Top 10 National Parks to Visit in 2016

By Maribel Silva Maribel Silva | May 13, 2016

The fun begins when you retire. You now have spare time to do the things you’ve always wanted to try and go places you’ve always wanted to go. Now’s your chance!

If you don’t have any idea where to begin your journey, this list of the top 10 best national parks to visit shall be your guide to a joyful retirement.

When visiting these wondrous national parks, be sure to pack your PAX mobile fall detection system to stay safe 24/7. This perfect on-the-go device will be your secure system and peace of mind throughout your delightful trip. Knowing that help is only a push of a button away will keep your mind at ease throughout your journey.

1. Yosemite

This picturesque national park is located in the lovely Golden State - California. This park was first established in 1890, and it has been one of top visited locations ever since. It is best known for its granite cliffs, including El Capitan and Half Dome. This park is truly a must-visit location in any season. You can see white-fluffy snow on top of the mountains or watch water gracefully running down waterfalls. Both sights are awe-inspiring, no matter which season you choose.

2. Rocky Mountains

This long range of mountains travels all the way from British Columbia and Alberta, Canada through to Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and finally New Mexico. This national park has about 300 miles of hiking trails. So get your hiking gear ready folks, it’s time to get your ‘Rock’ on. One of the most famous and scenic locations in this park is Trail Ridge Road, so don’t miss out.

3. Grand Canyon

This Grand Canyon, located in Arizona, is the 15^th oldest national park in the United States. It was first established in 1919 and has been a famous attraction since. The canyon stretching as far as the eye can see is truly an impressive site. To get the most of your visit, take a helicopter or airplane tour. This way you will see the canyon with a birds-eye view. If that’s not your style, you can explore the canyon via mule or white water rafting.

4. Denali

Head over to Alaska and visit the Denali National Park. This must-see park is one of Alaska’s most popular tourist attractions yet. People are drawn to its six million acres of wildlife, one of the wildest expanses in America. The park contains Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. Denali is home to grizzly bears, mouse, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep, so keep an eye out for them!

5. Glacier

In scenic Montana is the famous Glacier National Park. This breathtaking park covers about 1,583 square miles of wilderness. Some of its mountain peaks are glacier-carved, hence the park’s name. Be sure to check out the beautiful Hidden Lake, which is one of the most picturesque locations. Pack your cameras folks, you’ll want to cherish this moment forever. Be sure to check out Glaciers’ Going-To-The-Sun-Road, which is known to be one of the world’s most remarkable drives.

6. Yellowstone

This national park should definitely be on your bucket list! It’s the very first national park, established on March 1, 1872. Its explosive geysers, alpine lakes, wildlife, and deep forest are only some of the reasons it is visited by millions of people every year. This gorgeous reserve covers 2.2 million acres from Wyoming to Idaho to Montana. Yellowstone is home to many moose, wolves, bison, bears, and sheep. The volcanic grounds contain hot springs, fumaroles, mud pots, and last but not least, geysers.

7. Zion

Established on November 19, 1919 in Utah, Zion National Park has incredible rock towers, sharp cliffs, and sandstone canyons. Be sure to check out the Virgin River that flows through the Zion Canyon down to the desert below. Zion features forested trails along the river that pass through the Emerald Pools. These spectacular pools have waterfalls and a hanging garden. Be sure to take lots of pictures! Hiking is an option too, so come prepared!

8. Olympic

If you want to witness four different ecosystems in one trip, Olympic National Park in Washington is the go-to. This park travels along the temperate rain forest, wildflower meadow, subalpine forest, and rugged Pacific shore. It is truly a one of a kind attraction. As it is an International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site, there are no roads that run through Olympic National Park. It is 95% wilderness! So get your hiking boots ready, it’s about to be a long, breathtaking walk.

9. Grand Teton

If you choose to visit Yellowstone National Park, you must add Grand Teton Nation Park to your list - it is only 10 miles away from Yellowstone. The bold peaks of the Teton Range are home to wildlife animals such as black bears, grizzly bears, elk, moose, pronghorns, coyotes, beavers, snowshoe hares, river otters and more. It features incredible lakes, white and blue glaciers, and granite pinnacles. Grand Teton is best known for hiking, camping, fishing, and mountaineering, so come prepared to explore its great outdoors.

10. Acadia

The undeniably stunning Acadia National Park is located in the state of Maine. Established on July 8, 1916, this national park is 47,000 acres of pure admiration. This Atlantic coast attraction is principally on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. This beauty consists of rocky beaches, woodland, and glacier granite peaks. Acadia is home to moose, whales, bears, and some seabirds. Here, you can also find the Cadillac Mountain, which is the tallest peak on the Atlantic coast. There will never be a dull moment at Acadia.

Pack Your Bags, Folks

Now that you have a list of the top 10 national parks to visit, don’t let the time tick. It’s time to pack your bags, grab your bucket list and camera, and get ready for a never-ending adventure. It’s your retirement years, so why not make the best of them? Be prepared to tell your grandchildren all about your extraordinary experience when you come home. It’s all about living your golden years in the best way possible. Bon voyage!

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