Country america reserves and national parks. Reserves and national parks of the usa

Summer is coming soon. Time for holidays, warm evenings, walks in the fresh air. Have you already decided where to go on vacation - at least for a couple of days? In America, there are places where you want to return again and again, being there once.

We are talking about national parks, about these treasures of nature and history that you can finally see with your own eyes! The only difficulty is choosing which park to go to. There is only one vacation, but there are a great many nature reserves.

websiteselected for you 12 of the most interesting national parks who will visit you this summer!

The Teton Ridge towers majestically over Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Grand Teton occupies the top line in ratings such as " best park USA” and “The best national park in the world”. Professional photographers and amateurs come here from all over the world to capture the mountains rising to 4 thousand meters and the reflection of their peaks in the mirror surface of the lakes Jenny And Jackson.

In the hottest time, in summer, tens of thousands of tourists come to the park with the sole purpose of feeling like a part of this grandiose creation of nature. Do you think that here you can only click the camera and walk in the mountains? Here and no! Spend a few days camping - and each new day will be different from the previous one. Walking through the park, visitors make discoveries every now and then: either they will find a full-flowing waterfall, or a clearing strewn with wild flowers, which seem to be created for picnics with elves and naiads.

River Snake Riverideal for both kayaking and rafting (inflatable boats), as well as for simple boat trips. History buffs are advised to visit areas such as menors ferry And Mormon Row. Here you will learn a lot of interesting things from the history of the region in the 19th century. What about nature lovers? More than 800 km2 of the park are inhabited by grizzlies, antelopes, bison. Meeting with them is not such a rarity! Just a few kilometers from Teton is Yellowstone National Park. A nice bonus for passionate travelers will be the opportunity to visit 2 of the most famous reserves at once, saving $10.

This park can rightly be considered a champion. It's hard to imagine, but every year it passes through its paths more than 11 millionvisitors from all over the world! For comparison, the Grand Canyon is visited by half as many tourists. Great Smoky Mountains is the largest protected area in the United States. Its total area is more than 200 thousand hectares. You can get here from two states: from Gatlinburg (Tennessee) and from Cherokee (North Carolina). The Blue Ridge Mountains cross the park, making it even more impressive. Almost 1.7 thousand different plant species grow here - no other natural area in the USA can boast of such a variety!

When you come here, be sure to climb observation deck Klingman House- the highest point of the reserve. He will appear before you in all his glory. Just for the sake of this spectacle, it is worth spending several hours in the car!

The secret of the park's success is that it is good at any time of the year. In winter, for example, when the skeleton of the park is exposed, one can clearly see the sheer cliffs, their foothills and traces of former civilizations. When nature comes to life, the mountains are covered with a motley carpet of the most bizarre patterns and shapes. In early autumn, a romantic atmosphere reigns here. The exhausting heat is no longer there, and the piercing winds have not yet come - at this time lovers of long walks come here.

grand canyon- one of the most famous and most visited attractions in the country. Its unique views are often used in video clips and films. What caused such interest in the reserve? A truly grandiose mountain range 446 km long and 29 km wide formed in Arizona 5-6 million years ago. And what a combination of the most unimaginable colors and shapes - there is nothing like it anywhere in the world! The Grand Canyon is a must visit at least once in your life!

Walking here is a real pleasure: with every step, unique landscapes open up to the eye. Or you can do something more extreme. What do you think of the idea of ​​taking a helicopter flight over the reserve? Or a ride in an open jeep? Whatever entertainment you choose, the Grand Canyon will forever remain in your memory and on your Instagram page!

Do you want to experience truly memorable moments? Then urgently add a visit to your plans Hawaiian Volcanic National Park. Where else can you feel the power of the planet like this, if not on these 200 hectares, next to two (!!!) active volcanoes? Light haze, barely noticeable ripples swaying over the fields of solidified lava, gives the area an aura of mystery.

Hawai'i Volcanoes is a world-class biosphere reserve recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Here you can endlessly walk along the paths of the "lunar" valleys, explore the tropical forests, spy on the life of volcanoes! You shouldn't be afraid. In case of the slightest threat, the park management takes all necessary measures.

