Great Smoky Mountains National Park |
Located in the western US region between the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, coordinates 37°11′02″N and 108°29′19″W. One of the largest PAs in the United States. |
203 thousand hectares |
1934 |
The Park has areas that allow a range of activities. It preserves 160 historic buildings and structures and maintains 25 trails spread over 800 km with different characteristics for different publics. It allows activities such as cycling, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, waterfall visits, historic tours, and wildlife observation. It also has an information center, three visitor centers, campgrounds, and several feeding, transport, and accommodation areas. |
Grand Canyon National Park |
This NP is located in the Grand Canyon region of Arizona, between coordinates 36º 6' 3" N and 112º 5' 26" W. The steep canyon that lends its name to the park was formed by the Colorado River and is 446 km long, 29 km wide, and 1.6 km deep. |
492.6 thousand hectares |
1919 |
The Park contains two sectors: the South Rim and the North Rim. The South Rim is open to visitors year-round and provides access to Desert View, Hermits Rest, and Grand Canyon Village, a distinctive complex with attractions, activities, and a transportation service. The North Rim is less accessible and closed to visitors between May and October, during the northern hemisphere winter. The Park’s main attraction, the Grand Canyon, attracts millions of visitors. It also has three visitor centers, a museum, an information center, and visitation areas with accommodation and food services. |
Zion National Park |
Located in southwestern Utah, between coordinates 37° 12' 00.3" N and 112° 59' 12.9" W. On July 31st, 1909, incumbent president William H. Taft issued a proclamation that reserved 15,200 hectares as the Mukuntuweap National Monument. In 1918, another presidential proclamation expanded the monument to 31,080 hectares. In 1919, the US Congress established the area as a National Park. In 1937, another National Monument called the Kolob Canyons was created. In 1956, the US Congress annexed this monument to the NP. |
60.1 thousand hectares |
1919 |
The Park offers trails with different types of access and levels of difficulty and attractions for birdwatching and wildlife observation. It has two visitor centers, a human history museum, campgrounds, and several trail options. In addition, Zion Lodge has tourist accommodation and food services, gift shops, and a post office. |
Rocky Mountain National Park |
Located in Colorado state. The Park’s structure is divided into five regions: Region 1 or West Side; Region 2 or Alpine, with accessible trails and lookouts; Region 3 or North Side; Region 4, the central and most visited area of the park, with easily accessible trails; and Region 5 or South Side, which contains the Estes Park/Longs Peak and multiple waterfalls. |
107.55 thousand hectares |
1915 |
The Park offers attractions and recreational activities that include hiking, scenic trails, wildlife observation, fishing, environmental education programs, and horseback riding. It offers over 130 trail options along 482 km;5 campgrounds; 5 visitor centers; 1 information center, and 1 historical museum. The Park has campgrounds but no hotels or inns. |
Yosemite National Park |
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA, in Mariposa and Tuolumne counties. |
308.1 thousand hectares |
1890 |
The Park has attractions and activities spread over 2,600 km of watercourses, 560 km of roads, and 1,300 km of trails that are open to visitors. The main tourist attraction of the Park, the “Yosemite Valley”, encompasses 18 km² of the Park’s total area. |