and feel like you are walking on clouds, observing the monkeys, bison, and wild rabbits. The weather can be unpredictable so the best time to travel there is between April and November.
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Get as close to the bottom of the world as possible before reaching Antarctica, and you will have arrived in Patagonia. This is the southernmost tip of South America where the region is made up of two countries – Chile and Argentina. This national park in Chile is home to penguins, whales, pumas, and the Grey Glacier. The spectacular geological formations leave you breathless. Aside from glaciers, you will be able to spot some magnificently bright blue glaciers in the ocean. The land is covered with golden pampas (grasslands) where guanacos (from the llama family) have been seen grazing. Being in the southern hemisphere, summer is between November and May. These are the best months to visit the park.
Goreme National Park & Rock Sites of Cappadocia – Turkey
To say stunning is an understatement for this national park treasure. Built into the centuries-old rock formations are small villages and open-air museums. The hoodoos of Cappadocia are tall spiral rock formations that dot the countryside. But, perhaps what Goreme National Park is best known for is its hot air balloons. Hundreds of balloons ascend into the sky just before dawn every day that weather permits. Typically, you will see these flying machines float through the air between 250 and 280 days per year. Even if you are not brave enough to take a ride yourself, you have the prettiest views from the surrounding areas. This one is definitely on my bucket list!
In Summary
National Parks trips are exhilarating and breathtaking. No matter where you are in the world, there is at least one of these splendors nearby. Go for nature and the wildlife. With global warming, who knows how much longer these true miracles will be around for us to explore and behold. Life is more than just a beach vacation. Make time for yourself to really take in what Mother Nature herself has created.
We would love to hear from you. Which one of these parks have you been to? Do you have a favorite that we have not included on the list? Tell us all about your adventure to a national park.
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