Another place of tourist pilgrimage is the Yellowstone Nature Reserve, which is spread across 3 states at once. Here you can live your whole life, marveling at the fantasy of nature every day. It's no joke - more than 800 thousand hectares! Already one geyser Old Faithful, throwing hot jets into the air every hour, it's worth it to pack a backpack, fill in the route in the navigator and hit the road! Yellowstone is also home to the largest thermal source in USA - Grand Prismatic. And how is the nature here... To meet a buffalo or a bear in the park is the most common thing!

The Yellowstone Preserve has stunning sunsets. Going for a walk or in the mountains, set aside at least 15 minutes in the evening to calmly admire this beauty, rare in its naturalness. Biking, boating, visiting Old Faithful or a stunning waterfall Lower Fallsattract millions of tourists to Yellowstone seeking to relax and recharge.

california Sequoia -one of the oldest national parks in America with the tallest and oldest trees not only in the country, but in the world. The height of some giants reaches 83 m! Next to them you feel like a midget from a fairy tale about Gulliver. Studying all this beauty, you will become a real tracker - access to 82% of the park is possible only on horseback or on foot. No bikes or jeeps for you!

For its grandiose size, the sequoia was nicknamed the "skyscraper of nature." Every year, more than 1 million visitors come to the park of the same name to see with their own eyes 5 of the 10 most tall trees in the world, walk along the snow-covered slopes of the mountains and admire the diversity of the forest fauna.

rocky mountain

Colorado

national park rocky mountain, or Rocky Mountains, is one of the most visited biosphere reserves under the protection of UNESCO. Why are people so eager to spend their holidays here?

Because for the inhabitants of the stone jungle it is real paradise: almost 600 km of picturesque trails, along which tourists like to ride on horseback or in jeeps, overlooking the endless virgin valleys, pristine forests, bizarre mountainous terrain.

What about climbing trips? Climbers love this place. And not only professionals who conquer the most difficult peaks, but also just lovers of simple ascents. So, a walk near the lake can be planned even for families with kids.

Here is the highest paved road in the United States - Trail Ridge Road.

Giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park seem even taller against the backdrop of bright blue lakes that reflect gray-white rocks. In the most beautiful state of the country, it is difficult to give the palm to any particular place. And Yosemite is beyond competition! It is impossible to compete with such a riot of nature, with an incredible combination of rocks, lakes, forests, fields and valleys that nature has created here.

Meets tourists El Capitan- the largest granite formation in the world. A great opportunity to test your imagination and see the face of the "rock"!

There are more than 20 waterfalls in the park, including such famous ones as Yosemite at 740 m and Snow Creek (650 m). And here are the real glaciers!

Yosemite has been a national treasure for over 125 years. Explore hundreds of kilometers of trails - on foot or on horseback, wander between gigantic sequoias. And don't forget to capture this day in one of the most photographed places - Half Dome. This rock is the symbol of the park.

IN Mount Rainier , which was recognized in 1899 as the 5th national park in the United States, attracts nature lovers from all over America. The most high point park - top of the mountain Rainierrises more than 4.4 thousand meters above sea level. This is where the 6 major rivers The park is home to the largest concentration of glaciers in the United States.

What awaits the traveler in this park? Alpine and subalpine meadows and coniferous forests have formed on the slopes of Rainier. Glaciers surrounded the mountain in a dense ring. On the northwest coast Pacific Ocean such a combination of ecosystems is no longer found - that's why an inexhaustible stream of people who want to see this miracle is striving here.

Does size always matter? For the reserve hot springs- not the slightest! The smallest national park in the US is visited annually 1.5 milliongrateful tourists. What attracts them here, what encourages them to overcome many kilometers? The answer is simple: located in the park water complexes bathhouse row: baths, residential buildings and gardens. This place was created for outdoor recreation and healing in hot springs.

However, not only swim all day long. Climb the mountain tower - view of mountain range washita, opening from the highest point, will turn the head of any aesthete.

