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Visiting an American national park is an adventure, no matter how you Choose to explore . There are those who prefer to admire the views crossing, while others like to immerse themselves in the wild and to set off. If the latter calls you, there are a few national parks that you may want to add to your list of travel buckets, which are ideal choices for walking - and also great if you are ready for a more difficult hike. Read the rest for the 10 best national parks that you can browse.

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10 best national parks to travel

1. National Sables National Park (New Mexico)

A park that is better seen on foot is BLANC SABLES National Park to New Mexico. According to Adam Marland , travel photographer and blogger for We dream of traveling , if you only drive, you do a bad service.

"A short route is all you get with a vehicle to explore the ethereal landscape of the White Sands National Park; the rest is up to you to explore on foot!" Marland says, adding that you may even want to give up your sneakers.

"When I say" on foot ", I mean that literally", he shares. "Leave your shoes in the car and enjoy a number of trails through the gypsum hills with sweet pillows that are still rolling for kilometers in each direction. "

Marland also notes that this is a park that you need to "see to believe", because the impressive views change between sunrise and sunset.

"In fact, the" white sand "for which the park is named is not white, nor sand! It is actually a translucent gypsum that takes the ambient color of light," explains Marland. "For most of the day, it appears as white as snow under the light aerial sun. The colors will transform later to correspond to the yellow, the orange and the red sun."

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2. Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)

The second park on foot on this list is also in New Mexico, but rather than a landscape of the general desert, this park invites you to explore the ornate caves.

"In Carlsbad Caverns National Park , you will slow down deep under the ground when you discover a world of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, drapery, popcorn of caves and much more than you have never imagined to exist in such an inhospitable place, "" Sophie Clapon , travel blogger with We dream of traveling , tell Better life.

Clapton notes that because almost all of the park exists in a "system of complex caves", seeing it on foot is actually the only option.

"The most popular path and you can do alone is the walk of 1.25 mile through" The Twilight Zone "and in" The Big Room "," she explains, noting that you can also book visits Of several different pieces with a park ranger as a guide, including the fans' favorite: "King's Palace Tour".

Clapton adds: "After exploring the caves to the contents of your heart, you can go back as you have arrived or bring an elevator to the surface; just make sure to keep it breathtaking."

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3. Acadia National Park (Maine)

During the fall, Maine Acadia National Park is known for its spectacular Foliage display - and according to Becca Siegel ,, travel blogger Half of travel, the best way to admire the changing leaves and the rest of the park is to walk.

"To start, it's not that big, so it's less overwhelming than, say, Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon," said Siegel. "Acadia has trails that enter the three easy, moderate and difficult categories, so there is something for all those who want to see the beauty of this national park on foot."

Even better, there are many paths that have walks, as well as trails along the water.

"These factors also make it an excellent choice for a national park to visit with children and a family," said Siegel. "I can't wait to go back to Acadia with my family when our daughter is old enough to walk!"

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4. Arches National Park (Utah)

You will certainly get your steps Arches National Park , according to Dan Gold ,, travel expert half by half trip. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"I have traveled in this national park by myself and I took the time to go through what I thought was interesting hikes where I could take memorable photos," explains Gold. "There are a bunch of short hiking trails and not too difficult inside the arches, and through them all, you will be able to see rocky training, landscapes and famous points of view that make this national national park special. ""

In fact, Gold says that his favorite way to visit this park is to walk, adding: "It is an experience that I will never forget."

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5. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)

Visit Virginia Shenandoah National Park On foot, not only will you help you connect with nature, but also with yourself, Sangmeister abbey , MMD, LPC, ACS, and founder of Evolving , said.

"Shenandoah National Park is a magical place, full of beginner trails in the advance. You Find waterfalls , various rock formations, fauna (always respect them and give them space) and views that give you panoramic views, "she said." I strongly recommend stopping to speak to one of the park's rangers. They will give you suggestions on hikes that match your level of experience and those that are not as crowded. ""

Whatever the promenade or the hike you choose, walking in Shenandoah can be refreshing, according to Sangmeister - and that does not matter when you choose to visit.

"While hiking, admire the current surroundings," she said. "Regardless of the season you are heading for Shenandoah, you will have beauty all around you, which is a good reminder that in any season of life, we can watch and find beauty. The same as the process and travel to everything in your life. "

Shenandoah's sunsets are certainly not missing either, which are better observed from a point of view. "By immersing yourself in nature, you can get to focus on the present," adds Sangmeister.

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6. Zion National Park (Utah)

If you have always wanted to explore Zion National Park ,, Adrian Todd, An outdoor expert, hiking trainer and founder of the hiking website The big minds think that the hike , recommends doing it on foot.

