Aerial Views of Top US National Parks

Yellowstone's boiling blue hot springs, Zion's towering red and white cliffs, and the crystal-clear lakes of Olympic and Wyoming. They're like the pin-striking a snapshot of the American West, but that is nothing new. But recently we've enjoyed these National Parks from a unique perspective — from above. In years past, crowds could ignore them. Now, travellers crave a different experience.

From Above: Aerial Views of America's Parks

These are the aerial tours of the top national parks; the hotel of nature. That is what aerial photography offers us. It makes the park's terrain accessible in a way we could only dream of before. At a glance, you can see the changing of the seasons, the winding rivers, the intricate valleys. We are like birds circling the prowl, picking the best spots. Aerial views were previously accessible only to the adventurous tourist who rented a helicopter or hiked the rocky trails. Now it is accessible to all, from the safety of your armchair.

Recent trends make these trips part of the dream

There's a reason aerial tours are trending. We are disconnected. Through the glass of our phones and screens, we watch the world go by without touching the joy of nature. We want to see her beauty through her tails, not a map you have seen before. Moreover, the on-field reality of these parks is not easy to digest. The vastness of the parks is hard to comprehend, without a height advantage.

Traversing Yellowstone's Unique Geology

Yellowstone National Park is home to over 10,000 geothermal features. There are Grand Prismatic Spring, a rainbow of minerals, the world's largest active geyser, Steamboat Geyser, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its black sand. These are all the result of the massive volcanic eruption that created the 30-mile-wide Yellowstone Caldera. It heavily influences the park's geothermal activity. The Grand Prismatic Spring and other hydrothermal features are formed by hot, mineral-rich water from below. Yellowstone's vibrant blue hot spring is a sight to behold. Its deep blue colour comes from a combination of sunlight scattering — the same process that makes the sky blue — and the absorption of other wavelengths of light by the minerals in the water. The blue colour of hot springs is a common characteristic of geothermal features worldwide, including the famous Blue Lagoon.

Zion's Monolithic Beauty

There are two types of national parks. The trees and the rocks. Zion consists of an array of formations and canyons. Towering above it all is Checkerboard Mesa which stands 4,240 feet above. The landscape is a sculpture of alternating layers of rock. The alternating layers of rock, from softer to harder, were laid down over 270 million years. They are the result of the shifting of tectonic plates. The distinctive rivers that carve astonishing canyons and rock formations through the mountains offer a stark contrast to Yellowstone's geothermal activity.

Lush and Wild: Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a land of contrasts and extremes. Its landscape ranges from rugged coastlines to temperate rainforests, and even glacier-capped peaks. When discussing the beauty of this park, however, the most frequently mentioned feature is the Hoh Rainforest. This forest receives over 12 feet of rain each year, making it one of the wettest places in the United States. The Hoh Rainforest is home to an array of plant and animal life, much of which is unique to the park. It is a place of extremes. It is the northernmost point of the most populated state of the US: Washington. That makes it one of the most visited.

Stately and Rugged: Grand Teton's Glaciers

Grand Teton Park is a trip in itself. It is 20 miles long, according to some visitors, and 13,770 feet. The weather in these mountains is so rough that it is often referred to as a "vertical paradise". The mountains' jagged ridges and the thick forests in the valley offer a stark contrast to the bright blue sky.

Begin Your Adventure from Above

If you ever take an aerial tour, you need to prepare. Much like any travel, preparation is everything. Here is a list of practical tips to help you plan your trip:

• Know the Park Before You Go: Do not go in blind. Learn the park's history, geography, and layout. Be sure to visit the park's website before you go. On their website, you will find information about the park's features, trails, and roads.
• Pack for the Occasion: Packing for a day flying over the park is much like packing for any trip to the park. You want to be comfortable and warm. Wear warm clothing, bring sunscreen, and don't forget a hat and sunglasses.
• Know the Weather: Weather conditions can change quickly in the mountains, and flying in bad weather is dangerous. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go, and be prepared to change your plans if necessary.
• Follow the Rules: National parks have rules for a reason. They are there to protect the park and its visitors. Be sure to follow all the park's rules, and be respectful of other visitors and the environment.
• Take Your Time: There is no need to rush. The most memorable experiences are the best. Take your time and enjoy the journey. In all of this, aerial photography allows us to see the world from a different perspective. It allows us to see the beauty and complexity of our national parks in a way that we never could before. It lets us appreciate the scale and grandeur of these natural wonders, and it reminds us of the importance of preserving them for future generations.