America’s Natural Wonders: Top 5 Oldest National Parks Revealed

① The Largest and Oldest National Park

The United States has a long history of national parks, dating back to 1872 and continuing until recently in 2020. Yellowstone National Park is one of the oldest and largest national parks in the United States.
It’s famous for its diverse wildlife, including bears, bison, and elk.

The vast park is home to geothermal areas such as the geyser known as Old Faithful and the Crested Pool hot spring. Visitors can enjoy hiking over 900 miles of trails, fishing, boating, biking, and camping.

U.S. Congress designated Yellowstone as the first national park in the United States in 1872, after the Hayden Expedition returned from the area.

• Size: 3,472 square miles
• Entrance fee: $20 per person or $35 per vehicle
• Top Attractions: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Lamar Valley
• Popular Hiking Trails: Grand Prismatic Spring

② Famous Destination for Hiking

Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is the third oldest national park in the United States and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a must-visit destination in the United States.

It was established just a month after the second oldest park, Sequoia National Park, located to the south.
Yosemite is famous for its breathtaking views, like Half Dome and El Capitan, and it is a challenging hiking destination.

Yosemite was designated as a national park in 1890 to preserve its natural and cultural landmarks.

• Size: 1,200 square miles
• Entrance fee: $20 per person or $35 per vehicle
• Top Attractions: Half Dome, Tunnel View, Glacier Point

Popular Hiking Trails: Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall through Mist Trail

Sequoia National Park is often grouped with Kings Canyon Park, which is located north, despite their different terrains.

Established in 1940, Kings Canyon is characterized by its canyons and waterfalls, while the second oldest national park, Sequoia, is home to over 8,000 of the massive trees from which it gets its name. These majestic trees, reaching 250-300 feet in height, include specimens over 3,000 years old. These trees are why Sequoia gained its status as a national park.

President Benjamin Harrison designated it a national park in 1890 to protect its beauty and longevity from logging.

• Size: 631 square miles
• Entrance fee: $20 per person or $35 per vehicle
• Top Attractions: General Sherman Tree and Giant Forest
• Popular Hiking Trails: Tokopah Falls

③ One of the Top U.S. Landmarks

Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado was established in 1915. Its picturesque mountain views captivate visitors, reaching a maximum elevation of 14,259 feet above sea level.

This is why one of the park’s most popular attractions, Trail Ridge Road, ranks first among the highest roads in the United States. The road cuts through the park’s heart, offering stunning landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Like many other national parks in the United States, Rocky Mountain was designated as a national park to preserve natural beauty.

• Size: 415 square miles
• Entrance fee: $15 per person or $30 per vehicle
• Top Attractions: Trail Ridge Road and Bear Lake
• Popular Hiking Trails: Emerald Lake Trail

Crater Lake National Park is famous for its large, deep, blue, freshwater lake, formed thousands of years ago by a volcanic eruption. Crater Lake, with a maximum width of 6 miles and a depth of 1,943 feet, is the deepest lake in the United States and one of the deepest in the world.

The area is considered the most beautiful national park in the United States. In 1902, its value was recognized and designated as the best national park in the United States.

• Size: 286 square miles
• Entrance fee: $15 per person or $30 per vehicle
• Top Attractions: Crater Lake and Rim Drive
• Popular Hiking Trails: Garfield Peak Trail