This video is closed-captioned. National Parks are a treasure valued
by many. Historically, those in power have not always seen the value in protecting large swaths
of land for resources or species preservation. But thankfully, key figures across the globe
have seen the wisdom in creating protected spaces for enjoyment and protection.
The result? A fantastic array of National Parks designed to delight the senses and show off our
natural world while conserving it for future generations. If your goal is to see all the
National Parks across the globe, you'll need a blank check and a lot of free time - there are
more than 4,000 scattered throughout Earth. So if you're looking to whittle that list down,
stick around for today's video, where we'll show you 20 jaw-dropping National Parks worthy of being
placed on your travel bucket list. Number twenty. Plitvice Lakes.
This Croatian park is a paradise for anyone that loves a secluded lake. Made up of 16 naturally
linked and terraced lakes, mossy limestone provides a path for the water to cascade through
each level, dropping 133 meters. You can hike the area, take a boat through one of the lakes,
or take a shuttle bus called the "Panoramic Train" that stops at a few places in the park.
Number nineteen. Goreme. Goreme National Park is a volcanic
area located in Cappadocia, central Turkey. Over time, erosion has revealed breathtaking
hoodoo rock formations. These rocks look like pillars, towers, chimneys, or 'tent rocks.'
Underground settlements were carved out of the soft rock more than 5000 years ago, making for
a fascinating historical tour of the area. The complex terrain and vivid colors make it a perfect
landscape to enjoy via hot air balloon. Number eighteen. Ranthambore.
As one of the most renowned National Parks in Northern India, it boasts a large footprint and
some wild animals that leave large footprints of their own. Large mammals like Bengal tigers,
leopards, sloth bears, reptiles including crocodiles and monitor lizards, and hundreds
of species of birds patrol these lands. Ranthambore is one of the best places in the
world to see tigers in the wild - nothing compares to seeing these majestic beasts
in their habitat, even in spacious and thoughtfully designed zoo enclosures.
Number seventeen. Iguazu. The top sight at Iguazu is the park's namesake
waterfall - Iguazu Falls. Straddling the borders of Brazil and Argentina, there are multiple ways
to enter and observe this magical place. During the high water season, the roaring
sounds of turbulent, tumbling water drowns out everything else. The park's boundaries also help
protect the land's interior forests - next to the Amazon, the dense forest in this park is a
critically important ecosystem. Number sixteen. Glacier.
This National Park that calls both the USA and Canada home has more than a million acres. More
than 750 lakes, 25 glaciers, 175 mountains, and countless streams lie within those acres.
The glaciers are dwindling, as there were about 80 counted in
1850 - less than a third remain today. Hiking, enjoying a drink at one of the historic
lodges, or driving up the famous Going to the Sun Road are time-honored traditions when visiting
this park. But it's also been designated as the world's first International Dark
Sky Park - a park with excellent opportunities for night sky views without light pollution.
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Number fifteen. Zion. There are many parks to choose from when
considering a visit to Utah in the United States. But Zion tops just about everyone's list.
Angel's Landing is a world-famous hike and the most popular in the park. You'll need a permit
to gain access, so make sure to do your due diligence. And if you'd rather get low instead
of getting an aerial view, the Zion Narrows is a seasonal treat. Research again is required to
ensure the status and safety of the trail, but if you time it right, it's unforgettable.
Number fourteen. Jiuzhaigou. This picturesque landscape in
China is also known as Jiuzhai Valley and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Y-shaped
valley has three main segments to explore and is filled with glittering lakes, powerful waterfalls,
and plenty of colorful foliage. Number thirteen. Dolomiti Bellunesi.
This Italian national park is one of 25 in the country but is the only one in the
Dolomites. The most impressive peak is Schiara, perched more than 8,400 feet above sea level.
Interesting geology is around every corner, and there's much more to see than mountain peaks.
Canyon-bound rivers and ponds, as well as natural springs, can be found by those curious enough to
wander the many hiking trails. Number twelve. Banff.
Banff is Glacier National Parks' big sister. More glaciers and glacial lakes
surrounded by stunning snow-capped peaks occupy Canada's first national park.
Scenic drives are the easiest way to take in the most vistas. Due to the park's location,
the popular summer season is short-lived, so make sure to book well in advance.
Number eleven. Vatnajokull. Iceland is full of spectacles - ice caves,
volcanic activity, glaciers, waterfalls, and sprawling landscapes. And Iceland's
Vatnajokull National Park contains all of this and more - the park covers nearly 15
percent of Iceland's total land mass. Waterfalls exist worldwide - but only in
a few places will you find water tumbling over black basalt cliffs,
sporting their unique hexagonal shape. Number ten. Hawai'i Volcanoes.
