Breathtaking National Parks Around the World

Why do we love national parks so much?  They are national treasures– special places with beautiful landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unique experiences that stick with you for a lifetime.  From Canada’s Banff National Park to Torres Del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia, here are some of the most breathtaking national parks in the world. 

Banff National Park, Canada
Nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains is the magnificent Banff National Park.  A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Banff National Park is a pristine wilderness of mountains, glaciers, and breathtaking turquoise-colored, glacier-fed lakes including the famous Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, and Peyto Lakes.  One of the most popular attractions at Banff National Park is the Banff Gondola with sweeping views of six mountain ranges.  The Icefields Parkway is the scenic road running parallel to the Continental Divide and another highlight of this breathtaking national park.

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Located on New Zealand’s beautiful South Island, Fiordland National Park is a truly breathtaking place.  The park encompasses fiords, mountains, lakes, and rainforest, giving Fiordland National Park a range of flora, fauna, and animals.  One of the most stunning areas of the park is Milford Sound– where you can take in the sights on a helicopter tour or sightseeing cruise.  The pristine Mirror Lakes, named for their glassy surface reflecting the majestic mountain backdrop, are another highlight of the park. One experience you don’t want to miss at Fiordland National Park is the Te Anau Glowworm Caves– limestone caves and a grotto lit up by hundreds of glowworms.

Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand
The breathtaking Doi Inthanon National Park is located in Northern Thailand outside of Chiang Mai.  The park is named after Thailand’s tallest mountain, Doi Inthanon, which is part of the Himalayan mountain range.  Doi Inthanon National Park is home to nearly 65 mammal species, including wild boar, deer, and gibbons and over 500 species of birds recorded within the park. 

Doi Inthanon’s numerous waterfalls are a big draw to the park– the Mae Klang waterfall and Wachiratharn waterfall being two of the most popular.  The most popular place in the park is the Doi Inthanon summit, where at 8,400 feet, visitors can get awe-inspiring views of the sunrise.  Another highlight of the park is the Two Chedis, two sacred Buddhist stupas dedicated to the late Thai king and queen with gorgeous surrounding gardens.  Beautiful at any time of the year, Doi Inthanon National Park also sees Siamese cherry blossoms in the spring and the Mae Klang Luang Village rice fields that are particularly picturesque during the rainy season.

Cinque Terre National Park, Italy
Located on the Ligurian coast of northern Italy, the beautiful Cinque Terre National Park is a place like no other.  Cinque Terre National Park consists of five villages hugging the rugged Italian Riviera coastline– Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore– as well as the rocky hills and terraced grape vineyards and olive groves surrounding.  The UNESCO World Heritage Site listed Cinque Terre National Park is rich with brightly-colored seaside villas, historic churches, and castles, as well as a protected marine area ideal for swimming and kayaking.

Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile
The rugged and beautiful Torres del Paine National Park is located in the southern Patagonia region of Chile.  Consisting of glaciers, mountains, steppe, forests, and azure lakes, Torres Del Paine National Park is one of the most breathtaking places in the world.  The main attraction is the three mountain towers which give the park its name, the Torres Del Paine.  Other highlights of Torres Del Paine National Park are the Grey Glacier, Lake Grey, Lake Pehoé, and the Blue Lagoon, Laguna Azul.

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