Siam Park, Adeje, Spain. GLTP comprises a huge area of the lowland savanna bisected by the Lebombo Mountains and includes five major African river systems. Countless ambitious explorers have searched for Paititi, the Lost City of Gold. Feel the highs and lows of roller coasters with thrill rides like the Great American Scream … It offers a thrilling experience for the entire family. There’s also an outdoor amusement park called Magic Island and an artificial island to explore. If you’re wondering what is the largest... 2. Namibia’s largest national park at a whopping 49,000km sq, the Namib Naukluft National Parl in the Namib Naukluft desert is one of the most intensely studied – and oldest – deserts on earth. Between the dense forests, rugged landscape, and extensive biodiversity, Manú National Park is considered to be one of the best natural viewing sites. Look for petroglyphs throughout the park. Parques Renunidos is the second largest European theme park operator in the world. Built in 1954, it’s often compared to New York’s world-famous Central Park. When it... 2 – Grand Canyon National Park, United States of America. Made up of 235,000 caribou, it’s easily the largest herd in Alaska. US Congress recently voted to open ANWR to oil drilling, meaning its future is currently uncertain. Wood Buffalo National Park plays an important role as the last natural nesting site for the endangered Whooping Crane. Iceberg at Northeast Greenland National Park. Unique animals such as the two-toed sloth, giant armadillo, and ocelot roam this beautiful landscape, thriving under the park’s protection. ”. Hammerhead hunting fish at the Galapagos Marine Reserve, Ecuador. Highlights of the park include the Okavango Delta (the world’s largest inland delta) and the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, though the whole park is richly endowed with a diversity of wildlife-dense ecosystems that make it one of the best places in the world for enjoying a safari. Interested in reading more about national parks in Africa? Oryx at Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia. “ An adrenaline-pumping, fun-filled day for all the family, from chilling on sunbeds next to the beach to the Tower of Power (not for the fainthearted)! We have a separate article that lists the countries with the most national parks, and most land given over to national parks. Aside from being one of the world’s largest marine reserves, thanks to its position on the equator the Galapagos Marine Reserve is also one of the most biologically diverse marine areas in the world. Plenty of national parks have been established around the world in order to preserve these rugged, beautiful areas. The oldest layer of rocks, found at the bottom of the canyon, is estimated to be nearly 2 billion years old. 1. Its towering sand dunes stand out as powerful, orange landmarks against the bright sky, and many tourists strive to climb them. Located in the Racetrack Playa, these stones mysteriously move over time, leaving trails through the desert dust in their wake as evidence of their journeys. Since some of the coasters have underground tunnels or are built into ravines, they aren't necessarily ranked as measured from their highest points to ground level. Disney World’s largest park is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. However, in many countries, national parks do not adhere to the IUCN definition, while some areas which adhere to the IUCN definition are not designated by governments as national parks. In 1983 is was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the biological diversity of the Peace-Athabasca Delta – one of the largest freshwater deltas in the world – including one of the only known natural nesting sites of the whooping crane. Made up of mountains, sand seas, moonscapes, and riverbeds, each morning and evening the sun paints the never-ending dunes around Sossusvlei in dramatic hues and shadows – a sight not to be missed. Galápagos National Park was the first national park to be founded in Ecuador. Technically, it houses four large theme parks inside its huge campus and offers everything you can ever wish for in a theme park. Heights are included for each coaster. Death Valley contains a fascinating natural phenomenon known as the Sailing Stones. Northeast Greenland National Park is the farthest north out of all the national parks worldwide, and the only national park in Greenland. Roughly 70% of the park is designated and managed as wilderness. It is difficult to appreciate the size of the giant sequoias because neighboring trees are so large. When’s the best time to go? You will find the world’s largest indoor theme parks at Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea. The closest things to roads or trails to be found in this park are paths trodden by the Western Arctic caribou herd. The Grand Canyon, the namesake of this famous national park, is recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world. Disney World is the largest theme park in terms of attendance per year and foot traffic. The Northeast Greenland National Park is the biggest one in the whole world as it covers a vast area of 972,000 km square which is filled