As America’s first national park, Yellowstone has a long and fascinating history. Since the park’s establishment in 1872, the destination’s boundaries have expanded to encompass 2.2 million acres of land. Today, millions of visitors continue to marvel at the region’s hot springs, waterfalls, canyons, and historic sites. And those historic sites have plenty of interesting stories to tell.
History buffs have a lot to explore when diving into Yellowstone National Park history. While official park history dates back to the 1800s, there are traces of people living in the area earlier than 1500 CE. The seven photos below explain some interesting moments in Yellowstone history. Want to learn more? Peruse this timeline on the Yellowstone website.
Mosey your way over to Wyoming for some of the most captivating mountain vistas in the United States. At Grand Teton National Park, tourists can expect days full of awe-inspiring nature explorations. Memorable landmarks like Oxbow Bend, Colter Bay, and more provide visitors with hours of outdoor entertainment. And while many of these places are worth visiting, guests may want to prioritize a few key regions to get the most out of a trip to the area.
Three hotspots will treat visitors to the best views of Grand Teton National Park. Below, you can peruse details on Schwabacher Landing, Jenny Lake, and the Teton Mountains. Plan your trip around the overlooks, trails, and other key points in these areas for an unforgettable experience.
Photo by D. Lehle, via NPS
Schwabacher Landing
Just minutes from the parking lot, Schwabacher Landing welcomes guests to the park with spectacular views. To reach this area, guests will hike roughly 350 yards (less than .2 miles) along a channel of the Snake River. Stop upon reaching a large beaver dam, where you can spot the animals during active hours around dawn and dusk.
Nature photographers and sightseeing tourists will enjoy some of the park’s most stunning landscapes at Schwabacher Landing. While summer and fall are popular seasons for seeing the park in full bloom, visitors who thrive in colder weather can marvel at the snow-covered Teton Mountains in winter.
NPS photo by Geoscientists-in-the-Parks
Jenny Lake
Jenny Lake is one of Grand Teton National Park’s most visited spots for a reason. This gorgeous lake sits at the base of the Teton Range and serves as the “centerpiece” of the park. While here, stop at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center inside Harrison Crandall Studio. This 1920s building was renovated in 2019 and lets guests meet with park rangers and explore art’s role in National Park Service (NPS) history.
Several scenic hiking trails lead visitors to further adventures in the Jenny Lake region. If you want to wander through nature on a long hike, follow nearby trails like Lake Solitude and Hurricane Pass. For incredible photos, take an out-and-back hike on South Jenny Lake Loop Trail to reach Inspiration Point. South Jenny Lake Loop Trail can also take hikers to Hidden Falls, where snowmelt feeds into a majestic waterfall.
Want to spend even more time near Jenny Lake? Consider booking a stay at Jenny Lake Lodge. The cozy cabins will keep you close to the park’s best views.
Photo by P. Potter, via NPS
The Teton Mountains
No trip to Grand Teton National Park is complete without exploring the Teton Range. After all, the park is named for these incredible mountains. You can’t miss this natural wonder, as the range rises above the Jackson Hole valley.
Mountaineers don’t need a permit to venture through the Teton Range. However, climbers will need a camping permit if they’re planning an overnight trip. Expect snow on the mountain until mid-July, and come prepared for surprise storms. The NPS recommends prospective climbers read books like “A Climber’s Guide to the Teton Range” and “Teton Classics” for further information on local climbing conditions.
In 2022, over 1 million people visited Mount Rainier National Park. While the eponymous mountain draws in plenty of guests, the region boasts numerous other scenic vistas that contribute to the park’s popularity. Photos of the area provide an incredible glimpse into why the park is so beloved.
Dazzling rivers, meadows, and forests lend the region an unparalleled allure. From the peak of Mount Rainier to Glacier Basin’s lush forests, this destination treats tourists to countless sightseeing opportunities. Whether you’re planning a hike or a day of nature photography, these seven Mount Rainier National Park photos will help inspire your next trip.
