The year was 1872. Congress had just established Yellowstone National Park “as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people” and in doing so, ignited a national park movement that eventually spread to more than 100 nations around the world. Since then, the US has established 63 national parks, affording the opportunity to adventure throughout some of the most diverse—and breathtakingly beautiful—landscapes on the planet.
Beyond the enjoyment of this natural splendor, national parks also serve as protected sanctuaries for wildlife and plant species. Take the Everglades, for example, an ecosystem of wetlands that serve as a habitat for rare and endangered species such as the Florida panther. Or Saguaro National Park, where the Arizona desert’s tree-like cactus species is protected by law. Cultural preservation also plays a role in the national parks system, with archeologists, historians, and other experts working to maintain and share the heritage of landscapes often sacred to native communities.
Whether you’ve checked several destinations off your list or are just getting started on your national parks journey, there’s a picturesque destination for every kind of traveler. Ahead, a guide to the best national parks in the USA and a peek at what makes each one distinct.
Yosemite National Park, California
There is nothing subtle about the landscapes of Yosemite—this vast national park (established in 1890) is home to one of North America’s tallest waterfalls, the towering granite faces of El Capitan and Half Dome, ancient giant sequoia trees, and an abundance of wildlife ranging from black bears to Sierra Nevada longhorn sheep. Almost 95 percent of Yosemite is designated as wilderness, which should serve as an incentive to finally make your foray into backcountry camping.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Seemingly plucked from a scene in Dune, the rolling sands of southern Colorado are otherworldly. Set in front of the 13,000-foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and covering more than 30 square miles, it’s a landscape like none other. (In fact, they’re the highest sand dunes in North America.) Beyond hiking, visitors can explore the park in a handful of unique ways, from gliding down the dunes on a sled to hopping on a fat tire bike.
Zion National Park, Utah
Sandstone cliffs splashed in sunset hues of reds and pinks preside over the unique landscape of Zion. This red-rock desert was Utah’s first national park and it’s best known for Angels Landing—a daring hike that climbs up 1,500 vertical feet, culminating at a 5,790-feet summit offering spectacular views of the canyon. But if you can’t get a permit (it’s required), rest assured a diverse network of beautiful trails awaits. Take The Narrows, as another example. As the name implies, it’s the narrowest section of Zion Canyon and visitors hike in the Virgin River between 1,000-foot-tall walls.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
To love Mount Rainier is to love diverse landscapes. The mountain itself is an active volcano and soars 14,410 feet above sea level. And because it’s the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, five major rivers have been born from it. But beyond this, visitors also have the opportunity to hike through subalpine wildflower meadows, wind through lowland forests, spot marmots and mountain goats on rocky slopes, and much more. If you’re ready for an epic adventure, train for the iconic 93-mile Wonderland Trail that circumnavigates Mount Rainier.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
One of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, the Grand Canyon is truly magnificent. This water-carved canyon was formed over millions of years and offers two public areas for visitors to experience its natural splendor—the North and South rims. If you’re wanting to explore beyond the lookout points, the park also offers rim-to-rim hiking, mule rides, and whitewater rafting. The canyon is also full of hidden caves (around 300 have been discovered but scientists estimate there are about a thousand of them), with just one open to the public called Cave of the Domes at the end of the Grandview Trail.
Everglades National Park, Florida
The largest subtropical wilderness in the states and the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere, the Everglades are exceptionally distinct. Aside from its unique beauty, this watery expanse is also a habitat for rare and endangered species such as the American crocodile, manatee, and Florida panther tucked away in remote rivers of sawgrass. While there are plenty of trails for hiking and cycling, why not hop aboard an airboat for a memorable eco-adventure tour?
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Mysterious and meditative, the undulating white sands of New Mexico are a sight to behold. They ripple across 275 square miles of the Chihuahuan desert, sculpting the world s largest gypsum dunefield full of plants and animals that call the White Sands National Park home. There are five established trails to explore here as well as horseback riding and dune sledding.
Glacier National Park, Montana
With over 700 lakes, 175 mountains, a couple dozen glaciers, and an abundance of plants and wildlife, Glacier National Park is an incredible display of the great outdoors. There are over 700 miles of hiking trails for visitors to explore, or if you’re feeling fatigued after a few days of adventure, hop on the iconic Red Jammer Bus—a vintage touring vehicle that has been transporting visitors since 1936 and seats 17 passengers.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Recognizable by its iconic Hoodoos (columns of carved rock) and arranged in a series of natural amphitheaters, this national park offers a network of interconnecting trails, some ascending over 4,000 feet and with altitudes over 9,000 feet. One of the most popular and beautiful trails is the Queen’s Garden and Navajo combination loop, which takes you along switchbacks beside these unique rock formations. (Tip: Keep an eye out for Thor’s Hammer, one of the most beloved Hoodoos in the park rising 150 feet into the sky.)
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Landing at the Jackson Hole Airport (the only commercial airport within a national park in the country) it’s quickly clear what makes this landscape so special—the craggy Grand Tetons. Indeed, the dramatic sawtoothed mountain range sets the tone for your visit, complemented by tranquil lakes, scenic trails, raft-worthy rivers, and large mammals like moose, grizzly bears, elk, and gray wolves. There’s also an aerial tram known as ‘Big Red’ that takes you to the summit of Rendezvous Peak, where you can hike back down.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
This majestic Pacific Northwest landscape offers rugged beauty with its jagged peaks, sprawling forested valleys, and over 300 glaciers (the most out of any other U.S. park outside of Alaska). Hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing are all popular activities here, with the park often being referred to as ‘The American Alps.’ Meander across subalpine meadows or adventure through virgin forests, this remote part of the world feels exceptionally untouched.
Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands
Scuba divers take note: the Virgin Islands National Park is a treasure trove of underwater beauty. The park takes up two-thirds of the island of St. John and aside from coral reefs and marine life, visitors can also explore ancient petroglyphs and white-sand beaches. If you’re eager to spot a sea turtle in the wild, dive into the turquoise waters at Maho Bay as they’re known to hang around the beach’s seagrass beds.
Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
Arguably the most famous national park on the planet, Yellowstone lives up to its title as ‘The World’s First National Park.’ Unique hydrothermal and geological features such as the famed hot springs draw in millions of visitors every year, as does the unique opportunity to spot wildlife like bears, bison, elk, and wolves. Watch geysers erupt, speed down a river on a raft, or simply take a hike in the park’s 1,300-mile trail system, one could spend an entire lifetime exploring Yellowstone and only have just scratched the surface.
Channel Islands National Park, California
Hop aboard a three-hour ferry and arrive at the Channel Islands—a wonderfully remote landscape off the coast of southern California that’s remarkably easy to reach. It encompasses five islands, with Anacapa Island being well-known for its iconic lighthouse. There are over 2,000 species of plants and animals here, many of which aren’t found anywhere else in the world (including the island fox). The northern Channel Island of Santa Rosa, where the Native American Chumash resided, has a human history of over 13,000 years and there are significant archeological sites. (For example, this is the island where Arlington Man was discovered, the oldest known human remains in North America.)
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Home to 47 natural hot springs, this national park is beloved for its ancient thermal activity as well as creeks and forests, all of which can be explored via 26 miles of hiking trails. Its nickname, ‘The American Spa’ comes from the many opportunities to include the hot springs, including along historic Bathhouse Row, which is a National Historic Landmark District and is the most extensive bathhouse collection in North America.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, this park encompasses nearly a million acres and is known for having several distinct ecosystems. (Seriously—there are both glacier-capped mountains and a lush temperate rainforest all within the park.) The national park is also recognized as an International Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site where visitors can hike along the Pacific coastline to explore tide pools and offshore sea stacks, or take a dip in a glacial lake.
Denali National Park, Alaska
This national park gets its name from North America’s highest mountain, and stretches across more than six million acres in interior Alaska. Here you can discover a subarctic ecosystem boasting animals like grizzlies, Dall sheep, and moose. (Fun fact: It was the first national park that was created with the specific purpose of protecting wildlife.) The landscapes range from tundra and taiga to alpine and glaciers and visitors can experience the park through hiking, mountaineering, or booking a bus tour (private vehicle access is largely limited).
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Plunging downward 1,943 feet, this is the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh in the world. It was formed nearly 8,000 years ago when a volcano eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak. And because the water is almost entirely from snowfall, it’s regarded as one of the clearest lakes in the world. The national park has 90 miles of trails that take visitors through forests and atop mountains. Or, you can drive the 33-mile Rim Drive that circles the lake offering views from 30 picturesque overlooks.
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Named after the country’s largest cacti, the giant saguaro, this national park is located in the Sonoran Desert and its postcard landscapes feel emblematic of the southwest. These sub-tropical cacti can live for 200 hundred years and grow up to 50 feet tall and are so protected that cutting one down can result in up to 25 years in prison. While hiking, also keep an eye out for signature species of the region like Gila monsters, desert tortoises, six species of rattlesnakes, and desert spiny lizards.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Perched on the rocky Atlantic coastline, this national park offers 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads. The park is made up of a network of islands, which means there are various landscapes you can experience from woodlands and lakes to the iconic shoreline. If you’re an avid stargazer, take note that Acadia is counted as one of the top spots on the East Coast for viewing the Milky Way.
Haleakala National Park, Hawai i
Spirituality permeates the mood at this national park on the Hawai ian island of Maui. It encompasses the upper slopes of Haleakalā (the largest dormant volcano in the world) as well as the lush Kīpahulu Valley with its bamboo rainforest and waterfall trails. Haleakalā means ‘house of the sun’ in Hawaiian, and is derived from a legend that the demigod Maui lassoed the sun while standing on the volcano’s summit, slowing its descent to lengthen the day.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Surrounded by sparkling Lake Superior, this unique national park is characterized by its rugged, isolated landscape (99% of the land mass is federally designated wilderness). There are 165 miles of hiking trails and 36 campgrounds with sites like historic lighthouses and shipwrecks luring in visitors. Isle Royale is accessible by boat or float plane, and one of the best ways to experience the national park is backpacking. (If a fear of bears has deterred you from camping in the past, you’ll be pleased to learn there aren’t any on the island.)
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Located outside Estes Park and just one-and-a-half hour’s drive from Denver, the Rockies are an outdoor playground with 300 miles of hiking trails that take visitors through wildflower meadows, beside alpine lakes, and atop high summits. It’s also beloved for its Trail Ridge Road, which is one of the highest paved roads in North America, offering a dazzling scenic drive that transitions from forest to alpine tundra.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Twisted, spiky, and otherworldly, the unusual Joshua Tree lends its name to this national park in the southern California desert. The park sits at the confluence of two ecosystems—the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert—which results in a wider range of flora and fauna. Aside from its scenic trails and drives, Joshua Tree is also designated as an International Dark Sky Park due to its low levels of light pollution, making stargazing a popular activity in the area.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California
Located less than a 20-minute drive from each other, these two national parks boast the largest trees on the planet—the giant sequoia. In fact, the largest tree on earth (by volume) is found within The Giant Forest here and is called General Sherman. The parks are situated in the southern Sierra Nevada range and notable features include Tokopah Falls (a waterfall dropping 1,200 feet) and the Zumwalt Meadow, which attract bears and other wildlife.
