Best National Parks in USA: Top 10 Must-Visit Parks

The United States boasts 63 national parks, each with unique landscapes and attractions. This guide highlights the 10 best national parks in USA – from eastern gems like Acadia to iconic Western wonders like Grand Canyon. These parks (shown on the map of U.S. national parks) span coast to coast and are celebrated for stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and rich history. In total, national parks saw a record 331.9 million recreation visits in 2024, reflecting their immense popularity. For quick reference, the top 10 national parks (in no particular order) are:

• Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee/North Carolina) – Most visited park (12+ million visitors in 2024).
• Zion (Utah) – Dramatic red sandstone canyons (4.95M visits).
• Grand Canyon (Arizona) – Immense Colorado River canyon (4.92M visits).
• Yellowstone (Wyoming/Montana/Idaho) – World’s first NP, geysers & wildlife (4.7M visits).
• Rocky Mountain (Colorado) – High peaks & alpine lakes (4.2M visits).
• Yosemite (California) – Granite cliffs & waterfalls (4.1M visits).
• Acadia (Maine) – Atlantic coast and mountains (3.96M visits).
• Olympic (Washington) – Rainforest, mountains & Pacific coast (3.7M visits).
• Grand Teton (Wyoming) – Jagged peaks & lakes (3.63M visits).
• Glacier (Montana) – Glacial valleys and peaks (3.21M visits).

Each park is explored below with key highlights and tips. Whether you seek desert hikes, mountain vistas, or wildlife viewing, you’ll find a perfect destination on this list.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina)

Figure: Sunset over Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina)
Great Smoky Mountains NP is America’s most visited national park, welcoming over 12 million visitors in 2024. Its foggy peaks and diverse forests span 800+ square miles across Tennessee and North Carolina. In fact, it is “the most biologically diverse national park in the United States,” with over 19,000 documented species of plants, animals and fungi. The park’s ridges and valleys are home to picturesque waterfalls, historic cabins, and wildflower fields best national parks in USA

• Hiking and drives: Explore scenic Newfound Gap Road or hike to Clingmans Dome (6,643 ft, highest point). Famous trails include Cades Cove Loop and Alum Cave Bluffs.
• Biodiversity: A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Smokies host 100+ tree species, 200+ bird species, and countless salamanders.
• Highlights: Visit Cades Cove for mountain vistas and elk; drive the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail for historic buildings; or catch sunrise over Mount LeConte.
• Easy access: Many paved roads and paved trails (e.g. Laurel Falls) make this park family-friendly. Visitor centers (Sugarlands, Oconaluftee) have exhibits on Appalachian culture best national parks in USA

Great Smoky’s mix of nature and history makes it a top pick for families and first-time park visitors. It’s one of the best national parks to visit in USA east coast regions and pairs well with Shenandoah NP on East Coast itineraries best national parks in USA

Zion National Park (Utah)

Figure: Scenic Zion Canyon road in Zion National Park (Utah)
Zion NP in southern Utah is famed for its towering red cliffs and narrow slot canyons. The Virgin River carves Zion Canyon, creating “striking vertical topography” that drew nearly 4.95 million visitors in 2024. Peaks of Navajo Sandstone climb 2,000–3,000 feet above the canyon floor best national parks in USA

• Key features: Zion Canyon Scenic Drive (shuttle bus route) offers views of The Watchman and Temple of Sinawava. Backpackers tackle the Narrows – a hike wading up the Virgin River through a slot canyon.
• Popular hikes: Angels Landing (a 4.4-mile round-trip with chain handholds) leads to a famous cliff perch. Emerald Pools Trail and Observation Point are crowd-pleasers best national parks in USA
• Visitor note: Spring and fall are ideal; summer can be very hot. The park’s narrows and high cliffs make it one of the best national parks in southwest USA.
• Wildlife: Watch for mule deer and California condors; desert bighorn sheep graze on canyon ledges best national parks in USA

Zion’s dramatic scenery often ranks it among the best national parks in USA Reddit communities, and it’s a bucket-list destination on many Utah road trips.

Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)

Figure: View of Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
Grand Canyon NP, with 4.92 million visitors in 2024, protects one of the world’s great natural wonders. This gorge, carved by the Colorado River, stretches 277 miles long and is up to 18 miles wide, with nearly a mile-deep chasm.

• Rim experiences: South Rim overlooks (Mather Point, Yavapai Point) offer panoramic views. East Rim’s Desert View Drive has the historic Watchtower overlook. North Rim (open May–October) is higher and quieter.
• Hiking: Iconic trails like Bright Angel and South Kaibab descend into the canyon. (Permits are required for overnight inner canyon trips.) best national parks in USA
• River trips: Rafting the Colorado River (1–2 weeks) traverses the entire canyon.
• Geology: The layered rocks expose nearly 2 billion years of Earth history best national parks in USA
• Park facts: Grand Canyon is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sunrise/sunset are spectacular. It is often listed as a top contender for the best national park in USA due to its scale and beauty.

Plan ahead: Grand Canyon’s spring crowds can be heavy; winter visits on the North Rim are snowy. An Arizona road trip can combine Grand Canyon with nearby parks like Petrified Forest or Zion.

Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming/Montana/Idaho)

Figure: Tourists watch Old Faithful erupt at Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
Yellowstone NP, the world’s first national park (est. 1872), spans over 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. In 2024 it saw about 4.7 million visitors. Yellowstone’s key draw is its geothermal wonders: over 500 geysers, including the famous Old Faithful (erupts roughly every 90 minutes). This “vast reserve” features explosive geysers, colorful hot springs, and alpine lakes. Wildlife is abundant: bison, grizzly bears, elk, wolves and herds of buffalo roam freely best national parks in USA

• Highlights: Old Faithful Geyser erupts to 100+ feet. Visit the Grand Prismatic Spring (deep blue center, rainbow edges) in Midway Geyser Basin. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone has dramatic waterfalls (Artist Point view).
• Wildlife watching: Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley are prime areas for spotting wolves, bears, and herds of bison best national parks in USA
• Hiking & nature: Trails range from short boardwalks (like in Norris Geyser Basin) to backcountry treks. The park’s forests and meadows are part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
• First park status: Yellowstone’s founding inspired the national parks movement worldwide. It also sits atop a volcanic caldera, making it geologically unique best national parks in USA

Yellowstone often tops lists of best national parks in USA for its unparalleled geothermal features and wildlife. The NPS has extensive educational programs and Junior Ranger activities, making it family-friendly despite its vast wilderness best national parks in USA

Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

Rocky Mountain NP, near Denver, saw 4.2 million visitors in 2024. It offers sweeping alpine vistas and diverse ecosystems, from montane forests to tundra. The park contains 150 lakes, 450 miles of streams, and many ecosystems from wetlands to alpine tundra best national parks in USA

• Trail Ridge Road: A famous scenic highway (seasonal, opens late May) climbs to 12,000+ feet, offering panoramic views of peaks and valleys.
• Peaks: Longs Peak (14,259 ft) and other “fourteeners” rise above the treeline.
• Outdoor activities: Hiking ranges from easy lakeside trails to strenuous backcountry routes (e.g. to Emerald Lake). In winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular.
• Wildlife: Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep and black bears inhabit the park. Early mornings on Fall River Road often yield wildlife sightings best national parks in USA
• Highlights: Bear Lake, Alberta Falls, and the Alluvial Fan are accessible family favorites. The Visitor Center at Beaver Meadows explains the park’s geology and wildlife.

Rocky Mountain NP’s high elevation and scenic roads make it a summer magnet. It’s also one of the best national parks in USA for kids due to short nature walks and wildlife viewing along easily accessible roads best national parks in USA

Yosemite National Park (California)

Yosemite NP (est. 1890) saw about 4.12 million visitors in 2024. Renowned naturalist John Muir described it poetically: “No temple made with human hands can compete with Yosemite.”. The park’s granite monoliths and waterfalls draw visitors worldwide.

• Iconic landmarks: Half Dome and El Capitan dominate Yosemite Valley. Half Dome (8,839 ft) and El Capitan (3,593 ft granite face) offer world-class rock climbing.
• Waterfalls: Yosemite Falls (2,425 ft total height) is one of the tallest in North America. Other falls (Bridalveil, Vernal, Nevada) thunder in spring.
• Giant sequoias: The Mariposa Grove features towering sequoia trees over 2,000 years old.
• Valleys and meadows: Yosemite Valley (one-mile wide, 7-mile long) is lush, carved by glaciers. Mead ow and Cathedral Spires are photogenic best national parks in USA
• Recreation: Half of visitors spend time in the valley. Popular activities include hiking the Mist Trail, driving Glacier Point Road, and scenic bike rides best national parks in USA

Yosemite’s mix of granite cliffs, rivers, and forests exemplifies the classic American mountain park. It consistently ranks among the best national park in USA lists for sheer beauty and historic importance.

Acadia National Park (Maine)

Acadia NP on Maine’s rugged coast welcomed about 3.96 million visitors in 2024. It is the best-known national park on the U.S. East Coast, where sea meets granite mountains best national parks in USA

• Landscape: 27 lakes and ponds, 45 miles of rocky Atlantic shoreline, and Cadillac Mountain (1,530 ft) – the highest peak on the East Coast.
• Scenic drives: Park Loop Road (27 miles) passes ocean vistas, Thunder Hole (a natural “whale ear” rock that thunders at high tide) and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
• Hiking and biking: Hundreds of miles of trails and 45 miles of car-free carriage roads. Precipice and Beehive Trails offer thrilling cliffside hikes.
• Activities: Sea kayaking, tidepooling, and bird-watching (puffins on offshore islands). Fall foliage (late September/October) is spectacular.
• Community: Much of Acadia is on Mount Desert Island, with nearby Bar Harbor offering lodging and dining.

Acadia is often cited among the best national parks in USA for fall travel, thanks to coastal scenery and colorful forests. Its network of family-friendly trails and beaches makes it a great destination for nature lovers of all ages.

