Smoky Mountains Yellowstone and Yosemite - Americas Best National Parks

Those of us who reside in the U.S. are fortunate. We have one of the best National Park systems in the world. But what makes those parks so great is really the breathtaking natural beauty that is preserved there. Every place in the world has its unique sights to view, but you just can't beat standing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon watching the sun set.

Here is a brief introduction to 3 of America's oldest and still best national parks, Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Yellowstone National Park - Southern Montana and Northern Wyoming

Yellowstone is the first, and many consider the greatest National Park in the United States. It's a wonderland of spouting geysers, unique rock formations and other leftover evidence of a massive volcanic explosion over 600,000 years ago. Don't worry, it's all cooled off now. At Yellowstone, you can see the world's most famous geyser, Old Faithful. Early settlers thought it was a noxious spew from hell itself, but nowadays we know it's just a geothermal process, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. Yellowstone has a reputation for being busy, and it's true that it's a popular destination. Yellowstone has lots of great hiking trails, more than enough for everybody to enjoy without crowding each other. There are plenty of day hikes with spectacular views.

Yosemite National Park- Eastern California

Yosemite is another one of the oldest national parks in the United States. The wilderness of Yosemite represents all kinds of terrain, including meadows, valleys, mountains and great forests, and it's not too far from San Francisco and Los Angeles. Probably the most amazing thing about Yosemite is the waterfalls. It has more waterfalls than any other single place on earth. Steep cliffs of granite abound, and from certain points in the valley you can see seven or eight big ones at once. It may be tempting, but don't try swimming in the pools, because the force of the water can knock you senseless. Yosemite also boasts one of the biggest forests of sequoias in the world. These ancient trees stand tall, their tips pushing way up into the sky, like the California Redwoods.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - The North Carolina and Tennessee Border

If you like the outdoors, Great Smoky has it all. There are more hiking trails than probably any other area in the US, as well as great fishing and camping. Compared to the parks out west, you'll see lots more wildlife and plants. Also unlike the west, the weather is mild and there's plenty of humidity to keep you from dehydrating. Another reason to head for the Smokies is to experience real, authentic Appalachian mountain culture. There's mountain music, storytellers, and all kinds of family fun. The park boasts roads where you can see fantastic views, old historic buildings and vast forests as far as the eye can see. When visitng The Smoky Mountains make sure you use the entance to the Smokeys which is Gatlinburg Tennessee. Gatlinburg is a fantastic attraction where you can spend days enjoying. While in Gatlinburg make sure you experience a stay in a log cabin. Log cabin rental for your stay is common with many nice places to stay. So enjoy your next vacation in one of America's National Parks.