The Most Beautiful National Parks in the US: Your Guide to the Top American National Parks

America’s National Park System is something to behold. The current system encompasses over 85 million acres of land, and about 4.5 million acres of oceans, lakes and reservoirs. It can be hard to know where to start, which is why we’re walking you through the most beautiful national parks in the United States.

The otherworldly views experiences in Yellowstone National Park.

It can be far too easy with travel in the USA to get fixated on the comings and goings of the nation’s bustling cities, and forget what a treasure trove this nation is for those who love the outdoors. This is perhaps best embodied by the NPS, the National Park System.

The National Park System protects some of the most beautiful and important natural and cultural resources in the country, provides opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism, offers educational and interpretive programs that help visitors learn about the natural and cultural resources in the parks, as well as prioritizing opportunities for scientific research on a wide range of topics, including ecology, geology, and cultural history.

The bottom line is that we need to protect and connect with nature if we’re going to create a future that takes care of this planet, and the NPS offers a myriad of ways to do just that.

A Brief Introduction to the US National Park System

There’s no shortage of unspoiled beauty amongst the numerous parks that make up the US National Park System. Spread across the country, the National Parks were set aside starting with an act of Congress in 1916. That being said, Yellowstone National Park was technically the first national park back in 1872, but there was no independent agency to oversee these lands, as there would be some 40 years later.

Many an eighties Saturday morning cartoon fan is aware of the ins and outs of the park system via its fictional counterpart, Jellystone - especially the park’s golden rule - don’t feed the bears. But seriously, the National Park Service was established to safeguard America’s natural and cultural heritage, ensuring that these landscapes remain as untouched as possible for generations to come.

The NPS currently oversees over 400 national parks, monuments and historic sites, with parks in each state and extending into the territories. With that many to choose from, you might wonder how we came up with a list of only 10 parks. We’ve chosen a wide range from amongst the largest and most popular parks across the US and its territories.

So, What Are Some of the Prettiest National Parks in the USA?

These aren’t ranked in order, by any means, more just double-clicking on these incredible places that are sure to offer you some remarkable experiences.

Denali National Park, Alaska

Located in the country’s most north-western state, Denali Park is home to Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America.

The name Denali comes from the area’s native settlers and means “the tall one” or “mountain-big.” Bisected by one road, the park’s six million acres offer stunning views of pristine forests, snow-capped mountains and expansive tundra.

You can expect to catch sight of some impressive large mammals including grizzly and black bears, caribou, moose and wolves.

The main activities that people go to the park to experience include hiking, wildlife watching, camping and mountain climbing. There are a lot of different tours in the area to participate in these activities, which you can go through to book here. But the main reason this park has made the list: overnight visitors at the right time of year might also catch the beautiful dancing waves of the Northern Lights.

If you’re looking to book a memorable vacation home in near Denali Park, click here.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Located on the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique volcanic landscape, including two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa.

Rising to a height of 13,796 feet above the water, Mauna Loa also extends 19,700 feet below sea level making it the world’s largest volcano at nearly 33,500 feet high. And sister volcano Kīlauea has been so active, it’s covered almost 90% of its own surface in lava flows over the last 1,000 years!

What’s unique about this park is that it encompasses not just one or two but seven completely different ecological zones over 500 square miles. Scientists have identified over 1,000 different species of plants, with 90% of them unique to the park.

The park offers a variety of hiking trails, including one through a lava tube. If you don’t want to take a trek on your own, consider joining a tour of the region. There’s a full list of tours you can check out here, and types of tours include joining a volcano tour and witness the power of an active volcano.

If you’d like to find an incredible hotel to stay in near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, click here.

Everglades National Park, Florida

Located in Florida, the Everglades National Park features yet another unique ecosystem that includes diverse wetlands and marshes that are home to plants and animals that aren’t found anywhere else on the planet.

With over 360 different species of birds alone, the park is a paradise for bird watchers, but you’ll also find diverse animals like the manatee, American crocodile and the elusive Florida panther. In addition to hiking or biking, visitors can canoe or kayak hundreds of miles of water trails. If you’re interested in taking a tour through the Everglades, you can find the best types of tours you’re looking for here.

