The USA is one of the most diverse and dazzling countries in the world. Home to rugged canyons, ancient forests, glistening glaciers, sun-scorched deserts, and hulking mountains, this is a land of startling beauty. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the US is also home to some of the world’s best national parks.
The first American national park – Yellowstone – was established in 1872 and, since then, 62 more of the country’s vast and varied regions have been designated as protected areas of wilderness. But with so many breathtaking national parks, which ones are most impressive?
Much depends on the type of scenery you’re drawn to. Do you like the idea of walking through towering redwood trees, or past serene, gleaming lakes? Perhaps dramatic geothermal scenery, like gushing geysers and bubbling hot springs, awes you most. Or maybe you’re looking to enjoy a sense of peace and solitude on a craggy coastal path.
Whatever type of landscape you find most alluring, some national parks are just more spectacular than others. So, to get you inspired, here are 12 of the best, and most diverse, US national parks.
1. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Let’s start with the oldest park in the country – and arguably the most famous. Stretching across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park boasts some of the world’s most impressive hydrothermal features, and its dramatic, unearthly beauty will leave you awed. The 2.2 million-acre park is studded with rainbow-coloured hot springs and more than half of the world’s supply of active geysers. Plus, with over 1,000 miles of trails to hike, walkers will be spoilt for choice.
As you trek, you can admire landscapes that include shimmering lakes, rocky canyons, glacier-carved valleys, rugged mountains, and vast alpine tundras. The wildlife is just as impressive too; Yellowstone is renowned for its bison population, but you might also spot bears, wolves, moose, elk, and bighorn sheep, so keep your eyes peeled! If you’re a thrillseeker, why not go whitewater rafting down one of the churning rivers? The park gets very busy in summer, so spring and autumn are usually the best times to visit.
2. Zion National Park, Utah
Located in southern Utah, Zion National Park is known for its dramatic pink-hued sandstone cliffs, apricot-coloured canyons, and juniper-speckled hills. The state’s first national park stretches for over 230 square miles, and the trails that weave through this red-rock desert are exceptional. The best known hike is Angel’s Landing, a daring trek that takes you up 1,500 feet and, at the top of the 5,790 foot summit, your efforts are rewarded with awe-inspiring views across the canyon.
You need a permit to climb Angel’s Landing but, if you can’t get one, the Narrows is another popular hike. This trail takes you through the narrowest section of the canyon, and much of the trek is spent walking, wading, and even swimming through the pristine Virgin River. The scenery here is stunning, particularly at sunset, and you might spot bighorn sheep, mule deer, and grey foxes. Many visitors like to do overnight hikes, and experience the magic of falling asleep under star-filled desert sky.
3. Yosemite National Park, California
California boasts nine beautiful national parks, but the most spectacular and iconic has got to be Yosemite. There’s nothing subtle about the scenery here; the park is home to North America’s highest waterfall, the thundering Yosemite Falls, and the world’s tallest granite monolith, the skyscraper-like El Capitan. There are also millennia-old sequoia forests, plunging valleys, glimmering rivers, snow-capped mountains, and some of the country’s most unique rock formations.
If you enjoy hiking and climbing, few parks offer as many opportunities for adventure. Skilled climbers will love the chance to scale the 3,000-foot El Capitan, while the 14-mile Half Dome trek is popular with experienced hikers. But there are plenty of leisurely hikes, too, like the scenic five-mile Mirror Lake Loop. If you’ve always wanted to go backcountry camping, this is the place to do it, as nearly 95% of Yosemite is designated as wilderness. Wildlife includes black bears, mule deer, and Sierra Nevada longhorn sheep.
4. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park has the honour of being the only national park in the Northeastern USA and, if you’re drawn to quintessentially New England scenery, its charms are almost boundless. At 47,000 acres, Acadia is one of the country’s smaller parks, but there are still more than 150 miles of trails that snake through the landscape. Some of the most popular trails ascend nearly-sheer granite rock faces (with the help of rungs) and, at the top, the views over the Gulf of Maine are breathtaking.
Acadia is made up of a network of islands, and the paths take you past crashing cobalt waves and craggy coastlines, through ancient spruce forests, and over towering rocky summits. Keep an eye out for seals sunning themselves on rocks, and peregrine falcons soaring through the skies. The park is also one of the best places in the US for stargazing, so why not think about an overnight visit? The bustling harbours and picturesque fishing villages are a joy to explore, and the town of Bar Harbor is especially lovely.
5. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
If mountains are your thing, then the quiet beauty and wild wonder of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park will take your breath away. Though it’s located just south of Yellowstone, the craggy Grand Tetons see far fewer visitors each year. Yet this park offers some of the best hiking and climbing in the country, as well as the most spectacular scenery. The jagged snow-capped peaks rise up from flat plains, and their reflections in the mirror-like lakes draw photographers from all over the world.