with fjords, inland ice and parts of the Arctic Ocean and the Greenland Sea. The theme park is named Disney World because it is literally a mini world of its own. Coming in at twice the size of the United Kingdom, the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area lies in the river basins of the Kavango and Zambezi, and stretches across five Southern African countries – Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In addition to this already-impressive status, it serves as a home for the largest population of wood bison and the largest beaver dam in the world as well. Since its inception – and because of its size – the sanctuary has become an important area for the many other species of migratory birds and wildlife it supports. Travel here to see the huge moving icebergs, the dazzling northern lights and the beautiful blanket of sun and snow all over. Other wildlife in the park include wolves, moose, black bears, and beavers. Tropical Islands is the largest water park in the earth. The issue comes with the definition of what a national park actually is, a topic we explain in some detail further down the page. Denali National Park is the only national park that boasts its own, fully functioning sled dog kennel. Top 5 Largest National Parks In the World 1. Denali National Park is a safe haven for countless wildlife species, and has provided us with plenty of opportunities to learn about its intricate ecosystems by conducting scientific research. The world record highest air temperature was reached in Death Valley: 134 degrees Fahrenheit. Creatures like Galápagos tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies are often sought after by tourists, and can often be approached for photographs. The below list of the world’s largest national parks covers all areas of protected, recreationally accessible land in the world – including marine reserves, transnational parks (where bordering national parks from two or more countries have combined into one protected area), and ‘national monuments’ in the US (areas similar to national parks, but created from land controlled by the federal government and by proclamation of the president). All of this terrain is home to an incredible 500 bird species, as well as at least 147 mammals, 116 reptiles, 49 species of fish, and 34 species of frogs and toads, and makes for one of the world’s premier safari destinations. Northeast Greenland National Park, Denmark. The Queen Maud Gulf Migratory Bird Sanctuary is the largest protected area in Canada, established in 1961 to protect the largest variety of geese found in any North American nesting area. McKinley), the highest mountain peak in North America. 8. If you’re wondering what is the largest national park, that’s an easy one! After inspiration? After logging in you can close it and return to this page. This ensures that not only the wildlife on the islands, but the wildlife in the surrounding waters is kept as safe as possible. It was established by Presidential Proclamation in 2006 and encompasses over 1.5 million square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean – an area larger than all the national parks of the United States combined. Fiordland National Park - The Fiordland National Park is located in New Zealand’s South Island and is the largest national park in the country. Browse a range of specialist safari types, from self drive to fly in safaris and walking safaris to ballon safaris. South Mountain Park is part of the Sonoran desert, with 58 miles of trails available to hikers and bikers. Named after the great explorer and hunter Frederick Courtney Selous, the Selous Game Reserve is located in southern Tanzania and is Africa’s largest game reserve –three times the size of South Africa’s Kruger National Park, and twice the size of the Serengeti National Park. It’s due to this biodiversity that the Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage Site, and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. After a long day spent exploring an urban jungle, sometimes, all you want is to sit in a park. Pelham Bay Park, Bronx - 2,765 acres (11.19 km2)[1][2] 2. But, that's not all rides & attractions as over a 3rd is conservation land. Located off the coast of Queensland in North-Eastern Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system – made up of  900 islands and almost 3,000 individual reefs stretching for over 2,00 kilometers. It also boasts 2 water parks and 24 hotel resorts in its vast area. The incredible themes like Big Thunder Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean are just a few of the numerous surprises that must not be missed when you enter into the most sought theme parks in all of Europe. Shop for a place to stay. The size and location of the reef make it home to an incredible array of sea life – over 1,500 fish species, 125 species of sharks and rays, 30 whale species, 17 species of sea snake, six turtle species, and a large dugong population, as well as plenty of giant saltwater crocodiles. This colossal peak reaches the summit elevation of 20,310 feet above sea level, cutting an impressive figure against the crisp Alaskan skies. The depth of the Grand Canyon has provided scientists with an invaluable wealth of information as a result of exposing so many layers of rock and fossils that reveal the Earth’s history. The reserve is made up of several different terrains including underwater volcanoes, mountains, cliffs and coral below sea level, and wetlands and lagoons at sea level. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. 1. It’s still relatively inaccessible and remote, with very little human impact – only a handful of visitors each year. Time of year can play a big part in what animals you’ll see on safari, and how accessible certain National Parks are. Vast forests in Wood Buffalo National Park. Top 25 Water Parks — World. Many visitors can’t get enough of the fascinating animals that roam the savanna, and safaris provide tourists with the chance to get a good look at the varied wildlife. Etosha means “great white area”, which refers to the park’s huge salt span. Extensive regulations have been put in place to protect the intricate, unique ecosystems present on and around the Galápagos Islands. Tanzania's Serengeti National Park is the world-renowned home of The Great Migration. If you have kids who love being able to get up close and personal with a variety of animals and nature, this is the park you have to visit. What’s the biggest national park in the world? The park was originally founded in order to protect the rapidly-dropping population of wood bison, making its current free-roaming herd even more of a prize. It is the world’s largest amusement park and has four different theme parks inside it. Water park Location 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019; 1: Thermas Dos … The company currently owns over 50 different theme parks in 12 different countries. Please log in again. Forming the gateway to Angel Falls in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela, Canaima National Park is one of the largest national parks in the world. Four major mountain ranges converge in Wrangell, meaning a wide variety of natural features including mountain peaks, glaciers, volcanoes, rivers, and boreal forests. The reserve is relatively unimpacted by human activity and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 due to the diversity of the wildlife. The General Sherman Tree is the largest in the world at 52,508 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters). These beautiful birds nest each summer in the sanctuary of the forest. Views of Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve. Known for their natural beauty and diverse wildlife, Africa’s national parks are the world’s premier safari destinations. 1. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is the second largest national park in... 3. The temperatures of the valley are nothing to take lightly, frequently reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP) links together a number of national parks that border the countries of South Africa (Kruger National Park), Mozambique (Limpopo National Park), Zimbabwe (Gonarezhou National Park, Manjinji Pan Sanctuary, and Malipati Safari Area). If Northeast Greenland National Park were a country it would be the 31st largest country in the world – in between Egypt and Tanzania. This 545-acre park is one of Latin America's largest parks, and features the University of São Paulo's Museum of Contemporary Art, a planetarium and multiple pavilions and auditoriums. Located in Santa Clarita, California, it is heavily focused on thrill rides, although two children's areas (Whistlestop Park and Bugs Bunny World) do offer a handful of kids' attractions. Much of the wildlife present on the Galápagos Islands is uniquely adapted to the area. Dolphins and seals thrive in the waters of this park while a wide range of vibrant and beautiful birds also live here. The Gates of the Arctic National Park is the northernmost national park in the United States. The tallest of these dunes in the Sossusvlei area is nicknamed “Big Daddy,” and is readily accessible for climbers. This includes one of the most significant concentrations of elephant and black rhinoceros in Africa, alongside high numbers of cheetah, giraffe, crocodile, and hippo. A fly in safari to the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. Six Flags Over Georgia will take you a bending and winding ride across 293 acres of theme park. 10 Largest National Parks in the World Grand Canyon National Park. The refuge is also home to around 25,000 Yup’ik Eskimos living in village settlements on a subsistence lifestyle. You can view a camera feed of the young sled dogs by tuning into the Denali Puppy Cam. The Northeast Greenland National Park was created in... 3. This includes over 2 million white geese (over 90% of the world’s Ross’s goose and 8% of the Canadian snow goose), tundra swan, and many species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and land birds. 28 – Six Flags Over Georgia. Namib Naukluft Park ranks as the the largest national park in Africa. Adeje, Spain. Deadvlei, a dead forest, rests in a pan between some of the most massive sand dunes in the park. The land making up South Mountain Park was purchased and developed throughout the 20’s and 30’s. 100 Best National Parks in the World 1 – Etosha National Park, Namibia. This park sprawls across the impressive expanse of the beautiful Namib Desert. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, USA (Hawaii): 1,510,000 km sq. Great question, and one that’s not actually very easy to answer. Last but not list in this list of the world’s largest national parks is Wood Buffalo National Park – Canada’s largest national park, established in 1922 to protect the last free-roaming herds of wood bison. The world’s second-largest indoor water park, World Waterpark wows guests with 17 slides and three plus-sized pools, including the world’s largest indoor wave pool. These days the park provides very occasional hunting grounds for African tribe the San, and a permanent base for the 300 or so Topnaar people in 13 small villages along the lower Kuideb River. The Northeast Greenland National Park was created in 1974, then expanded in 1988 to its present size, making it the largest land national park in the world. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in north-eastern Alaska came into being in 1980 and is the largest national wildlife refuge in the USA. The Grand Canyon, the namesake of this famous national park, is recognized as one of the... Galápagos National Park. Northeast Greenland National Park in Greenland, Denmark is the largest... 2. Additionally, the Galápagos Marine Reserve spans out from the archipelago to cover 51,352 square miles of ocean territory. What do you think – any that surprise you? Authorities from each of these regions work together to ensure that the local ecosystems are protected. For a remote safari where you’re all but guaranteed to be on your own with the wildlife, CKGR is pretty hard to beat! It consists of the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Tropical Islands have many different themed areas. The world’s 15 largest national parks 1. The reserve lies 1,100 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador and covers 133,000 square kilometers of the Pacific Ocean around the Galapagos Islands. The reef is so large and looks so distinct from the air that it can be seen from space. Paititi remains legendary long after the Spanish Conquest, though no one is sure whether or not it really exists. Wildlife in the park includes plenty of mammals, including around 40% of the world’s total population of musk oxen. Not only is Central Park not the largest park in the world, it’s not even the largest in NYC. The name Papahānaumokuākea commemorates the union of Papahānaumoku and Wākea, two honoured Hawaiian ancestors. Among the park's biggest hitters are the X2 fourth-dimension coaster, the enormous Goliath hypercoaster and the 400-foot drop tower Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom. Siam Park is a Thai-themed water park on the island of Tenerife. The isolation of the area means that PIPA is a crucial habitat for migratory species as they traverse the Pacific Ocean, and as such is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most popular of these include Camelot Parks, Dutch Wonderland, and Kennywood. With 16,283 acres, this is the largest city park in the United States. While it may not compare in size with bigger parks in other areas of the world, Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Water park aficionados seek out the park for the harrowing and perilous Cyclone. Geese at Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, Canada. comprises a huge area of the lowland savanna bisected by the Lebombo Mountains and includes five major, © Copyright - SafarisAfricana are a division of NoSweat Digital Ltd, Kemp House, 152 – 160 City Road, London EC1V 2NX, The Six Greatest Animal Migrations in Africa, the countries with the most national parks, and most land given over to national parks, Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, Okavango Delta (the world’s largest inland delta), one of the seven natural wonders of the world, US Congress recently voted to open ANWR to oil drilling. Denali (formerly known as Mt. The interior of the reserve is home to herds of caribou, muskoxen, and migratory birds – including flocks of tens of thousands of snow geese which stopover during September to feed before migrating south. The largest national park in the world (by some way) is Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Whilst it’s essentially a desert, there are grasslands that make it home to wildlife species including giraffes, cheetahs, wild dogs, and hyenas. The login page will open in a new tab. The park connects a natural space to a built environment.”Parks also frequently bring world-class art out into the open. A trail guide is There are no marked trails or designated campgrounds–only a vast, protected chunk of raw wilderness. Countless photos and documentaries strive to convey the beauty of our planet, but many people long to experience the natural world firsthand. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia. The people who live around the park are significantly outnumbered by their sled dog companions who transport them over the frozen landscape. Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland: 972,000 km sq. The General Grant Tree is the second largest at 46,608 cubic feet (1,320 cubic meters). This connects Kruger National Park with the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, and with Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe. The site of the theme park is the former Soviet airfield, Brand in the Aerium hanger that is only seventy meters above sea level. Most of the park is uninhabited, but there has been a human presence since early Stone Age man passed through, leaving behind stone hand axes. Aside from the novel wildlife, this glorious national park possesses a wide variety of landscapes to appreciate, including boreal forests and boreal plains. A true ‘national park’ is defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), who declared in 1969 that a national park is a relatively large area of land with these characteristics: In 1971 IUCN subsequently expanded on the above criteria to attempt to clarify further what a national park is: So, strictly speaking, a national park should meet these 7 ICUN criteria. The refuge supports the most diverse collection of animal and plant life found in the Arctic Circle, where the northern coast consists of the barrier islands, river deltas, coastal lagoons, and salt marshes, all providing habitats for migratory waterbirds and shorebirds. The 20 best malaria-free safari destinations, The 6 greatest animal migrations in Africa. Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest national park. But only a few can be among the largest indoor water parks in the world. Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. This beautiful canyon reaches over a mile into the ground at its deepest, and features the 1,450-mile-long Colorado River at its bottom. Known for its tabletop mountains, waterfalls, and grassy savannahs, it’s one of the most popular hiking destinations on the continent. To compare these resorts we look at the square footage of the indoor water park under one roof. There are no paved roads to provide ease of passage through this park either, meaning that any serious visitors need to bring along a strong set of outdoor survival skills. Wrangell St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States – around six times the size of Yellowstone National Park – and rises from sea level up to 18,008 feet at the peak of Mount St Elias, the second-highest mountain in the USA. Alongside 14 seamounts presumed to be underwater extinct volcanoes, PIPA has approximately 800 known animal species, including around 200 coral species, 500 fish species, 18 marine mammals, and 44 species of birds. Formerly the largest skatepark in the world at 44,936 square feet,the SMP skatepark in Shanghai has the biggest bowls and the biggest ramps. Galápagos National Park was the first national park to be founded in … The refuge is rich in wildlife and supports one of the largest concentrations of waterbirds in the world. The Grand Canyon National Park … The Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Alaska is a coastal plain covering the delta of Alaska’s two largest rivers – the Yukon and Kuskokwim – and extending to the Bering Sea, incorporating some nearby volcanic islands. This area has been dry for centuries and the windblown dead trees still stand tall, making for a great photography site. The Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) is an unforgiving, harsh terrain covering a large swathe of central Botswana. Siam Park. Easily dwarfing its competition in Asia, this park aims to provide guests with the latest and most exciting attractions including the Extreme River and the Tornado ride. Not only does the park offer an escape from the busy surrounds, it … Oh, and a … The narrow strip of coast is the most productive goose nesting habitat in Alaska, while the drier uplands are inhabited by brown and black bears, caribou, moose, wolves, coyote, lynx and musk oxen. Kruger National Park now falls under the care of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This national park is truly rugged, and is home to less than 50 human inhabitants, most of which are Inuit hunters from Ittoqqortoormiit. This inner-city Brazilian park is one of the most popular spots for outdoor activities and events in São Paulo. Phoenix, Arizona – South Mountain Park. With 2,200 km of coast around coral islands, shoals, and banks, this biggest park in the world hosts a staggering diversity of coral, fish, birds, marine mammals, many endemic to the Hawaiian archipelago. We’ve also put together this rather popular post on the largest national parks in Africa. Coral reef at Phoenix Islands Protected Area, The Phoenix Island Protected Area (PIPA) is a huge expanse of marine and land ecosystems in the Southern Pacific Ocean, surrounding the Kiribati group of islands known as Phoenix Island Group. Wildebeest herd at Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania. With temperatures like that, it’s easy to see how the valley earned both its name and its title as the hottest place on earth. Park Güell, designed by … The park features some world-class shows themed after The Lion King and Finding Nemo, and original attractions not found anywhere else in the world in Expedition Everest and Flight of Passage.