Your guide to the best national parks in the USA!
The United States is home to some of the world’s most beautiful national parks. It can be difficult to decide which one to visit first or next as there is at least one in most states. Every park has something unique to offer, and each one has a different setting and setting.
There are 63 national parks to visit in the USA, providing lots of possibilities for exploration. We’ve compiled a list of the top 12 national parks in the United States for your next exploration trip.
These are rich with a diverse and colorful landscape that stretches for hundreds of kilometers and species and fauna that provide adventure.
We go through the top 12 national parks in the United States and why you should visit them!
1. Olympic National Park, Washington
Number of Visitors(2021) : 2.72 Million
Olympic National Park consists of wild shorelines and mountainous and old-growth forests. If it’s something you’ve been planning on doing, it’s possible to go into Olympic Park as pictured above and see the sights.
Along the coast, there are beach walks and water activities. Inland, old-growth forests invite hiking trails that wind among grass-trimmed trees. Olympic National Park is a popular day trip from Seattle but less than two hours from the city center.
The Olympic National Park was established in 1938 and is a jewel of the United States. It is situated on an isolated peninsula with natural wonders exposed to the sun or snow. With a wild coastline spanning 70 miles, this park has it all: alpine lakes, snowy hiking trails, and massive ice glacier towers.
This park’s diverse ecosystems exhibit what people appreciate about the Pacific Northwest. The various regions of the park could be explored for at least a week.
There are many park entrances on the peninsula, but some of the more well-liked destinations are Rialto Beach, Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, and the Hoh Rainforest. Except for mountain summits, hiking is rather simple throughout the park.
The famous Tree of Life on the coast, snow-capped mountains in Hurricane Ridge, a stunning glacier lake, and several waterfalls can all be found in the park.
This magnificent national park spans roughly a million acres across the Olympic Peninsula. The park is 95 percent federally designated wilderness, making it one of the country’s biggest wilderness regions.
It is one of the few parks where whale watching is popular. There’s something for everyone here!
Top attractions in Olympic National Park: Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Ruby Beach, and Mount Olympus.
2. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Number of Visitors(2021): 3.89 Million
The Grand Teton National Park System was founded in 1929 in northwest Wyoming’s ridge ranges. There are several hiking trails.
It’s a lovely park with several mountains and trees encircling the valleys. The Grand Tetons are the park’s most notable peaks, therefore the name. This park is known for its beautiful splendor and unusual biodiversity due to its elevation of 13,775 feet above sea level.
The greatest vistas are available from the park’s more than 200 miles of hiking trails. For tourists, hiking Inspiration Point is a popular activity. Along with hiking the paths, visitors adore visiting the numerous lakes to go swimming, fishing, and engaging in other water sports.
You may enjoy the beauty of the park without wearing out your legs by taking a beautiful drive via Jenny Lake in the park. If you’re in the area during the summer, you should also visit Jackson Lake. It is well-known for fishing and water sports.
Jackson Hole Valley, String Lake, Jackson Lake, rich animals, and the beautiful Teton Range are the primary attractions of Grand Teton National Park. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are both in Wyoming and are 31 miles apart.
They are both parts of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Wildlife, vegetation, and range are all different.
Top Attractions in Grand Teton National Park: Jenny Lake, Jackson Hole, Jackson Lake Lodging, Hidden Falls, National Elk Refuge, Signal Mountain.
3. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Number of Visitors(2021): 4.86 Million
Yellowstone possesses unique geologic features. The biggest attractions include the bouncing clay pots and colorful pools. Yellowstone National Park boasts a vast geyser and thermal collection.
Yellowstone covers more than two million hectares and is not limited to thermal activities. The park hosts a flock of bison, and these large beasts are easily accessible via park roadways.
If you are camping near Yellowstone, you may hear wolf sounds. Yellowstone National Forest stretches across Wyoming, but some parts also extend to Montana, Idaho, and Alaska. There are a variety of ecosystems here because it crosses three states.
This is the oldest and most popular park in the United States, established in 1872. With its incredible features and attractions, Yellowstone National Park is a must-see destination.
With wolves in Lamar Valley, grizzly bears in the forest, and bison roaming the meadows, it’s a beautiful setting with the vast American West theme. One of the most unique aspects of this location is that it is situated on top of a geothermal hotspot, making it home to the world’s biggest concentration of geysers.
The US national park system has 1,010 mining claims across the system.
The top attractions are Yellowstone Lake, Upper Yellowstone River Falls, Mammoth Hot Springs, Morning Glory Pool, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Spring. The Grand Teton Mountains, which provide several hiking trails, are located here.
If you go, you should also check out Grand Prismatic Spring, Lamar Valley, Artist Point, where there are enormous waterfalls, and Uncle Tom’s Trail in addition to Old Faithful.
4. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Number of Visitors(2021): 2.4 million
The peaks are snowcapped, and the active volcano is 14410 feet tall and covers 369 square kilometers of protected territory, Mount Rainier National Park is a unique and spectacular National Park.
It takes the ordinary person a couple of days to visit at various times to see all the city’s beauty. Mount Rainier is renowned for its amazing Reflective Lakes like Tipsoo and Reflection Lakes.
Mount Rainier National Park is also known as Tahoma Washington’s highest trail. On the volcano, there are approximately 25 glaciers, all of which may be seen from the Wonderland Trail.
The maximum elevation you can reach alone on Mount Rainier if you’re not taking a tour is roughly 6,400 feet. The park’s best entry is at Asheville, Washington, which also has several hiking trails.
The paths offer views of surrounding volcanoes like Mount Adams, and the Paradise overlook is the trail’s most well-known viewpoint. This location offers a mountain outlook and stunning summertime wildflowers.
This is the most glaciated mountain on the planet right now. This national park offers stunning wilderness, old-growth trees, and hiking trails.
Summer is the greatest season to visit Mount Rainier National Area since the weather is pleasant and the park displays vibrant colors.
Did you know?
The mountain is an active volcano that last erupted 150 years ago and was sculpted by ice and glaciers.
Top Attractions in Mount Rainier National Park: Mowich Lake, Mount Rainier, Crystal Mountain, Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, Skyline Trail, Christine Falls
5. Yosemite National Park, California
Number of Visitors(2021): 3.29 million
Yosemite is known for its famous natural attractions and its unique culture. Half Dome and Capitano Yosemite Falls will permanently enliven Yosemite in your memories and breathtaking drives to beautiful views on hikes that lead to falling waters and giant sequoia trees.
Yosemite National Park covers 747,956 acres, with most of the main attractions within Yosemite Valley. It may be possible to cause traffic problems with four million visitors annually. For an unforgettable trip, try camping in Yosemite. Please make the reservation very early.
Although a protected area since 1864, this lovely national park didn’t receive its status as a national park until 1890 is one of California’s most famous national parks. Yosemite Valley, the park’s most famous feature, is its waterfalls. With vistas that are well worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.
The breathtaking natural grandeur that can be seen here is amazing. River rafting, fishing, horseback riding, and other activities are available. El Capitan, one of the most demanding and difficult rock climbs globally, is located here.
The majority of visitors travel to Yosemite to hike on some of the 750 miles of trails found there. Planning is essential because these routes range from being simple to being more difficult. You should arm yourself against the terrain’s mountains, valleys, and other obstacles.
For those who prefer to spend the night, the park has a large number of lodges and campsites. Yosemite Village has eateries that are ideal for when you want to be outdoors but still feel somewhat connected to society.
Top Attractions in Yosemite National Park: Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Vernal Falls.
6. Death Valley National Park, California
Number of Visitors(2021): 1.1 million
The lowest point on Earth can be found at Death Valley. Even the name itself evokes awe and mystery. It only starts with the amazing things you can discover here. These heat-swept valleys are dotted with fantastic walks and views. The harshness of Death Valley is arguably part of the attraction that draws visitors.
There is much to do here, including exploring the gorges, towering mountains, enigmatic sailing stones, shifting dunes, and bleak salt flats.
Visit Racetrack Playa by car to discover how the boulders move over the arid terrain. Standing in Badwater Basin, the country’s lowest point. Hike through borax hills, investigate winding valleys, stop by a desert oasis, and sled down dunes.
Death Valley is one of Las Vegas’s most enjoyable days out, just 2 hours from the hotel. The park has a variety of interesting sights to see. In such an unsettling location, spring wildflowers are among the surprises. Catch it right, and it’ll transform the deserted ground into color.
As the largest national park in the contiguous at over 1.6 million acres, it is known for its extremes. Air temperature is the hottest with the harshest landscape on the planet. The air is the hottest globally, and the environment is the roughest.
The many ecosystems inside it include tall dunes, a profusion of life, and stunning natural wonders. It is a recognized dark sky park by the International Dark-Sky Association, making it a world-class location for astronomy. It is also one of the most visited US national parks.
One national park offers access to Telescope Peak, the tallest mountain in the park at 11,043 feet, Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the USA at 282 feet below sea level, Furnace Creek, the hottest place on Earth, and Racetrack Playa, where you may visit the enigmatic sailing stones.
The ideal time to visit Death Valley is in the late fall to early spring. The weather is cooperative in the spring, and if you’re lucky, you could even get to see the super bloom. Unless you like 120°F+ temps, avoid the summer.
Top attractions in Death Valley National Park: Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, Telescope Peak, and Darwin Falls.
