Fourth of July: America's most Instagrammable national parks to visit

Spectacular lakes, rocky canyons and miles of desert cacti. As today marks Independence Day in America, Liz Connor takes a look at the natural wonders to have on your wanderlust list this year

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Liz Connor4 July 2017

From craggy, snow-covered mountain ranges to some of the most ancient forests on the continent, America’s national parks are home to some of the most breathtaking natural sights on the planet.

But aside from being beautiful, they’re also fast becoming major holiday destinations in their own right - attracting a record-breaking 307 million visits last year.

If the call of the wild has you thinking of ditching your beach holiday this summer, the biggest challenge you'll face is whittling down the 58 incredible national parks the country has to offer.

Luckily, we’ve done the hard yards for you, selecting 10 of the most spectacular to have on your bucket list - each offering their own unique slice of tranquility and adventure.

So whether you’re an ambitious and energetic hiker looking for your next challenge, or simply want some wilderness porn to get you through the afternoon, here are the most beautiful spaces to discover stateside this year.

Follow Liz Connor on Twitter: @lizconnor_