There aren't many places on Earth where you can see new land being created. The
island of Hawai'i is one such location. One of the many volcanoes that make up
the island is Kilauea - the youngest and most active volcano on the island.
If you visit during an active eruption, you can watch lava spill into the Pacific Ocean,
forming a new island land mass, or see the glowing Halema'uma'u crater at night.
Number nine. Fiordland. No list of natural beauty can be complete
without New Zealand entering the conversation. Fiordland National Park offers fiords, waterfalls,
and ancient rainforests that won't give up their foothold in the snow-capped mountains.
Experience Milford Sound, one of the most popular tourist destinations,
by either boat or on foot - the stark scenery is sure to wow all that travel this area.
Number eight. Yellowstone. Yellowstone is the location for many
famous cinematic backdrops: Yellowstone, Star Trek, documentaries, and disaster flicks like
Supervolcano and 2012. Geology is always hard at work in this park, as evidenced by geysers
including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Mammoth Hot Springs, and more.
Wildlife abounds with bison, bear, wolves, elk, bald eagles, swans, and more. You'll want to
have a car available to give you maximum range and flexibility when exploring this enormous park.
Number seven. Sagarmatha. Just about everyone knows of
Mount Everest. It's exhilarating and terrifying to watch documentaries and hear news stories
telling the harrowing and often tragic stories of attempted summits of the world's tallest peak.
Everest may be inaccessible, but Nepal's Sagarmatha National Park is not. The park covers a
wide range of altitudes, exponentially increasing the wildlife and plant life you'll encounter as
you explore the various zones.Camping and Hiking are the most popular activities in the park.
Number six. Kruger. Kruger National Park
occupies nearly 5 million acres in South Africa. If getting up close and personal
with nature is your goal, look no further. All of the 'big five' - lions, rhinos, elephants,
leopards, and buffalo, can be found in the park. But you'll also see Nile crocodiles, rare birds,
exotic trees, and historical sites where colonists and indigenous peoples once traded goods.
Number five. Torres del Paine. The impressive ranges found in
Torres del Paine National Park are widely photographed, and you've probably dreamed of
seeing Chile before realizing its location! It's become a mecca for mountaineers, hikers,
and trekkers. It's easy to see why - Patagonian landscapes are otherworldly and would take a
lifetime to explore fully. Number four. Serengeti.
There are many options when planning an African safari, so there's a second national park in
Africa that we think you should check out. The Great Migration is reason enough to
prioritize this park. Enormous herds of millions of Wildebeest, Zebra, and antelope
cross Tanzania and Kenya each year, seeking out seasonally available food and water.
Number three. Yosemite. Yosemite is centrally located in the Sierra Nevada
mountain range in the western United States. It's prime real estate for rock climbers,
and accessible wilderness offers plenty of easy or challenging day hikes and backcountry for
hiking. If you're really ambitious, you can kick start a 211-mile trek called the John Muir Trail,
which starts in Yosemite Valley and ends on Mount Whitney, the highest
mountain in the contiguous United States. Dramatic granite cliffs surround Yosemite Valley,
and stunning waterfalls and prominent features like Half Dome and El Capitan offer endless
adventure for travelers. Number two. Grand Canyon.
The Grand Canyon is one of the world's wonders, and the numerous photos and video
clips of the endless canyon-filled landscape don't do it justice.
The Colorado River has carved the layered bands of red rock, forming the complex canyon that reaches
depths of over 6,000 feet. It's a reminder that water doesn't need to be tumbling over a waterfall
to exert its power over the land. Number one. Galapagos.
The Galapagos Islands are known for their rich diversity in wildlife and
offered a unique opportunity for Charles Darwin to observe the natural world,
contributing to our foundational understanding of natural selection and evolution.
The Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador remain relatively untouched - and strict rules
and regulations ensure that it remains pristine for the ecosystems and visitors. Most of the land
animals - as much as 80 percent of the species - are unique to the Galapagos Islands. And for
aviary species, more than a quarter of the represented species are unique to Galapagos.
These remarkable islands represent a dream vacation destination for many.
That wraps up our list for today! Did your favorite park make the cut? If so,
what's your favorite thing to do there? And if we missed your top National Park,
let us know why yours deserved a place on the list. Sound off in the comments below!
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