<\/p>\nAfter 15 years of exploring the globe, some of our most memorable adventures have been in the US National Parks. We\u2019ve seen firsthand that trying to create a single \u201cranked\u201d list of these incredible places is an impossible task. The best park isn\u2019t a number on a list; it\u2019s the one that matches your personal travel style.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s what this guide is for. This isn\u2019t our subjective ranking. This is our curated guide, based on our firsthand experiences, to help you choose the perfect park for your<\/em> next adventure. Whether you\u2019re looking for epic hikes, family-friendly views, or a true wilderness escape, we\u2019ve been there, and we\u2019ll help you find your match.<\/p>\n\n
Our Top Picks: The Best US National Parks at a Glance<\/h2>\nIf you\u2019re short on time, here are the parks that we believe offer the most incredible experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nNational Park<\/th>\n State(s)<\/th>\n Best For<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\nYellowstone<\/strong><\/td>\nWY, MT, ID<\/td>\n Wildlife and Geothermal Wonders<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nZion<\/strong><\/td>\nUtah<\/td>\n Epic Hikes and Canyoneering<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nYosemite<\/strong><\/td>\nCalifornia<\/td>\n Granite Cliffs and Waterfalls<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nGlacier<\/strong><\/td>\nMontana<\/td>\n Alpine Scenery and Road Trips<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nGrand Canyon<\/strong><\/td>\nArizona<\/td>\n Awe-Inspiring Views and Geology<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nOlympic<\/strong><\/td>\nWashington<\/td>\n Diverse Ecosystems, from Coast to Rainforest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nDenali<\/strong><\/td>\nAlaska<\/td>\n True Wilderness and North America\u2019s Tallest Peak<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\nMap of the Best US National Parks<\/h2>\nTo help you visualize your next adventure, we\u2019ve pinned all the parks on the map below.<\/p>\n
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Best National Parks for Iconic Scenery<\/h2>\nThese are the parks that are famous for a reason. They are titans of the American landscape that have captured the imagination of travellers for generations. While they draw big crowds, their scale and grandeur make them essential stops on any tour of the US national parks.<\/p>\n
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming<\/h3>\n\n
Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in the United States, and when you visit, you understand why. It was also the world\u2019s first National Park, and it feels like a landscape built to impress. With the planet\u2019s largest concentration of geysers, bubbling mud pots, and an abundance of wildlife that roams freely, this park delivers a powerful dose of untamed nature. We\u2019ve returned to Yellowstone several times, and the sight of a bison herd moving across the valley never gets old.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Wildlife viewing and geothermal wonders.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> To escape the biggest crowds at Grand Prismatic Spring, take the short hike to the Grand Prismatic Overlook. You get a much better perspective of its incredible colours from above.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> Spring and autumn offer fewer crowds and great wildlife spotting opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe park\u2019s main sights, like the Grand Prismatic Spring and the Upper Geyser Basin (home to Old Faithful), are conveniently located along the Grand Loop Road. But it\u2019s worth pulling over in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys, where we\u2019ve had our best luck spotting bison, elk, and even bears. For lodging, you can find several accommodation options within the park or in nearby towns like West Yellowstone and Gardiner.<\/p>\n
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona<\/h3>\n\n
The Grand Canyon is one of those places that actually lives up to its legendary status. To be honest, we didn\u2019t expect it to have such an impact, but the moment we stood on the South Rim and looked out, it took my breath away. It felt like we were staring at a massive, impossibly detailed photograph. The sheer scale is something you just can\u2019t grasp until you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Awe-inspiring views and understanding geological time.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> Stay for sunset. Find a spot along the Rim Trail away from the main viewpoints, and watch the canyon colours change. It\u2019s an experience you won\u2019t forget.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> March to May and September to November offer pleasant weather for hiking without the intense summer heat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nMost visitors stick to the South Rim, which has the visitor centre, the Rim Trail, and access to scenic drives like Hermit Road and Desert View Drive. For the more adventurous, there\u2019s whitewater rafting on the Colorado River far below or hiking partway into the canyon. Just remember that hiking down is optional, but hiking back up is mandatory.<\/p>\n
Yosemite National Park, California<\/h3>\n\n