7. Glacier National Park, Northern Montana
Number of Visitors(2021): 3 million
The best park in Montana is Glacier National Park, which spans 1,583 square miles of the Montana Rocky Mountains. The park spans two mountain ranges, covers a sizable area, and has over 700 lakes.
Glacier National Park in northern Montana is home to majestic mountain peaks, glittering blue lakes, and expansive green forests. It is located on the western border of Canada and is managed jointly in partnership with Canada’s Water Lake National Park.
Glacier National Park offers a spectacular panoramic road that runs through the skies. Built over the years in the 1920s, the route opened in 1933 and was an engineering marvel. Approximately 50 miles of roads cross the Continental Divide and provide beautiful views in every direction. On the highway, there are impressive walking trails.
This beautiful national park is in northeastern Montana and stretches to Canada. The term for this combination of parks that gives the greatest views is “Crown of the Continent.” Glacier has a two-million-year-old topography. You can’t miss the experience it delivers, which dates to 1910 and spans over 700 miles.
Drive over Going-to-the-Sun Road, which connects the park’s eastern and western ends and provides access to various trailheads and vistas along the route when you arrive at the park. It is excellent for individuals who like to drive through the park’s picturesque sections.
The Trail of the Cedars and Iceberg Lake Trail is among the top hiking routes. Glaciers formed the region, as the name implies, and 25 of them remain today.
There are several free ranger-led activities offered by Glacier National Park that are perfect for visitors of all ages. Grizzly bears and cougars are among the creatures you might encounter there.
It was named a UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve in 1976, and the International Peace Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, thanks to its magnificent scenery.
Top attractions in Glacier National Park: are Swiftcurrent Lake, Lake McDonald, Grinnell Glacier, Sun Road, and Avalanche Lake.
8. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, California
Number of Visitors(2021): 1.2 Million
Both parks contain the oldest tree species in this region. Some parks may be best known for their hiking and camping but being close to an ancient tree is unique for the entire family. The park is named after sequoias, considered the world’s largest and most majestic tree.
Once you get through the massive trees and rivers, the park is filled with beautiful meadows and various types of wildlife. Your vacation to Sequoia National Park will be exceptional, whether you stay there for an hour or 24 hours.
In the case of humans, there is a sense of freedom in imagining if there were no humans on the planet or nature. This huge tree grows to this size only around certain areas of the globe, and America is fortunate to have the best collection of them all.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park are approximately 4 hours from either California. Both parks provide trail walking, some just short walks along with this ancient giant. The vast woods and rivers that wind through the park are the main draws for visitors.
The sequoia trees and other surroundings and sceneries of Sequoia National Park are well-known. This wooded region was created in 1890 to safeguard large tree groves, some over 4000 years old.
High mountains and deep valleys abound in this large park. One of the reasons this is a popular park is the gigantic sequoias. The General Sherman Tree, the park’s largest huge tree, is around 2500 years old! The tree is almost 36 feet in diameter and stands 275 feet tall. It is the world’s largest tree in terms of volume.
A black bear and a grey fox are among the animals that may be found in the woods. In this area, there are approximately 200 caves! Along with hiking, other activities include rock climbing, horseback riding, and fishing.
Top attractions in Sequoia National Park: General Sherman Tree, Mount Forest, Pearl Lake, High Sierra Trailhead, Crystal Cave, and Generals Highway.
9. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Number of Visitors(2021): 4.53 million
It is also among the most visited parks in America and the world’s best-preserved natural wonders. Whatever time you visit the Grand Canyon, the experience will leave you amazed. The canyon’s vastness is beyond description.
The colorful rock faces of the Colorado River, which runs beneath the surface, make for an ideal location for a photographer. The canyon has over a thousand acres of area that runs the entire river for over 277 miles.
View Points along the south edge of the Grand Canyon give you optimum viewing angles. Throughout the year the colors change in the canyons and mainly morning and afternoon are the main times for sunrises.
The Grand Canyon National Park is well-known for its stunning natural marvels. Grand Canyon National Park, established in 1919 provides unparalleled views. There are various hiking trails and breathtaking vistas that showcase the world’s natural beauties.
In a 56-mile length, it reaches its broadest and deepest points. There are no roads here. Thus the only way to see the canyon walls is by trekking, taking a river excursion, or helicopter flight.
According to the National Park Service, there are approximately 1000 secret caverns in the Grand Canyon, but only 335 are exposed to the public. Furthermore, the Grand Canyon is the world’s seventh-ranked natural marvel.
You can choose to go to the north or south rim of the park or schedule a longer stay to fit in both. Because the north rim is a little rougher, the majority of visitors prefer the south rim. Booking a river rafting adventure down the Colorado River through the canyon is one of the most beautiful things you can do here.
