On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill establishing Yellowstone as the first national park in the United States. Since that historic day, over 60 destinations have received the title of national park, bringing the grand total to 63 in December 2020 with the addition of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Spread out across 31 states and two U.S. territories, national parks join forces with other National Park System areas — battlefields, military parks, monuments, historical parks, historic sites, seashores, lakeshores, scenic rivers and trails, recreation areas, and the White House — to cover more than 85 million acres of mountains, dense forests, deserts, rock formations, and other incredible natural wonders.
If you’re someone who has set their sights on checking off one, two, or all of these protected lands, you’re not alone. The National Park Service reported 325.5 million recreation visits in 2023, with national parks, specifically, making up 28 percent of that number. While many travelers make it a goal to explore as many national parks as possible, others may only be interested in seeing the top ones. No matter which bucket you fall into, the list below should help with your trip planning.
Read on to discover the best national parks in the U.S., a selection based on expert recommendations and winners in our most recent World’s Best Awards.
Yellowstone National Park
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Those who have experienced the wonder of Yellowstone can attest to the grandeur and awe-inspiring nature of the park, a majority of which is located in Wyoming. According to Kevin Jackson, the CEO of luxury travel company EXP Journeys, Yellowstone stands out due to its hydrothermal features and amazing wildlife.
Don’t Miss: There are over 10,000 geysers, mud pots, hot springs, travertine terraces, and fumaroles in the 2.2-million-acre park — with Old Faithful, the Norris Geyser Basin, and Grand Prismatic Spring being three of the most popular sites to visit. Want to get a glimpse of bison, elk, bear, or other wildlife? Jackson recommends Lamar Valley, an area he says is “often considered the Serengeti of the U.S. for the wide variety of wildlife that can be seen here.”
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Jeff Powell, the owner of National Park Ventures and Smoky Mountains Ventures, says the most-visited national park receives points for several reasons. For starters, it’s extremely family-friendly. “There’s hiking for visitors of all ages, as well as dozens of waterfalls to enjoy. Kids will enjoy playing in the numerous creeks throughout the park,” he says. The mountain scenery also plays a pivotal role, and, he adds, “the park really delivers in every season, whether it’s spring flowers, summer activities, fall colors, or winter snowscapes.”
Don’t Miss: A trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park wouldn’t be complete without a bit of hiking; Deep Creek Loop Trail, Caldwell Fork Trail, or even a section of the Appalachian Trail that runs through the park are all good options. Most visitors make their way to Cataloochee Valley to see the elk population, and the famous wildflowers can be spotted in various places (though starting with one of the park’s wildflower walks will certainly put you in the right direction).
Virgin Islands National Park
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Virgin Islands National Park and its unspoiled beaches and coral reefs, hiking trails, tropical forests, and cultural sites encompass two-thirds of the island of St. John plus over 5,600 acres of adjacent submerged lands. It’s a multi-faceted destination that allows travelers to experience natural beauty and heart-pumping activities and learn about the island’s history of sugar production and enslaved labor.
Don’t Miss: Snorkel around Trunk Bay or Hawksnest Bay, hike the three-hour Reef Bay Trail, and leave time to visit Annaberg Plantation, which was once the largest sugar-producing estate on the island. Here, you’ll discover ruins of the sugar factory and the homes of enslaved people and get a detailed history of the area from the on-site docents.
Grand Teton National Park
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One of Jackson Hole, Wyoming’s biggest draws, Grand Teton National Park is a dream destination for sightseers and adventurers. “With the Tetons towering over the valley floor and the Snake River running the center, the park offers exceptional fly fishing, biking, paddle boarding, hiking, and mountaineering,” says Jackson. Plus, he adds, it’s also “home to a wide variety of wildlife, including both black and grizzly bears, bison, moose, elk, pronghorn, and many more.”
Don’t Miss: To hit many of the high points in the park — including Oxbow Bend, Moulton Barns on Mormon Row, Schwabacher Landing, and Jackson Lake — drive the 42-mile circular route along Highway 89 and Teton Park Road (the park’s “Outer Road” and “Inner Road”). If hiking is your priority, Jackson recommends String Lake and Jenny Lake. Just remember to bring the proper supplies (water, bear spray, and layers), and pack your swimsuit for a refreshing post-hike dip.
Rocky Mountain National Park
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With an elevation that ranges from 7,600 feet to 14,259 feet above sea level, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the US. It’s also a destination that has a cornucopia of natural wonders, including glacial lakes, magnificent sunsets and sunrises, and abundant wildlife (including elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and more).
Don’t Miss: Drive the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge Road, or explore the wilderness by foot. The national park boasts over 350 miles of hiking trails, but Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, Coyote Valley, and Cascade Falls are some of the best.
