LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Exploring national parks is a perfect getaway to enjoy the breathtaking preserved landscapes of our home. Whether you are a mountain hiker, nature lover or just looking for a peaceful space to enjoy the quietness of nature, national parks have something for everyone. From the dramatic cliffs of Yosemite to the geothermal features of Yellowstone, these four national parks will inspire your next outdoor adventure.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone was the first ever national park created back in 1872 with an extraordinary 2.2 million acres, according to National Park Service. It covers all throughout Wyoming, along with parts of Montana and Idaho. National Park Service says the park is best known for having over 10,000 active hydrothermal sites.

Even though they could potentially cause dangerous accidents, don’t let this stop you from enjoying the the colorful pools and huge active geysers. However, be sure to take precautions and follow all park rules. A must-see in the park is Yellowstone’s 15,000 year old Old Faithful geyser. As people gather around every 90 minutes, Old Faithful shoots water up to 180 feet into the sky, describes National Park Service. Campground reservations are not required in this park, so be sure to check this stunning historical site that one must explore during their lifetime. 

“My favorite thing about Yellowstone was the abundance of wildlife we saw, tons of elk, bison and mule deer. The mule deer even stuck their heads in our car window,” Mrs. Hinz-Smith said.

Swipe through the slideshow to see incredible photos of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park!

Gallery • 9 Photos

Liz Frank

The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone on a sunny day.

Grand Tetons

Looking for another stunning yet incredibly different park to hit after Yellowstone? The Grand Teton National Park is only about a 10-minute drive from Yellowstone yet will give you a completely different look on the nature of  Wyoming.

According to Travel Wyoming, the park cover 310,000 acres of valleys, lakes, wildlife and meadows. Over three million people visit the park each year. Choose to either sit back and relax next to beautiful lake or take out a fishing pole for a relaxing evening. Known for their large mountains, the park’s hikes may not be as family friendly, so be sure to grab your rock climbing gear.

Don’t let those huge mountains scare you away from exploring the beauty of the park, as it is known for its scenic drives and large meadows to adventure through, along with fun activities such as water rafting, horseback riding and paddle boarding on lakes. The Teton Range showcases huge mountains that peak at 13,775 feet and holds one of the most popular photo opportunities.

Yosemite

Much smaller than Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Yosemite covers 1,16o acres throughout Northern California. The national park is best known for its large rock formations and heavenly, world-famous waterfalls. The park has lots of activities that are car accessible, so it is a perfect family friendly park to enjoy. The wildlife throughout the park is extraordinary, with black bears, mountain lions, foxes, dear, big horned sheep and bobcats so make sure to follow all rules within campsites and trails to ensure your safety.

“My favorite thing about Yosemite is the grandeur of the landscape (towering mountains, magnificent waterfalls, old growth trees),” Mr. Carthew, the ceramics teacher at LAHS, said.

According to Red Bull, Yosemite is the most popular rock climbing location in the U.S. Don’t forget to check out the famous 8,864-foot Half Dome that towers over the park. Yosemite’s enormous amount of nature makes it the perfect sightseeing spot and peaceful getaway. Just make sure to look into camping in the park in advance, as their campgrounds are reservation only.

Scroll through the slideshow for photos of Yosemite and Joshua Tree!

Gallery • 9 Photos

Liz Frank

Half Dome peaks through the back Yosemite National Park.

Joshua Tree

Just two hours from L.A. lays fascinating rock formations, unusual trees and incredible star gazing. Joshua Tree is different than other national parks with its green environment; this park is much dryer and more open. To hold all that open space lays super unique 1,000-year-old Joshua Trees scattered throughout the entirety of the park.

“Joshua Tree stands out in my mind for the opposite reasons: desolate open spaces, star filled nights and minimalist sentinels posing as cactus,” Mr. Carthew added.

According to AllTrails, Joshua Tree has about 147 different trails to explore! Most of these trails are very family friendly and are more walks than hikes, including a great 0.1-mile walk to a view of the two largest mountains in Southern California that tower over the SanAndreas fault line.

Though the desert may seem boring, this park holds incredible sunset-watching spots that light up the huge, distinct boulders an incredible orange. Along with the simplicity of Joshua Tree, it leaves much room for stargazing, as the night sky puts on a show of stars every clear night. Go the right time of year, and you may even see the aurora borealis!

Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks are coming up, so take into consideration these four beautiful parks when planning your next vacation.