Once upon a time O impenetrable swamps covered most of this place, in which alligators swarmed among the roots of mangrove trees. People bypassed these swamps. Now here, just 45 minutes from Miami, is a state-protected park. Everglades, also recognized as an object world heritage UNESCO.

Today, rare animals still live in the reserve, in particular manatees and the already mentioned alligators. Great luck to meet a panther. True, this requires caution and patience.

The park offers a huge amount of entertainment for every taste: hiking, kayaking, cycling, fishing ... What do you think about treasure hunting? Be sure to visit one of the most popular national parks on the East Coast of the United States - what if you find a treasure?

Strictly speaking, brycenot a canyon at all, but a huge natural amphitheater. However, the name stuck, and now this unique reserve is known as Bryce Canyon.

The park annually hosts a multi-day astronomy festival - the star cover is so unusual in these parts. For millions of years, water and wind have destroyed the local mountains, "carving" the most bizarre relief that you can imagine. The colors of the canyon are pink, red, orange. How does nature manage to be so unpredictable?

A trip to Bryce Canyon must be included in the summer travel program of every self-respecting traveler. More than 100 species of birds and animals live in the park, and the flora is represented by more than a thousand names.

Updated: August 20, 2019 by: Anna Kazakova

In addition to a comfortable life and technological progress, Americans love and appreciate the nature of their country very much, they cherish it and strive to preserve nature reserves for future generations. And not in vain, because natural beauty staggering with splendor and variety. We present to your attention the ten greatest reserves in the United States, most of which are located in the states of Utah, Arizona and California.

1. Grand Canyon in Arizona.

This deep fissure, meandering for more than 400 km, is located in the state of Arizona. The intricate architecture of the walls of the canyon involved the wind polishing its surface, as well as two rivers - Walpie and Colorado, making their way in the rocky soil of the plateau for millions of years.

2. Yosemite National Park in California.

The Merced River divides this picturesque valley into two parts. And in the very center of the park there are quarries up to 800-900 meters deep, the bottom of which is covered with glaciers.

3. National Park "Yellowstone" in Wyoming.

Yellowstone is the first national park in history, which today is also an international biosphere reserve. There are hot springs, geysers, cracks in craters, and a significant part of the Yellowstone territory is covered with solidified lava. This gives the national park an alien, unearthly look. Special attention is paid to Morning Glory and Grand Prismatic Spring, the so-called hot springs, painted, thanks to the unique local algae, in various bright colors - red, yellow, blue and green.

4. Glen Canyon in Arizona.

Glen Canyon is considered one of the most popular American vacation spots. In 1956, construction of a dam began in the canyon, which resulted in the formation of Lake Powell, which became the second largest reservoir in the United States.
The Glen Canyon Recreation Area, several hundred miles long, covers an area of ​​more than 4,000 square meters. kilometers. In addition to Lake Powell, among the main attractions of Glen Canyon Park, Rainbow Bridge is very popular, it is known as the world's largest natural bridge, as well as Orange Cliffs - a dry desert, the temperature difference in which ranges from +43 degrees in summer to -29 degrees in winter.

5. Death Valley National Park in California.

"Death Valley" is one of the most mysterious and beautiful places on the planet. This is a land of contrasts, which is a narrow long plain with volcanic craters resembling a lunar landscape and sheer cliffs that form deep canyons and huge dunes. From the Dante Peak pass, located at an altitude of 2 kilometers above sea level, a panorama of the Death Valley opens.

On the national territory, you should definitely see the ghost towns of Riolight and Leadfield, as well as the Grapevine Mountains, Titus Canyon and Golden Canyon, the Devil's Golf Course. Bad Water Lake is the most low place on the North American continent and at the same time the hottest place on Earth. Another natural phenomenon in the Death Valley is Racetrack Playa. This is a dry lake, at the bottom of which “races” take place between stone cobblestones, the weight of which sometimes reaches 500 kg. The stones change their position and move spontaneously, leaving a furrow behind them, which looks like a trace from a snake crawling through the sand. Until now, scientists are trying to find a clue to this amazing phenomenon.

6. "Goblin Valley" in Utah.