Glacier National Park
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The “high alpine lakes, glacier-carved valleys, and sharp peaks” make Glacier National Park one of Jackson’s all-time favorites. Located in northwest Montana, the park is a year-round destination where visitors can hike, swim, see fall foliage, and cross-country ski — all while admiring the mountain views.
Don’t Miss: “Hiking the Highline Trail from Logan Pass is a must-see but requires some planning,” says Jackson. “To reach the trail, you have to drive up to Logan Pass, which is part of Going-to-the-Sun Road.” The latter is a 50-mile-long scenic drive that runs between West Glacier and St. Mary, with plenty of photo ops along the way. “In addition to the scenery, there is great wildlife viewing, and going to the east side of the park to Many Glacier Lodge is a great place to see bear, moose, big horn sheep, and elk,” he says.
Big Bend National Park
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Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes Big Bend, one of the Lone Star State’s two national parks. Stretching across West Texas — and covering the Chisos mountain range and part of the Chihuahuan Desert — the park features scenic drives, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, hot springs, and access to the Rio Grande.
Don’t Miss: In Big Bend, you can hike across the desert, mountains, and river. Not sure where to start? Try the Santa Elena Canyon or Balanced Rock Trails. Kayaking the Rio Grande is another favorite activity, and many travelers take advantage of the fact that Big Bend is also an International Dark Sky Park, opting to stargaze during their trip.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
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“Most people visit Hawai’i for the beaches, but there is much more to the islands,” says Powell, who recommends Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. He calls the park, which is located on the Big Island, “a fascinating paradise featuring volcanoes, rainforests, otherworldly lava fields, and exotic tropical flowers.” The two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea, are highlights for many travelers, but the 335,000-acre park also features more than 150 miles of hiking trails and other sightseeing opportunities.
Don’t Miss: Drive the Chain of Craters Road to see where the park meets sea level, choose one of the many hikes at the Kahuku Unit (what was once one of the biggest cattle ranches in Hawai’i), and walk through Hawaiian forest via the Kīpukapuaulu Trail.
Kenai Fjords National Park
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Known as the national park “where mountains, ice, and ocean meet,” Kenai Fjords covers more than 600,000 acres of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Its glaciers, rugged mountains, fjords, and wildlife (you may see seals, bears, and whales) are simply stunning, though the changing climate is affecting the size of the glaciers.
Don’t Miss: The Harding Icefield, which is partially located within the national park, features around 40 different glaciers and is one of the biggest reasons travelers visit this part of the world. There are only two official trails within the park — the Exit Glacier Trails and Harding Icefield Trail — and the trailhead for both can be found at the end of Exit Glacier Road.
Shenandoah National Park
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“It would be difficult to overstate the beauty of Shenandoah National Park, located along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia,” says Powell. “The views are stunning, especially at sunset.” He recommends it as a destination for “families who enjoy camping and immersing themselves in nature,” or anyone hoping to catch the glorious fall foliage that appears every October.
Don’t Miss: Wildflower season, which begins in March and goes through October, is one of the most celebrated times of the year in the park. The best places to see the likes of mountain laurels, wild azaleas, and columbines include the South River Falls trail, the Rose River Falls loop, the Big Meadows area, and the 105-mile Skyline Drive.
Denali National Park
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For Jackson, the appeal of Denali National Park is two-fold: the mountain range (home to North America’s tallest mountain) and the wildlife. “The park spans over six million acres of rugged wilderness, and much of it is accessible only by foot or plane,” he says, noting that the park allows for off-trail hiking in many areas, “giving visitors the freedom to explore its vast landscapes with a true sense of adventure.”
Don’t Miss: Some travelers come in search of Alaska’s version of the “Big Five”: grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and Dall sheep. “Places such as Sable Pass and Teklanika River are hot spots for wildlife viewing,” says Jackson. Visitors can also expect to find memorable views from the Mountain Vista Loop Trail and Horseshoe Lake — or while looking up at auroras in the night sky.
Zion National Park
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To see what Powell describes as “spectacular mountain and desert landscapes,” you’ll need to make the trek to Utah’s Zion National Park. A geological masterpiece, this is a place where canyoneering, rock climbing, and biking are all possible, though many travelers opt to drive the Kolob Canyons Road, embark on a horseback riding tour, or kayak down the Virgin River.
Don’t Miss: “The best thing about Zion National Park is the assortment of unique hikes,” explains Powell. “The Narrows trail is through the Virgin River — the whole hike is done wading through the water. Angels Landing is a harrowing yet beautiful hike along a narrow trail leading to amazing views. The Subway hike involves climbing down waterfalls and scrambling over boulders,” he says. Powell also mentions that Zion is located within driving distance of Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park: “These parks, collectively known as The Mighty Five, make for an unforgettable road trip.”
