Operated by the National Park Service, there are 58 national parks in the United States that are altogether visited by millions of travelers from around the globe. Even though every protected area in the country is worth a visit for its unique characteristics, the top five parks that you absolutely cannot miss include:

• Yellowstone National Park - First national park in the world, the Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its vast geothermal areas, including geysers and hot springs. Four mountain ranges run through the park that has numerous water falls and close to 60 mammal species.
• Yosemite National Park - With towering peaks and huge waterfalls, the Yosemite National Park is worth a visit for its diverse geology and hydrology. Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Falls are the prime attractions of this park.
• Grand Canyon National Park - Carved by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon Park is about 446 km long, 1.6 km deep and 24 km wide. Due to millions of years of exposure, the mesas and canyon walls present an extremely beautiful and colorful picture.
• Sequoia National Park - The Sequoia National Park was built to protect the Giant Forest which is home to the world’s largest tree, German Sherman. The park also features Mount Whitney, Moro Rock, along with more than 240 caves.
• Great Smoky Mountains - One of the most visited national parks in the country; the Great Smoky Mountains is a favorite of hikers from around the world. The park plays host to up to 100 tree species, 400 vertebrate species and about 5000 plant species.