Country examples of nature reserves and national parks of America. America's national parks. Yosemite National Park in California

The United States of America ranks third in the world in terms of its territory. Huge areas of the country pass through the North American continent from the Atlantic to Pacific Ocean. Combined with northwestern Alaska and tropical Hawaii, they form a unique natural portrait consisting of virtually every known climate zone.

Tundra vegetation of the northern, broad-leaved forests of the Appalachians, conifers of the Cordillera, tropical vegetation of the Atlantic lowlands, western forest-steppes, deserts and semi-deserts of the Mexican Highlands - all this can be seen within.

Tourists from all over the world are attracted to the North American country by majestic cities, picturesque landscapes, numerous festivals, historical and architectural monuments. Natural attractions in the United States include great amount various geographical objects. Waterfalls, geysers, lakes, caves, swamps, mountains, rivers, deserts, valleys, volcanoes. The country's national parks are among the most interesting and concentrated places for observing American wildlife. Millions of people visit them every year. The exact number is calculated by the Service national parks USA. Thus, a natural rating of the most popular natural tourist sites is formed. Currently, there are 58 parks in the country. The ten most visited national parks in the United States, according to 2012 data, are as follows:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in two American states - North Carolina and Tennessee, in the Appalachian mountain system. Its name is translated into Russian as “Big Smoky Mountains”. The park is a biosphere reserve protected by UNESCO. The longest walking route in the world - . The park is 95 percent covered with forests - broad-leaved, mixed, spruce-fir, hemlock and oak-pine. The park is home to a large number of animals and birds. On the territory of the Great Smoky Mountains are located historical districts with buildings from the 19th – first half of the 20th centuries.

Grand Canyon National Park was created around the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River on February 19, 1919. The area of ​​the park is about five thousand square kilometers. The most visited part of the Grand Canyon is its south rim. In this part of the park there are a large number of observation points for walking about fifty kilometers of roads are available. declared the park a World Heritage Site. The canyon's multicolored layers of exposed rock reveal the planet's geological history over the past 10 million years.

Yosemite National Park is on the western slopes mountain system Sierra Nevada, in . Almost the entire territory of the park (90%) belongs to the wilderness area. Yosemite is famous for its granite cliffs, rivers, waterfalls and groves of huge redwoods. The park's territory is represented by five natural zones: dense bush, lower and upper mountain forest, subalpine and alpine vegetation zones. In the upper part of Yosemite, along the ridges of the mountains, there are hiking trails. tourist routes. Rock climbers can try their hand at the granite rock of El Capitan.

Yellowstone National Park opened on March 1, 1872. It is the first national park in the world and is protected by UNESCO as an international park. Yellowstone is located in three states: Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Its landscape reflects the consequences volcanic activity Earth's mantle, erupting over 17 million years. The park's territory has three thousand geysers, which is two-thirds of the geysers in the whole world, and ten thousand geothermal springs. Small earthquakes still occur in Yellowstone. However, there are numerous hotels, shops, gas stations and campsites.

Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Colorado. The river of the same name flows through its territory and passes the conventional continental border separating the Pacific basin from the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. The park is known for its picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains, numerous mountain roads, rivers and lakes. East End The park has a dry climate and mountainous terrain, western - with an abundance of moisture and forests. The most common tree found in Rocky Mountain is the pine. The park is home to red wapiti deer, bighorn sheep, squirrels, and you can see various species of hummingbirds.

Zion (or Zion) National Park covers an area of ​​593 km². It is located near the city of Springdale in Utah. The central attraction of the park is the canyon of the same name, formed by the Virginia River. The sandy borders of the canyon have a picturesque reddish-bronze hue. The park received national status in mid-November 1919. In Zion there is a Temple of Sinawava, a Native American deity depicted as a coyote. Behind him highway narrows and pedestrian paths open hiking trails Zion Narrows gorges.

The founding date of Olympic National Park, located on the peninsula of the same name, in the northwestern part of Washington state, is 1938. The area of ​​the park is 3735 km². The isolation of the Olympic Peninsula from the mainland determines the biological diversity of the park. It is home to 15 endemic (found almost exclusively here) animal species and 8 plant species. The park's territory consists of virgin forests, alpine meadows, crystal clear lakes, several dozen glaciers and mountain range Olympic, 2400 meters high. The western part of the park is filled with tropical forests, while the eastern part has a dry climate similar to California.

Grand Teton National Park is located in the northwestern part of Wyoming, 16 km away. from Yellowstone. Its area contains most of the Teton mountain range and Northern part Jackson Hole Valley. The park's territory is replete with glaciers and lakes of glacial origin. The park is home to more than a thousand different species of vascular plants. Here you can find both broad-leaved and spruce-fir forests. The park is home to several dozen species of mammals, more than three hundred species of birds and six species of bats. Grand Teton is the only US park where you can hunt animals, although only one species – elk.