Top attractions in Grand Canyon National Park: Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon Visitor Center, South Kaibab Trail, West Rim Trail, and Grand Canyon Village.
Lipan Point, Mary Colter’s Lookout Studio, Mather Point, and Yavapai Observation Station are also some of the park’s other top sights.
10. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Number of Visitors(2021): 4.43 Million
This is one of the most visited national parks, with over 4 million visitors annually. It was founded in 1915. One of the main attractions is Trail Ridge Road’s remarkable diversity. You must visit this national park in Colorado, which straddles the well-known Continental Divide.
Mountains, meadows, and alpine life are all part of it. With its remarkable diversity of species, Alpine lakes, vast forests, glaciers, and much more, Rocky Mountain National Park is considered the crown gem of the American Rockies.
Visitors to the park are invited to a variety of outdoor activities. Cross-country skiing, hiking trails, and fishing are all popular hobbies.
This is the ideal location for hikers and those who want a challenge. Rocky Mountain National Park has 100 mountains over 10,000 feet in elevation.
There are hundreds of miles of trails in Rocky Mountain National Park, but some of the greatest ones include Old Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road.
The Keyhole Route, which leads to Longs Peak, the park’s tallest mountain, is a vertical rock climb for climbers. The paths that surround Bear Lake are great if you want something simple yet still have wonderful scenery.
Rocky Mountain National Park can be accessed by highway within an hour. There is abundant wildlife here, including large horn sheep. Black bears are found throughout the area but are more difficult to locate.
Top attractions in Rocky Mountain National Park: Bear Lake, Emerald Lake Trail, Alpine Visitor Center, Trail Ridge Road, Alberta Falls, Sprague Lake, and Upper Beaver Meadows.
11. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Number of Visitors(2021): 243,042 Thousand
This aquatic park stretches to the Canadian border in northern Minnesota. It also shares a border with the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba. Voyageurs National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the United States, yet it is a place where land, water, and mountains collide.
It was named after the predominantly French Canadian frontiersmen known as voyageurs who engaged in commerce in the late 18th and 19th centuries. A vast network of lakes almost surrounds it, with North Woods in the middle.
Voyageurs were established to protect the region’s freshwater lakes, streams, and natural surroundings. One of the best things about Voyageurs National Park is that it’s close to fifteen additional lakes, the Rainy River, and International Falls, a picturesque town in northeastern Minnesota. You can explore much more after that!
The park attracts tourists from all over the world, many of whom come for hiking, kayaking, and bird watching. The most popular activity in this area is canoeing, and there are numerous options to go on a canoe or kayak tour in different parts of the park.
You don’t just have to go there in the summer; you can also go dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter. Children and adults can learn more about the region, its history, and its native animal species in the park’s gathering place.
This park is home to stunning lakes, streams, rock formations, and lush greenery. The most stunning displays of the northern lights may be found here.
Top attractions in Voyageurs National Park: Northern Lights, Ellsworth Rock Garden, Grassy Bay Cliffs, Gold Portage, Kettle Falls, Junction Bay Falls.
12. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Number of Visitors(2021): 14 Million
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited in the United States, protecting a wide portion of the Appalachian Mountains’ great grandeur. The mountains and streams of this national park, established in 1934, have a lot to offer tourists. As the most visited national park, it is ideal for anyone looking to visit an all-forest park.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. The name of the park is derived from its central mountain range, and it has entrances in both states. The most frequented entrance is the one next to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Ice covers the summits and ridges, with purple and pink rhododendron blooms blooming in the early summer. Because of a continual fog in the forest’s atmosphere, the mountain range is known as smokey.
This UNESCO World Heritage site provides a haven for a wide range of flora and animals. It’s the last of an ancient forest that once dominated the Eastern United States.
Any time of year is a terrific opportunity to explore this national park. However, most people believe that the park is at its most beautiful in the fall and spring. In this park, you can engage in a variety of outdoor activities.
Many of the well-liked hiking trails are appropriate for hikers of all ages and experience levels. In addition, there are bike trails, historic structures, a place for riding horses, and camping beneath the stars.
Top attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap Overlook, Cades Cove, Mingus Mill, Cataloochee.
That completes the list of the 12 best National parks in the USA!
The finest national parks in the United States are locations of delicate and rugged beauty, with plenty of wildlife and vegetation. Everyone is welcome to explore and learn at the national parks.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a national park in California, Alaska, Hawaii, or even Maine; there are wonderful parks available practically everywhere.
The most stunning national parks in the country offer a variety of hiking paths where you may explore and view glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, and other natural features. You’ll be happy you had the opportunity to take in the park’s natural splendor wherever you decide to go.
Have fun while exploring!
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