"There are a lot of impressive national parks in Utah which are incredible to explore on foot like the Arches and Bryce, but I strongly recommend consulting Zion National Park," explains Todd. "Sion offers similar desert views, but is a little different because it has imposing red canyons, the virgin river of emerald color that flows, and is more lush with More wild animals . ""

Todd cites some of the most popular (and unique) trails, including the Narrows and Angels Landing, but there is much more to see than large spots.

"I strongly recommend consulting many other Sion trails, such as Emerald swimming pools and leading Walter's Wiggles to make the Overlook reject," he said. "If you want to discover the narrows but do not want to hike in the water, I recommend that I simply walk the Riverside narrows, which will allow you to see most of the point where you would enter the river."

As for Angels Landing, Todd says that it is worth the detour - as long as you are ready with a hiking license and you are not afraid of the heights.

"Angels Landing is a unique hike where you dismember pieces of red rock with parts of a chain link balustrade," he explains.

By reaching the summit, you will be happy that nothing is between you and the view: according to Todd, from there, you can get a 360 -degree view of the park.

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7. Glaciers National Park (Montana)

Glaciers National Park is on a lot of bucket list, which means that it can be congested, especially when driving. That's exactly why Carrie ,, life coach And the founder of Sunup Coaching LLC, recommends going on foot.

Although you need a car to see the famous "road to the road", if you want a "more adventurous and wild adventure", Rose says you better walk.

"There are easy hikes for people looking to enjoy the path but not hiking for more than eight hours. The most common are probably Lake Avalanche and Lac hidden."

Todd also recommends the Glacier National Park, also known as "Crown of the continent".

"It offers more than 700 miles of hiking trails, including part of the high hike, the Divide (CDT) continental," he said. "Glacier hikes will take you into virgin glacial lakes embraced by mountains, along the river rivers and cascades crash."

Todd also recommends other trails, including Highline Trail, Lake Iceberg and Grinnell Glacier. Rose suggests that Lake Upper Two Medicine or the Dawson-Pitamakan loop, which are both moderate in difficulty.

"Always hungry for more hikes? Submit for a license and spend a few nights in the sinter-country of the glacier," explains Rose. "You can submit for permits in spring, or opt for an appointment permit the day before. Cooking areas, food storage (usually a suspended bear) and tent sites."

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8. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

"" Rocky Mountain National Park is another large park to explore on foot and has more than 350 miles of hiking trails that will guide you through some of the highest peaks of the lower 48, "says Todd." Hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park really immerses you in the Rockies where you will see you alpine lakes and rivers, and [you] can even see fauna like moose or marmots. The CDT also goes through this park. ""

More specifically, Todd recommends the Alberta Falls and Bear Lake - and if you want a longer hike, he also has suggestions for you.

"For a more distant hiking trail, I actually recommend going to the east side of Grand Lake East from the Rocky Mountain National Park - which tends to be a little less crowded - and to make the East inlet path", explains Todd. "Along the way, there are a lot of beautiful views, and be sure to find Adams Falls and the East inlet Vista towards the end of the path."

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9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)

According to Todd, there is a good reason why this national park is the the most visited .

"The park has some of the highest mountains in the east, tons of wild flowers such as rare Azaleum flames, rivers, waterfalls and tons of fauna like Wapitis," explains Todd. "The most popular hike, the Appalachian path, crosses the smoked mountains and sees around two million people a year. If you are going to explore a park, the smoked mountains are good for doing so."

He also suggests that passionate walkers try the path of the track and the chimney of the alum and the chimney - and if you want to see one of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's Many waterfalls while you are on the move, go to Abrams Falls (which is popular due to the proximity of the Loop Cades Cove), Rainbow Falls or Laurel Falls Trails.

"If you want more wild flowers, I strongly recommend going to the end of spring," said Todd. "For the fall foliage, go a little later to mid-October for the peak fire. And if you are ready, water a section of the Appalachian path!"

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10. Yosemite National Park (California)

To complete this list is another popular and well -known place: Yosemite. Not only is it ideal for walking, but this park can have even more breathtaking views in 2023.

"This year would be a privileged moment to see Yosemite National Park due to record amount precipitation they received. This means that waterfalls and rivers run apart! "Said Todd." Other reasons to discover Yosemite are to see emblematic granite cliffs, beautiful meadows and giant sequoia trees. Yosemite is known for the hike of the difficult half-dome and the John Muir trail of 211 miles, a popular path by Hiking. ""

If you end up challenging yourself with Half Dome, however, Todd says that you will want to plan a backpack and camp during the night in the small Yosemite valley.

"This helps to break the length and difficulty of the path instead of trying to tackle the entire 15 miles path at the same time," he explains. "Other beautiful paths that I strongly recommend to make are Bridalveil Fall, Mirror Lake and The Mist Trail, which takes you by Vernal and Nevada Falls."

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