Friday Eye Candy: Images of the 20 Most Popular National Parks in the U.S.

There are still a few days left to celebrate National Park Week, which runs from April 18-26.

1 minute read

April 24, 2015, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Although it's too late to take advantage of a weekend of free admission to the country's national parks (that was last weekend)—there are still ways to celebrate America's Best Idea from the soft glow of your computer screen. Maybe that's all it will take to inspire a trip to a national park near or far. 

The Los Angeles Times has put together a slideshow of great images from the 20 most-visited national parks, including some incredible photos from some of my personal favorites: Zion Canyon National Park in Utah (#8), Yellowstone National Park (#4), and Grand Canyon National Park (#2). Unfortunately, the photo for Glacier National Park (#10) is actually an image from Peyto Lake in Banff National Park in Canada. Thanks to Twitter user @joelpavila for pointing out that error.

Yahoo Travel also shares a series of the best selfies at national parks taken by both the Yahoo Travel Explorers and the Yahoo Travel staff. To accompany her selfie taken at the iconic tunnel view vantage point of Yosemite Valley, writer Lana Lee Neil offers the words Ansel Adams used to describe that park, but which could apply to many of the places in the national park system: "Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space." 

Wednesday, April 22, 2015 in Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

3 hours ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

5 hours ago - UNM News