The extra adventurous traveller can join a ranger-led hike called “slough slogging,” - where you “walk” waist-deep through the pristine Florida swamplands. I’d consider this park to be one of the greenest on the list, both in terms of the verdant landscape and the conservation efforts led by an intergovernmental partnership working to restore the area’s ecosystem.

This is a place that we actually wrote about in the past when discussing the best family vacation spots in Florida.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The famous views of Grand Canyon National Park.

I mean, you just knew this was going to make the list, right?

The main impression you might get after visiting Grand Canyon National Park is how small we are in comparison.

Located in the southwestern state of Arizona (about 4 hours north of Phoenix/Tempe), the park is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grand Canyon is a mile deep, 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. While hiking the park is popular, in my view, the best way to enjoy the canyon’s steep walls and colorful rock formations is to raft down the Colorado River that flows through it.

There are 83 wildlife trails in the park from which you can expect to see a variety of animals including deer, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain lions. The park is also home to a large variety of reptiles, birds and rodents. An interesting fact: the canyon is home to about 1000 caves, but only about one-third have been recorded and only one is accessible to the public.

There is an overwhelming amount of amazing tours to take when you visit the Grand Canyon. If you’re keen to book a tour for everything from hiking to helicopters, feel free to find a great list here.

Looking for a memorable stargazing dome tent near the Grand Canyon? Click here to book one memorable overnight stay.

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park has been a protected area even longer than Yellowstone - it’s been protected since 1832 but was only declared a National Park in 1921. At only 5,550 acres, this park is the smallest in the National Park system.

Located in Arkansas, the park is best known for its natural hot springs, which have been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries. Unlike some other hot springs, the water here isn’t heated by magma. Instead, geologists believe that the area’s porous rocks and faults allow rainwater to travel as much as 8,000 feet below the surface, slowly heating as it moves back up. Emerging at an average temperature of 143°F, almost one million gallons of water are produced every day and it’s completely potable and safe to drink.

As a main feature of the park, most visitors come for the hot spring’s rejuvenating properties, but you can also enjoy the numerous hiking trails, fishing, camping, and picnicking. There are about 26 miles of short and interconnected hiking trails, including the hot springs and north and west mountain trails.

While the Hot Springs and North Mountain trails are more popular, the west mountain trails provide with greater opportunities for wildlife sightings, including white-tailed deer and numerous species of birds.

Click here to see all the exciting hotel options that await you near Hot Springs National Park!

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The Storm Peak Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.

In general, Colorado is known for its towering mountains, alpine lakes and diverse wildlife. All of these vistas are also reflected in the western state’s Rocky Mountain National Park. The Rockies formed millions of years ago and given their vast length are a big feature of several National Parks in both the US and Canada.

Boasting one of the highest elevations among the nation’s parks, even if you skip the hike and drive through the park on Trail Ridge Road (the highest continuous paved highway in the nation) you can’t miss the stunning vistas along the way.

With vast forests that range from coniferous to alpine tundra, be on the lookout for large animals like elk, moose, and bighorn sheep.

Popular activities in the park include hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife watching. There are an incredible array of tours that you can take, linked here. The Rocky Mountain Park’s picturesque landscapes, diverse wildlife and wide variety of flora and fauna are all reasons it’s featured on this list.

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Acadia National Park, Maine

Just south of Bar Harbour, Acadia National Park’s varied landscape offers a rugged coastline, towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests.

Among the top ten most visited National Parks, Acadia has over 120 miles of hiking trails, two camping grounds and offers a variety of activities including cycling, rock climbing, and kayaking.

The park’s Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the eastern seaboard - it’s a great place to catch the sunrise, and you can even drive to the top. If I can suggest, the best time to visit is when fall foliage is at its peak and the leaves are vivid, Instagram-able reds, oranges and browns.

