Exploring America's Natural Beauty: Top 25+ National Parks to Visit
Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in the United States and the world's first National Park. When you visit, you understand why. It was built to impress with its planet's largest concentration of geysers, bubbling mud pots, and an abundance of wildlife that roams freely. We've returned several times, and the sight of a bison herd moving across the valley never gets old.
- Best For: Wildlife viewing and geothermal wonders.
- Our Top Tip: To escape the biggest crowds at Grand Prismatic Spring, take the short hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook. You get a much better perspective of its incredible colors from above.
- When to Go: Spring and autumn offer fewer crowds and great wildlife spotting opportunities.
The park's main sights are conveniently located along the Grand Loop Road, but it's worth pulling over in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys, where we've had our best luck spotting bison, elk, and even bears. For lodging, you can find several accommodation options within the park or in nearby towns like West Yellowstone and Gardiner.
The Grand Canyon is one of those places that actually lives up to its legendary status. To be honest, we didn't expect it to have such an impact, but the moment we stood on the South Rim and looked out, it took my breath away. It felt like we were staring at a massive, impossibly detailed photograph. The sheer scale is something you just can't grasp until you're there.
- Best For: Awe-inspiring views and understanding geological time.
- Our Top Tip: Stay for sunset. Find a spot along the Rim Trail away from the main viewpoints, and watch the canyon colors change. It's an experience you won't forget.
- When to Go: March to May and September to November offer pleasant weather for hiking without the intense summer heat.
Most visitors stick to the South Rim, which has the visitor center, the Rim Trail, and access to scenic drives like Hermit Road and Desert View Drive. For the more adventurous, there's whitewater rafting on the Colorado River far below or hiking partway into the canyon. Just remember that hiking down is optional, but hiking back up is mandatory.
Yosemite National Park is a photographer's dream, but it's also a paradise for hikers and climbers. For us, the dream of visiting Yosemite started in college with an Ansel Adams print. We bought a black and white photograph of Yosemite Valley and promised ourselves we would go there one day. When we finally made it, Dave spent hours recreating those iconic scenes with his own camera.
- Best For: Granite cliffs, giant waterfalls, and world-class photography.
- Our Top Tip: The view from Tunnel View is famous for a reason. Go in the late afternoon when the light hits El Capitan and Half Dome just right. It's the classic scene for a reason.
- When to Go: Spring is fantastic for waterfall viewing when the snowmelt is at its peak. Autumn provides beautiful color and fewer people.
Yosemite Valley is the heart of the park, where you'll find the towering faces of El Capitan and Half Dome. There are countless hiking trails, from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks. While it's known as a rock climbing mecca, you don't have to be a climber to appreciate the raw power of this landscape.
Zion National Park, Utah, is the crown jewel of Utah's "Mighty Five" national parks. Its location near Las Vegas makes it a popular day trip for those looking to escape the city. Unlike the Grand Canyon, which you view from the rim, Zion puts you right on the canyon floor, forcing you to look up at the massive sandstone cliffs towering on either side. It's a completely different and more intimate experience.
- Best For: Unforgettable hikes and unique canyon views.
- Our Top Tip: The park's free shuttle is mandatory for accessing the main canyon drive for most of the year. Use it. It's efficient and lets you focus on the scenery instead of searching for parking.
- When to Go: Spring and autumn have the most comfortable temperatures for hiking. Summer can be extremely hot.
Zion is a hiker's park. From wading through the Virgin River on The Narrows hike to climbing the thrilling chain section of Angels Landing, there are trails here that have become legendary. For a less intense but equally rewarding experience, the Emerald Pools Trail is a great option.
We don't miss the scenic drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which offers incredible views as it climbs out of the canyon.
Denali National Park, Alaska, is wild on a completely different level. Spanning six million acres, with only one road going into its interior, this park is Alaska at its most untamed. We've been lucky enough to visit three times, and each trip has been a powerful reminder of how big and untamed nature can be.
- Best For: True wilderness, wildlife viewing, and mountaineering.
- Our Top Tip: Take a flightseeing tour. It's the only way to truly appreciate the scale of the Alaska Range and get a close-up view of the mountain itself. It's an investment, but worth every penny.
- When to Go: The park is most accessible from late May to early September.
To preserve the wilderness, private vehicle access is restricted. You'll explore the park via the bus system, which is an adventure in itself. We've spotted grizzly bears, moose, and Dall sheep right from the bus window. This is a place that demands respect, but the rewards for venturing here are immense.
Best National Parks for Otherworldly Landscapes
Some landscapes are so unusual, they stop you in your tracks. These parks are defined by their unique geology, from impossible rock arches to vast salt flats below sea level. They’re the kind of places that make you feel small and leave you wondering about the powerful forces that shaped them.
