10 Most Scenic National Parks in the United States - Part1

10. Death Valley National Park.

California, Nevada.

Death Valley National Park is the hottest and the driest spot in the United States. It is a place where the record-breaking temperature of 134 °F (56.7 °C) hit on 10 July 1913. It was the hottest day ever reported in the country. Moreover, it is also the lowest place in North America - 282 feet (86 m) below sea level (at Badwater).

Rock formations, salt pans, desert and "skeletonized" ranges (mountains with very little soil on them) are the main features of the park's dramatic landscape.

Zabriskie Point, Death Valley. By km6xo

Death Valley. By purpletwinkie

Full Moon in Death Valley. By Picture taking fool

Death Valley. By mismisimos

Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley. By captspaulding

9. Kenai Fjords National Park. Alaska.

Kenai Fjord National Park is the smallest national park in Alaska covering an area of 2,833 square kilometers, but it is home to one of the largest ice fields in the United States - Harding Icefield. The park's beauty consists in a vibrant blend of glaciers, bays and coves, fjords, and abundant marine wildlife. The park is home to such animals as black bears, moose, humpback and orca whales as well as northern sea lions and sea otters.

Bialik Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park. By Dan Hershman

Humpback Whale, Kenai Fjords. By Just B Cuz

Kenai Fjords National Park. By Asane

Kenai Fjords. By the queen of subtle

8. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Hawaii.

Key personalities of the stunning landscape of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are Kilauea and Mauna Loa, the world's most active volcanoes. Mauna Loa (Long Mountain) is the largest shield volcano - 18,000 cubic miles (75,000 km3) - in terms of area covered on Earth. It measures 13,679 feet (4,169 m), while Kilauea is four times smaller and it has precisely 4,091 ft (1,247 m).

A blend of lava remnants, volcanic ash, black sand mixed with tropical lush rain forest and exotic beaches are the park's main characteristics.

Hanauma Bay. Hawaii. By sethladd

Mauna Loa. Hawaii. By prawnpie

Kilauea's lava flowing onto the black sand beach. By Hawaiian Sea

7. Arches National Park. Utah.

The uniqueness of the Arches National Park's landscape is undeniable. The park is home to around 2,000 natural sandstone arches that form amazing rock sculptures of many different shapes and sizes. It is the largest concentration on natural arches in the United States.
Among highlights of the park is Balanced Rock - the big rock on top is the size of three school buses!

The best time to visit the Arches is spring, when the temperatures are moderate and the wildflowers cover the landscape.

Red sandstone formations of Arches National Park. By vteen

Balanced Rock. Arches National Park. By Creativity + Timothy K Hamilton

Three Gossips in Arches National Park. By StefanB

Arches National Park. By itspaulkelly

6. Virgin Islands National

Park. St. John.

Virgin Islands National Park, a little paradise on Earth, is almost completely surrounded by the turquoise waters of the ocean and amazing coral reefs. The park has 14,689 acres (59 sq km) and it takes up around 60% of the Saint John island.

The white sand beaches, crystal waters and exotic plants make the park an excellent destination for hiking, diving, snorkelling, or just strolling around and relaxing.

The park also features ruins of sugar plantations that emerged on the island in mid-18th century.

Trunk Bay. Virgin Islands National Park. By 50%ChanceofRain

The Bananaquit is the official bird of Virgin Islands. By DEQ

Trunk Bay. By AlexDodd

Pelican. Virgin Islands National Park. By DEQ

(from Open Travel)