Have you ever wondered what everyone searches for when they go to Google? Each year Google does something called Year in Search, where they show us what people around the world search for, and nestled amongst other popular searches was which national parks were trending on the search engine and why.
The Most-Searched Park of 2023
If you’re wondering which national park stole the spotlight in 2023, Yellowstone National Park was top of the list. And it’s not just any park, either, but rather the world’s first national park. Protected in 1864, Yellowstone officially became the first national park on March 1, 1872. It’s like the superhero that paved the way for 63 more U.S. national parks and more around the world. So why does it remain so popular today?
Yellowstone National Park is mostly located in Wyoming but pops into Idaho and Montana a bit as well. This park is famous for its awesome natural features, with more than 10,000 hot springs and geysers bubbling and erupting. Nearly half of the world’s active geysers are located in Yellowstone. The most famous is Old Faithful, which shows off its hot water tricks every 44 minutes to two hours.
Other Commonly Searched Parks
Yellowstone isn’t just about water wonders. It’s home to many animals, including some considered rare and endangered. There are grizzly bears, moose, and bison, as well as black bears and elk. Herds of bighorn sheep also roam the park’s 3,500 square miles.
Yellowstone wasn’t the only park people were searching for, though. Other top-searched parks included Yosemite National Park in California, Zion National Park in Utah, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and Glacier National Park in Montana. So next time you’re up for an adventure, consider some of these places. Supporting national parks is never a bad idea.