The country is starting to reopen after months of closures and social distancing restrictions. If you’ve been itching to get outside and explore some of the most beautiful wilderness landscapes in the world, you’ll be happy to hear the top five most visited parks in the country are starting to reopen. Each one has its own list of restrictions and guidelines, so be sure to check the park website for the most current status.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

This park sees nearly 12.5 million visitors annually, making it the nation’s most visited. Currently, all trails are open, however, Trillium Gap Trail will be closed from Grotto Falls to the summit of Mt. Le Conte on Mondays through Thursdays until November 12, 2020. All trails and backcountry campsites and shelters will open with reduced capacity limits. Visitors centers, campgrounds, and concessions remain closed.

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Headed to the park soon? Before you hit the trails, consider mapping your journey using our website and other resources. https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/trip-planner.htm Before your trip, think about what you might need to have a safe and enjoyable visit. Some key items include plenty of water, proper hiking shoes, bug spray, sunscreen and a map. When you arrive, it's important to have the latest information on weather and temporary closures. Stop by a visitor center to ask a ranger your lingering questions. Current conditions can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/conditions.htm During your trip, make sure you are staying on trail and collecting your trash for proper disposal. Keeping the park beautiful is a team effort! We hope you enjoy exploring and learning about the park! #MapYourJourney #RecreateResponsibly Photo by Bob Carr

A post shared by Great Smoky Mountains NP (@greatsmokynps) on Jun 8, 2020 at 9:08am PDT

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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park encompasses 277 miles (446 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands and is the second most visited park in the country. The South Rim opened to limited access on May 15. On June 5, the South Rim will be open 24 hours, and the Mather Campground will be open for existing reservations.

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Thomas Moran's field sketches and paintings captured the majesty of Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and other places in the West. His paintings helped inspire Congress to establish the National Park System in 1916. The original painting is dated 1912. #MondayMotivation #GrandCanyon #Arizona . Chromolithograph on canvas board. W 91.6, H 70.8 cm Grand Canyon National Park, GRCA 13469 . Note: Grand Canyon National Park is Temporarily Closed until Further Notice due to public health concerns: COVID-19 (as of 4/1/2020) go.nps.gov/C19 . Description: an oil painting of trees on the rocky edge of a vast canyon filled with colorful peaks and buttes.

A post shared by GrandCanyonNPS (@grandcanyonnps) on Apr 6, 2020 at 9:19am PDT

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles encompass and protect spectacular mountain environments. If you are planning a visit, a timed entry permit or camping reservation is required to enter all areas of Rocky Mountain National Park—including Trail Ridge Road (US Hwy 34)—in a private vehicle between the hours of 6 am and 5 pm. This current system allows for 60% of the park’s capacity, or 4,800 vehicles and 13,500 visitors a day.

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A #thinkingofRMNP story from @stripedmoonstudios – "I wearily crawled out of my tent for my last sunrise at Rocky Mountain National Park. The elk in the area had kept me up for another night with their bugling; it was the middle of their mating season. I got in my car and drove the short way towards Moraine Valley. I had previously scouted this area and knew I wanted to get a sunrise here after I had previously seen the alpenglow. I didn’t have a specific spot picked out but I knew that I wanted to incorporate the creek into the photo somehow. Luckily, I found a spot pretty easily with plenty of time to spare, which is a rarity for me especially during sunrises. Goes to show how well prudent planning and having a 500 pound animal as a wake up call helps make life easier. Over the years, I have taken many more sunrise photos but this one has always remained one of my favorites." #rmnp

A post shared by Rocky Mountain National Park (@rockynps) on May 29, 2020 at 4:00pm PDT

Zion National Park, Utah

Zion is Utah’s first national park and home to paths where ancient native people and pioneers walked, massive sandstone cliffs, and spectacular wilderness. Currently, shuttles are not operating but trails are open to day hiking. Since parking is extremely limited and Scenic Drive will be closed when all parking is full, be sure to plan ahead and get there early. Having a plan B is always a good option.

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🔥🔥🔥 Zion Canyon is hot! (literally) 🔥🔥🔥 The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning through Friday night for our area. Please use caution visiting the canyon any later than 10:00 A.M. due to temperatures as high as 104°F (40°C). Yesterday, the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive closed to auto traffic by 8:00 a.m. If you choose to walk or bike the road, please respect this heat wave and prepare accordingly: • Stay hydrated. Zion is not only hot, but dry. Drink water often, and plan to bring extra. At least one gallon per person per day is recommended. • Bring salty snacks to replenish salt loss from sweating. • Utilize shade, take breaks, and know when to turn around. • Familiarize yourself with signs of heat illness. • It helps to start early. Morning temperatures can be 30°F cooler than afternoon temperatures. Even then, be prepared in case you are outside longer than intended. • Wear sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. Lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes are good options in extreme heat. NPS Photo: The lush green floor of Zion Canyon can be seen from the Kayenta Trail with the red sandstone walls of the canyon rising to either side. #zionnationalpark #heatwave #hotweather #heatwarning

A post shared by Zion National Park (@zionnps) on May 28, 2020 at 6:25am PDT

Yosemite National Park, California

First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more, according to the website. The park is open with limited services and facilities to those with day-use reservations, reservations for in-park lodging or camping, and wilderness or Half Dome permits. You can book your reservations at recreation.gov.

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How well do you know Yosemite's waterfalls? A few of the valley's waterfalls flow year-round, while others appear for only a few weeks or months each year, depending on weather conditions and the availability of snowmelt. Learn more about some of Yosemite's most famous waterfalls here: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm Pictured: Yosemite Falls, Ribbon Fall, Nevada Fall, Bridalveil Fall, Horsetail Fall, Silver Strand, Vernal Fall, Illilouette Fall, and Sentinel Falls. #Yosemite #NationalPark

A post shared by Yosemite National Park (@yosemitenps) on May 18, 2020 at 5:48pm PDT

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