Getting the chance to become one with nature in this day and age is so important to the human soul, it can put you in touch with your empathetic side, and allow you to feel truly free. Luckily, in the United States there are huge tracts of natural spaces you can lose yourself in, and we’ve listed some of the most spectacular parks that will take your breath away—whether you’re a nature lover or not.

So if you’re trying to pick out an itinerary from a choice of USA holiday tours, then look out for these outdoor gems:

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is one of those places that is so impressive in its scope it can be a little dizzying. Spanning a remarkable 277 miles in length, and up to 10 miles in width across the Arizona state, this colorful, undulating world wonder was created by the Colorado River carving its way through the landscape over the ages. You can raft, hike or even see the canyon from the air (usually via helicopter). The wildlife here is pretty spectacular too, you can see bald eagles, rattlesnakes, beavers and if you are very lucky, a mountain lion.

Yellowstone

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Yellowstone National park is made up of over 2 million acres which cross through the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. It is considered to be the first National Park in the world, and its terrain is made up of lakes, calderas, mountains, canyons, geysers and rivers. However, perhaps its biggest draw is the plethora of wildlife that make this park their home. Come prepared to see grizzly bears, wolves, moose, elk, otters, bison, and badgers. A huge destination for campers, hikers and fly fishers, this is a wonderful park to really gain an insight into how America looked thousands of years ago.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

If you like hiking, trailing and camping, this is the park for you. Known for this immense trail that winds its way through the Appalachian mountain range that changes from a wooded to rolling to truly wild landscape. Making its way through 14 states, this 2000+ mile trail is the longest public footpath in the world, and not for the faint of heart if you’re planning to conquer all of it. But for most of us, making our way through a piece of it is enough. There are wonderful day hiking options, and multi-day trips that don’t involve the commitment of a thru-hike.

Yosemite

Nestled in the Golden State of California, Yosemite is one of the most dramatic of the USA’s National Parks, and features plenty of famous points of interest like the cliffs of Half Dome and El Capitan. However, one of the largest attractions tends to be the Redwood Forests and the many waterfalls that litter the park. This is a magical place, and camping here is one of the best experiences Yosemite can offer, just keep your eyes peeled for those cheeky black bears!

Images by Miguel Vieira and Pixabay used under the Creative Commons license.