Acadia National Park is part of the State of Maine. Its area includes a significant part of Mount Desert Island and a number of small adjacent islands. Geologically, Acadia is a classic Maine coastal landscape. At the same time, the overall landscape of the park is quite diverse: there are not only beaches, but also ponds, swamps, lakes, spruce and pine forests and even mountains, the highest of which - Cadillac - reaches a height of 466 meters. There are two campgrounds in Acadia. Tourists can explore the park, both on roads and along specially laid trails, with a total length of about 300 km.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park was established in 2000 in northeast Ohio. Its area is 133.3 sq. km. WITH late XIX centuries, the territory of the future park was used local residents for relax. The Cuyahoga Valley landscape is replete with numerous geographical objects– waterfalls, hills, caves, winding rivers. There are hiking trails and bicycle paths throughout the park. The Erie Canal, built in the early 19th century, runs through the Cuyahoga Valley.

The first US national park is the famous Yellowstone National Park (founded March 1, 1872, although officially Hot Springs National Park is 40 years older), located on the border of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone is one of the largest national parks on the planet (an area of ​​almost 900 thousand hectares) and a unique geological phenomenon, on the territory of which there are 200 geysers, more than a thousand hot mineral springs, the most beautiful sinter forms of Mammoth springs, many tectonic valleys and gorges with an unusual landscape, several rivers with waterfalls up to a hundred meters high, many fossils and a rich living community.

To the south lies the beautiful Great Teton National Park with vast tracts of forest (approximately 310 thousand acres) and picturesque rocky areas - perfect place for foot, horse and cycling excursions. Here you can find 12 beautiful mountain peaks over 3500 meters high, seven at least beautiful lakes in the valleys and about a hundred alpine lakes, almost 400 km of various excursion trails and routes and many places for active recreation.

Almost 20% of the state of California is covered by various protected areas. In the southern part of the state there are huge lands National Nature Reserve Mojave Desert, which includes about a dozen protected areas local significance, protecting natural natural complexes this unique desert, as well as the northern spurs of the famous Death Valley.

On the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range lies Yosemite National Park (area 3081 sq. km). Located at altitudes from 600 to 4000 meters above sea level, it is famous for its clear rivers (about 2600) with huge waterfalls (Yosemite - 742 m, Snow Creek - 652 m and about two dozen waterfalls over 90 m high), El cliffs Capitano (900 m high and 1600 m across - the largest single granite rock on the planet), the monumental High Sierra ranges with an abundance of glacial landscapes, deep and narrow canyons, giant sequoia thickets, Glacier Point glaciers, as well as unique flora and fauna (160 endemic plant species and 1400 local ones grow here). Suffice it to say that the only distribution area of ​​the giant sequoia on Earth has been preserved only here, on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, which is why specialized National parks- Sequoia (the largest representatives of this species), King Canyon National Park (the King River canyon is the second deepest in the USA), as well as the desert Joshua Tree National Park, whose relict vegetation has no analogues on the planet.

The state of Utah has perhaps the most beautiful and famous nature reserves in the United States. Zion National Park (593 sq km) protects the unique erosional landforms of the Virgin River Canyon with its castle-like and tower-like rock formations, colorful canyons and cliffs, forests and waterfalls. Unlike the Mojave Desert that surrounds the park, it is literally teeming with life - there are about 289 species of birds, 75 species of mammals (including 19 species of bats), 32 reptiles and about 450 species of plants, which allows the park to be divided into four natural zones - desert , coastal, mixed and coniferous forests.

Canyonlands National Park, located between the Green and Colorado Rivers southwest of Moab, is the largest and most impressive of Utah's national parks. On an area of ​​almost 900 sq. km are concentrated up to a thousand canyons of all shapes and sizes, dozens of beautiful plateaus, gorges, red limestone towers and lifeless rocks, as well as huge areas of completely wild terrain at the confluence of the Green River and Colorado, a whole labyrinth of virtually inaccessible Maze canyons, the Needles rock towers, green areas of the Island of Skye and many other unique natural sites.

Bryce Canyon National Park lies in southwestern Utah (80 km northeast of Zion), on a 38-kilometer shelf of the eastern edge of the Ponsogunt Plateau (altitude about 2400 meters above sea level). This is a gigantic natural amphitheater with a total length of 443 km, created over millions of years by tectonic processes and winds. Thin “towers” ​​of outlier rocks of the most incredible shapes and delicate colors up to 60 meters high, called “hoodoos,” rise among sand dunes, rocky cornices and coniferous groves, forming an indescribable play of colors and shapes, especially picturesque in winter, when all this splendor is shaded by snow-white cover, or at sunset. The park is home to more than 400 species of plants, 160 species of birds and about 60 species of mammals.

