33 stunning pictures of US national parks
With everything from vast deserts and gorgeous beaches to sprawling mountain ranges, America is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in the world — and nowhere is that more evident than in the national parks.
The US National Park Service oversees 401 areas throughout the US and US territories and has nearly 300 million visitors each year.
In honor of National Park Week, which runs through April 26th, we found some spectacular pictures of national parks, monuments, seashores and heritage areas around the country that will make you appreciate how beautiful the US really is.
Anmargaret Warner contributed to an earlier version of this post.
Visitors come to hike the granite peaks, swim on the beaches, and even get married in Acadia National Park, Maine, the first national park east of the Mississippi River.
Hoodoos, or pillars of weathered rock, fill Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. The area has some of the best air quality in the world, and on a clear day the visibility can exceed 100 miles.
At the Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland and Virginia, wild horses roam freely along the white sand beaches.
Though it's been called "America's Favorite Drive," Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina and Virginia) also features overlooks, trails, picnic areas, and camping spots.
More than five million visitors come to Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, each year. If you're looking for an area with less tourist activity, head to the more remote North Rim.
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