As filmmaker Ken Burs rightly described, the national park system was “America’s best idea.” Today, these nature oases see over 331 million recreational visits per year, by last year’s count. According to the National Park Service, 2024 saw the highest number of U.S. national park visitors of all time, as people from all walks of life sought a bit more of the outdoors. If that’s you, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out which park to explore. From sea to shining sea, I’ve compiled a list of our favorite U.S. national parks that will satisfy your taste for adventure.
National Park Pass programs
Before we get into our list of the best national parks, we need to have a quick chat about the various National Park Pass programs. These passes will give you entry to the 430 parks across the U.S., and it’s a good idea to book them in advance even though many also allow you to pay with card only at the entrance gates. Depending on your needs, there are different types of passes to choose from.
- Annual Pass: This pass costs $80 and is valid for one year at over 2,000 federal recreation sites managed by six different agencies, including the National Park Service. This is a good option if you plan on visiting several parks throughout the year.
- Senior Pass: Citizens 62 and older can purchase a lifetime Senior Pass for $80 or an annual pass for $20. It grants the same access as the annual pass.
- America the Beautiful Pass: This pass costs $80 and covers entrance fees for a single vehicle, including rentals and RVs, at national parks and federal recreational lands for 12 months.
- 4th Grade Pass: If you’ve got a kiddo in the 4th grade, you can register for a 4th grade pass card that will give you and your family free access to the parks.
- Military Pass: Veterans get a free lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreational lands. Here are some additional things to keep in mind about national park passes:
These passes typically cover entrance fees only. Some amenities within parks, like camping or boat launches, may have separate fees. Some even have a timed-entry reservation system in place. Before you go, make sure that you have everything you need beforehand. You can purchase passes online at the USGS Store or in person at park entrance stations. Annual and Senior passes are valid for the pass holder and their traveling companions in a non-commercial vehicle.
Now, let’s bring on the top 20 national parks that the U.S. has to offer!
Grand Canyon National Park
There’s a reason over 5 million people each year make the trip to the Grand Canyon. It’s simply one of the most spectacular sights on the planet. Whether peering over the edge or hiking down into it, this natural wonder lives up to the hype. The numbers are staggering: It was formed over 6 million years ago (and contains rocks nearly two billion years old), stretches for over 277 miles, and is 18 miles at its widest point. Wherever you roam, be sure to take your time: no other place quite compares.
Yellowstone National Park
No need to pony up $28 million to fly into outer space. You’ll feel like you’ve left planet Earth behind when you set foot amid the gurgling mud pools, boiling rainbow-colored springs, and thundering geysers of Yellowstone in northwestern Wyoming. Perched atop a massive supervolcano, the geology here is as spectacular as the wildlife. And in addition to grizzlies, bison, and wolves, this 3,500-square-mile national park contains fossil forests, colorful canyons, and one of the world’s largest alpine lakes. Ready to go? Check out our Yellowstone Park packing list.
Yosemite National Park
The crown jewel of Northern California’s impressive national parks, Yosemite is a glacier-carved valley of thundering waterfalls, chiseled peaks, and high-country meadows strewn with wildflowers — assuming, of course, you’re not here in winter when its icy expanse is a wintery wonderland. Adventure comes in many forms, including rock climbing, hiking, and camping under the stars in over 1,000 square miles of pristine wilderness. Just make sure that if you come during the peak season, that you score a timed-entry reservation for your stay.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Spread along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains is a magical setting of thick spruce forests, silvery streams, and lofty mountaintops affording staggering views over the vast Appalachian wilderness. You can camp and hike to your heart’s content along more than 800 miles of trails (including 71 miles of the Appalachian Trail). You’ll also find aquatic adventures in Fontana Lake and historic sites and scenic lookouts all along the Newfound Gap Road. If you can, try to come in the fall, when the leaves turn a stunning golden.