Capitol Reef National Park
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Jackson describes south-central Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park as an amazing destination for “excellent hiking, canyoneering, Native American sites, and, of course, apple picking in Fruita,” the heart of the park. Known for its varying rock formations, Capitol Reef surrounds Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long “wrinkle” in the Earth where rocks have been pushed upward and erosion has created narrow canyons and other geological features.
Don’t Miss: “Cathedral Valley is a unique geologic region of the park, offering great walks and exceptional scenery,” he says, also noting that Grand Wash is one of his favorite hikes. Other popular spots include the white sandstone domes, Chimney Rock pillar, and the Hickman Bridge arch.
Haleakalā National Park
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“Haleakalā National Park is a place of contrasts,” says Powell. “You can stand on a mountaintop 10,000 feet above sea level, looking down on the clouds below, or you can sit at sea level and watch the waves roll in. There are waterfalls to explore and trails to be hiked through volcanic craters or lush tropical forests.”
Don’t Miss: Watching the sunrise from Haleakalā is an extremely popular activity that requires a reservation. The remote park is also ideal for stargazing and wildlife viewing; keep an eye out for nēnē (the Hawaiian state bird), the Hawaiian petrel, frogs, fish, deer, Hawaiian monk seals, and bats.
Grand Canyon National Park
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“With almost two billion years of geologic time exposed in the canyon, this park is special for what it can tell us about the past,” says Jackson. Along with its awe-inspiring rock layers and formations, Grand Canyon National Park is famous for its outdoor activities — namely hiking and rafting. He adds that rafting through the inner gorge like John Wesley Powell, the first person of European descent to successfully raft the entire canyon, has been called the “trip of a lifetime.”
Don’t Miss: “The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a great place to visit as it has significantly fewer visitors and is much cooler in the summer months,” says Jackson, though the South Rim is where you’ll find the Grand Canyon Visitor Center and the start of the scenic Desert View Drive.
Mount Rainier National Park
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Come to Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park for the 14,410-foot mountain and active volcano, and stay for the wildflowers, hiking trails, and ancient forest. Just southeast of Seattle, the park provides plenty of opportunities for visitors to hike, camp, climb, and snowshoe.
Don’t Miss: From late July through August, check out the flowers at the Reflection Lakes Trail and the Grand Park meadow. Sunrise Road typically doesn’t open until late June or early July, and it leads to the 6,400-foot-high Sunrise Point, the highest point in the park that can be reached by vehicle. If you want close-up views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier, hike the 5.5-mile Skyline Trail Loop.
Yosemite National Park
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Yosemite National Park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, has an impressive resume — from being one of the very first national parks to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also has five of the tallest waterfalls on earth, over 1,500 species of plants, and three groves of giant sequoias.
Don’t Miss: Yosemite Valley is one of the most popular destinations within the park, as visitors are granted views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. Tunnel View, right outside the Wawona Tunnel, is another great spot for photos. To see over 500 mature giant sequoias, you’ll want to head to Mariposa Grove.
Sequoia National Park
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As the name suggests, Sequoia National Park is known for its giant sequoia trees — and there are about 40 different giant sequoia groves within the park’s boundaries. Notably, the KNP Complex Fire in 2021 burned 16 sequoia groves (some trees did survive), which lived almost totally on NPS land.
Don’t Miss: The 2,200-year-old Sherman Tree — the largest living tree and largest living organism, by volume, in the world — can be found in Giant Forest. Other spots to see include Hospital Rock, Crescent Meadow, and Moro Rock.
Bryce Canyon National Park
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Jackson describes Bryce Canyon as “one of those parks that, when you walk up to the rim, it makes you say, ‘wow.’” It’s even more gorgeous at sunrise or sunset, when he says “the colors pop as if the hoodoos are on fire.” It’s these spire-shaped rock columns, along with unparalleled stargazing conditions, that give the 56-square-mile park its notoriety.
Don’t Miss: Bryce Amphitheater is home to the greatest concentration of hoodoos on Earth, and you can get incredible views of it from places like Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Sunset Point, and Sunrise Point. If you want to get in some hiking, Jackson recommends the Fairyland Loops Trail.
Acadia National Park
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One of the first places to see the sunrise in the U.S., Acadia National Park comprises around 50,000 acres along Maine’s coastline and covers half of Mount Desert Island, the Schoodic Peninsula, and several smaller islands. Travelers can witness the park in all its splendor by embarking on a self-guided tour with an Acadia Gem electric vehicle along the 27-mile historic Park Loop Road.
Don’t Miss: While driving Park Loop Road, look out for Jordan Pond, Sand Beach, and Cadillac Mountain. The latter is the famous spot for watching the sunrise, and it’s so popular, that you need a car reservation to access it from May 22 through Oct. 27.