Goblin Valley State Park wonderful world stones, where thousands of stones and rocks of the most bizarre shapes are located, which have reached several meters in height. These unique natural sculptures, which resemble fabulous goblins, amaze visitors.

7. "Monument Valley" in Utah.

Monument Valley - national symbol USA, which is a unique geological formation. In this place, there is a segment of the border between the states of Utah and Arizona, and the territory of the park itself belongs to the reservation of the Navajo Indian tribe.

Millions of years ago, where the desert is now, there was the Mesozoic Sea. But gradually layers of sandstones were deposited at the bottom, and due to the uplift of the earth's crust, the sea receded, and a huge plateau formed in its place.

8. Wrangel and St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, located in the southeast of Alaska, it is included in the list of objects cultural heritage UNESCO, and is also a unique natural monument and the largest national park in the United States.

The main interest in the park are the thousand-year-old glaciers and ice fields, which occupy almost a quarter of the area of ​​the entire park; they freeze to a depth of more than 900 meters. It should be noted that the area of ​​the largest glacier in the reserve - Nabesna - is more than 819 square meters. kilometers.

Another attraction of the park is the Wrangel Mountains - a high-altitude volcanic massif more than 150 kilometers long, which consists of active volcano Wrangel, as well as two extinct volcanoes. It is here that Mount St. Elias is located - the second peak after Mount McKinley with a height of more than 5 thousand meters.

9. Capital Reef National Park in Utah.

Capital Reef is also located in Utah, next to the Fremont River. It consists of white sandstone cliffs, and its shape resembles the Capitol, where the US Congress meets. These rock formations were formed due to the deformation of the earth's crust, which occurred almost 65 million years ago.

10. Joshua Tree National Park in California.

Two hours from Los Angeles is Joshua Tree National Park, which was founded in 1936 at the initiative of local Mormons. Rare trees growing in this place are similar to the image of Jesus Christ, who raises his hands. But the main attraction of the park is not the trees, but the desert complex, where 700 different plant species grow. One of the albums of the famous rock band U2 was named after the Joshua Tree Park.

Located in the state of Arizona and occupies 5 thousand square meters. m. Its foundation dates back to 1908, it is considered one of the most amazing and unique places in the world. The Colorado River divides its territory into 2 main parts - South Rim and North Rim. The southwestern side of the canyon is located within the Indian settlements of Walapai and Havasupai.

The most visited place is South Rim, millions of tourists come here every year. Striking with its beauty, the Grand Canyon has never been recognized as the largest, widest or most deep canyon in the world. Despite this, for more than a century it has been striking in its grandeur and allows a person to feel like a part of the Universe.

Mesa Verde National Park

National parks of the United States, included in the UNESCO heritage list. The park, which is located on the territory of the state of Colorado, was founded on June 29, 1906. Translated from Spanish, “mesa verde” means “green table”, but the park got its name not by chance, because a huge plateau lies next to it. Once there was an Anasazi Indian settlement, and the modern US government, through the creation of a park, has tried to preserve its ruined traces. Today, visitors to the Mesa Verde Park can see the ancient residential area, which has collected many interesting exhibits, among which the rarest ceramics are especially valued. Most of the exhibits are located right on the slopes of the rocks - it was here that the Indians brought out unnecessary things to them, which are now of interest to numerous tourists.

Bryce Canyon National Park

An amazing miracle of nature, spread over 145 sq. m in the southwestern part of the US state of Utah. In the 50s 19th century Mormon pioneers lived here. Bryce Canyon cannot be called an ordinary canyon, since it resembles a giant amphitheater equipped by nature itself. The canyon stretches along the eastern side of the Pauntsaugant Plateau, which was also created by nature (the plateau owes its appearance to the erosion process). For tourists, Bryce Canyon is attractive for extraordinary geological structures called hoodoos. They also formed during the weathering of river sediments and acquired red, white and orange colors. Together, these colored rocks are an incredible sight, especially striking at sunrise and sunset.