Zion National Park
Jagged peaks rise above the red rock deserts of southern Utah, setting the stage for an array of incredible hikes. Zion’s most famous destination is the Angels Landing Trail, which takes you up to a lofty promontory (1,400 feet of elevation gain) with sheer drop-offs along the way. For more remote adventures, tackle the Narrows, a 16-mile journey through slender canyons along the Virgin River. It’s easy to spend a few days here, and you might stay longer than planned, especially if you score a prime riverfront campsite. For a touch more luxury, book a cabin at the historic Zion Lodge.
Glacier National Park
When you need a break from the urban hustle, head to this awe-inspiring national park tucked into northern Montana. The 1,562-square-mile park encompasses over 700 lakes, two dramatic mountain ranges, and countless waterfalls. A fine introduction to the park’s splendor is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of America’s most spectacular byways. Here, you’ll find glacial lakes, cedar forests, alpine tundra, and various hiking trails and scenic overlooks to take it all in.
Death Valley National Park
Though the words Death Valley tend to conjure images of bleached-white bones simmering in a barren sun-baked landscape, this wondrous national park has much more up its sleeve than just parched skies and soaring temperatures. In fact, you’ll find striking wind-sculpted dunes, palm-filled oases, and craggy mountain peaks. Come at sunrise or sunset to see the gilded light on the shimmering sands, and allow plenty of time to explore the park’s canyons, wind-whipped ghost towns, and other oddities, including viewpoints taking in America’s lowest point (Badwater at 282 feet below sea level) and one of its highest (Mt Whitney at over 14,500 feet).
Denali National Park
Alaska has a ton to offer, but by far one of my favorite parks is Denali National Park, where the highest point in North America rests. At 20,310 feet, Mount McKinley (recently renamed from Mount Denali) stands tall and imposing, framed by the lushness of the boreal forests, the beauty of the glaciers, and even a tundra. This is a great park to spot all kinds of animals, from grizzly bears to moose and caribou.
Acadia National Park
As someone with roots in New England, I would be remiss to not mention Acadia National Park, which rests on the rugged coast of Maine. This is New England’s only national park, and it has it all. From rocky summits to thick forest, there are 76.7 square miles to explore, with over 120 miles of hiking trails. A highlight of Acadia National Park is the carriage roads, which are perfect for cycling in the summer and fall, and is great for all sorts of winter activities during the colder months. If you do go, make sure you visit Cadillac Mountain, which is the highest point on the East Coast.
Sequoia National Park
In the southern Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park is home to some of the largest living things on the planet. Soaring high above the forest floor are the staggering giant sequoias, which can reach over 250 feet tall and measure some 100 feet around the trunk. Walking through this forest of giants is an awe-inspiring experience, though there’s much more to see here, including a 10,000-year-old cave, picturesque swimming holes, and high-elevation lakes. If you come to Sequoia, don’t forget to visit King’s Canyon, too.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Pretty much nothing compares with the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, which makes this park one of my favorites as well. The Colorado peaks are stunning no matter what time of year you go, and there are over 355 miles of glorious hiking trails that weave through pine and aspen forests, alpine meadows (which are full of colorful wildflowers in the summer), and crystal clear lakes. You won’t want to miss the Trail Ridge Road, which is a 48-mile scenic drive on a continuous paved road. This area is also famous for Longs Peak, which is the perfect spot for some rock climbing and mountaineering.
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park in South Dakota is a must-see if you love stunning canyons. Though the Badlands gets its name because of its unforgiving terrain, there are plenty of animals that call this place home, including bison, pronghorn sheep, and deer. In fact, the Badlands has one of the world’s densest concentrations of fossils, so you may spot a little bit of history along the way as you walk through the Fossil Exhibit Trail or tackle the Notch trail. When I visited this national park in March 2025, I made sure to hang out long enough to see the sunset from Pinnacle Overlook (check out the photo above). It didn’t disappoint!