Once home to fur trappers and ranchers, rustic cabins and historic farm buildings are still scattered through the park, so the photo ops are endless. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot animals including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, bison, and elk, while adventure-lovers can go whitewater rafting, kayaking, and mountaineering. There are more than 250 miles of trails to explore here, and in summer you can cool off in hidden waterfalls and pristine lakes. Then, in winter, there’s excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
6. Denali National Park, Alaska
If you’re drawn to raw, untamed landscape, you can’t beat the majesty of Denali National Park. Spanning over a staggering six million acres of unspoiled Alaskan wilderness, and with just a single road cutting through, Denali was the first national park established with the sole purpose of protecting wildlife. It’s named for North America’s tallest mountain, the hulking Denali, which looms large over the park. If you want to feel like you’re the only person in the world, you don’t have to use much imagination here.
Home to bears, moose, caribou, wolves, and eagles, Denali’s remoteness is part of its charm. Hiking here is an unmissable experience…as there are only 35 miles of marked trails! Most visitors prefer to hike off-trail and, in spring and early summer, you can trek through wildflower-filled valleys and around pristine alpine lakes. In winter, Denali becomes a snow-swathed playground for skiers and mountaineers – and you have a good chance of catching the magnificent northern lights too.
7. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
One of the most iconic tourist destinations in the world, ‘Grand’ doesn’t do this canyon justice. Home to one of the most magnificent Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon National Park attracts close to five million visitors every year. It might not feel secluded, but its beauty never disappoints. Formed over millions of years and expanded by the mighty Colorado River, this water-carved canyon is up to 18 miles wide, a mile deep, and an incredible 277 miles in length.
It’s almost impossible to come here and not be awed by the canyon’s sheer size. Watching the sun move across the sky and the colours of the canyon change from yellow to orange can feel like a transcendental experience. And, gazing down from the canyon edge into the shadowy abyss below is also something you won’t forget! The South Rim is popular with sightseers and hikers, while the quieter North Rim is the place for hardcore hiking and camping. And for truly jaw-dropping views of the canyon, why not sign up for a helicopter tour?
8. Glacier National Park, Montana
Home to more than 700 lakes, 175 mountains, breathtaking geological features, compelling history, and a wealth of fascinating flora and fauna, Glacier National Park is a real all-rounder. Located on the border of Canada and Montana, its incredible beauty has earned it the nickname ‘Crown of the Continent’. Named for the remnants of ice age glaciers, this stunning national park is the only place in the US, aside from Alaska, to see some of the world’s rapidly receding glaciers.
Thanks to the 700 miles of trails to explore, Glacier National Park is particularly popular with hikers. There are trails for all skill levels and, wherever you walk, you can admire views of gleaming alpine lakes, dense cedar woods, glacier-capped peaks, and sub-alpine valleys. History buffs will be just as happy, as many buildings in the park are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Going-to-the-Sun Road that cuts through the park is also a National Historic Landmark – and a marvel of engineering.
9. Joshua Tree National Park, California
If you’re drawn to otherworldly places, you might want to think about visiting Joshua Tree National Park. Located in southern California, the park sits at the confluence of two different ecosystems: the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. It’s this unique environment that makes the landscape so special – and, on first arrival, you’re less likely to wonder which desert you’re in than which planet you’ve landed on. The twisted, spiky Joshua Tree gives its name to this park, but there are many more wonders here.
From towering rocks that look like skulls to dusty fields full of blade-like cacti, the park is incredibly striking – so no wonder it’s as popular with painters and photographers as hikers and campers. As a designated International Dark Sky Park, Joshua Tree is also a favourite destination for stargazers, and the sight of the Milky Way appearing above these alien-like rock formations is spellbinding. There’s plenty for rock climbers, too, and if you want to take it easy, the eponymous town is an artistic and holistic hotspot.
10. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Another one for lake lovers now: Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park. This astonishingly blue lake was formed nearly 8,000 years ago when Mount Mazama erupted, causing the volcano to collapse in on itself. The blow-out shell holds the crystal-clear Crater Lake – the deepest lake in the US, and seventh deepest in the world. The lake is fed only by snowfall, so the waters are some of the purest in the world. And, as you peer over the volcanic rim and catch your first view of the lake, you might be left speechless.
In the middle of the lake is Wizard Island, which is actually the tip of a still-ascending cinder cone and, in summer, you can take a boat here and swim in the sapphire waters. The hiking trails that weave around the lake also wind through shady coniferous forests and wildflower meadows, and the views from the wooded peaks are hypnotically beautiful. If you don’t fancy trekking all the way round the lake, you can drive the 33-mile Rim Drive, stopping off to admire the many panoramic views.
Final thoughts…
National parks are far more than just beautiful, protected stretches of wilderness. They’re also places where you can seek inspiration, be awed by nature’s bounty, enjoy a sense of peace and solitude, and feel at one with the world.
Many of the world’s most impressive national parks are located in the USA – and, while the 10 parks featured above are just a small selection, they highlight the incredible diversity and beauty of this enormous country.
From surreal desert landscapes to soaring snow-capped peaks, sparkling blue lakes to lunar-like rocky canyons, it’s fair to say that, in the US, there’s a national park for every taste preference.
For more ideas, and to see some more gorgeous national parks in both the US and Canada, you might want to read our article, 10 incredible national parks to visit on a trip to North America. Or, if you like venturing off the beaten track, why not check out our article, 7 lesser-known natural wonders to explore in North America?
And for further inspiration, head over to the travel section of our website.
Would you like to visit any of these national parks? Or perhaps you’ve visited some of them before? We’d love to hear about your travel experiences in the comments below.