Olympic National Park (Washington)

Olympic NP in northwest Washington drew 3.7 million visitors in 2024. It is extremely diverse: glacier-capped mountains (the Olympics), the Pacific coastline, and one of the world’s only temperate rainforests.

• Ecosystems: Hoh and Quinault Rainforests get 12+ feet of rain annually, housing mossy giants and all five Pacific Northwest conifer species.
• Mountains: Olympic Mountains rise near the center; Mt. Olympus (7,980 ft) has glaciers. Hurricane Ridge (accessible by car) offers alpine meadows and mountain vistas.
• Coast: The park includes wild Pacific shores (Rialto Beach, Ruby Beach). Tide pools and sea stacks are highlights.
• Wildlife: Roosevelt elk roam the forest and prairie. Offshore, whales, seals, and sea lions frequent the nearshore waters.
• Activities: Tidepool walks at low tide; backpacking the High Divide; trout fishing in mountain lakes; ranger-led programs at visitor centers.

Olympic’s remoteness and varied habitats make it a unique national park experience on the west coast. Its mix of mountains, forest, and ocean ranks it as one of the top 10 best national parks in USA for adventure seekers.

Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)

Grand Teton NP, directly south of Yellowstone, had about 3.63 million visitors in 2024. It is famous for its dramatic Teton Range (as much as 7,000 feet of relief from Jackson Hole valley floor) and crystal-clear alpine lakes.

• Teton Range: Peaks like Grand Teton (13,775 ft) soar above subalpine forests. The sheer north faces are popular for climbers.
• Lakes and valley: Jenny Lake and String Lake offer kayaking and scenic hikes (Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point). Jackson Lake, formed by a natural dam, provides boating and fishing.
• Wildlife: Moose and grizzly bears are common sights. Ospreys fish near lakes; bison roam sagebrush flats.
• Scenic drives: Teton Park Road and the scenic loop to Oxbow Bend and Snake River Overlook are must-see.
• Visitor center: Located at Moose, it has exhibits on park geology and wildlife.

Grand Teton is often paired with Yellowstone on road trips. Its iconic skyline and reflective lake views make it a perennial favorite among the top 10 national parks in the USA.

Glacier National Park (Montana)

Glacier NP (Northern Rockies) saw 3.21 million visitors in 2024. Known as the “Crown of the Continent,” it features jagged peaks, glacial lakes, and dense forests.

• Going-to-the-Sun Road: The park’s one major through-road (seasonal, opens late June) spans the Continental Divide, providing dramatic vistas.
• Glaciers and lakes: Although glaciers are receding, snowfields and hanging glaciers remain. Turquoise lakes like Hidden Lake and St. Mary Lake reflect the mountains.
• Hiking: Scores of trails (e.g., Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail) traverse diverse terrain. Backcountry camping requires a permit.
• Wildlife: Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears, and lynx inhabit this park. Morning and evening drives near Logan Pass often reveal wildlife.
• International Peace Park: Glacier connects with Canada’s Waterton Lakes NP, together designated an International Peace Park.

Glacier’s rugged beauty and road-accessible peaks make it a top Alpine national park. Late summer wildflower displays and cool alpine weather reward visitors (July–September is ideal).

FAQs

Q: What is the most visited national park in the USA?
A: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is consistently #1. In 2023–24 it saw about 13 million recreation visits. Its proximity to major cities and easy access roads (like the Newfound Gap Highway) make it the busiest U.S. park.

Q: Which is the best national park in the USA?
A: “Best” is subjective, but Yellowstone (first NP with geysers and wildlife), Grand Canyon (huge canyon vistas), and Yosemite (stunning granite cliffs) are often cited. Many lists include these along with Great Smoky (most popular) and Zion (dramatic canyons) among the top contenders.

Q: What are the best national parks to visit in February?
A: Winter weather makes far-northern parks less accessible. Travel experts recommend warm or desert parks in February, such as Virgin Islands NP, Saguaro NP (Arizona), White Sands NP (NM), Everglades NP (Florida), Joshua Tree (CA). These offer mild temperatures and outdoor activities even in winter. (Note: many parks in the northern U.S. are still snowbound in February.)

Q: Are there national parks in Georgia (USA)?
A: Georgia (state) has no full-designated national park. However, nearby Great Smoky Mountains NP spans Tennessee–North Carolina, just north of Georgia, and is easily visited by Georgians. Also of interest: Cumberland Island NP (GA) is lesser-known (a U.S. NP and island in Georgia).

Q: Which national parks are best for kids/families?
A: Family-friendly parks have short trails, wildlife, and educational programs. Great Smoky Mountains and Yellowstone are often recommended for kids: both have accessible boardwalks (geyser basins in Yellowstone, waterfalls in Smoky) and wildlife-viewing (bison, elk). Parks like Acadia and Shenandoah also have easy visitor centers and nature programs. Many parks run “Junior Ranger” programs to engage children best national parks in USA

Each of these parks offers unique scenery and experiences. Whether you’re hiking a mountain trail, watching wildlife, or gazing at starry skies, the best national parks in USA provide endless adventure. Start planning your trip today, and remember to share this guide with fellow travelers – your next great adventure awaits in America’s wild places!