Arches National Park near Moab is a vast (about 309 sq km) stretch of weathered red-and-yellow rocks that form a veritable natural gallery of more than 1,800 natural arches of various shapes and sizes - from 1,723-meter Elephant Butte to 1,245 -meter Center Butte. But the main decoration of the park is the Delicate Arch, which inexplicably fits on the edge of the canyon, whose thickness in some places does not exceed 70 cm. This is one of the largest concentrations of natural arches in the world.

In south-central Utah is Capitol Reef National Park (an area of ​​979 sq. km), often called "Vayne's Wonderland." A wall of ocher, white and red rocks up to 300 meters high that really looks like a colossal reef and deep canyons extend 120 km from South Lake Mountain in the north to Powell Lake in the south. The deepest and most tranquil Lake Powell, or Mead (the second largest artificial reservoir in the United States), seems like a figment of fantasy against the backdrop of dry landscapes and weathered rocks.

Monument Valley is a unique geological formation that is an elevated plain that is part of the Colorado Plateau. Like other Utah parks, this unique geological formation in the heart of the desert is a collection of outlier rocks made of red sandstone and harder rocks. But unlike its "neighbors", most of which are classic "canyon lands", in Monument Valley the distance between the outcrops is greater, and the valleys between them are wider, which turns its easily recognizable appearance into one of the " business cards" USA, depicted on thousands of postcards and in dozens of films.

The state of New Mexico is famous for its desert landscapes and a number of unique geological formations. Many are designated as national parks - Carlsbad Caverns, Rio Grande Canyon, Taos Mountain Range and much more. Against the backdrop of wonderful nature, it is worth highlighting two unique museums, one of a kind. These are the Los Alamos Atomic Weapons Museum (www.lanl.gov/museum) and the Rosswell UFO Museum (www.roswellufomuseum.com). In the first case, we are talking about a unique museum operating at one of the most secret scientific laboratories in the United States, and in the second case, about a UFO museum operating not far from the alleged crash site of an alien spaceship in 1946.

The main natural attraction of the state of Washington is Olympic National Park (area 3,734 sq. km), spread around the ancient volcanic massif Olympes (2,424 m). This green coastal zone, surrounded on three sides by the waters of the ocean and bays, has extensive relict forests, lakes, alpine meadows and glaciers. Often called "three parks in one," Olympic National Park supports three distinct ecosystems (about 95% of the park is designated as a forest preserve), including the planet's northernmost tract of Hoh and Kinault rain forest (the wettest area in the continental United States) . In addition, the state is home to Mount Rainier Volcano National Park (Mount Rainier, 4393 m) with its high-altitude landscapes and glaciers, as well as Mount St. Helens Volcanic Park.

Colorado is another place where a large number of unique natural sites are concentrated. The Rocky Mountains and the entire Cordillera system provide unique conditions for activities active species relaxation and observation of nature. Therefore, it is not surprising that the country’s most “democratic” National Park, Rocky Mountain (area 1075 sq. km) is located here - favorite place summer holiday Americans. Here you can find dozens of untouched territories, primarily alpine meadows and high-mountain tundra, and tourist-packed routes of all difficulty categories (total length - more than 640 km!) to picturesque lakes, waterfalls, forests and peaks (this is one of the few places in the world , where you can get stuck in a traffic jam at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters - the park is visited by more than 3 million people annually), as well as areas inhabited by numerous animals, including such rare ones as the mountain puma.

Also very popular are the red “towers” ​​of weathered sandstone of the Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs, the Mesa Verde Historical Reserve (an area of ​​21 thousand hectares), which is included in the list of world monuments, and Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park with its the 85-kilometer river gorge of the same name, the area of ​​​​fantastic red canyons, pillars and cliffs of the Colorado Dinosaur National Monument (one of the largest deposits of fossilized remains of these reptiles), as well as Great Sands Dunes National Park with the highest sand dunes on the continent and the ruins of an ancient Indian civilization of the Hovenweep reserve.

The main decoration of Montana is its glaciers (however, of the 150 once vast mountain ice fields, only 15 remain, the rest are rapidly melting), but there are several truly unique conservation areas - the Beeson Range Nature Reserve near Missoula (a population of black bison that has almost disappeared these days is protected here ), Glacier International Park in the Lewis Mountains (part of the park lies in Canada), the northern part of Yellowstone Park, as well as the Bob Marshall and Charles Russell reserves.