Grand Teton National Park
In eastern Wyoming, imposing mountain peaks and high-altitude lakes are like siren songs for the adventurer. Not a place with casual drive-by sights, Grand Teton demands commitment: hiking up steep trails to jaw-dropping panoramas after a leg-burning ascent. There’s also rafting down the Snake River while looking for pronghorn grazing by the waterside. The best trails are day-long adventures, though easy-to-reach Hidden Falls, with its 200-foot cascade, is a must for all skill levels.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
One of the only national parks where you’ll have to check for eruption updates before heading out, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park provides a front-row seat to the incredible geological forces shaping the Hawaiian Islands. Start off with a scenic drive along the Chain of Craters Road, then get a closer look at the geothermal action on the Crater Rim Trail, where you’ll see steam vents, dramatic views over the rainforest, and evidence of the 2018 summit collapse.
Olympic National Park
Northwest of Seattle, this Washington national park is famous for its lush beauty. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into Middle Earth as you wander through these gorgeous mountains. Just make sure that you pack your raincoat, because Olympic National Park sees about 100 to 150 inches of rain per year, which is an estimated 200 to 250 days per year. For the greenest forest you’ve ever seen in your life, head to the Hoh Rain Forest, which sees up to 170 inches of rain per year. Despite the rain, Olympic National Park has so much to offer.
Mesa Verde National Park
In a sunbaked pocket of southern Colorado, you’ll find an astonishing fragment of ancient indigenous civilization. Set in alcoves hundreds of feet above the valley floor, cliff dwellings built by ancestral Puebloans date back more than 700 years. You can explore the site on ranger-led tours, clambering up ladders, crawling through tunnels, and descending into atmospheric kivas (ceremonial centers) that still mystify archaeologists today.
Isle Royale National Park
You’ll leave the crowds behind as you paddle off into the watery wilderness of Isle Royale, one of the least visited national parks in the continental U.S. Here, you can immerse yourself in nature on hiking and canoeing back-country adventures, looking for moose crashing through the boreal forests, and setting up camp for the night in pristine settings along the water’s edge. Getting here is part of the adventure, with access only by ferry or floatplane.
Big Bend National Park
In the southwest of Texas, this enormous national park has rolling mountains, desert scrubland, and one famous meandering river winding through it. Given the park’s size and remoteness, it’s worth sticking around a while after you make the trip out. You certainly won’t lack things to do — hikes of a wide variety, soaking in hot springs along the riverbank, canoeing the Rio Grande, and watching the evening skies light up with stars. You’ll also find incredibly scenic drives, nearby ghost towns to explore, and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities (over 450 bird species have been spotted in the park).
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California is a gem for any desert lover. This is where two ecosystems collide. First, we have the higher, cooler Mojave with its signature Joshua Trees for which the park was named. Second, there’s the lower, hotter Sonoran Desert with creosote and cholla cacti. There are 300+ miles of hiking trails here, including Hidden Valley, which is an easy 1-mile loop through a boulder-ringed valley, but for something more strenuous, try the Lost Palms Oasis, which is 7.2 miles round trip to a fan palm grove. Just make sure you bring enough water! You’ll also find that this park has world-class rock climbing.
Everglades National Park
Spread across more than 2,400 square miles, the Everglades encompass the largest tropical wilderness in the US. There’s no better place to see alligators than along the park’s many boardwalk trails (come back at night, flashlight in hand, to see the creatures at their most active), though this watery wonderland is also a paradise for birdwatchers. You can also explore by boat — though we recommend kayaking and canoeing over noisy airboat tours. For a multiday canoeing adventure, head out (with a good map!) to the Ten Thousand Islands, where you’re sure to see dolphins, rays, and other sea creatures as you paddle by day and overnight on tiny islands along the way.
Hopefully, this list of America’s best national parks has inspired you to go out and see some beautiful new places. No matter what you enjoy, whether it be hiking, climbing, paddling, or mountain biking, you’ll be able to find it at one of these national parks. Now, get out there and explore!
