My almost 24-mile hike from the North to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon ended in darkness. About a mile from the top, exhausted, I gazed up at a glowing line of hiker headlamps winding toward the rim, then to the sea of stars overhead. I was stung by the beauty of the moment.
I felt something similar wrangling the cliff-side chains section of Angels Landing in Zion National Park. A few years later, the feeling stirred in my heart when I spotted bears (from a very safe distance) hiking in Glacier National Park.
I love seeing people reconnect with nature and themselves in the US National Parks. But as parks see an increase in visitors, it is even more important to be educated about these places to ensure others can experience these same cherished moments.
The parks are truly wild, and there are unique things to know about each one, from respecting the history of the Indigenous peoples for whom these places are sacred to practicing the rules of Leave No Trace to protect these beautiful parks for future generations. Our extensive collection of US National Parks guides is the perfect resource for helping you plan an unforgettable adventure in these magnificent places.
– Melissa Yeager, Destination Editor, Western US and Canada