Arches National Park, Utah
With over 2,000 documented natural stone arches, this park has a higher concentration of these formations than anywhere else in the world. The deep red rock against a brilliant blue sky is a photographer’s dream. Seeing Delicate Arch for the first time, perched on the edge of a sandstone bowl, is one of those travel moments that lives up to all the hype.
- Best For: Incredible geology and short, rewarding hikes.
- Our Top Tip: A timed entry reservation is required to enter the park during peak hours and seasons. Book this online well in advance, as they run out quickly.
- When to Go: Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant temperatures for exploring.
Located just outside Moab, Arches is very accessible. You can see many of the formations from the park’s scenic drive, but the best experiences come from getting out of the car. Hikes like the one to Landscape Arch or the Windows Section are relatively easy and offer huge rewards.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
We have to admit, the Badlands caught us by surprise. We were expecting a desolate, dry landscape, but what we found was a place filled with subtle colour and texture. The sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles create a layered landscape that changes dramatically with the light. It quickly became one of our favourite national parks.
- Best For: Unique landscapes, scenic drives, and fossil hunting.
- Our Top Tip: Get out of the car. The Badlands Loop Road is great, but the magic happens on short hikes like the Notch Trail or the Door Trail, which take you right into the heart of the formations.
- When to Go: Spring and autumn are best to avoid the summer heat and winter cold.
The park is famous for its rich fossil beds; scientists have uncovered remains of ancient mammals like rhinos and horses here. Driving the scenic loop is the most popular activity, but taking the time to walk the trails and admire the views from the overlooks is what made us fall in love with this place. Like many of America’s national parks, Badlands offers endless hiking opportunities, from easy walks to multi-day treks.
Death Valley National Park, California & Nevada
Death Valley is a land of extremes. It’s the hottest, driest, and lowest place in North America. Visiting here feels like stepping onto a different planet. You have to respect the elements; in the summer, temperatures can be dangerously high, and we made sure to explore in the early morning, carry more water than we thought we’d need and chek the park website.
- Best For: Extreme environments, desert landscapes, and stargazing.
- Our Top Tip: Visit Zabriskie Point at sunrise. Watching the first light hit the golden-coloured, eroded badlands is an unforgettable experience and one of the park’s most iconic views.
- When to Go: Late autumn through spring (November to April) is the only comfortable and safe time to visit for most people.
Despite its name, Death Valley is full of life and incredible sights. From the vast salt flats of Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, to the colourful hills of Artist’s Palette, the park’s landscapes are incredibly diverse. And at night, the stargazing is some of the best you’ll ever see.
Best Coastal & Island National Parks
These parks are defined by their relationship with water. They represent some of the most dramatic coastlines, remote islands, and glacier-carved fjords in the country. Visiting them often requires a bit more planning, but the payoff is an experience far from the ordinary.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic is like visiting three parks in one. In a single day, you can go from the rugged, sea-stack-dotted Pacific coastline to a dense, temperate rainforest, and then up into the glaciated peaks of the Olympic Mountains. We loved our time hiking here; the trails through the moss-draped trees of the Hoh Rainforest are unlike anything else in the country.
- Best For: Diverse ecosystems and rainforest hikes.
- Our Top Tip: Pack rain gear, no matter the forecast. The western side of the park is one of the wettest places in the continental US, and the weather can change in an instant.
- When to Go: Summer (June to September) offers the driest and warmest weather for exploring all regions of the park.
Because the park is so diverse, it’s best to focus on one or two areas per trip. Popular spots include the Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach for its tide pools and sea stacks, and Hurricane Ridge for its accessible mountain views and hiking trails.
Washington is a powerhouse for national parks. While we love Olympic’s diversity, the state is also home to the iconic Mount Rainier National Park and the rugged, alpine wilderness of North Cascades National Park.
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Glacier Bay is a park on a massive scale, a protected area of 3.3 million acres that showcases raw, untamed wilderness. Seeing this landscape by ship is an experience everyone should have. We’ve cruised through its waters three times, and watching tidewater glaciers calve huge chunks of ice into the sea is a sound and sight you never forget.
- Best For: Glaciers, marine wildlife, and fjord scenery.
- Our Top Tip: If you can, choose a smaller cruise ship (like UnCruise, which we’ve taken). They can often get closer to wildlife and navigate narrower passages than the larger ships.
- When to Go: The cruise season runs from May to September.
This is one of the few national parks in the world that is primarily accessed by water. As you cruise through the fjords, you’ll see an abundance of wildlife. We’ve spotted humpback whales, sea otters, bald eagles, and even grizzly bears walking along the shoreline, all from the deck of our ship.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Located on the coast of Maine, Acadia is one of the few places in North America where the mountains meet the sea. We loved the combination of hiking up granite peaks and then exploring the rugged, rocky coastline just a short drive away. It’s the jewel of the North Atlantic Coast and a favorite among New Englanders.
- Best For: Coastal hikes and ocean views.