East of San Francisco, California’s Yosemite National Park spans over 740,000 acres. The region is well known for its iconic Half Dome, Mariposa Grove’s giant sequoia trees, and many other natural wonders. Scottish-American naturalist and poet John Muir spent a lifetime writing about Yosemite’s beauty, and curious nature enthusiasts can learn a lot about the park from his work.
There are many interesting facts about the park that even frequent visitors may not know. Aside from reading Muir’s work and exploring Yosemite’s National Park Service website, you can find out more about the park with this list of cool facts. Read on for details about everything from the “rushing slushies” to Yosemite’s Bear Team.
A photograph can help preserve cherished memories. Unfortunately, as many nature photographers know, it can be difficult to capture certain outdoor scenes on film. Crowded landscapes, unpredictable weather, and many other factors all make taking the perfect photo a struggle at many national parks. Photographers who visit Denali National Park & Preserve can make their work easier by identifying a few key scenic areas.
Whether you want to snap a shot of grazing caribou or majestic mountains, these seven spots are the park’s top places for photos. Pack your trusty camera, and get ready to explore everything from the Alaska Range to Wonder Lake.
South of Top of the World, Tennessee, the stunning Cades Cove area sits nestled within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While many of the park’s sights appeal to visitors, Cades Cove is especially deserving of attention.
Perfect to explore on both warm spring days and rainy fall afternoons, this region features lush valleys surrounded by the iconic Great Smokies. The land here thrums with activity. Wildlife roams the area, hikers explore the trails, and historic landmarks welcome visitors. See some of Cades Cove’s best sights in this gallery. And if you’re planning a trip to the area, check out this roundup of cool places to explore at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Tucked away in the Ohio wilderness just outside Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley National Park calls to city dwellers seeking a break from the busy streets. This national park’s rivers, hills, and trails offer guests a breath of fresh air and a moment of tranquility. Countless natural wonders make Cuyahoga Valley a delight to explore.
With all these stunning sights, it’s no wonder the park charted over 2.9 million recreation visits in 2022. Curious to see the landscapes that make this region so popular? Explore six of Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s top landmarks in the gallery below. You can also see where the site ranks in this list of the top 10 most visited national parks of 2022.
As the spring season brings bright, warm weather to the United States, many people are itching to get outside again. Soon, national parks will fill with crowds looking to get active and enjoy the best spring scenery. After all, hiking, biking, and camping do get a little easier when cold temperatures subside.
If you want to celebrate spring in style, try having a picnic at the park. Fresh air and stunning scenery are the perfect sides for any meal, and national parks have both in abundance. Find the best national parks to plan a picnic at with this gallery of gorgeous photos.
Yellowstone National Park’s thriving natural landscapes are home to numerous animal species. Birds build their nests in the trees, bears catch fish in the rivers, and foxes race across the valleys.
The park’s diverse wild habitats make Yellowstone the perfect location for animal spotting. Armed with binoculars and an understanding of animal safety tips and Leave No Trace ethics, park visitors can enjoy a day of wildlife viewing. Curious guests can even check out an official list of the park’s best wildlife viewing spots here. While you search places like Fishing Bridge and Lamar Valley, keep your eyes peeled for these 10 incredible Yellowstone animals.
Forests, waterfalls, and mountains come together to form the outstanding landscapes at Shenandoah National Park. These natural wonders draw tons of tourists to the park every year. In fact, National Park Service statistics show that over 1.4 million guests explored Shenandoah on recreation visits in 2022.
If you’re one of the many people drawn to this national park’s beauty, you might wonder how to get the most out of a trip here. While there is no wrong way to enjoy nature (as long as you’re following Leave No Trace ethics), a Shenandoah trip can feel incomplete without stops at a few major landmarks. Get the full experience by visiting the six best sights at Shenandoah National Park.
