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Mother Nature certainly worked wonders when she sculpted the sights in the USA’s great outdoors. From Yellowstone, the first National Park to be established over 150 years ago in 1872, to the most well-known, the Grand Canyon, each boasts its own magnificent features. From spouting geysers, mile high vertical cliffs to plunging valleys and trees that tower of 350 feet – prepare to be amazed.
Perched high above the Colorado River, Arches National Park displays more than 2,000 red sandstone arches carved by the elements. More are being created as the extreme environmental conditions create holes and fractures in rocks that will eventually form new arches through wind and water erosion. Balanced Rock, Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch are some of the most photographed sites in this geological masterpiece.
The Oglala Lakota people first named the site “Mako Sica” which translates to “Land Bad” based on its harsh rocky terrain, extreme temperatures and lack of water. But today, from tiny shrews to colossal bison, many wildlife species thrive among Badlands National Park’s mixed-grass prairie, which blends with sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires. Its past is just as exciting – its fossil beds provide evidence that its an area where rhinos, horses and sabre-toothed cats once roamed.
Despite its name, Byrce Canyon is not an actual Canyon, instead its landscape is dotted with giant natural amphitheatres and the world’s largest collection of hoodoos – formations of rock that resemble tall thin spires. Standing at 150ft tall, one of the more famous sandstone hoodoos is Thor’s Hammer so named for its resemblance to the Nose God’s weapon. Wherever you stand in Bryce Canyon National Park, rest assured you’ll look across an incredible vista.
We’ve all seen photographs of this famous site but nothing quite prepares you for its sheer size and the spectacular panoramas that can be seen as you stand on the South Rim. Carved out by the Colorado River, this gorge sits at around a mile deep, up to 18 miles wide and 277 miles long…
In short, the Grand Canyon is bigger than the state of Rhode Island! Don’t miss the opportunity to take a helicopter flight which offers a thrilling birds-eye view.
For an altogether different National Park, Grand Teton is famed for its beautiful landscapes that are dominated by the snow-capped peaks of the Teton Range, peaceful lakes and incredible glaciers. There is an impressive array of wildlife to be spotted in the park including buffalo, bears, coyotes, wolves and bald eagles.
The archaeological masterpiece of Mesa Verde is famed for its cliff dwellings. These dwellings were carved into the rock face by the Ancestral Pueblo people around 1,400 years ago and a visit to Mesa Verde gives a fascinating insight into their life. The dwellings are among some of the best preserved in the United States, with the most impressive and largest of these dwellings being the Cliff Palace, which has more than 200 rooms.
The first-ever designated national park was Yellowstone, famous for its plentiful hot springs and spouting geysers. The most well-known is Old Faithful, a geyser which explodes into action on average every 76 minutes, expelling between 3,700 and 8,400 gallons of boiling water up to a height of 184 feet. Many more parks then followed in Yellowstone’s footsteps and each boasts its own stunning beauty and unique features.
It’s unsurprising that this National Park is perhaps best known for its waterfalls – it is home to America’s tallest falls after all, Yosemite Falls. But there is more… this great valley is also home to giant sequoia trees, a species that can live for more than 3,000 years. Explore Yosemite – and you’ll discover more impressive sights - Half Dome is perhaps the most recognised symbol of the park, but you can’t miss El Capitan – try to spot experienced rock climbers as they scale the mammoth 3,300 ft cliff face.
Of the top three of America’s most visited national parks, Zion is just incredible, with something for everyone from verdant valleys to vertiginous rock formations. A prominent feature is the 15-mile-long, 800-metre-deep Zion Canyon. And keep your eye out for all sorts of wildlife, from bighorn sheep and mule deer to ringtail cats and rock squirrels.
A special mention also goes out to Monument Valley. Whilst not a ‘National Park’, this desert plateau is characterised by its jaw-dropping sandstone buttes which rise up to 1,000 ft and have formed the backdrop of many spaghetti westerns. Located on the Utah-Arizona state line, this area is a Tribal Park under the protection of the Navajo Nation Reservation.
With Travelsphere, these parks and many more are yours to discover on a thrilling adventure of a lifetime. Holiday Director Tim has hosted many tours to these outstanding sites. He says: “America’s National Parks are a true wonder to behold. It’s difficult to focus on one single thing, as there is so much to admire. There is nowhere else on Earth like Yellowstone – to see a herd of buffalo grazing in front of one of the major geysers is a sight you could never see anywhere else. And when you walk in Arches National Park, you really feel as though you are starring in an old Western movie!”
The mission of the National Park Service has always been to make these treasures accessible to all and preserve them for future generations. So, as it begins its second century of nurturing these incredible natural wonders, why not celebrate this remarkable milestone and wish the parks a happy birthday in person.
Every Travelsphere holiday offers exceptional value for money. Included in the price are return scheduled flights/rail travel and internal flights, where applicable, overseas transfers and transportation, carefully chosen hotels, many meals and excursions and the services of a Travelsphere Holiday Director or Local Guide.
Be wowed by the scenery in nine of America's national parks on this incredible adventure, through seven different states before spending time in the neon-lit city of Las Vegas.
Take in the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and marvel at the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park.
Enjoy travelling around the West of America - from the cities of LA, San Diego and Las Vegas to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park. At the end of your tour, spend time in the beautiful city of San Francisco and discover more of the sights at your own pace.
