Thursday, December 22, 2011

Must Visit US National/State Parks/Natural wonders

I have placed this listing in the order of my fondness for each. Under some names, I have noted the landmarks that most fascinated me.
  1. Yosemite National Park (NP): If you have not attempted a climb up Half Dome, you are not a true Californian
  2. Yellowstone NP: Take long drives as far as possible. You will be amazed at the sheer number of large animals roaming in the wild and vast plains
  3. Bryce Canyon NP: Be sure to hike from sunrise to sunset point to get a mystical sense of being swamped by hoodoos
  4. Channel Islands NPDolphins - I am amazed to know that very few Los Angelians venture out to the deserted  ,warm and breathtaking Channel islands national park. This is the closest one can get to feel  like in the Caribbeans or Galapagos islands. I saw literally 100s of Dolphins in April  migrating in the undulating waves of the crisp blue pacific
  5. Kenai Fjords NP, Alaska: Experience the natural world as depicted in Lord of the Rings
  6. Grand Canyon NP (North Rim): There are few spots in the world where one singular view from a unique spot is so desirable
  7. Arches NP:
  8. Catalina Island NP: Best snorkeling close to a cosmopolitan city (Los Angeles)
  9. Zion NP: Angel's landing is a must-do hike to get adrenaline pump. Narrows is among the most unique hikes in the world.
  10. Crater Lake NP:
  11. Mt Rainier NP:
  12. Dead Horse Point State Park (SP): There is no other U-Turn as breathtaking such as this; Curves in every dimension.
  13. Lake Powell:
  14. Antelope Canyon: By far, the best slot canyon in the world.
  15. Horseshoe Bend: Most photogenic bend 
  16. Denali NP: Although as beautiful as Alaska, Denali NP itself was a bitter disappointment possibly because I went with exceedingly high expectations. For any moderate adventure enthusiast, if one is forced to see the park from a bus (of course you can get off where you want), it does not excite too much.
  17. Kings Canyon NP:
  18. Sequoia NP:
  19. Canyonlands NP
  20. Death Valley NP
  21. Capital Reef NP
  22. Monument Valley NP(reservation; not a US NP)
  23. Crater Lake NP:
  24. Mt. Rainier NP:
  25. Everglades NP:
States visited:
  1. Washington
  2. Oregon
  3. California
  4. Nevada
  5. Arizona
  6. Utah
  7. Colorado
  8. Wyoming
  9. Texas
  10. Florida
  11. Georgia
  12. Ohio
  13. Virginia
  14. Pennsylvania
  15. Maryland
  16. New Jersey
  17. New York
  18. Massachusetts
  19. Alaska
  20. Hawaii

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