It sometimes seems that there is no escape from the development craze of civilization. Over the years, people have claimed land to build homes, factories, and stores, yet seldom do they stop to think about the environments they destroy in the process. Yet, there is hope for the dismayed onlooker in the locations we call national parks.

National parks are select acres of land that are completely preserved for the sake of respecting and treasuring the beauty of nature. No building is allowed on these preserved areas. One of the largest and most well known of these is Yosemite National Park, encompassing 1,190 square miles.  Located near Fresno, California, this park is potentially one of the last areas that have been so minimally touched by the hands of man. As my family and I discovered when we stayed there over spring break, the vast natural beauty of Yosemite is yours to discover.

First comes the choice of either camping at a site or staying in a hotel. My family and I chose the second when we stayed at the Ahwahnee. Since the hotel lies smack-dab in the middle of towering granite rocks, the view from your room will not disappoint. Here, you will meet people from all over the globe. The hotel includes a dining hall serving three meals a day (formal attire required), a bar, a candy shop, an outdoor pool, and a large field, welcoming children for sports of all kinds.  There are also a few trailheads starting at the hotel itself.

If you are into hiking – well, you better be if you are staying at Yosemite – then have no fear.  There are too many trails to count in the expansive park. The second trail my family and I tried is a must in your itinerary.  Although it is tough, the Mist Trail is worth it. You will start off going up a steep hill – but do not let this turn you around!  After this, you will head along a rushing river, leading to slippery and steep stone steps.  Here, you will understand the trail s name as you are misted the entire time by the rushing water of Vernal Falls.  You must take caution as you climb the steps – according to yosemitehikes.com, “More people die on the Mist Trail than almost anywhere else in Yosemite… The [current of the] river here apparently looks much less dangerous than it actually is.” The first part of the trail will take you all the way to the top of Vernal Falls, where you can witness the incredible power and size of the waterfall firsthand!  The amazing view makes the difficulty of the trail worth it.

If you would like to get some true adventure under your belt, continue to hike up the trail.  After another long while, you will eventually arrive at the top of a different waterfall, called Nevada Falls. If you do not feel up to hiking all the way to the top of the second but still want a good view, I would recommend turning around at a stopping point: My family and I felt that we could get a beautiful view of the falls even from the stopping point we visited before arriving at the top.  This way, you will still get to witness the falls without adding another couple of hours to your hike.  Due to the length of the Mist Trail, I would recommend starting on the earlier side.

In between your many hikes, you might want to try out something a little different.  Look into the Yosemite Mountaineering School before your trip to schedule a six-hour climbing trip with a guide.  Although it might sound endless, the time will go by quickly, especially if you love climbing as much as my family does. Depending on your skill level, you might visit easier locations to work on basic climbing skills or go to a different location to try out crack climbing, in which the climber follows a crack in the rock and uses it to ascend. If you are experienced enough, try some of the most famous climbs, like Half Dome or maybe El Capitan. Make sure you know your stuff if you want to try these – El Capitan can take anywhere from three hours to fifteen days. Whatever your skill level, you will have an incredible time climbing in Yosemite.

On your way out of Yosemite, stop near the exit to turn into Mariposa Grove.  Here, you will discover an entire forest of sequoia redwood trees – some of the absolute tallest trees in the world.  Although we could have made the four and a half hour drive out to Sequoia National Park, my family and I decided to experience the redwoods right on Yosemite property. The breathtakingly beautiful trees were inexpressibly gigantic. To give you an idea of their size, the tallest of all sequoias, nicknamed General Sherman, stands at 275 feet tall from its base, which has a circumference of more than 100 feet. General Sherman lives in Sequoia National Park, but there are equally impressive specimens at Yosemite. Be sure to read each sign you pass to learn new things about the gorgeous trees.

If you would like to experience the truly untouched beauty of a national park for yourself or just learn more about their histories and opportunities, try out Yosemite or visit nps.gov. The world-known hiking trails and climbing spots, beautiful waterfalls, and mind-blowingly tall sequoia redwoods will leave you thankful for (and wanting more of) America’s incredible national parks.