The park also boasts a diverse range of wildlife, including over 300 species of birds, as well as a variety of moose, bears, fish, and if you’re lucky, head out to the harbour and you might even spot a whale. There are a few tours that you can take when you go to

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Sequoia National Park, California

If the steep walls of the Grand Canyon remind you how small you are, the trees of Sequoia National Park will definitely have a similar impact.

Located in California, the park was established in 1890 to protect the ancient forests from logging. The massive trees the park is known for can live for 3,000 years and average a stunning 180 to 250 feet tall. The park is also home to Mount Whitney, which boasts the largest peak in the lower states.

At 633 square miles, the park’s wide variation in elevation supports a diverse range of plants and animals and the park’s vast landscapes include mountain peaks, deep canyons, cascading waterfalls and picturesque meadows.

Popular activities at the park include combinations of hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. A visit to Sequoia is definitely stunning and unforgettable.

For some of the best vacation homes near Sequoia National Park, click here.

Virgin Islands National Park, US Virgin Islands

Another tropical entry to our list - Virgin Islands National Park boasts the clearest waters of all the National Parks. Covering the majority of the Caribbean Island of St. John, the breathtaking views of crystal clear water from the soft white sandy beaches make this entry a no-brainer.

This is one of the few parks that you can not only visit above, but also below, with snorkelling and scuba diving being as popular activities to visitors as hiking and fishing. You might spot sea turtles, dolphins, and a large variety of the most colourful tropical fish. The park is also known for its birdwatching and a wide variety of plant life.

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Yellowstone National Park, Montana/Wyoming

The very first and best-known National Park is Yellowstone, encompassing parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Boasting the home of the world-famous “Old Faithful,” the park is also known for its colourful hot springs and picturesque waterfalls.

As with the other parks on this list, Yellowstone hosts a diverse array of plant life, from towering conifers to delicate wildflowers. Wildlife enthusiasts can anticipate seeing bison, elk, wolves, bears, and many other species in their natural habitats. Hiking, camping, fishing - you can do it all at Yellowstone.

Just don’t feed the bears.

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What Are Some Other Famous American National Parks to Consider?

Yosemite National Park: Located in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite is known for its towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees. It was the inspiration for the conservation movement and was one of the first national parks established in the United States.
Grand Teton National Park: Located in Wyoming, Grand Teton is known for its jagged mountain peaks and stunning lakes, including Jackson Lake and Jenny Lake. Visitors can hike, camp, and explore the park's many trails and scenic drives.
Arches National Park: Located in Utah, Arches is known for its unique rock formations, including over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The park also features beautiful desert landscapes, canyons, and rock towers.
Bryce Canyon National Park: Also located in Utah, Bryce Canyon is known for its stunning geological formations, including its famous hoodoos, which are tall, thin spires of rock. The park is also home to unique wildlife, such as pronghorn antelope and black bears.
Glacier National Park: Located in Montana, not far from Whitefish, Glacier National Park is known for its stunning mountain scenery, including glaciers, lakes, and rugged peaks. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.
Zion National Park: Located in Utah, Zion is known for its red sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and unique geological formations. Visitors can hike, climb, and explore the park's many trails and scenic drives.
Joshua Tree National Park: Located in California, Joshua Tree is known for its unique desert landscapes, including rock formations and Joshua trees. The park is also popular for stargazing, as it has some of the darkest skies in the United States.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains is known for its beautiful forests, mountain streams, and waterfalls. It is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, elk, and white-tailed deer.
Olympic National Park: Located in Washington State, Olympic is known for its diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, alpine meadows, and rugged coastline. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including Roosevelt elk, black bears, and bald eagles.

America’s Most Beautiful National Parks Await

Given the vastness of the country, it’s not surprising that the parks of the National Park’s system encompasses such a wide array of extraordinary landscapes, containing diverse examples of wildlife as well as flora and fauna.

The National Park Service continues to push towards its mission of making the beauty of America accessible to all, ensuring that these special places are conserved for the enjoyment of future generations. I highly recommend visiting if not one, all of the parks on this list if you get the chance.