In Texas, the most famous is Big Bend National Park (3241 sq. km) south of El Paso - one of the famous “canyon parks” in the southern part of the United States. The "Great Bend" of the Rio Grande cuts through the soft rocks a whole network of canyons and gorges surrounded by desert, dry forests and steppes. Santa Helena and Boquillas Canyons are the best places in the state for organizing rafting, and the unique arid (dry) flora attracts many tourists on foot and on horseback. Also popular are Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Amarillo, Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge, one of the best bird sanctuaries in the United States, and Padre Island Wildlife Refuge.

The distinctive nature of Florida is also under the close attention of many environmental organizations and the state. One of the most famous here is Everglades National Park, created through public donations on May 30, 1934, to protect a subtropical wetland located in the heart of agricultural and tourist areas. The park area is 6105 sq. km and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, since only here you can observe in one place the almost untouched life of a unique ecosystem of ancient tropical swamps. It is home to 25 species of orchids and more than 2,000 species of other plants, more than 36 species of animals, including the American alligator and crocodile, Florida panther (Puma concolor), and manatee, and more than 300 species of birds, seven of which are rare, have been recorded. species.

Also in Florida are Biscayne National Park (protects mangrove forests and coastal coral reefs), the Dry Tortugas Nature Reserve with its coral reefs and the country's largest coastal fort - Jefferson (1846), Key Deer and Great White Heron nature reserves and Big Cypress, as well as Key Largo National Park - the first underwater reserve in the United States and home to the first underwater hotel on the planet.

Alaska is one of the most diverse natural areas in the United States. The main decoration of the state is the huge (area of ​​2.5 million hectares - larger than the state of Massachusetts) Denali National Park, covering almost half of the territory of the Alaska Range. Here you can see the highest point of the continent - Mount McKinley (6194 m), unique natural communities of mountain forests, tundra and alpine wastelands, the unique tectonic Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, many wide rivers and glacial valleys, cleanest lakes and other areas of nature virtually untouched by civilization. Also unique in their parameters are the national parks of Glacier Bay, Gates of the Arctic, Yukon-Charlie and Wrangell-St. Elias, which unite all the natural areas of Alaska, the Katmai and Kenai Fiords parks, the fjords of the Alexandra Archipelago and the Tongass Forest.

Also world famous are Acadia National Park (Maine), the Badlands Lunar Landscape (South and North Dakota), the Ile Royale Archipelago on Lake Superior, the pristine landscapes of Voyageurs Park (Minnesota), Channel Island Park and Lassen Volcanoes Park (California). ), the ancient volcanic lake of Crater Lake Park (Oregon), the Mojave and Death Valley parks (Nevada, California), harsh in their natural and climatic conditions, the unique species composition of the inhabitants of the Great Smoky Mountains (North Carolina), the Guadalupe Mountains ( Texas), Hawai'i Volcanoes and Haleakala Volcanic Parks ( Hawaiian Islands), Kobuk Valley Northern Forest Park and Lake Clark Lake Park (Alaska), picturesque river valleys and caves of Mammoth Cave Park, waterfalls of Cumberland Gap Park (Kentucky), petrified forest and colorful landscapes of Petrified Forest, cactus thickets of Saguaro Park and the fantastic landscapes of Painted Desert (Arizona), as well as dozens of other equally interesting protected areas.

US National Parks- these are, without exaggeration, some of the most beautiful places on the planet, where everyone can, in comfortable conditions, admire the picturesque landscapes of untouched wild nature, appreciate the amazing diversity of landscapes and flora and meet numerous wild animals in their natural environment a habitat. Every year, more than 85 million people visit all of America's national parks. The total number of US national parks is 58, not counting others natural parks, including national monuments, nature reserves and various recreation areas. In our article we will talk only about the most interesting parks States with National Park status that are worth visiting first during your trip to America.

Many lovers independent travel know that in addition to megacities and major cities there is something else interesting in the States. According to Ryan Zinke, the official head of the Ministry of internal affairs In the United States, which includes the National Park Service (NPS for short), Americans love their national parks to death. Tourists from different countries the world, as we personally saw during our visits to the most interesting natural parks in America.

Our readers often ask us the question: what natural parks are worth seeing in the USA during a trip to America? We decided to tell you about the 10 most interesting national parks in the USA, most of which we have visited personally. So here we share with you not only basic information, but also our impressions, tips and recommendations.