yellowstone national park

The foundation of which falls on 1872 is oldest park USA and the whole planet. Its location is the junction of 3 states on a high mountain plateau, and the park itself occupies up to 9 thousand square meters. km. Almost completely Yellowstone Park lies in the state of Wyoming, and only 1% of its area falls on the state of Idaho and 3% - on the state of Montana. The unique park of America is also called the International Biosphere Reserve. This status was assigned thanks to the rare animals living here (a memorable event took place in 1976, and a couple of years later the park was included in the UNESCO heritage register). The “Steamboat” geyser gives Yellowstone fame - it erupts water to a height of 122 m. No less spectacular is the Excelsior geyser, boiling water from which splashes 100 m in height and 10 m in width.

monument valley

A creation of nature, which has chosen for its location the junction of the states of Utah and Arizona. These lands belong to the Navajo Indian tribe. Huge natural pillars were formed from sandstone deposits and turned into remnant stones of the most bizarre shapes, changing their shades when exposed to sunlight. It is noteworthy that the stone blocks are not nameless - each of them has its own name.

In addition to outlandish blocks, the names of which reflect the essence of the compositions, there is another attraction in the Valley - the Rainbow Bridge. It looks like a huge symmetrical arch and connects the banks of the canyon. It is surprising that the bridge was created not by people, but by the water element. And it, like a real rainbow, shimmers in the sun with the most incredible shades.

Death Valley National Park

It is a huge desert stretching between the states of Nevada and California. In this place, the southwestern part of the country is the most arid, hot and low in all of North America. Tourists tend to come here to admire unearthly landscapes - sand dunes and salty earth cracked from dryness leave an indelible impression. When you are here, the association with death comes by itself - the area is so frightening and lifeless that sometimes it seems like hell. And yet it remains attractive for tourists, because the Timbisha tribe lives here and there are stone formations created about 500 million years ago. The composition of these unusual sculptures is represented by limestone and sandstone, which left the seabed due to the movement of the earth's plates.

Arches National Park

The park has collected more than 2 thousand rock arches on its territory. It is located in eastern Utah at the junction of the Colorado Plateau with the Rocky Mountains. The unusual relief of this area is explained by the influence of the sea element - when the sea retreated, it left behind huge deposits of salt, the top of which was covered with sandstone deposits. Its significant pressure on the salt layers led to cracks, faults, displacements and relief depressions. Not all arches created by nature are gigantic - they have different sizes. "Giants" attract the attention of tourists, smaller sculptures attract geologists. Of particular interest to scientists are the arches, called windows. They also owe their appearance to the weathering of sandstone, only the erosion process was more intense at their base.

Glacier National Park

The American Alps, Little Switzerland - all these are different names for the Glacier Park, which occupies about 4 thousand square meters. km at the northern end of the Rocky Mountains. In addition to mountain ranges, the park has many lakes, green flowering meadows and massive glaciers. The Indians consider this area sacred, biologists - extremely rich, because black bears (Baribal) and grizzlies (gray bear), wolves, long-horned sheep, deer, mountain goats, wolverines, and elks live in the park. Tourists are attracted to Glacier Park and the 80-kilometer "Road to the Sun". It starts from the lower sections of the park and ends at the Continental Pass, located at an altitude of 2 thousand meters. Thanks to this extreme journey, tourists get the opportunity to view evergreen forests, waterfalls and lakes from above.

Yosemite National Park

Occupying more than 3 thousand square meters. km of the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada in California. The uniqueness of the park, its virginity and pristine nature - many small rivers flow here, waterfalls seethe, huge rocks proudly stretch upwards and beckon down canyons and gorges. The Merced and Tuolomne Rivers are federal waterways that flow through Yosemite. On mountain trails, meadows and groves of rare trees there are colonies of wild animals. The attractiveness of this area for tourists is the presence among the mountains of the El Capitan granite rock and dome-shaped folds with paved routes. Climbers from all over the world come here. For those wishing to live in the Yosemite Valley, there are campsites, but places in them should be booked in advance, because. this area is extremely popular.

