Above Photo: Fabian Wiktor
Every year, millions of people around the world visit a national park. These beloved spaces offer more than just adventure, they are guardians of our natural world. From providing protected habitats for endangered species to educational outreach, national parks are unmeasurably important for our future generations. Below are just a few of the world’s most famous national parks.
Black Forest National Park — Schluchsee, Germany
Deep within southern Germany’s mountainous wilderness is Black Forest National Park, also known as Schwarzwald National Park. Created in 2014, it covers over 10,000 hectares of old growth forest, glacial lakes, and unique flora and fauna that thrive in its mountainous terrain.
The National Park is famous for its hiking and conservation efforts. Visitors can spot animals like deer, wild boar, chamois, and the beautiful lynx. In addition, the park is in a UNESCO recognized biosphere that stretches past the park’s boundaries.
Within it are rare plant species and fungi that form a significant part of the area’s ecosystem.
Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s thriving commercial hub, where some of the world’s tallest buildings stand next to street food stalls and markets. Within this tropical urban landscape is Kuala Lumpur’s Forest Eco Park. It’s a protected rainforest filled with old-growth trees and protected bird and animal habitats, all within the city limits.
Photo Credit: Alex Ljamin
The park spans around 11 hectares at the base of the iconic Menara Kuala Lumpur observation deck. Visitors can walk along canopy bridges to get a bird’s-eye view of the park’s lush forest and tropical wildlife without impacting the forest floor’s delicate ecosystem. Park officials often take visitors on an in-depth tour of the plants, animals, and fungi that call this beautiful park home.
Grand Canyon National Park — Arizona, USA
Few landscapes can compare to the Grand Canyon. Every year, millions of visitors gaze in wonder at the vast canyon. Stretching 278 miles through Northern Arizona’s high desert, the canyon is home to many plant and animal species that live precariously in this dramatic landscape.
Photo Credit: Quinn Nietfeld
In 1893, President Benjamin Harrison designated the canyon as a forest reserve. Several decades later, in 1919, it officially became the United States’ 14th national park. The canyon is an example of millions of years of erosion by the fast-moving Colorado River. There are two rims, north and south, where visitors can experience this natural phenomenon. Popular activities include camping, hiking, and rafting along the Colorado River.
Torres del Paine National Park — Chile
In the southern end of Chilean Patagonia is Torres del Paine National Park, one of Chile’s most iconic destinations. The park covers over 700 miles of emerald glaciers, jagged snow-capped mountains, and beautiful windswept grasslands.
Photo by: Hans-Jürgen Weinhardt
This protected national park is home to animals like cougars, guanacos, foxes, and hundreds of species of birds. The Chilean government designated it as a national park in 1959. Since then, it has become one of the country’s most visited landmarks and hosts several eco-friendly tours and experiences throughout the year.
Banff National Park — Alberta, Canada
Situated in Canada’s Rocky Mountains is Banff National Park. In 1885, Banff became the country’s first national park and has since become one of the county’s most famous destinations. From the crystal clear waters of Lake Louise to the momentous peaks of Mt. Cascade and Mt. Rundle, Banff has plenty of postcard-worthy views.
Photo by David Wirzba
The park is a protected wildlife sanctuary, home to eagles, wolves, bears, and giant elk. Visitors can explore the beautiful terrain through almost 1,000 miles of pristine hiking trails. Many companies host guided hikes as well as educational and conservational outreach programs.
Serengeti National Park — Tanzania
Few places on earth offer visitors a chance to witness this amount of wildlife. The Serengeti National park is a crucial protected habitat for many African species like Giraffes, lions, cheetahs, wildebeest, and zebras. Every year, the Serengeti experiences the largest animal migration in the world.
Photo by ray rui
Since 1951, the Serengeti has become a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. Millions of visitors journey into the 5,700 square miles of parkland to experience the area’s unparalleled raw beauty. Park officials and conservations work hard to maintain and protect the park from poaching, deforestation, and invasive species.
Sagarmatha National Park — Nepal
At the foot of Mt. Everest in the mighty Himalaya Mountains is Sagarmatha National Park. Here in Nepal’s high elevations, snow leopards, musk deer, and other Himalayan species roam freely. Visitors can experience these unparalleled views of the world’s tallest peak by trekking up into the national park.
Photo by Karthik Thoguluva
Sagarmatha became Nepal’s first national park in 1976. It has since become a protected Natural World Heritage Site and one of Asia’s most iconic natural environments. The park sits in the mountains and gorges of the Himalayas and experiences alpine tundra, temperate forests, and barren ice caps.
Galapagos National Park — Ecuador
Since 1959, Galapagos National Park in Ecuador has drawn people to its rocky shoreline. The islands are home to one of the largest biodiversity hotspots in the world, with endemic flora and fauna found nowhere else on the planet.
Photo by Simon Berger:
Its unique plants and animals inspired Charles Darwin to write his pivotal book on Natural Selection called “The Origin of Species.” Today, most of the park is off limits. Official tours are eco-friendly and run under a strict set of environmental laws making this one of the world’s most eco-friendly destinations.
Wadi Rum — Jordan
Like something out of a sci-fi movie, Jordan’s Wadi Rum National Park is out of this world! The park is nestled in the expansive desert, just a few miles from the Saudi Arabian border. Several major Hollywood blockbusters were filmed here, including The Martian and Dune.
Photo by Konstantinos Kaskanis
Wadi Rum is a UNESCO protected natural and cultural area. There are many Bedouin camps and other outdoor campsites where you can sleep under the clear desert night sky. Many people come to this national park hoping to roam freely. However, supporting a Bedouin camp not only helps the local community, it also ensures you’re not damaging the fragile desert ecosystem.
Iguazu National Park — Argentina and Brazil
Thunderous falls surrounded by lush sub-tropical jungle make the UNESCO recognized Iguazu Falls one of the most surreal national parks on earth. Inside the boundaries of both the Brazilian and Argentine parks are over 240,000 hectares of protected Atlantic Forest. Over 2000 species of plants and 400 bird species, including the majestic Harpy Eagle, call this dense jungle home.
Photo by Derek Oyen
Both sides of the park conduct conservation efforts to protect this unique habitat. Visitors must stay within a designated walking area, and they limit motorized traffic to a small amount of official vehicles. What’s more are the educational resources available, including wildlife tours and guided nature hikes.
Yosemite National Park — California, USA
Deep within the Sierra Nevada Mountains is one of North America’s legendary landscapes, the great Yosemite National Park. The park spans over 300,000 acres of protected dramatic wilderness. It contains towering cliff faces famous for rock climbing, thundering waterfalls, and imposing mountain vistas.
Photo by Aniket Deole
Following many conservation efforts by people like John Muir, President Abraham Lincoln signed a grant in 1864 that would lead to its official national park status in 1890, making it the country’s third oldest national park. Every year, millions of people get to experience what John Muir fought so hard to protect.
Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, Japan
With unparalleled views of Mt. Fuji, forested lakes, and dream-like hikes, it’s no wonder Fuji Hakone Izu National Park is Japan’s most visited national park. Within the sprawling park area are hot springs, waterfalls, hiking trails, and endless natural scenery.
Photo by Kunal Sahu:
The park stretches across a volcanic landscape from the slopes of Mt. Fuji, Japan’s highest peak, to the rugged shores of the Izu Islands. The national park is also home to protected habitats for native plants and animals. Guided experiences and ecotours are available and will bring you up close and personal to these beautiful Japanese landscapes.
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