Our trip through Rocky Mountain National Park gave us the opportunity to experience the beauty of mountainous areas USA and see how conveniently the roads in America are built. We visited there in the fall, and nature delighted us with a riot of colors and surprised us with its unpredictability. Stopping at beautiful viewpoints, we admired the amazing beautiful mountains, and then we went for a walk to three lakes - Bear, Sprague and Nymph. Our impressions were truly unforgettable.

5. (Yosemite) in the state of California was founded by decree of US President Abraham Lincoln in 1864 (first as nature reserve). This was the first time that the US government established special rules for the use of picturesque nature with the aim of preserving it intact for posterity. “No temple built by human hands can compare with Yosemite,” wrote John Muir, one of the pioneers of creating natural parks in America. About four and a half million visitors come to this temple of nature each year, most of whom spend time in Yosemite Valley, which is an 11 km long and about 1.5 km wide canyon, originally cut by the Merced River and then widened by a descending glacier.

We really liked Yosemite Park, all parts of which are unique and not similar to one another. We came here several times by car, spent the night in a campsite located in Yosemite Valley and in hotels near the park, climbed Glacier Point, walked through the groves of giant sequoias and Toulumne, walked tens of kilometers of trails, admired waterfalls and lakes, drove along mountain road through Tioga Pass and climbed mountain peaks. We definitely recommend a trip to Yosemite Park to everyone who loves and appreciates nature and mountains!

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7. (Acadia) is located in Maine and is the first US national park located east of the Mississippi River. Acadia is the easternmost national park in America, so this is where you can be one of the first to see the sunrise over US territory. Of major interest to the park's more than 3.5 million annual visitors is the incredible meeting of ocean and mountain on Mount Desert Island, a patchwork of forests and villages.

This is another park that we have not yet visited, since we did not travel by car along the east coast of the United States. But there is still more to come!

8. (Olympic) Washington state receives more than 3.4 million tourists annually. This is one of the most interesting parks in America, but because of its geographical location and a significant distance from it, it is not very popular among travelers from Russia. However, Olympic has literally everything an outdoor enthusiast could imagine: over 100 kilometers of unspoiled coastline The Pacific Ocean, ending in the northwest, has unique mountains with glaciers and subalpine forests, as well as incredible beauty.

We especially remember the walk up the mountain in the Olympic Park, from where good weather I was lucky enough to see a long mountain range. I was also impressed by spending the night in absolute solitude in a campsite on the territory, where we also fried potatoes on a gas burner. Besides everything else, it was the most northern point the route of our trip along, after visiting which we turned east and went deeper into North America.

9. (Grand Teton), located in the state of Wyoming, is closely adjacent to the southern border of another popular national park - Yellowstone. They complement each other so much that even a single ticket to both of these parks is sold, although fewer people come to Grand Teton - only 3.3 million people a year. But if in Yellowstone the main actors There were numerous geysers and thermal springs, but the most interesting thing here is the mountains. The park surrounds a high section of the Teton Mountain Range, part of which rises more than 7,000 feet (2,134 m) above the valley at Jackson Hole. The highest mountain peak of this range, reaching 4197 meters into the sky, is called the Grand Teton. In addition to him, the park has eight more mountain peaks exceeding 12,000 feet (3658 m).

We returned from Yellowstone shortly before sunset and drove through Grand Teton Park quite quickly, as we had underestimated it in preparation for ours, but in vain. Having stopped several times at beautiful viewpoints along the road, at first we only clapped our eyes wide in surprise at the abundance of autumn colors, and then admired the beauty of its lakes and the stunningly picturesque mountain range with small caps of blue-white glaciers on sharp granite peaks in the rays of the sun setting beyond the horizon . It was one of the best sunsets we've seen in America.

10. (Glacier) in Montana completes the top ten most interesting natural parks in the United States, which are most often visited by tourists (more than 3 million people a year). It got its name thanks to the gradually disappearing glaciers lying on high mountains over a vast area of ​​the park. In 1850, there were approximately 150 massive glaciers within the park's boundaries. As of February 2018, there are only 26 of them left, and most of them continue to gradually melt. According to some estimates, they may disappear completely by 2030, so hurry to see them!

Glacier Park left us with very pleasant impressions of itself, and therefore our opinion of it is extremely positive. Besides the glaciers, other must-see attractions in Glacier National Park include the crystal clear... Mountain pass and one of the most beautiful and impressive mountain roads USA called, built here in the late 30s of the 20th century (look at the video).

10 Most Popular National Parks in the USA

In addition, I will provide a table with the ten most popular national parks in the USA *:

*Based on a count of all recorded visits to US national parks in 2017.

