With the summer season in full swing, one of the best trips to take is checking out the various national parks scattered throughout the United States. Our country has a large variety of national parks to visit, with some being great for just a day trip and others being wonderful vacation spots. If you’re interested in getting a taste of all of the natural beauty the United States has to offer, check out some of these great national parks.

Zion National Park

Located in Utah, Zion is one of the most visited national parks in the country. This park is greatest for hiking diehards, and is specifically known for a hike known as The Subway. This hike is over 9 miles long and, depending on the approach you take, can involve a lot of rappelling which might make the hike inaccessible to some. There’s plenty to check out in Zion, and if you want to go when it’s less crowded, take a visit in the winter, when crowds have died down a bit.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Located on the big island of Hawaii, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to the world’s largest active volcano. Officials were forced to close the park a few years ago due to the volcano being particularly active and erupting suddenly. The parks are open for business again as of now, and are perfectly safe to visit. When visiting, you have the option of hiking around the Mauna Loa Backcountry or taking a drive around the Crater Rim. You’ll likely also notice that plenty of scientific research occurs in the national park as well, so it’s a great spot for science buffs!

Yellowstone National Park

Likely the most well known park in the country, Yellowstone National Park spans throughout Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.  Yellowstone is a great place to check out regardless of the time of year, and is an excellent camping destination with plenty of hiking trails and scenic views to check out. It’s got some of the most top notch geological features in the world and is accessible to pretty much everyone and anyone, with many of the best sights being possible to admire from the comfort of your own car.