Top 10 National Parks of the U.S.A. ("Places I visited" series)

I've been long wandering how I could put down the things I did and the places I visited in a better way, an interesting one, an easy-to-digest way. I was scanning the web doing some research and I came across one of the many "top 10" kind of articles. I told myself, "I might as well add my own!", and here I am in the mix.
I will try to post my own charts, first of all of places throughout the U.S.A.

I am about to tackle possibly the hardest one of them all. To rank these very places is no easy task: it requires a lot of compromising with one's self. The experiences that I personally had in several months spent in a decent amount of the American national parks had me really troubled in picking my favourite 10. I tried my best, and I apologize if this chart might be disappointing. Also, I do apologize if the East is not really well represented. There's one thing to bear in mind though, when ranking outdoors wonders in this country. It's very well told by the geographic concentration of National Parks: if you open a map, you'll see that just 11 of the 59 parks are east of, say, San Antonio TX. Not counting Alaska and Hawaii, the figure goes down to 11 out of 49, which is still small.
Of those national parks, Great Smoky Mountains gathers 10 million visitors each year - I'd say just because of the close proximity to major urban centers on the coast. Among the other parks, you can count places like Congaree or Cuyahoga - that, no offense, aren't even close to the marvels of the west.

Now, that said, I made up my mind and gathered some of my photography. If you like my pictures, don't forget to check out my Alamy page for some of my best shots on sale or contact me via email, Facebook or the blog for enquiries! Here's a nice link to Alamy to start with! Thanks!
http://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/C3E17497-F12F-452B-BE3C-C9A147C63EC1/1/Emanuele%20Canton.html

Let the journey begin!

10. Olympic NP, Washington

A walk in the Olympic rainforest

With one of the few remaining rainforests in the world, and an abundance of pictoresque beaches and snow-clad mountains, Olympic perfectly fits the bill. The thing I love the most is to choose an off-the-beaten-path trail and immerse myself in the silent woods, where the only things you can hear are the chirping of the birds and the almost constant tickle of rain drops. Useless to say, it's one of the greeniest parks you'll ever see. The atmosphere is just so fascinating.


9. Capitol Reef NP, Utah

From roadside orchards to snow-capped mountains, through red canyons and endless buttes

It took me a while to discover Capitol Reef but once I did, it hit my top 10 immediately. It's a place where you'll rarely see the big crowds that other parks in the Southwest gather, and that's a strength for sure. On the other side, you also retain the magic that these red lands offer: canyons, buttes, mesas, arches. With an amusing mixture of colors, great hiking and some awesome 4WD tracks to enjoy in solitude (and with spare tires), Capitol Reef is a mecca for the adventurer seeking southwestern landscapes and relief from the big crowds, without ever venturing too far from a small town or two at the same time.


8. Rocky Mountains NP, Colorado

Late summer in the Rockies (I can't wait to return and get more and better shots around the park!)

The whole state of Colorado is a paradise for hikers, climbers and outdoorsmen in general, but this national park probably tops everything else in the state. You can drive the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., at 12183 ft or 3713 mt at its highest. Some people will never climb or hike that high in their whole lives - it's quite cool to reach similar heights simply by driving a car! The craggy peaks offer incredible views and the abundance of wildlife will possibly make the trip a bit more interesting.


7. Acadia NP, Maine

Acadia's coast on a shot taken along the renowned hike to the Beehive

I thought there couldn't actually be a park that would truly fascinate me in the East. That was before I visited Acadia. It made me stay longer than planned - and that's the best compliment I could give. I truly enjoyed it. It's a park where the ocean breeze and the saltwater fragrance blends at perfection with the woods and the rocky hills just behind the coastline. You can enjoy sunrise basking in the sun on the cliffs, drive the scenic road and go for short walks, explore the backwoods at length and finally relax in one of the small coastal towns, like lovely Bar Harbour, where you might end up indulging in some Maine staples like a lobster roll or some other lobster-based delicacies. How about that?


6. Denali NP, Alaska

Polychrome Pass

In a state so big, so wild and so gifted as far as natural wonders go, Denali is a narrow winner. Upon being given more time (and financial resources!) to explore this beautiful state, I might pick another of those alaskan parks, such as Glacier Bay, or Wrangell-St.Elias, but hey... Denali deserves the top spot anyway, after all. It's here that you can see North America's highest mountain, and within the parks are endless hiking opportunities - most of the time on the trail you blaze! - plentiful wildlife and breath-taking vistas of mountain peaks, glacial-carved valleys and river beds. Denali truly represents "the call of the wild". Just a warning though: bear in mind the weather. Don't be too optimistic and plan for a sunny week on your visit. You might be disappointed!


