From the World's Tallest Tree to Ancient Volcanic Remains: Unveiling the Secrets of America's Beloved Western National Parks

When we first moved to the US, the national parks were honestly not on our radar. We were busy figuring out credit scores, car insurance, and where to find decent pho in the Bay Area :P But one weekend, we drove out to Yosemite on a whim — and that changed everything. Since then, our family has been slowly making our way through the Western national parks, and I have to admit, each one has surprised me in ways I didn’t expect.

This post is a collection of the coolest things I’ve learned about these parks — the stuff you don’t always find on the brochures. Like how a volcano’s fury sculpted the deepest lake in the U.S., why the sandstone cliffs of Zion are literally still rising, and the rare wildlife thriving in Yellowstone’s vast wilderness. Some of these facts genuinely blew my mind when I first read about them.

Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)

Everyone talks about Old Faithful (and yes, we watched it erupt — twice, because my daughter wanted to time it :D), but what really got me was Yellowstone's petrified forest. These fossilized trees, some standing upright in the very spots they grew millions of years ago, were rapidly buried by volcanic ash and transformed into stone. I remember standing there thinking — these trees were alive millions of years ago, and now they're literally rock. It captures a moment in time from a landscape long gone, and honestly, it made me feel very small in the best possible way.

Yosemite National Park (California)

Yosemite was the park that started it all for us, and it never gets old. Pro tip: if you're coming from the Bay Area, leave early — the valley gets packed by mid-morning. But here's a fact that blew me away: the rare Sierra Nevada red fox, once thought to be extinct for nearly a century, has been spotted in Yosemite's high-altitude regions. We didn't see one ourselves (I wish!), but just knowing this elusive creature is still surviving in such a rugged environment says a lot about nature's resilience.

(Image from NPS website link above)

Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)

I'll be honest — when we pulled up to the rim and saw Crater Lake for the first time, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. That blue is unreal. No photo does it justice. Formed by the collapse of an ancient volcano, the lake is fed almost entirely by snowfall and rain, making it one of the cleanest and clearest large bodies of water in the world. If you go, just stand at the rim for a few minutes and take it in before reaching for your phone.

"It’s the deepest lake in the United States and the deepest volcanic lake in the world" NPS website.

North Cascades National Park (Washington)

This one caught me off guard — I didn't expect to find glaciers in Washington state. But North Cascades contains the highest concentration of glaciers in the U.S. outside of Alaska. These icy giants sculpt the landscape, carving out valleys and shaping peaks, and are a critical water source for the region. Worth mentioning: the park is stunning but remote, so plan your drive time accordingly.

(Image from NPS website link above)

Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)

This is one of the more underrated parks in California, in my opinion. Lassen is the only place in the world where you can see all four types of volcanoes in one park: shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome. Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world, last erupted in the early 20th century. Walking around the park, you can actually feel the heat from the ground in some spots — a reminder that this thing is very much not extinct.

(Image from NPS website link above)

Redwood National Park (California)

Walking through the redwoods is one of those experiences where you just go quiet. My daughter was more interested in the gift shop than the trees at first :P but even she stopped talking when we got deep into the grove. This park is home to Hyperion, the world's tallest known living tree, standing over 379 feet tall (about 160 meters). These ancient trees create a forest canopy so high it often forms its own weather system, fostering a rich, moist, and unique ecosystem beneath.

However, here's an important note from the National Park Service:

"Since its “discovery” in 2006, this tree has been on many tree-enthusiast’s bucket lists. Hyperion is located off trail through dense vegetation and requires heavy ‘bushwhacking’ in order to reach the tree. Those accessing and viewing the tree have trampled, and in some instances killed, the surrounding native vegetation.

As a visitor, you must decide how you can help protect this fragile ecosystem.

We are encouraging visitors not to seek out Hyperion, and we continue to ask people not to create social trails anywhere in the redwoods."

Saguaro National Park (Arizona)

Coming from Southeast Asia, I never thought I'd be so fascinated by a cactus. But the Saguaro is something else. These cacti can grow to over 40 feet tall and live for more than 200 years — some of them were already growing when Napoleon was around. The park showcases these magnificent plants in a natural desert environment, and if you time your visit for late spring, you'll catch their blooming white flowers. We visited in winter and it was still impressive — just bring sunscreen even in December, trust me.

Zion National Park (Utah)

Zion is probably the park that surprised me the most. The drive into the canyon alone is worth the trip. But here's the wild part: those towering sandstone cliffs, known for their striking cream, pink, and red colors, are still rising due to geological isostasy. This process, related to the Earth's crust rebounding from glacial weight, gradually elevates these magnificent structures at a pace imperceptible to humans. So every time we visit, Zion is technically a tiny bit taller than the last time :)

"In an area from Zion to the Rocky Mountains, forces deep within the earth started to push the surface up. This was not chaotic uplift, but very slow vertical hoisting of huge blocks of the crust. Zion’s elevation rose from near sea level to as high as 10,000 feet above sea level.

Uplift is still occurring. In 1992 a magnitude 5.8 earthquake caused a landslide visible just outside the south entrance of the park in Springdale." NPS website.

Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

I've seen the Grand Canyon on TV and in photos a thousand times before visiting. And I still wasn't prepared. It's one of those places where the scale just breaks your brain. But beyond the sheer size, the Grand Canyon is basically a geological library — each layer of rock revealing a chapter of Earth's history. These layers date back nearly 2 billion years, making it one of the most studied geological landscapes in the world. Pro tip: if you can, catch it at sunrise or sunset. The way the light changes the colors of the rock layers is something else.

Pinnacles National Park (California)

Pinnacles is a short drive from the Bay Area and makes for a great day trip. The park was formed from the eroded remains of an ancient volcano, and it now serves as a critical refuge for the California condor, the largest North American land bird. We were lucky enough to spot one soaring overhead — the wingspan is genuinely intimidating. The park's dramatic landscape of spires and rock formations also makes it a popular spot for rock climbing and cave exploration.

(Image from NPS/Gavin Emmons)

Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)

We actually stumbled upon this park during a road trip through Arizona, and I'm glad we did. The colorful deposits of petrified wood span over large areas — it's like walking through an outdoor geology museum. The process of petrification involves wood turning into stone over millions of years, preserving intricate details of the bark and tree rings. You can actually see the ring patterns in the stone, which I found incredible. Bonus: the park also includes a segment of the iconic Historic Route 66, so you get natural history and cultural heritage in one visit.

More National Parks Guides

Read our complete guide: The Expat Family's Guide to US National Parks (2026) — covering all 26 parks we've visited, road trip routes, costs, and tips for international visitors.

Conclusion

When I think about what these road trips have meant to our family, it's not really about ticking parks off a list. It's about those moments in the car where my daughter asks a question about volcanoes and we end up in a 30-minute conversation about geology. It's about standing at the rim of Crater Lake and just being quiet together. It's about learning that the country we moved to has these incredible natural treasures, and that they're right there waiting for you.

If you're an expat family like us, or just someone who hasn't explored much of the Western US yet — I really encourage you to start. Get the America the Beautiful pass (it's $80 for the year and covers all national parks — honestly a steal), pack the car, and go. You won't regret it.

Which Western national park is your favourite? Or if you haven't been yet, which one are you most curious about? I'd love to hear from you.

Cheers,

Chandler