Our planet - unique place in space. It is a haven for millions of life forms, the main among which is considered to be man. But the wonders of nature do not end with intelligent beings. How many wonderful corners can be found on Earth, and how many have not yet been explored! Each continent has its own attractions. North America is one of them. People are trying to protect such places from their own harmful influence and create protected areas. The national parks and reserves of North America are quite diverse. The traveler will also find deserts here.

Grand Canyon

There is a huge chasm 400 kilometers long. It was formed thanks to the Walpai and Colorado rivers. They diligently carved out the canyon for many millions of years, receiving support from the wind, which also actively participated in its creation. Nature reserves in North America can be proud of such a facility. It was discovered in 1540 by European settlers, but indigenous people knew about it much earlier. The Indians lived inside caves, of which there are many in the canyon. The interesting thing is that this is the largest canyon on earth. He survived 3 geological eras, and considering that there were only 4 of them, this is a great achievement. Tourists have long chosen southern part of this place, but the northern one is not visited so often. The remaining parts of the canyon are difficult to reach, and people rarely wander there.

Yellowstone National Park

North America's parks and preserves boast another one of mysterious places- This is Yellowstone. It was the first in the world, which was founded in 1872. The park is located in three US states - Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. Geysers and scenic spots, which travelers from all over the planet are not averse to seeing. The world's tallest geyser, called Steamboat, is located here. Tourists are also attracted by Mammoth Springs and a dormant volcano - If this volcano decided to wake up, it would destroy all of North America. In the meantime, this is one of the most beautiful places in the USA that you must visit.

Yosemite Park

The nature reserves of North America have a special charm, as the nature here is simply unique. This can be proven by its location in California, on the slope of the Sierra Nevada range. It has many most beautiful places which attract tourists so much. About 2,600 rivers flow through this territory, in addition, many very large waterfalls are formed on them, the largest of which are Yosemite (742 m) and Snow Creek (652 m). But the wonders of Mother Nature don’t end there. The largest lonely granite cliff on earth is also located here - this is El Capitano. There are many more things to see while traveling through Yosemite, but they cannot be missed as they cannot be found anywhere else on our planet.

Carlsbad Caverns

The nature reserves of North America amaze the imagination not only with their above-ground attractions, but also with their underground ones. These include the Carlsbad Caverns. This park is located in the state of New Mexico, namely in the Guadalupe Mountains. It consists of a system karst caves, which, thanks to mineral formations, have extraordinary beauty. There are 80 caves in total, the total length of which is 12 km. The uniqueness of this place also lies in the fact that it has become home to many bats. There are about 1 million of them here. The park is open all year, so you can visit it any time except Christmas. Tourists can go down into the caves themselves, or they can comfortably ride the elevator.

Banff - Canadian National Park

Nature reserves in North America are located throughout the continent, including Canada. The oldest park in this country is Banff Park. It was founded in 1885 in It is the third largest reserve park in the world. This is a mountainous area that has a large number of ice fields, glaciers and dense coniferous forests. The history of Banff's creation is very complex, as there was a constant struggle between infrastructure development and nature conservation. In the 90s, the court nevertheless recognized that the changes should not harm the environment. This Canadian park is one of the most wonderful tourist destinations in all of North America. The unique nature of the Rocky Mountains attracts with its landscapes and many unforgettable entertainments.

Wood Buffalo

Wood Buffalo is considered the largest national park in Canada. Its area is about 44 thousand km 2. Such dimensions allow it to be considered one of the largest parks on a global scale. It was founded in 1922 in the provinces of the Northwest Territory and Alberta. What made the park famous is that the largest herd of wild bison in America lives here. There are about 2500 individuals. Among the rare birds that live here are pelicans and whooping cranes. Another asset of the reserve is the widest inland river delta in the world, which is formed by the Peace River and Athabasca Rivers.

Mexican reserve Shel-Ha

National nature reserves in North America are designed to protect nature not only on the mainland itself, but also in coastal zones. Ecological park Shel Ha in Mexico is a prominent representative of coastal national parks. In the distant past it was sea ​​port Mayan Indians. In modern times, it has become a nature reserve with beautiful grottoes and bays where huge turtles, manatees and dolphins live. This is a kind of natural aquarium that will become a paradise for any tourist. It originated in natural cave, which is fed by both sea and fresh waters. This gives extraordinary transparency to the bay without preventing nature lovers from viewing undersea world in all its beauty. The park is very friendly to its visitors. Here you can go diving, swim with dolphins and turtles, lie on the beach and eat at one of the many cafes that serve special dish- fried cactus.

Thus, the nature reserves of North America surprise us with their diversity and beauty. Of course, there are many more than listed, but it takes a lot of time to explore them all. Once you visit at least one of these parks, you will never be able to forget the beauty of this wild nature.

