Top 10 Foreign National Parks

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When members of National Park Service retire, they get a chance to travel the world – but that doesn’t mean they leave their enthusiasm for National Parks behind.

Based on their own travel experiences and geographic variety, members of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees (CNPSR) put together a list of the top 10 foreign national parks.

  1. Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. The native Maoris share their territory, which they donated to New Zealand in 1887. Known for its volcanic peaks.
  2. Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. Featuring landscapes of beautiful waterfalls and Aboriginal rock art, this World Heritage site is the joint pride of the Australian government and native Aborigines.
  3. Snowdonia National Park, Wales, Great Britain. Based around Mount Snowdon, Snowdonia is recommended for its extremely peaceful nature.
  4. Kruger National Park, South Africa. This vast land allows wildlife both large and small to roam free while tourists take a more restricted view.
  5. Tikal National Park, Guatemala. Mayan ruins are the focal point of this location, surrounded by dense jungle. The CNPSR recommends touring the park with a Mayan guide.
  6. Iguazu National Park, Argentina. Covering part of Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu features a world-renowned waterfall known at the Devil’s Throat (Garganta del Diablo) surrounded by subtropical rainforest.
  7. Sagarmantha National Park, Nepal. Mount Everest and the native Sherpa villages at its base make up this quaint and beautiful location.
  8. Madain Saley National Historic Park, Saudi Arabia. In an area known as the Biblical Midian, the park features scenic rock facades and tombs in the midst of the desert.
  9. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia. With acclaimed hiking trails and especially spectacular autumn colors, Plitvice is a favorite among CNPSR adventurers, who also enjoy the multitude of waterfalls, lakes and streams.
  10. Hortobagy National Park, Hungary. Beckoning back to the days of nomadic herding cultures, Hortobagy features agarian plains, wetlands, and both endangered and migratory species roaming free.