The beauty of the nature of the United States is in no way inferior to the beauty of Canada or Russia. There are mixed forests and huge canyons, as well as rivers and lakes with noisy waterfalls. The vast reserves and parks of the United States annually attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to their lands. There are so many protected places in the States that it is difficult to decide right away where you should spend your vacation or weekend. Consider the most famous and popular national parks in America.

Where are the main US reserves located?

Significant conservation sites in America are located in the following locations:

• Bryce Canyon. Utah;
• Monument Valley. Between Utah and Arizona;
• Death Valley. Between California and Nevada;
• Yellowstone. Wyoming, Montana, Idaho;
• Yosemite. California;
• Grand Canyon. Arizona;
• Glacier. Montana;
• Great Smoky Mountains. North Carolina;
• Hawaiian volcanoes. Hawaii;
• Torrey Pines. California;
• Everglades. Florida.

North America is a continent with rich nature and colossal territories. In every US state it is possible to find, if not the greatest reserve, then a small natural Park exactly.

Bryce Canyon. Utah

The canyon in Utah is less famous than its neighbors: the Grand Canyon and Zion. The reasons for its lesser popularity lie in the remoteness of the area, but its beauty is as majestic as in neighboring national parks.

Bryce's height reaches 2700 meters. Its ocher and yellow rocks are shaped like a Roman amphitheatre. Tourists love to meet sunrises on this canyon, and those who have the patience to wait for sunset are also rewarded in full with amazing views and the play of light.

Monument Valley. Between Utah and Arizona

The park, where the Navajo tribe runs, is famous for its own Monument Valley. A wonderful place created by nature, but because of the bizarre rocks and hills, it seems like a man-made creation.

The road from Flagstaff leads to the Monuments. Tourist centre in the Valley is located at the entrance. It starts working from 6 am, in the warm season the center operates until 8.30 pm. There it is possible to purchase a map of the Valley, select and register a route, and buy various trifles.

Entrance to the national park is paid. The price of an adult ticket is about $20.

Many Hollywood westerns and sci-fi films have been filmed in Monument Valley..

Monument Valley borders the Stone Arches National Park, where you can see the naturally symmetrical Rainbow Arch.

Death Valley. Between California and Nevada

Death Valley is another protected area in the United States, which is a desert. In the national park of the same name, hiking and bike routes that tourists can use.

You can get to the tourist part of Death Valley from Las Vegas on a special bus from a travel agency. Other transport does not go there, so for a private trip you will have to rent a car.

Yellowstone. Wyoming, Montana, Idaho

The huge reserve occupies territories in three American states at once. The highlight of the park is its geysers. Hot jets of water gushing out of the ground make an indelible impression on the viewers.

Yellowstone waterfalls and a large number of animals in the reserve made this natural object heritage of UNESCO. A long road has been laid through the park, passing through which you can get to all the main attractions of the reserve. Its length is 230 kilometers.

Near the park is the city of Salt Lake City, from there buses run to the entrance to the reserve. There are 9 hotels in the park, shops, gas stations and campsites.

Yosemite. California

Yosemite National Park has been on the UNESCO heritage list since 1984. The territory of the park almost entirely consists of wild forests, mountains and caves, only 5% of the land is filled with any kind of infrastructure.

Yosemite is home to over 400 animal species. There you can meet lynxes, black bears and deer.

The park is located 300 kilometers from the city of San Francisco. From there, excursions are organized to Yosemite. The California reserve is considered one of the first parks that arose on American lands.

Grand Canyon. Arizona

Until 1540, the Grand Canyon was inhabited by Indian tribes. Thanks to Roosevelt, the canyon became a popular place for hunting and fishing, then its territory was declared a protected area.

The name of the park speaks for itself. The Grand Canyon is larger than any other similar place on earth. The natural depression is 500 km long and 1.6 km deep.

Even today in the lands of the canyon are held archaeological excavations. Birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals live around forests, rocks and caves.

Helicopter tours over the Grand Canyon. There are hotels, campsites and souvenir shops. To travel around the park, you can choose the following modes of transportation:

• Bike;
• Train;
• horse riding;
• Hiking route;
• Airplane;
• Balloon.