Summer is coming soon. Time for vacations, warm evenings, walks in the fresh air. Have you already decided where to go on vacation - at least for a couple of days? There are places in America where you want to return again and again, once you are there.

We are talking about national parks, about these treasures of nature and history that you can finally see with your own eyes! The only difficulty is choosing which park to go to. There is only one vacation, but there are a great many nature reserves.

websiteI have selected 12 of the most interesting national parks for you to visit this summer!

The Teton Range rises majestically above the Jackson Hole Valley in Wyoming. Grand Teton ranks top in rankings such as " Best park USA" and "Best National Park in the World". Professional and amateur photographers come here from all over the world to capture the mountains rising 4 thousand meters high and the reflection of their peaks in the mirror surface of the lakes Jenny And Jackson.

During the hottest season, in summer, tens of thousands of tourists come to the park with the sole purpose of feeling like part of this grandiose creation of nature. Do you think that all you can do here is click a camera and walk through the mountains? No! Spend a few days camping and each new day will be different from the previous one. Walking through the park, visitors make discoveries every now and then: they will find a deep waterfall, or a clearing strewn with wildflowers, which seem to be created for picnics with elves and naiads.

River Snake Riverideal for kayaking and rafting (inflatable boats), as well as simple walks on the boat. History buffs are advised to visit areas such as Menors Ferry And Mormon Row. Here you will learn a lot of interesting things from the history of the region in the 19th century. What about nature lovers? More than 800 km2 of the park is home to grizzly bears, antelopes, and bison. Sightings with them are not that uncommon! Just a few kilometers from the Tetons is Yellowstone National Park. A pleasant bonus for passionate travelers will be the opportunity to visit 2 famous nature reserves at once, saving $10.

This park can rightfully be considered a record holder. It’s hard to imagine, but every year people pass along its paths. more than 11 millionvisitors from all over the world! By comparison, the Grand Canyon is visited by half as many tourists. Great Smoky Mountains is the largest federally protected area in the United States. His total area - more than 200 thousand hectares. You can get here from two states: from Gatlinburg (Tennessee) and from Cherokee (North Carolina). The Blue Ridge Mountains criss-cross the park, making it even more impressive. Almost 1.7 thousand different plant species grow here - no other plant can boast such diversity natural area in USA!

When you arrive here, be sure to climb observation deck Clingman-Dome- the highest point of the reserve. He will appear before you in all his glory. This spectacle alone is worth spending several hours in the car!

The secret of the park's success is that it is good at any time of the year. In winter, for example, when the skeleton of the park is exposed, you can clearly see sheer cliffs, their foothills and traces of previous civilizations. When nature comes to life, the mountains are covered with a colorful carpet of the most bizarre patterns and shapes. In early autumn, a romantic atmosphere reigns here. The sweltering heat is no longer here, and the piercing winds have not yet arrived - at this time lovers of long walks come here.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous and most visited attractions in the country. Its unique species are often used in video clips and films. What caused such interest in the reserve? A truly grandiose mountain range, 446 km long and 29 km wide, was formed in Arizona 5-6 million years ago. And what a combination of the most unimaginable colors and shapes - there is nothing like it anywhere in the world! The Grand Canyon is a must visit at least once in your life!

Walking here is a true pleasure: with every step, unique landscapes open up to your eyes. Or you can do something more extreme. How do you like the idea of ​​taking a helicopter flight over the reserve? Or a ride in an open jeep? Whatever activity you choose, the Grand Canyon will forever remain in your memory and on your Instagram page!

Do you want to experience truly memorable moments? Then urgently add a visit to your plans Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Where else can you feel the power of the planet so much as not on these 200 hectares, next to two (!!!) active volcanoes? A light haze, barely noticeable ripples, swaying over the fields of solidified lava, gives the area an aura of mystery.

Hawai'i Volcanoes is a world-class biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Here you can endlessly walk along the paths of the “lunar” valleys, explore rainforests, spy on the life of volcanoes! There is no need to be afraid. In case of the slightest threat, the park management takes all necessary measures.

Another place of tourist pilgrimage is the Yellowstone Nature Reserve, spread across 3 states. Here you can live your whole life, daily amazed by the imagination of nature. It's no joke - more than 800 thousand hectares! Already one geyser Old Faithful, which throws hot jets into the air every hour, it’s worth packing your backpack, entering the route into your navigator and hitting the road! Yellowstone is also home to the largest thermal spring in the United States - Grand Prismatic. And how is the nature here... Meeting a buffalo or a bear in the park is the most common thing!

