By Connor Moynihan
It's road trip season and in no specific order we made a list of some of the top national parks that you don't want to miss this summer.
1. Zion National Park, Utah
With crosshatches of canyons and faults filled with beautiful views, this place will leave you in awe. Hiking angels landing with thousand ft. drops on each side of you, with nothing to save you but a linked chain, is quite the adrenaline rush. Don't just hangout on the ground with all the tourists either, checkout out the plethora backcountry backpacking.
View of the trail to the top of Angel's Landing, Photo by Jared Stratz
Angel's Landing trail , photo by Connor Moynihan
2. Yosemite National Park, California
Holding 1,169 square miles of designated wilderness, Yosemite is jarring. John Muir said it best, Yosemite has "innumerable lakes and waterfalls and smooth silky lawns; the noblest forests, the loftiest granite domes, the deepest ice-sculptured canons, the brightest crystalline pavements, and snowy mountains soaring into the sky twelve and thirteen thousand feet" . From my personal experience the ground floor of the Yosemite valley is like Disney World with its gift shops and hotels, but once you get up into the backcountry, it is filled with immense solitude and beauty.
Upper Yosemite Falls Hike, Photo by Connor Moynihan
View of Half Dome, Photo by Connor Moynihan
View of Yosemite Valley, Photo by Cam Rickard
3. Arches National Park, Utah
73,000 acres of geography that reminds you of a 60's Mars movie. Arches is must. The stars at night in Arches are some of the best in all the popular national parks. Check out the short hike to delicate arch around sunset to experience all the marveling colors of the desert.
Delicate Arch at Night, Photo by The National Park Service
Delicate Arch close up, Photo by Jared Stratz
4. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Claiming 349 miles of trails to hike, RMNP is filled with Colorado back country beauty. This place has peaks above 14,000 ft. in every direction you look, and when hiking in the park you will most definitely see an animal that is big enough to kill you.
Lots of Animals, Photo by Austin Severn
Hike to Sky Pond, Photo by Jared Stratz
Trail Ridge Road with an Elk, Photo by Brooke Grubb
You might need a hammock for all these adventures, get one here, and help us eradicate poverty in the process.