The infrastructure of this reserve is well developed. Part of the park is closed to the public in winter, but it southern regions always full of tourists from all over the world.

It is possible to get from Flagstaff to the canyon by shuttle or bus. The distance between the entrance to the park and the city is approximately 100 km.

Glacier. Montana

In the US state of Montana, which borders Canada, there is an amazingly beautiful Glacier Reserve. Nature there is untouched by man, and abounds in rivers, hills, forests and fields.

To get into the Glacier, you will have to pay an entrance fee of $12, motorists pay $25 for the right to enter it. The park is spread over 4000 sq. km. Best time to visit it - from May to October.

On the lands of Glacier there are such glaciers that may soon completely disappear from the face of the earth. The park has many routes for eco-tourism lovers..

The waterway from Glacier Bay by boat is considered very popular. The park can be viewed from a helicopter, as well as drive along its roads by car. Hotels, shops and gas stations operate on the territory of the reserve, trailer parking lots are set up, and campsites operate.

Great Smoky Mountains. North Carolina

If you ask an American about which reserve in the States is more famous than others, he will point to the Great Smoky Mountains. Annually this park visited by more than 9 million tourists.

On the lands of the reserve there is such hiking trail, the length of which exceeds all similar ones by several times. The national park includes 150 tourist routes.

The main tourist feature of the park is the ruins of ancient Indian settlements. The infrastructure of the reserve is poorly developed, there is only one hotel on Mount Le Comte. You can stay overnight at campsites, but many of them do not provide electricity or water.

The forests and mountains of the park surprise with their colorfulness, colorfulness and changeability. Fog often descends from the mountain ranges, thanks to which the reserve received the name "Smoky Mountains".

Hawaiian volcanoes. Hawaii

The majestic Mauna Loa volcano reaches a height of 9000 meters. It is located in the Hawaiian Volcanoes Reserve, where you can see the process of lava eruption at a safe distance.

There are many geysers and craters in the park. They organize a kind of jeep safaris for a thorough inspection of natural attractions.

The tourist center, the Jagger Museum, an observatory and shops make up the infrastructure of the Hawaiian Volcanoes. Despite the proximity of lava monsters, campsites and small parking lots for trailers operate in the reserve.

Torrey Pines. California

Torrey Pines is a nature reserve that is closely adjacent to the city of San Diego. The total area of ​​the park is 2000 acres of land. The geographical composition of the reserve includes the following objects:

• Beach of the same name;
• Rocks and cliffs;
• Lagoon;
• Forests and hills.

Rare migratory birds nest near these protected areas. Torrey Pines is home to wild cats, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, foxes and unique pine trees.

Visiting the park with unique flora and fauna entails some restrictions. So Torrey Pines can be visited during the day. Picnics are also allowed on the coast. There are many coastal highlands in the reserve, from where you can see the migration of whales during the season.

Everglades. Florida

The Everglades, a huge and biologically important nature reserve in the United States, is included in the UNESCO heritage list. Endangered species of animals and reptiles live in the park. The tropics reign in the reserve, and there are also plants that are not marked anywhere else on the map.

One and a half million acres is an impressive area of ​​the reserve. Therefore, a trip there must be planned with a margin of time. Entrance to the protected area will cost motorists $ 20. There are many cities near the park where you can book an excursion or take a boat rowing course. This national park also sells annual subscriptions to visit it. The price of such a pass will be approximately $40.

Our planet - unique place in space. It is a haven for millions of life forms, the main among which is considered to be a man. But the wonders of nature do not end with a rational being. How many wonderful corners can be found on Earth, and how many have not yet been explored! Each continent has its own attractions. North America is one of them. People are trying to protect such places from their own harmful influence and create protected areas. National parks and reserves North America quite varied. The traveler will also find deserts here.

Grand Canyon

There is a huge crevice 400 kilometers long. It was formed by the Walpie and Colorado rivers. They diligently carved the canyon for many millions of years, receiving support from the wind, which also actively participated in its creation. The reserves of North America can be proud of such an object. It was discovered in 1540 by settlers from Europe, but indigenous people knew about it much earlier. The Indians lived inside caves, of which there are a lot in the canyon. It is interesting that this is the largest canyon on earth. He survived 3 geological eras, and given that there were only 4 of them, this is a great achievement. Tourists have long chosen the southern part of this place, but the northern part is not visited so often. The remaining parts of the canyon are difficult to reach, and a person wanders there very rarely.