For us, the dream of visiting Yosemite started in college with an Ansel Adams print. We bought a black and white photograph of Yosemite Valley and promised ourselves we would go there one day. When we finally made it, Dave spent hours recreating those iconic scenes with his own camera. The park is a photographer\u2019s dream, but it\u2019s also a paradise for hikers and climbers.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Granite cliffs, giant waterfalls, and world-class photography.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> The view from Tunnel View is famous for a reason. Go in the late afternoon when the light hits El Capitan and Half Dome just right. It\u2019s the classic scene for a reason.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> Spring is fantastic for waterfall viewing when the snowmelt is at its peak. Autumn provides beautiful colour and fewer people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nYosemite Valley is the heart of the park, where you\u2019ll find the towering faces of El Capitan and Half Dome. There are countless hiking trails, from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks. While it\u2019s known as a rock climbing mecca, you don\u2019t have to be a climber to appreciate the raw power of this landscape.<\/p>\n
Zion National Park, Utah<\/h3>\n\n
Zion is the crown jewel of Utah\u2019s \u201cMighty Five\u201d national parks, and it\u2019s easy to see why it\u2019s one of the most visited in the country. Its location near Las Vegas makes it a popular, though intense, day trip for those looking to escape the city. Unlike the Grand Canyon, which you view from the rim, Zion puts you right on the canyon floor, forcing you to look up at the massive sandstone cliffs towering on either side. It\u2019s a completely different and more intimate experience.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Unforgettable hikes and unique canyon views.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> The park\u2019s free shuttle is mandatory for accessing the main canyon drive for most of the year. Use it. It\u2019s efficient and lets you focus on the scenery instead of searching for parking.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> Spring and autumn have the most comfortable temperatures for hiking. Summer can be extremely hot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nZion is a hiker\u2019s park. From wading through the Virgin River on The Narrows hike to climbing the thrilling chain section of Angels Landing, there are trails here that have become legendary. For a less intense but equally rewarding experience, the Emerald Pools Trail is a great option. We have a full hiking guide to Zion National Park. Don\u2019t miss the scenic drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which offers incredible views as it climbs out of the canyon.<\/p>\n
Best National Parks for Hiking & Adventure<\/h2>\nIf your idea of travel involves lacing up your hiking boots and heading into the wild, these parks are for you. They offer a sense of scale, remoteness, and challenge that goes beyond a scenic viewpoint. This is where we\u2019ve had some of our most demanding but rewarding experiences.<\/p>\n
Denali National Park, Alaska<\/h3>\n\n
Denali is wild on a completely different level. Spanning six million acres, with only one road going into its interior, this park is Alaska at its most untamed. We\u2019ve been lucky enough to visit three times, and each trip has been a powerful reminder of how big and untamed nature can be. Seeing the continent\u2019s tallest mountain, Denali, appear from behind the clouds is a moment that stays with you.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> True wilderness, wildlife viewing, and mountaineering.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> Take a flightseeing tour. It\u2019s the only way to truly appreciate the scale of the Alaska Range and get a close-up view of the mountain itself. It\u2019s an investment, but worth every penny.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> The park is most accessible from late May to early September.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nTo preserve the wilderness, private vehicle access is restricted. You\u2019ll explore the park via the bus system, which is an adventure in itself. We\u2019ve spotted grizzly bears, moose, and Dall sheep right from the bus window. This is a place that demands respect, but the rewards for venturing here are immense.<\/p>\n
Glacier National Park, Montana<\/h3>\n\n
Glacier National Park is a hiker\u2019s paradise, plain and simple. It shares a border with Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, forming the world\u2019s first International Peace Park \u2014a detail we love as Canadians. With over 700 miles of trails, it\u2019s a place of high alpine meadows, active glaciers, and deep, cold lakes.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Epic day hikes and dramatic road trips.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> Plan ahead for the Going-to-the-Sun Road. A vehicle reservation is now required to drive it during peak season, and it\u2019s something you need to book well in advance.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> July and August are the best months when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open and the trails are mostly snow-free.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe 50-mile drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the great road trips in North America, carving its way across the Continental Divide. But the real magic of Glacier National Park happens when you leave the car behind. Hikes like the Highline Trail and Grinnell Glacier offer some of the most memorable alpine scenery we\u2019ve experienced.<\/p>\n
