The United States is a treasure trove of natural wonders, and within its vast and diverse landscapes, the National Park system stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to preserving and showcasing its unparalleled beauty. As I already shared 50 things to do in 50 states, today I want to share the best national parks in the USA. With over 60 designated national parks, each one boasts a unique tapestry of ecosystems, geology, and wildlife. From the iconic grandeur of the Grand Canyon to the lush forests of Acadia, these parks offer a kaleidoscope of experiences that span deserts, mountains, coastlines, and more.
I have collaborated with various bloggers and included their favorite national parks and what to explore in them. Read through various national parks and don’t forget to save & share for future use.
Grand Canyon National Park
Recommended by Shweta Singhal from Zest in a Tote
Grand Canyon, USA is the largest canyon in the world, about 200 miles long. You would need to consider which part of the canyon you would be visiting. Having visited the Grand Canyon South Rim, I can vouch for the fact that it has some of the most majestic viewpoints and several family-friendly activities.
The Information Centre at Grand Canyon Village is an excellent stop for information on the best activities, shuttle routes, tours, and viewpoints. Many folks do a day trip to the Grand Canyon, but I would recommend that you do an overnight trip to enjoy both the star-studded night and the dawn colors. Hiking is a popular activity for many at the Grand Canyon. But if you are not into hiking, there are biking tours, jeep tours, and shuttle buses to enjoy this natural wonder.
Death Valley National Park
Nestled in the heart of the Mojave Desert, Death Valley National Park stands as an awe-inspiring testament to nature’s extremes. Spanning across California and Nevada, this national park beckons adventurers with its surreal landscapes and fascinating geological wonders.
At 3.4 million acres, Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States. I would definitely recommend spending 2-3 days and staying inside the park. Must-visit attractions include Zabriskie Point, offering panoramic views of undulating golden badlands, and Dante’s View, a vantage point that unveils the vastness of Death Valley below. Mesmerizing starlit skies await stargazers during the park’s designated dark-sky nights.
Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, presents an opportunity to stand at the lowest point in North America. The artist’s palette of pastel hues at Artist’s Drive and the mysterious sailing stones of Racetrack Playa add to the park’s mystique.
Saguaro National Park
Recommended by Monica from This Rare Earth
The rugged and beautiful Saguaro National Park sits in Tucson, Arizona, filled with gigantic saguaros and prickly barrel cacti. With vibrant mountains as a backdrop against the clear blue sky, this national parkoffers a one of a kind experience.
Split into two sections – Saguaro National Park East and Saguaro National Park West – the park is separated by the city of Tucson. The drive between the two sections takes 30-60 minutes, depending on traffic, but exploring both sides is highly recommended.
Hiking the desert trails is the standout activity in Saguaro National Park. From short, educational trails to challenging treks, there’s something for everyone. Remember to start your hikes early and pack lots of water, as the midday sun can be harsh.
Photographers will be thrilled with the photo ops within Saguaro National Park. You’ll find stunning views of the abundant cacti and the brilliant red sunset hues.
But Saguaro National Park isn’t just about the desert landscape. It also contains a diverse array of wildlife, including javelinas, coyotes, and even mountain lions. Keep your eyes peeled for these elusive creatures as you explore the park.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Recommended by Victoria from Florida Trippers
“One of the best national parks to explore in the USA is Dry Tortugas National Park. It is located 70 miles off the coast of Key West. this stunning park is spread across seven islands that stretch across 100 square miles.
To visit, hop aboard the Yankee Freedom III ferry and enjoy a two-hour and 15-minute ride to the island that includes breakfast and lunch. Tickets for the ferry cost $190.00 per person.
Once on the island, you can visit historic Fort Jefferson and the stunning lighthouse on Loggerhead Key. You could even see the Windjammer Wreck from 1875 near Loggerhead Reef or go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters that surround the island.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about large crowds during your visit since Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the USA.”