5. Yosemite NP, California

The view from Glacier Point

Yosemite is a park like few others. It has contributed to raise awareness, back in the days, of the immense natural treasures America could boast - and must protect. Its landscapes and features are echoed in the pages of John Muir, that once said, talking about the greed of mankind and its quest for perfection, that "no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man". Although crowded and unbelievably hot for a mountain park in quite a few summer days, Yosemite stands out with its massive granite tops, its many waterfalls, and its awe-inspiring quiet in the backcountry.


4. Bryce NP, Utah

Simply Bryce

There are many words to describe Bryce: unique, wonderful, breath-taking, artistic. It is something you'll never see anywhere else in the world. It is a place that will always make you take that detour from your planned holiday route and drive an extra 100-150 miles just to go watch sunrise and Sunrise Point once again. Its incredible concentration of hoodoos makes it an outstanding destination for not only the nature lover, but for the photographer, the painter, the artist as well. Forget a private experience when planning to watch sunrise or sunset at the park's premiere viewpoints: there will always be at least too many other visitors around you, pushing, waiting for you to leave, talking. But it's worth it. If you're tired of that, get a park map and look for the longer trails: my rule is "the longer, the less crowded, the better". You'll have another chance to intimately enjoy the red hoodoos, the green pinyons, furs and spruces, and the blue skies.


3. Grand Teton NP, Wyoming

Daylight fading over the Teton range

When I think about a mountain range, or some mountain country, the picture I recall is that of the Teton range. The jagged peaks that the park vaunts are so attractive, so majestic that even though they don't stand out for height, they do for beauty. To drive along the range on the main park road or along the road that links touristy Jackson with Moran Junction is an experience in itself. You can enjoy multiple viewpoints, broad views of the Grand Teton or mount Moran, go for a hike around a lake, deep inside a canyon or up on the slopes, or just drive around maybe hoping to spot a grizzly or the always-present moose (check the Moose visitor center area first, the name is no mistake!). The very thing I like the most here is watching sunset. Wherever you go, it'll always be a great memory.


2. Glacier NP, Montana

Welcome to Glacier National Park

Yes, another mountain park. It's hard to choose between Glacier and Grand Teton, but I'll tell you what: the glaciers, the endless mileage of trails available, the pristine glacial lakes, the bears... no, you can't beat Glacier. Personally, it's for sure the best mountain park in the lower 48. And, as of now, n.2 in the overall ranking. It's one of those places where you can bag as many pictures in a day as you would in a whole week in a regular place. The trails are spectacular. Try Grinnell glacier. Or Swiftcurrent Pass. Or Iceberg lake, just for a starter. I guarantee you, you won't regret your time here. The only flipside I can think of is this: you might end up driving home on the sad side, if you pay attention to the signs and brochures that talk about the incredibly fast rate at which glaciers are melting. By 2030 probably, they might have to rename the park.


1. Grand Canyon NP, Arizona

A look down

Now people will be like, "Really?! That's it?".
Yes, it is. It's right and just, to quote something you might hear on Sunday mornings somewhere.
There's no word to describe Grand Canyon. It's unique because you won't find anywhere in the world a canyon deeper and wider at the same time. I believe there are very, very few places in the world where you can admire better sunsets. The colors of the rocks, the irons that give way to deep reds and the sandstones and limestones that make stratas orange, yellow, grayish sometimes or even purple when the sun sets, are a combination you'll never forget. If Grand Canyon was on the East Coast, it'd draw many more than 10 million visitors (Smoky Mountains), but fortunately it's not. It's already too crowded for my taste. There's a solution though. Venture down the canyon. Choose one of the longer trails, and sample the amazing beauty of this blessed place. Wake up early and watch sunrise. Bask in the morning sun. You might not believe what you're seeing. Drive to North Rim. People usually don't believe the ones saying that it's probably the best part of it (I'm glad they don't when I drive up there myself!).
Matter of fact is: you can't beat Grand Canyon. It's THE example when I talk about America's grandeur when it comes to nature. Where do you ever see anything like Grand Canyon in the world?!
Nowhere.
Just at Grand Canyon.

The most beautiful place to sit in the world

The outsider: Go visit Great Basin NP, Nevada. You'll be pleasantly surprised!