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado<\/h3>\n\n
This is the quintessential Rocky Mountain experience. With peaks soaring over 14,000 feet, this is a park that takes you into the high alpine world of granite mountains and tundra landscapes. The Continental Divide runs straight through the park, and you can feel the elevation as you explore its scenic drives and hiking trails.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> High-altitude hiking and accessible mountain scenery.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> Give yourself a day to acclimatize to the altitude before tackling any strenuous hikes. Drink lots of water. The air is thin up here, and you\u2019ll feel it.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> June to September offers the best weather for exploring the park\u2019s high country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nTrail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in North America and offers incredible views without having to leave your car. But to really experience the park, you\u2019ll want to hike to one of its many alpine lakes. The trek to Emerald Lake is a popular one for good reason, passing several beautiful lakes along the way.<\/p>\n
Canyonlands National Park, Utah<\/h3>\n\n
If you want to experience Utah\u2019s canyon country without the crowds of Zion or Arches, Canyonlands is your place. It\u2019s the largest of Utah\u2019s \u201cMighty Five\u201d parks, and much of it is rugged backcountry. We found that exploring Canyonlands feels like a real expedition. It\u2019s a landscape of immense canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado and Green rivers.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Backcountry exploring, 4\u00d74 adventures, and solitude.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> If you only have one day, stick to the Island in the Sky district. It\u2019s the most accessible part of the park and offers incredible, top-down views of the canyon systems, including the famous Mesa Arch.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> Spring and autumn are ideal, with moderate temperatures for hiking and exploring.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe park is divided into three districts, and they are not connected by roads, so you need to plan your visit carefully. Island in the Sky is the most popular, while The Needles requires more hiking, and The Maze is one of the most remote areas in the United States. We have a full guide to our favourite hikes in Canyonlands National Park. To really get into the heart of the park, you\u2019ll need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle.<\/p>\n
Best National Parks for Otherworldly Landscapes<\/h2>\nSome landscapes are so unusual, they stop you in your tracks. These parks are defined by their unique geology, from impossible rock arches to vast salt flats below sea level. They\u2019re the kind of places that make you feel small and leave you wondering about the powerful forces that shaped them.<\/p>\n
Arches National Park, Utah<\/h3>\n\n
With over 2,000 documented natural stone arches, this park has a higher concentration of these formations than anywhere else in the world. The deep red rock against a brilliant blue sky is a photographer\u2019s dream. Seeing Delicate Arch for the first time, perched on the edge of a sandstone bowl, is one of those travel moments that lives up to all the hype.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Incredible geology and short, rewarding hikes.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> A timed entry reservation is required to enter the park during peak hours and seasons. Book this online well in advance, as they run out quickly.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant temperatures for exploring.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nLocated just outside Moab, Arches is very accessible. You can see many of the formations from the park\u2019s scenic drive, but the best experiences come from getting out of the car. Hikes like the one to Landscape Arch or the Windows Section are relatively easy and offer huge rewards.<\/p>\n
Badlands National Park, South Dakota<\/h3>\n\n
We have to admit, the Badlands caught us by surprise. We were expecting a desolate, dry landscape, but what we found was a place filled with subtle colour and texture. The sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles create a layered landscape that changes dramatically with the light. It quickly became one of our favourite national parks.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Unique landscapes, scenic drives, and fossil hunting.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> Get out of the car. The Badlands Loop Road is great, but the magic happens on short hikes like the Notch Trail or the Door Trail, which take you right into the heart of the formations.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> Spring and autumn are best to avoid the summer heat and winter cold.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe park is famous for its rich fossil beds; scientists have uncovered remains of ancient mammals like rhinos and horses here. Driving the scenic loop is the most popular activity, but taking the time to walk the trails and admire the views from the overlooks is what made us fall in love with this place. Like many of America\u2019s national parks, Badlands offers endless hiking opportunities, from easy walks to multi-day treks.<\/p>\n