Arches National Park
Recommended by Jamie from Photo Jeepers
“One of the best national parks in the USA is Arches National Park. Located near Moab, Utah, Arches is a must-see for anyone who loves the great outdoors and who wants to take stunning photos with incredible sandstone arches.
The park is home to over 2,000 natural arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch. If you can, plan to visit Delicate Arch at sunrise to avoid the crowds and take stunning photos. It’s also well-suited for any type of hiker since it’s one of the best short hikes at Arches National Park.
However, you can also visit Landscape Arch in Devils Garden before exploring Balanced Rock. Just be sure to do a bit of stargazing so that you can get photos of the Milky Way since this part of the desert has little light pollution.”
Acadia National Park, Maine
Check out Cadillac Mountain – it’s the tallest on the East Coast & one of the first places in the US to catch the sunrise. The park covers 47,000 acres and has over 120 miles of hiking trails for all levels. You could spot moose or bears, and there are plenty of birds to watch.
The historic roads and stone bridges are super picturesque. It’s beautiful any time of year, but oh, those autumn leaves are something else. So, whether you’re into hiking, wildlife, or stunning views, Acadia is a must-visit.
White Sands National Park
Recommended by Ada from beyondyellowbrickblog
It’s a bit of a drive to reach New Mexico’s White Sands National Park, but this small national park of about 225 square miles is well worth the hassle to get there. Located just outside of Alamogordo, NM, the main attraction at White Sands is exactly what you think it is: an expanse of pristine white sand that formed in the basin between the Sacramento and San Andres mountain ranges.
But this isn’t just any sand. The unique gypsum sands that make up White Sands’ dunes retain water and are cool to the touch. Even though the weather is almost always pleasant here with clear skies and an average temperature of 78 degrees, whether you choose to hike, take photos, or go sledding down a dune during your time at the park, you never have to worry about unpleasant, hot sand underfoot.
Olympic National park
Recommended by Jenny from Traveling In Focus
Ever dreamed of visiting a place with multiple ecosystems you can experience all in one day? Well, pinch yourself because you’re not dreaming – Olympic National Park is the place for you.
Spanning almost a million acres (922,651 to be precise, but who’s counting?), this place is like the Swiss army knife of national parks. Rainforests? Check. Snow-capped mountains? Check. Over 70 miles of wild coastline? Oh, you bet.
Now, here’s the kicker: it’s home to one of the quietest spots in the whole of the United States. Not joking! Apparently, the Hoh Rain Forest is so peaceful that you can hear your own heartbeat. And did you know that the park is one of the few places to spot a banana slug in the wild? Yes, a banana slug – it’s a real animal, not a tasty dessert.
So pack your sense of adventure and escape into the diverse wilderness of Olympic National Park.
Redwood National Park
Recommended by Laura from Hi Friends It’s Laura
Redwoods National and States Park is one of the best national parks in the US to visit because of its stunningly tall trees and because it is very dog-friendly! Redwoods is actually a collection of three state parks and the national park unit along the Northern California coast. It is home to the Coastal Redwood tree, the tallest tree on earth. To see some of the tallest trees, check out the Lady Bird Johnson Grove with its easy walkway. For a change of scenery, the iconic Fern Canyon will remind you of several movie sets, including Jurassic Park. Or bring your dog on one of the many, many dog-friendly hikes, like Walker Road Trail or Elk Prairie where you can also check out elk.
Bryce National park
Recommended by Stephanie from US Adventurer
Bryce Canyon is one of the best US national parks thanks to the absolutely insane scenery you’ll get to experience. Bryce Canyon is filled with tall, skinny, knobby spires known as hoodoos. These hoodoos, which can get up to 200 feet (60 m) high are mainly concentrated in an area known as the Bryce Amphitheater.
The Amphitheater is a large bowl-shaped area filled with hoodoos, and the views from the rim down into the bowl are gorgeous. Multiple hikes take you through the hoodoos, but the Navajo Loop to Queen’s Garden trail is by far the most popular and has stunningly gorgeous scenery.
