Big Balanced Rock is a cool rock formation at the end of the primitive road, Grapevine Hills. After camping in the backcountry site, we did the short hike to Big Balanced Rock where we watched the sun rise as we brewed coffee. This was a peaceful and beautiful beginning to our trip at Big Bend National Park.
Similar to yesterday’s top 5 National Parks feature, by their very nature all National Parks have amazing sunrises and sunsets. Having said that, some are a little better than others. Without further ado, here is today’s list.
5) Shenandoah National Park: Fighting off strong challenges from Canyonlands National Park and Haleakala National Park is Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive runs north/south atop the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains giving a gorgeous sunrise on one side of the road and an amazing sunset on the other side. Fog is common in the mornings creating a fabulous sunrise.
Sunrise in Shenandoah National Park.
4) Acadia National Park: Next on this list is Acadia National Park. From the summit of Cadillac Mountain you can be the first in the USA to see the sunrise. Really the views from any of the mountains in this park are amazing.
View from Champlain Mountain.
3) Grand Canyon National Park: 3rd on our list is also one of the most visited. Sunrise and sunset bring out amazing colors in the rocks that washed out by the bright sun during the day.
Mather Point.
2) Saguaro National Park: The final two entries on our list are very close. Both are amazing and beautiful. At #2 is Saguaro National Park. A sunset here with a giant saguaro cactus in the foreground is almost as good as it can get.
Saguaros can grow over 40 feet tall!
1) Joshua Tree National Park: California’s Joshua Tree National Park has the best sunsets in the National Park system. Look at this sunset and try to disagree. Congratulations Joshua Tree National Park!
Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park.
Check out this gorgeous sunrise in Shenandoah National Park. It looked more like a painting than a picture to me. rk
This is right outside of Sage Creek Campground in Badlands National Park. We woke up early to wander around before packing up but our morning stroll was cut short by these two bison enjoying their breakfast right in our path!
I took this picture last week from the top floor of the Knoxville Marriott. You can see the shockingly pink and purple sunrise with the Tennessee River in the foreground and the Great Smoky Mountains off in the distance.
rk
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