Death Valley National Park, California & Nevada<\/h3>\n\n
Death Valley is a land of extremes. It\u2019s the hottest, driest, and lowest place in North America. Visiting here feels like stepping onto a different planet. You have to respect the elements; in the summer, temperatures can be dangerously high, and we made sure to explore in the early morning, carry more water than we thought we\u2019d need and chek the park website.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Extreme environments, desert landscapes, and stargazing.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> Visit Zabriskie Point at sunrise. Watching the first light hit the golden-coloured, eroded badlands is an unforgettable experience and one of the park\u2019s most iconic views.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> Late autumn through spring (November to April) is the only comfortable and safe time to visit for most people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nDespite its name, Death Valley is full of life and incredible sights. From the vast salt flats of Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, to the colourful hills of Artist\u2019s Palette, the park\u2019s landscapes are incredibly diverse. And at night, the stargazing is some of the best you\u2019ll ever see.<\/p>\n
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah<\/h3>\n\n
When you first look out over the main amphitheatre at Bryce Canyon, you have to blink a few times to process what you\u2019re seeing. It\u2019s not really a canyon but a series of natural bowls filled with thousands of pink and orange rock spires called hoodoos. It feels like a fantasy world, unlike anywhere else we have ever been.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Unique hoodoo formations and stargazing.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> Hike the Queen\u2019s Garden and Navajo Loop trail. This combination takes you down from the rim and lets you walk among the hoodoos, which is a completely different perspective than just seeing them from above.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> Spring and autumn are ideal. Seeing a light dusting of snow on the hoodoos in late spring is magical.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBryce is famous for having some of the darkest night skies in the country. The park\u2019s high elevation and lack of light pollution make it a premier destination for astronomy. Attending a ranger-led stargazing program is a fantastic way to experience it.<\/p>\n
Joshua Tree National Park, California<\/h3>\n\n
Joshua Tree is where the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet, creating a surreal landscape dotted with quirky trees and massive rock piles. The park has a certain energy to it, a blend of desert wilderness and bohemian spirit that has attracted artists and climbers for decades. The trees themselves look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, especially when silhouetted against a sunset.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Bouldering, photography, and desert sunsets.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> Spend time in both the Mojave and Colorado desert sections of the park. The difference is clear\u2014the western half is high desert with the famous Joshua Trees, while the eastern half is lower and filled with cholla cactus.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> October to May is the best time to visit, as summer temperatures are dangerously high.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThis is a playground for rock climbers and boulderers, but there are also great hiking trails for all skill levels. A walk through the Cholla Cactus Garden at sunrise or sunset (be careful where you step!) is a memorable experience, as is scrambling around the giant boulders in the Jumbo Rocks area.<\/p>\n
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon<\/h3>\n\n
The centrepiece of this park is its name, a lake that is almost impossibly blue. Crater Lake was formed when a volcano collapsed, and it\u2019s now the deepest lake in the United States. Fed almost entirely by rain and snow, the water is incredibly clear. We were just blown away by the intensity of the blue; photos really don\u2019t do it justice.<\/p>\n
\nBest For:<\/strong> Lake views and scenic drives.<\/li>\nOur Top Tip:<\/strong> Take a boat tour. It\u2019s the only way to get down to the lake\u2019s surface and visit Wizard Island, the volcanic cone that rises from the water. You can even swim in the frigid water if you\u2019re brave.<\/li>\nWhen to Go:<\/strong> The park is most accessible from July to September when the roads and trails are clear of snow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe 33-mile Rim Drive circles the entire lake and offers dozens of pull-offs for different perspectives of the caldera. It\u2019s the primary way to explore the park, and whether you drive the full loop or just hike a portion of it, the views are consistently impressive.<\/p>\n
Best Coastal & Island National Parks<\/h2>\n
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