You’ll hike through slot canyons, winding trails, and near Ponderosa pine forests, all while walking right next to or between the hoodoos. Bryce Canyon can easily be done in one day, and is very family-friendly – many people do Bryce Canyon with kids and have a great time.
Grand Teton National Park
Recommended by Sean from living out Lau
Grand Teton National Park, located south of the famous Yellowstone, is one of the U.S.’s top national parks for many reasons. It’s renowned for its dramatic, gorgeous landscape that features the towering Teton Range, pristine lakes, and rich alpine terrain.
The best way to take in the beauty of the landscape is to catch a sunrise in Grand Teton. As the sun peeks over the jagged mountains, it paints the sky with hues of pink, orange, and gold, reflecting off tranquil lakes below.
The park is also a wildlife haven and offers a range of outdoor activities, from hiking to camping and canoeing. Plus, with fewer crowds compared to other parks, you can enjoy this natural splendor in relative solitude.
Zion National Park
Recommended by Julie from Ruhls of the Road
Zion National Park is a true testament to nature’s magnificence and is easily one of the best National Parks to explore in the USA. With its awe-inspiring landscapes from towering red sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, and diverse ecosystems there is so much to see and do in this National Park.
Some of Zion’s best hikes, like the iconic Angels Landing and The Narrows, lure hikers not just seeking incredible views but also an adrenaline-induced journey through slot canyons and precipitous heights. The Virgin River fuels the park’s ecosystem while adding a calming touch to the rugged terrain.
The blend of accessibility, breathtaking landscapes, and ecological richness establishes Zion National Park as a premier destination and one of the USA’s best places to explore.
Crater Lake National Park
Recommended by Christine from live love run travel
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is one of the best national parks in the USA. With the deepest lake in the USA and one of the deepest in the world.
Crater Lake receives a lot of snow each year, so if you visit in the summer months of July and August, you have the best chance of being able to drive all the way around the rim road to enjoy a variety of views. You can also take the ferry over to Wizard Island.
Visiting in the fall, spring, or winter means your options to enter the park are more limited. Facilities are limited, but Rim Village is open all year other than temporary closures for weather and snow.
If you go to Crater Lake in May through early October, the Lodge is typically open. The Crater Lake Lodge is one of the best spots to take in the everchanging view of the lake. Sit in one of the rocking chairs on the patio and enjoy a sunrise or sunset for a spectacular show.
Haleakala National Park
Recommended by Samantha from Find Love and Travel
The US has so many incredible national parks but Haleakala National Park in Maui Hawaii is one of the best and most unique. The park is split between the Summit and the Kipahulu District. The Summit District is where you can hike across a beautiful sculpted desert-like landscape and the Kipahulu District is the more lush side of side of the park where you can experience amazing waterfall views. Both areas are well worth the visit!
One of the most magical activities you can do at this park is to visit just in time for the sunrise or sunset. The park is well known for this and both travelers and locals tend to spend time at the park during this time. You can easily achieve doing one of these with 5 days in Maui.
The park also is home to endangered species and has an array of birds that you probably have never seen before.
Joshua Tree National Park
Recommended by Shandos Cleaver of Travelnuity:Dog-Friendly Travel
One of the most unique national parks in the United States is Joshua Tree National Park. Located in the desert of southern California, the park is about 125 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles, close enough for a day or weekend trip.
Joshua Tree National Park lies on the border of two distinct desert ecosystems: the Mojave Desert, home to the distinctive Joshua trees, and the Colorado Desert, part of the Sonoran Desert. The distinctive San Andreas Fault is also visible from a viewpoint in the park.
On a visit to Joshua Tree, don’t miss driving along Park Boulevard, which connects the west and north entrances, plus detouring down Pinto Basin Road to the southern entrance. There are plenty of sights to stop at along the way, plus multiple walking tracks to follow. Stay overnight in the park at one of the multiple campgrounds and enjoy the dark skies overhead.
Which one is your favorite national park?
Do let us know in the comments.
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