- Our Top Tip: Drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain to see the sunrise. During certain times of the year, it’s the very first place the sun touches the United States. You’ll need to book a vehicle reservation in advance.
- When to Go: Autumn is beautiful with its fall colors, but summer offers the warmest weather for enjoying the coast.
The park offers over 120 miles of hiking trails, from easy coastal paths to more strenuous mountain climbs. You can also drive the scenic Park Loop Road, which provides access to key sites like Sand Beach and Thunder Hole.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Located just south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton is often combined with its more famous neighbor, but it absolutely stands on its own as a world-class destination. What we love about the Tetons is their dramatic presentation. There are no foothills; the jagged peaks of the Teton Range rise abruptly from the flat floor of the Jackson Hole valley, creating an unforgettable skyline.
- Best For: Mountain photography and wildlife viewing.
- Our Top Tip: For iconic photos of the mountains reflected in the Snake River, head to Schwabacher Landing at sunrise. For the famous barn shots, Mormon Row is the place to be.
- When to Go: Autumn is our favorite time, with golden foliage, active wildlife, and fewer crowds than in the summer.
This park is a haven for wildlife photographers and animal lovers. It’s one of the best places to spot moose, and we’ve seen elk, bison, and pronghorn grazing in the sagebrush flats with the magnificent peaks as a backdrop.
Best National Parks for Avoiding the Crowds
These parks might not have the dramatic peaks or canyons of the others, but they offer a unique kind of immersion into wild, complex ecosystems. They require a different approach and reward visitors with a sense of solitude and discovery.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Covering 1.5 million acres of southern Florida, the Everglades is a vast and subtle wetland wilderness. It’s not a landscape of grand overlooks; it’s a place you have to explore slowly to appreciate. This protected area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist.
- Best For: Birdwatching, paddling, and unique wildlife.
- Our Top Tip: Visit during the dry season (December to April). Water levels are lower, and wildlife, especially alligators and wading birds, congregates around the remaining water sources, making them much easier to see.
- When to Go: The winter dry season is by far the most comfortable and best time for wildlife viewing.
While airboat tours are popular on the park’s outskirts, we find the best way to experience the Everglades is by paddling a canoe or kayak through its mangrove tunnels and sawgrass prairies. The Anhinga Trail near the Royal Palm Visitor Center is also a fantastic place for an easy walk with almost guaranteed alligator sightings.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Isle Royale is one of the least-visited national parks, and that’s its main draw. It’s a remote island cluster in the middle of Lake Superior, closer to Canada than to the US mainland. Dave and I have spent a lot of time exploring the shores of the Great Lakes, and we can tell you that getting out to its islands is a very special experience.
- Best For: Solitude, backpacking, and backcountry camping.
- Our Top Tip: You need to be self-sufficient here. Pack out everything you pack in. The island is a true wilderness with no roads, and you can only explore it on foot or by boat.
- When to Go: The park is only open from mid-April to October. Summer (June to September) is the best time to visit.
Getting here requires a multi-hour ferry or a seaplane, and once you arrive, you’re on your own. The park is famous for its isolated populations of moose and wolves. For backpackers and paddlers looking to truly disconnect, Isle Royale offers a rare opportunity for solitude in a rugged, beautiful setting.
What is the #1 national park in the USA?
If you're asking about popularity, the most visited national park in America is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which sees over 14 million visitors a year. However, the “best” park is completely subjective and depends on what you’re looking for, whether it’s the wildlife of Yellowstone or the hiking in Zion.
Which state has the most national parks?
California has the most national parks with a total of nine. They include some of the most famous names like Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley, making it an incredible state for a national park road trip.
What is the most beautiful US national park?
That’s a tough one, as every park has its own unique qualities. We’re partial to the dramatic, jagged peaks of Grand Teton and the otherworldly hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. But the temperate rainforests of Olympic and the sheer scale of the Grand Canyon are hard to beat. The “most beautiful” is the one that connects with you the most.
What is the least visited US National Park in the continental US?
Excluding the remote parks in Alaska and American Samoa, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan is one of the least visited. Its remote location in Lake Superior means it requires a significant effort to get there, but it rewards visitors with true solitude.
Is it worth buying a National Parks Pass?
Absolutely. If you plan on visiting three or more parks within a year, the ‘America the Beautiful’ annual pass will save you money. It’s managed by the National Park Service and the funds help maintain these incredible landscapes for future generations.
What is the largest national park in the USA?
The largest national park is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska. At a colossal 13.2 million acres, it’s larger than the entire country of Switzerland.
After years of travelling the world, we are continually drawn back to the incredible diversity of the US National Parks. From the deserts of the southwest to the glaciers of Alaska, these protected lands offer a lifetime of adventure.
Whether you’re planning a week-long hiking trip or a cross-country road trip, we hope this guide has given you some inspiration for your next journey. The most important thing is to get out there and explore. Let us know in the comments which US national park is at the top of your list.