Yellowstone National Park

The parks and reserves of North America boast another of mysterious places- This is Yellowstone. It became the first in the world, which was founded in 1872. The park is located in three US states - Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. World fame brought him geysers and scenic spots, which are not averse to explore travelers from all over the planet. The highest geyser in the world called "Steamboat" is located here. Also, tourists are attracted by Mammoth springs and a dormant volcano - If this volcano decided to wake up, it would destroy all of North America. In the meantime, this is one of the most beautiful places in the US that you must definitely visit.

Yosemite park

The nature reserves of North America have a special charm, as nature here is simply unique. Proof of this can be It is located in California, on the slope of the Sierra Nevada. He has many the most beautiful places that are so attractive to tourists. About 2,600 rivers carry their waters in this area, in addition, many very large waterfalls are formed on them, the largest of which are Yosemite (742 m) and Snow Creek (652 m). But the wonders of Mother Nature don't end there. The largest single granite cliff on earth is also located here - this is El Capitano. There is much more to see while traveling around Yosemite, but not to be missed as you will not find them anywhere else on our planet.

Carlsbad Caverns

The nature reserves of North America amaze the imagination not only with land-based attractions, but also underground ones. These include the Carlsbad Caverns. This park is located in the state of New Mexico, namely in the mountains of Guadalupe. It consists of a system of karst caves, which, thanks to mineral formations, are of extraordinary beauty. In total there are 80 caves, the total length of which is 12 km. The uniqueness of this place also lies in the fact that it has become home to many bats. There are about 1 million of them here. The park is open all year, so you can visit it at any time except Christmas. Tourists themselves can descend into the caves, or they can comfortably ride the elevator.

Banff - Canadian National Park

The reserves of North America are located throughout the continent, including Canada. Banff Park is the oldest in this country. It was founded in 1885 in It is the third largest reserved park in the world. This is a mountainous area, which has a large number of ice fields, glaciers and dense coniferous forests. The history of Banff's creation is very complex, as there was a constant struggle between the development of infrastructure and the conservation of nature. In the 1990s, however, it was recognized in court that the changes should not harm the environment. This Canadian park is one of the most wonderful places for visiting tourists throughout North America. The unique nature of the Rocky Mountains attracts with its landscapes and many unforgettable entertainments.

wood buffalo

Wood Buffalo is the largest national park in Canada. Its area is about 44 thousand km2. Such dimensions allow it to be considered one of the largest parks in the world. It was founded in 1922 in the provinces of the Northwest Territory and Alberta. The popularity of the park was brought by the fact that the largest herd of wild bison in America lives here. They number about 2500 individuals. Of the rare birds, pelicans and American cranes live here. Another property of the reserve is the widest inland river delta in the world, which is formed by the Peace River and Athabasca rivers.

Xel-Ha Mexican Reserve

The national reserves of North America are designed to protect nature not only on the mainland itself, but also in coastal zones. The Xel-Ha Ecological Park in Mexico is a prominent example of coastal national parks. In the distant past it was sea ​​port Mayan Indians. In modern times, it has become a nature reserve with beautiful grottoes and bays, which are home to huge turtles, manatees and dolphins. This is a kind of natural aquarium, which will become a paradise for any tourist. It originated in a natural cave, which is fed by both sea and fresh waters. This gives extraordinary transparency to the bay without preventing nature lovers from viewing undersea world in all its beauty. The park is very friendly to its visitors. Here you can go diving, swim with dolphins and turtles, lie on the beach and eat in one of the many cafes that serve a special dish - fried cactus.

Thus, the reserves of North America surprise us with their diversity and beauty. Of course, there are many more than those listed, but it takes a lot of time to explore them all. Having visited at least one of these parks, you will never be able to forget the beauty of this wild nature.