Fourth of July: 9 of the most stunning sights in US National Parks

Andrew Griffin
Updated
The Lower Basins Zone is outlined by the white rim edge as seen from the Murphy Campsite on the White Rim Trail on in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Canyonlands – as the name suggests – is marked by the numerous canyons and other formations that have been cut into its colourful rock by the rivers that flow through it: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
The Lower Basins Zone is outlined by the white rim edge as seen from the Murphy Campsite on the White Rim Trail on in Canyonlands National Park, Utah. Canyonlands – as the name suggests – is marked by the numerous canyons and other formations that have been cut into its colourful rock by the rivers that flow through it: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Google is taking time to celebrate the stunning and sublime beauty of America's national parks, on the country's birthday.

It was on this day 241 years ago that the US famously adopted the Declaration of Independence, and the United States of America was born. But less famously it's also the birthday of Stephen Mather, the conservationist who was the first director of the National Parks Service.

Google said that it was celebrating the two events together because the National Parks Service is hailed as "America's Best Idea", and that they were such a perfect place to celebrate the country's birthday.

There are 59 national parks, and they stretch right across America. Each of them contains unique wonders and their diversity is a perfect expression of the beauty of the country.

Here's a selection of some of the most stunning spots from some of 59 national parks.

Yellowstone was established as a national park in 1872, and became the country's first – and perhaps the first in the world. Since then, many more have joined, and the US government has given more important protections to the areas.