The Yellowstone Nature Reserve has stunning sunsets. When you go for a walk or to the mountains, take at least 15 minutes in the evening to calmly admire this beauty, rare in its naturalness. Cycling, boating, visiting Old Faithful or the stunning waterfall Lower Fallsattract millions of tourists to Yellowstone seeking to relax their souls and recharge.

Californian Sequoia -one of the oldest national parks in America with the tallest and oldest trees not only in the country, but in the world. The height of some giants reaches 83 m! Next to them you feel like a Lilliputian from a fairy tale about Gulliver. Exploring all this beauty, you will become a real pathfinder - access to 82% of the park is possible only on horseback or on foot. No bikes or jeeps for you!

Due to its enormous size, the sequoia was nicknamed “the skyscraper of nature.” Every year, more than 1 million visitors come to the park of the same name to see with their own eyes 5 of the 10 tallest trees in the world, walk along the snow-capped mountain slopes and admire the diversity of forest fauna.

Rocky Mountain

Colorado

National Park Rocky Mountain, or Rocky Mountains, is one of the most visited biosphere reserves protected by UNESCO. Why are people so eager to spend their holidays here?

Because for the residents concrete jungle This real paradise: almost 600 km of picturesque trails along which tourists love to ride on horseback or in jeeps, overlooking endless virgin valleys, pristine forests, and bizarre mountainous terrain.

What about mountaineering trips? Climbers love this place. And not only professionals who conquer the most difficult peaks, but also simply lovers of simple climbs. So, even families with children can plan a walk near the lake.

Here is also the highest altitude paved road in the United States - Trail Ridge Road.

The giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park appear even taller against the backdrop of bright blue lakes that reflect gray-white rocks. In the most beautiful state of the country, it is difficult to give the palm to any specific place. And Yosemite is beyond competition! It is impossible to compete with such a riot of nature, with the incredible combination of rocks, lakes, forests, fields and valleys that the inventor of nature created here.

Meets tourists El Capitan- the largest granite formation in the world. A great opportunity to test your imagination and examine the face of the “rock”!

The park has more than 20 waterfalls, including such famous ones as Yosemite (740 m high) and Snow Creek (650 m). And here are the real glaciers!

Yosemite has been recognized as a national treasure for over 125 years. Explore hundreds of kilometers of trails - on foot or on horseback, and wander among the giant redwoods. And don't forget to capture this day in one of the most photographed places - Half Dome. This rock is the symbol of the park.

IN Mount Rainier , which was designated the 5th US national park in 1899, attracts nature lovers from all over America. The highest point of the park is the top of the mountain Rainierrises more than 4.4 thousand meters above sea level. 6 starts here large rivers park and is located largest cluster glaciers in the United States.

What awaits the traveler in this park? Alpine and subalpine meadows and coniferous forests have formed on the slopes of Rainier. Glaciers surrounded the mountain in a dense ring. On northwest coast In the Pacific Ocean, such a combination of ecosystems is no longer found - so an inexhaustible stream of people who want to see this miracle flocks here.

Does size always matter? For the reserve Hot Springs- not the slightest! The smallest national park in the US is visited annually 1.5 milliongrateful tourists. What attracts them here, what prompts them to overcome the many kilometers of path? The answer is simple: located within the park water complexes Bathhouse Row: baths, residential buildings and gardens. This place was created for outdoor recreation and healing in hot springs.

However, it’s not just about swimming all day long. Climb the mountain tower - view of the mountain range Ouachita, opening from the highest point, will turn the head of any aesthete.

Once upon a time O Most of the area was covered with impenetrable swamps, in which alligators swarmed among the roots of mangrove trees. People avoided these swamps. Now here, just 45 minutes from Miami, there is a state-protected park Everglades, also recognized as an object world heritage UNESCO.

Today, the reserve is still home to rare animals, in particular manatees and the already mentioned alligators. It's great luck to meet a panther. True, this requires caution and patience.

The park offers a huge amount of entertainment for every taste: hiking, kayaking, cycling, fishing... What do you think about treasure hunting? Be sure to visit one of the most popular national parks on the east coast of the United States - what if you find a treasure?

Strictly speaking, Brycenot a canyon at all, but a huge natural amphitheater. However, the name stuck, and this unique preserve is now known as Bryce Canyon.

The park annually hosts a multi-day astronomy festival - the star cover is so unusual in these parts. For millions of years, water and wind destroyed the local mountains, “carving” the most bizarre relief that you can imagine. The colors of the canyon are pink, red, orange. How does nature manage to be so unpredictable?

A trip to Bryce Canyon should definitely be included in the summer travel program of every self-respecting traveler. The park is home to more than 100 species of birds and animals, and the flora is represented by more than a thousand items.

Updated: August 20, 2019 by: Anna Kazakova

 

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