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

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

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.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

45 minutes ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

1 hour ago - Cities Today

View from inside car's driver seat while driving.

Car Designs Make it Harder to See Pedestrians

Blind spots created by thicker pillars built to withstand rollover crashes are creating dangerous conditions for people outside vehicles.

2 hours ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA