[UPDATED 6/10/2021] As we began to compile a list of American National Parks by state for this piece to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Parks Service, I was shocked and dismayed to realize how few of the 63 officially designated parks we’ve visited.
Fortunately, we’re already planning a future family road trip with lots of national parks to visit.
The NPS was originally created by Congress through the National Parks Service Organic Act on August 25, 1916.
Run by the US Department of the Interior, the agency was designed “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”
This century-old concept has since been applied to more than 6,ooo national parks in nearly 100 different countries around the world.
To honor the idea that helped give birth to ecotourism and conservation, we’ve gathered 50 of our travel blogging friends to write mini National Park guides and create an all encompassing list of US National Parks by state.
Simply click on the jump links below to navigate to the states you are interested in.
We hope our US National Parks list will prove to be an evergreen resource, paying tribute to what documentarian Ken Burns called “America’s best idea.”
READ MORE: What Is Ecotourism? (The History & Principles of Responsible Travel)
- US National Parks Map
- Printable National Park Checklist
- List of National Parks by State
- Mini National Park Guides
- FAQS & National Park Information
US NATIONAL PARKS MAP
PRINTABLE NATIONAL PARK CHECKLIST (click here)
LIST OF NATIONAL PARKS BY STATE
- Denali National Park and Preserve
- Gates of the Arctic National Park
- Glacier Bay National Park
- Katmai National Park and Preserve
- Kenai Fjords National Park
- Kobuk Valley National Park
- Lake Clark National Park
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
- National Park of American Samoa
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Petrified Forest National Park
- Saguaro National Park
- Hot Springs National Park
- Channel Islands National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Kings Canyon National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Pinnacles National Park
- Redwood National Park
- Sequoia National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Biscayne National Park
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Everglades National Park
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Haleakalā National Park
- Indiana Dunes
- Mammoth Cave National Park
- Acadia National Park
- Isle Royale National Park
- Voyageurs National Park
- Gateway Arch National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Great Basin National Park
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- White Sands National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Crater Lake National Park
- Congaree National Park
- Badlands National Park
- Wind Cave National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Big Bend National Park
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Virgin Islands National Park
- Arches National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Zion National Park
- Shenandoah National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Olympic National Park
- New River Gorge
- Grand Teton National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
ALASKA NATIONAL PARKS
DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE
With over six million acres of wild, rugged sub-arctic terrain, Denali is home to North America’s tallest mountain, Mount Denali. Only 30% of visitors actually get to see the peak, so I’m grateful for clear skies during my two days there in August 2014.
We got an amazing view from the Eielson Visitor Center. In addition to big mountains, Denali has major megafauna, including Grizzly Bears, Caribou, Dall Sheep, Wolves and Moose.
I was hoping to see a few big Grizzlies: We saw 18 in ONE DAY! Denali is also the only National Park with a kennel of (super-cute) working sled dogs.
I highly recommend visiting the kennels, watching a free demo and learning about the important role the dogs played in Denali’s history. -Kirsten Thompson of Kookytraveller.com
READ MORE: Denali National Park- America’s Last Great Frontier
GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE
Encompassing part of Alaska’s dynamic Brooks Range, this 8,472,506-acre park is both the northernmost and second largest national park in the country.
Together with the neighboring Noatak Wilderness Area, it comprises the largest contiguous wilderness in the United States.
Due to its remote location north of the Arctic Circle and the fact that there are no roads in the park, Gates of the Arctic attracts very few visitors and is the least visited national park– around 11,000 per year.
But what it lacks in people it more than makes up for in gorgeous scenery (including myriad mountains and six Wild & Scenic Rivers) and wildlife, including Black Bears, Polar Bears, Alaskan Moose, Lynxes, Timberwolves, Foxes, Beavers, and numerous birds of prey. –Bret Love
READ MORE: Polar Bear Fight (Video)
GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK
At the end of high school, my family took an adventurous two-week road trip to Alaska.
We drove though many beautiful landscapes, but what stood out to me the most to me was Glacier Bay National Park.
The park covers approximately 3.3 million acres that are packed with majestic mountains, glistening glaciers, lush rainforest, wild coastlines and gorgeous fjords.
It’s a major highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage, and part of one of the biggest protected natural areas in the world.
We only got to see the tip of the iceberg (get it?!), but kayaking through freezing waters past jagged blue formations of ice and rock was utterly unforgettable.
We spotted a few bears, too! -Eileen Cotter Wright of PureWander
READ MORE: 60 Cool Camping Gear Reviews (for Every Camping Style)
KATMAI NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE
Located in southern Alaska, Katmai is one of the hardest US national parks to get to. But boy, is it worth it once you arrive!
After taking a flight from Anchorage to King Salmon, then a float plane that landed on Naknek Lake, we had to go to Bear school.
Katmai is considered one of the best places to view Grizzly Bears in the wild, so the National Park Service makes sure that each visitor is well-prepared and safe.
We camped for four days at Brooks Camp, where we enjoyed the natural beauty of the Valley of 10,000 Smokes as well as watching the Bears.
We counted a whopping 14 Grizzlies– from big boars to adorable babies– on our very first day! –Corinne Vail of Reflections Enroute
READ MORE: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK
Located 2.5 hours south of Anchorage, Kenai Fjords features the best of Alaska’s natural beauty within its rugged 669,984-acre expanse.
The park is crowned by the Harding Icefield, which gives rise to 38 glaciers that carve out bowl-shaped, forested valleys on one side and slowly crashes into the bays feeding the Gulf of Alaska on the other.
Head out on one of the ranger-led glacier and wildlife day cruises, which depart from the town of Seward.
Along the way you can spot Sea Lions, Bald Eagles and Puffins nesting along the rocky islands and, if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of a Humpback Whale or pods of Orcas swimming through the water.
On the land side of the park, be sure to hike up to Exit Glacier, where you can view the power and fragility of the landscape, which is retreating at an average rate of 43 feet per year. –Brianna Simmons of Casual Travelist
READ MORE: Whales that Live in Antarctica
KOBUK VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Located in northwest Alaska 25 miles above the Arctic Circle, this remote 1,750,716-acre park has no roads and can only be reached via foot, dogsled, snowmobile, or air taxi out of Nome.
As a result, it ranks among the least visited National Parks.
Those willing to make the arduous trek will be rewarded with natural attractions such as the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, lush wetlands surrounding the Kobuk River and its tributaries, and the Baird and Waring Mountains.
These form a ring that encloses the valley, which is home to Black Bears, Alaskan Moose, Lynxes, Wolves, and a huge herd of around 400,000 Caribou. –Bret Love
READ MORE: The Moose Whisperer
LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK
If you’ve made it this far in our list of National Parks, you’ve probably realized that most Alaskan parks are remote, uncrowded, and inaccessible by car.
The 4,030,015-acre Lake Clark is no exception: Located 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, it’s accessible only by boat or seaplane.
But it is unique in that it’s the only park in Alaska that boasts three mountain ranges, coastal rainforests, alpine tundra, glaciers, glacial lakes, major salmon-bearing rivers, and two volcanoes.
This remarkably diverse array of ecosystems means that you can find virtually all the major Alaskan land and marine species within the preserve’s boundaries.
Thanks to salmon spawning in the Kijik River and Silver Salmon Creek, it’s a fantastic place to see brown bears in action. –Bret Love
WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE
The largest National Park in the US at over 13.2 million acres, Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias is one of those places that leaves visitors speechless and aching to come back for more.
It has some of the highest mountains in Northern America, and is covered by one of the largest ice fields outside the polar regions.
The best way to spend your time in Wrangell-St. Elias is hiking up in the mountains or on the ice of the Root and Kennecott Glaciers.
Last time I visited I went ice climbing, which proved to be the experience of a lifetime.
It’s scary, yet thrilling, being lowered into a Moulin and then climbing back out, knowing that if you disappear into the depths you will not make it back alive! -Antonette Spaan of We12travel
AMERICAN SAMOA NATIONAL PARK
AMERICAN SAMOA NATIONAL PARK
Located 1,615 miles from Hawaii, American Samoa is a tiny speck in the middle of the Southern Pacific best known for its US Naval base and prominent role in the Tuna industry.
But it’s also an incredibly rugged place, with sharp escarpments reaching down to the sea, low-hanging rain clouds, and lush vegetation.
The most beautiful place in this 3-island conservation area is the reefs and beaches of Fagatele Bay, where you can often see Sharks, Whales, Sea Turtles and Giant Clams.
Take the short trail to Pola Island and you’ll likely find yourself alone, watching waves crash on the rocky beach. There are well-marked trails all over the rainforest, and you can get a map from the Tourism Office.
When I was there the officer in charge had not seen a tourist in 5 days, and she even lent me her car!
Talk about the kindness of strangers… –Mar Pages of Once in a Lifetime Journey
ARIZONA NATIONAL PARKS
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
No photo can capture what it’s like to look out over the rocky ledge, down into the vastness of this deep gully carved into the landscape over thousands of years.
The Grand Canyon is the very definition of the word “awesome.”
Start at the Visitor Center: The rangers can give you insight on where to go and what to do.
The north rim is more seasonal than other entry points: Even at the beginning of the season, it can be closed off due to wild weather.
One of my favorite things about the Grand Canyon is that you aren’t confined.
A few spots have guardrails, but a quick walk down the path leads you to a number of lookout points where you’re allowed to climb out onto the rocky ledges (at your own risk) to drink in the view.
Despite the park’s massive popularity, it’s much easier to get away from the crowds and into nature than you might expect. -Dani Blanchette of Going Nomadic
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PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK
At first glance, northeast Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park doesn’t look so different to the surrounding desert.
Only as you make your way deeper into the park do you begin to notice the brightly colored stratified rock formations, the massive trunks of glittering petrified wood, and the dazzling colors that lend the area its “Painted Desert” moniker.
The Petrified Forest is known for its ancient fossils– fallen trees that date back to the Late Triassic Period (around 225 million years ago).
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK
Arizona’s 91,442-acre Saguaro National Park, which is named for the giant cacti that grow in the Sonoran Desert, is actually two parks in one.
Rincon Mountain District (east) and Tucson Mountain District (west) are 35 miles apart.
The high desert Rincon offers a paved loop that visitors can bike or drive, hiking trails, backcountry camping, as well as expansive mountain and sunset views.
Tucson Mountain, with its lower elevation, offers a desert-like environment with more saguaros– a whole forest full of them.
Visitors can also access ancient petroglyphs from the Signal Mountain Trail.
One admission (good for seven days) gets you into both parks. -Steve Collins of Santa Fe Travelers
READ MORE: 25 Biggest Deserts in the World (For Your World Travel Bucket List)
ARKANSAS NATIONAL PARKS
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK
Located in Arkansas, Hot Springs is first piece of land set aside for its natural features by the federal government for preservation (in 1832).
It’s also not your routine, get-back-to-nature national park.
True to its name, the park centers around a collection of hot springs that drew thousands to the area in the 19th century to take advantage of the perceived healing waters.
Today you can tour the Fordyce bathhouse, which serves as the park’s visitor center, along Bathhouse Row.
Behind it you’ll find 26 miles of hiking trails that criss-cross Hot Springs Mountain. You also can drive up the mountain, and take in the scenic view from the Mountain Tower. –Karon Warren of This Girl Travels
CALIFORNIA NATIONAL PARKS
CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
As its name suggests, this 249,561-acre park encompasses five of the eight Channel Islands off the southern coast of California.
The largest of these, Santa Cruz Island, is mostly owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy.
The six nautical miles around the park are also protected as a National Marine Sanctuary.
As such, water sports such as Scuba diving, spearfishing and kayaking are popular draws, as are tours to see the endangered Blue Whale.
The islands also serve as home to over 2,000 species of plants and animals, including endemic wildlife such as the Deer Mouse, Spotted Skunk, Channel Islands Fox and Island Fence Lizard.
Around 145 of these species aren’t found anywhere else in the world. –Bret Love
READ MORE: How to choose a Responsible Scuba Diving Operator
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Straddling the border of California and Nevada, Death Valley is a park of vast spaces and big titles.
Anyone who visits will want to see the vast expanses of Zabriskie Point and Badwater, which (at 282 feet below sea level) is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere.
One of my favorite things in the park is swimming in the natural hot springs water, which is pumped into the pool at The Inn at Furnace Creek.
The Inn is also a superb spot to be at dusk, when most people have gone for the day. The park becomes quiet and peaceful, and you can see across the valley floor forever.
Then the stars come out, and it’s so dark that you feel as if you can see every star in the Milky Way. -Carole Terwilliger Meyers of Berkeley and Beyond
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
My favorite national park is California’s 790,636-acre Joshua Tree National Park, mainly for its otherworldly scenery.
The park reminds me of something from Dr Seuss, with its plethora of spiky Joshua Trees, gnarled branches twisting from the ground, and abandoned rock piles across the barren landscape under a boldly clouded sky.
It’s no surprise to learn that Joshua Tree is a place where psychedelic enthusiasts went to experiment with trippy cactus teas, or where people claimed to have spotted UFOs.
There’s a certain mystique surrounding this park, which I felt on a hike to summit Mount Ryan.
KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK
Located in the southern Sierra Nevada, King’s Canyon gets far less visitors than Sequoia (its neighbor to the south) or Yosemite National Park.
This is partly by design: Post-WWII debate over preservation vs. progress was won by the conservation enthusiasts. As a result, the park has limited accommodations and services, and most of the 462,000-acre wilderness has limited road access.
Thus the park’s rugged natural beauty remains relatively pristine. The glacier-carved valley for which it’s named is surrounded by stunning 14,000-foot peaks, raging rapids, gorgeous mountain meadows, and some of the largest stands of Giant Sequoia trees in the world.
The most popular section of the park is Grant Grove, which is home to the second largest tree in the world, General Grant. (When the park was established in 1890, it was originally known as General Grant National Park.)
Cedar Grove is the only other commercially developed area, boasting a Visitor Center, the Cedar Grove Lodge, a market, and campgrounds.
For a taste of the park as it was when legendary naturalist John Muir visited, trek the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail, which traverse King’s Canyon from north to south. But mind the weather: The backcountry is covered in snow a good portion of the year. –Bret Love
READ MORE: The Best Hiking Trails (For Your World Travel Bucket List)
LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK
There are many attractive aspects to Lassen, but two stand out: First, the comically named Bumpass Hell, and second, the Cinder Cone.
You reach Bumpass Hell via a one-mile trail which starts near the park’s southwest entrance. This active hydrothermal area features geysers, fumaroles, and highly acidic ponds.
It was named for an early explorer who severely burned his leg when he fell through the geothermal crust. Stay on the well-marked paths and boardwalks so you don’t do the same.
Cinder Cone is the remnant of a recently active volcano. As the name suggests, it’s a big pile of volcanic material, and you can climb it to enjoy the view of a crater that’s only a few hundred years old.
The climb is slightly strenuous, mostly due to the 8000-foot altitude rather than difficulty. You reach Cinder Cone by driving all the way around the park to the northeast entrance, then taking six miles of bad road to the parking lot.
From there, it’s a one-mile hike through fine black volcanic sand to the base of the cone. -Tom Bartel of Travel Past 50
PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK
Located 80 miles southeast of San Jose near California’s Salinas Valley, this 26,606-acre park is named after its distinctive geological formations– the eroded remains of an extinct volcano that originated on the famed San Andreas Fault (which is 200 miles away).
Established as a National Monument in 1908, it became the nation’s newest national park in 2013, when it was signed into law by President Obama.
Archaeological surveys of the area found 13 sites once inhabited by Native Americans (primarily the Ohlone people), one of which has been dated to around 2000 years ago.
The park offers camping, caves, hiking trails and challenging rock climbing routes, as well as an active California Condor conservation program. –Bret Love
REDWOOD NATIONAL & STATE PARKS
Northern California’s 112,618-acre Redwood National and State Parks is home to the tallest trees on Earth.
These old-growth coastal redwoods can grow up to 375 feet tall–about the same size as the Statue of Liberty.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is spread out among the national park and three state parks, which include prairies, woodlands and 40 miles of rugged coastline.
We especially loved the hiking trails at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
Don’t miss seeing the Roosevelt Elk herds and making a visit to Fern Canyon at Prairie Creek State Park.
The canyon walls there are completely covered with varied ferns and mosses dating back to prehistoric times. -Mary Solio of The World is a Book
READ MORE: Avenue Of The Giants: Scenic Drive Through the Redwoods
SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
Located in California’s southern Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park spans over 406,000 acres and shares a common border with Kings Canyon National Park.
When you come through the proper entrance to the park, you will see reference to both of these majestic areas.
As my family and I hiked through various trails we were constantly struck by the park’s pastoral beauty.
Here a visitor can see the largest tree on Earth (the General Sherman Tree), see Deer and Bears in their natural habitat (make sure to safely store your food away), walk to a beautiful waterfall, and go for a freezing cold swim.
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
COLORADO NATIONAL PARKS
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK
The views of the near 2,000-foot vertical drop to the Gunnison River had me clutching the sturdy rails of the overlooks.
This lesser-known Colorado canyon holds a few treasures over its more popular (and “Grand”) counter-park. There are virtually no crowds and zero poisonous snakes here.
Plus you get t0 enjoy the Milky Way in all of its glory, due to Black Canyon’s designation as an International Dark Sky Park.
There are also ranger-guided boat tours into the Canyon (via the Curecanti Recreation Area).
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison offers many adventures for any hiker, fisher, climber, camper, and all around outdoor enthusiast. Add it to your must-see list of National Parks! -Dawn Engler of Dawn Engler.com
GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of our absolute favorite places in Colorado. The 265,761- acre park offers trails for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
There’s also a lot of wildlife to view, including Big Horn Sheep (the park’s official symbol) in late spring and early summer and Elk during the fall mating season, when crowds come to hear the bulls “bugle.”
It’s a haunting sound you’ll never forget! Other critters you may spot include Black Bears, Beavers, Mountain Lions and Coyotes.
Don’t miss the spectacular drive over Trail Ridge Road (aka U.S Highway 34), which is open from Memorial Day to the first significant snowfall. –Billie Frank, photo by Steve Collins of Santa Fe Travelers
READ MORE: 10 Best US National Parks for your World Bucket List
FLORIDA NATIONAL PARKS
BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK
As a native New Yorker, I didn’t discover America’s National Park System until my post-collegiate adventure took me out west.
Now that I’ve relocated to the Florida Keys, the park system is not too far away.
Inside 172,971-acre Biscayne National Park (which is located just south of Miami), the trail maps are for canoes and kayaks instead of hikes.
Visitors spend most of their time on and in the water. Whether navigating the waterways through the mangroves or snorkeling (or diving) the protected reef system, most of the “land” in this park is underwater.
Besides it proximity, another reason I love Biscayne National Park is the wildlife.
The 27 mammal species, 200 bird species, 50 crustacean species and hundreds of fish species serve to remind us how important this habitat is for both terrestrial and aquatic life. -Craig Zabransky of Stay Adventurous
READ MORE: The 10 Best Canoe Trips (For Your World Travel Bucket List)
DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK
When I tell people about Florida’s 64,701-acre Dry Tortugas National Park, the first word that always comes to mind is “special.”
The park’s centerpiece is Fort Jefferson, a large masonry fort located on Garden Key.
Architecture lovers and history buffs will be in their element here, but it’s the vast ocean views and opportunities to spot sea birds and marine life that will make you fall in love.
Don’t miss out on the spectacular snorkeling! Dry Tortugas is a remote location, and most of its coral and sand islands are undeveloped.
Still, it’s only 70 miles from Key West and easily accessible by either ferry or seaplane. -Rhonda Krause of Travel Yes Please
READ MORE: 10 Ancient Archaeology Sites for your World Travel Bucket List
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Often referred to as the “amazon of North America,” the Florida Everglades are a natural region of tropical wetlands in South Florida.
They provide important habitat for a number of rare and endangered species, including the Manatee, Florida Panther and Florida Black Bear.
This is the only place on the planet where Alligators and Crocodiles co-exist, and also the only place that boasts more than 40 different species of rare Orchids.
The Everglades are completely wild and unpopulated. Dominated by grassland and swamp, dotted with tree islands, forests and rivers, the whole area has a wild beauty about it.
It’s a perfect example of what “old Florida” used to look like before development began. -Megan Jerrard of Mapping Megan
READ MORE: A Rare Encounter with an Amazon Manatee
HAWAII NATIONAL PARKS
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
INDIANA NATIONAL PARK
INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK
In February 2019, Indiana Dunes was authorized by Congress as the 61st US National Park.
Hugging a 15-mile stretch of windswept sandy beaches and towering quartz dunes along the southern tip of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes is truly a 4-season national park.
Wildflowers bloom there in Spring; Summer is great for freshwater swimming; maple trees explode with gorgeous reds and golden yellows in Fall; and Winter snow provides a playground for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Migrating birds are abundant around Indiana Dunes National Park, particularly in Spring and Fall.
Hikers can take on the Three Dune Challenge, a family-friendly trail scrambling up the three tallest dunes in a moderately rated 1.5-mile loop. Soft, silky sand and 550 ft of vertical climbing makes for quite the lung-busting adventure! -Mark and Kristen Morgan of Where Are Those Morgans
KENTUCKY NATIONAL PARK
MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK
Don’t be disappointed if I tell you that no Mammoth bones were ever found in Mammoth Cave.
In fact, this fascinating 52,830-acre park gets its name from the fact that it’s the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored.
It’s so massive, so impressive that I found it difficult not to stare in awe for a very long time.
Be sure to take one of the fantastic cave tours that the park rangers lead during the summer. There are lots of them, and they cover everything from the history to the geology of the cave.
To be safe, book the tour in advance to secure yourself a spot on your favourite one.
Once you have spent enough time underground exploring the caves, you can always go for a hike and follow the River Styx Spring, the Echo River Springs, or the Green River Bluffs trail.
You will not be disappointed! -Patrícia Cuní of Mad About Travel
MAINE NATIONAL PARK
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Maine’s Acadia National Park is one of the most famous (and heavily visited) parks in the country.
But while it’s insanely busy in the summer, there are plenty of quieter nooks and crannies to explore.
Take a drive around the entire island and stop off in harbors or areas of the park that draw you in. Walk the carriage trails, or head down to Little Hunters Beach with your dog.
Even better, head over to the Schoodic Peninsula section of the park.
You’ll feel like you’ve found a secret that everyone has been keeping in order to keep the Bar Harbor shops in business! -Naomi Liz Figueroa of Roaming The Americas
READ MORE: The Ultimate Beach Vacation Packing List
MICHIGAN NATIONAL PARK
ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK
You might be hearing about Michigan’s 893-square mile Isle Royale National Park for the first time… which is no surprise considering the fact that it perennially rates as one of the country’s least visited national parks.
Isle Royale is actually a 45-mile long by 9-mile wide island smack dab in the middle of one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Lake Superior.
This national park features over 165 miles of backcountry hiking trails, campgrounds, and countless inland lakes.
Despite being an island, there are Moose, Red Fox, and a declining population of Wolves.
Isle Royale is the most re-visited US national park, so the small percentage who visit do come back again and again. -Ted Nelson of Traveling Ted
MINNESOTA NATIONAL PARK
VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK
Located in northern Minnesota, 218,200-acre Voyageurs National Park pays tribute to the French-Canadian fur traders who were the first Europeans to travel through the region.
The park is made up of four main lakes and hundreds of islands, so the best way to enjoy it is to explore via the water.
Camping at Voyageurs is a bit different than at most national parks: You can stay at either a boat-up-only campsite or in a houseboat-designated site on the water.
With over 52 miles of hiking trails and 110 miles of snowmobile trails, Voyageurs can be enjoyed year-round no matter what the weather brings.
You can also spend time bird watching, paddling, fishing or swimming. -Jenna Kvidt of Wander The Map
READ MORE: What is Glamping? (The Top 10 Glamping Resorts in the World)
MISSOURI NATIONAL PARKS
Gateway Arch National Park
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Gateway Arch National Park commemorates the Louisiana Purchase. It’s located near the starting point of the Lewis and Clark expedition, thus making it the perfect park for history lovers.
Originally known as the Jefferson Expansion Memorial, the park grew throughout the years and officially became a National Park in 2018.
For one of the smaller national parks in the US, Gateway Arch offers an array of things to do. The highlight of the park, of course, is the Gateway Arch. Visitors can opt to ride 630 feet to the top in a pod, but you’ll need to reserve your tickets online ahead of time in order to guarantee admission.
Another highlight of the park is a museum about the history of Westward Expansion in the United States. This is free to get into and has some really cool interactive exhibits.
Visitors should also make sure to check out the Old Courthouse, where the famous Dread Scott decision was made.
Other things to do in the area include strolling along the waterfront, taking a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi, or taking a helicopter tour to see the Gateway Arch from above. –Francesca Makana of Homeroom Travel
MONTANA NATIONAL PARKS
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Glacier National Park is located in northern Montana and crosses the Canadian border, with a number of breathtaking glacier-carved peaks and valleys.
Myriad wildlife can be spotted throughout, including Bears, Bighorn Sheep, Elk, and Mountain Lions.
Whether you’re more intrigued by the alpine scenery or the relaxing sight of glacial lakes and cedar forests in the lower valleys, the ultimate experience is passing through the 50 miles across the interior on the park’s iconic “Going-to-the-Sun” road.
We visited in September, which is toward the end of the season for experiencing this scenic route. But despite inclement weather conditions, we had an amazing time hiking several trails and admiring the park’s awe-inspiring landscapes. –Chris Boothman of A Brit & A Southerner
READ MORE: Hiking Glacier National Park
NEVADA NATIONAL PARK
GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK
Located in Nevada near the Utah border, Great Basin is considerably less well-known than historic parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite.
It’s one of the nation’s newer national parks (established in 1986) and also one of the least visited, with approximately 90,000 visitors a year.
The park’s 77,100 acres offer attractions such as the Lehman caves, the 13,000-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, wildlife (including 61 species of mammals, 18 species of reptiles, 238 species of birds, and 2 species of amphibians), hiking trails, and the adjacent Highland Ridge Wilderness.
If you happen to visit during the new moon, the park is a great place to take photos of the stars on a clear night. –Hannah Lukaszewicz of Getting Stamped
NEW MEXICO NATIONAL PARK
CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK
New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns is truly unique. Discovered in the early 1900s, these enormous underground caves were carved by flowing water some 6 million years ago.
Walking inside them is a meditative experience, with a constant temperature of 56°F providing welcome respite from the heat of New Mexico’s sun.
The most popular attraction is the Big Room, which is large enough to hold six football fields. The King’s Palace and the Queen’s Chamber are smaller caverns that provide a more intimate experience.
Every surface of Carlsbad Caverns is adorned with exquisite stalactites and stalagmites and other intricate geological formations.
It’s an amazing place to admire the slow, steady work of flowing water as it carves and dissolves rock into spellbinding sculptures over the eons.
In my eyes, it was one of Nature’s most ornate creations. -Trupti Devdas Nayak of Exploring The Blue Marble
White Sands National Park
There’s nothing quite like the great natural wonder that is the sand dunes of White Sands National Park.
This is one of the newest US National Parks, having been re-designated from White Sands National Monument in December 2019. Rolling, glistening waves of gypsum sand dunes await you, just beckoning to be explored.
The dune-field encompasses 275 square miles in the Tularosa Basin of the Chihuahua Desert, making it the largest of its kind in the world. Due to this, and its rich biodiversity, White Sands is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In addition to hiking through the dunes and photographing their impressive textures, one of the best things to do in White Sands is to go sand sledding. If you don’t have your own sled, you can purchase one there for $15.
It’s worth noting that opening times vary throughout the year and, with the exception of a few nights, the park closes overnight.
It also borders the White Sands Missile Range, and temporary closures often occur when military tests are being carried out. So you’ll want to ensure that you check that the park is open prior to your arrival to avoid disappointment. -Sophie & Adam Clapton of We Dream of Travel
NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL PARK
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Established in 1940, the most visited National Park (around 11 million people annually) is also among its most beautiful.
Approximately 95% of its 522,419 acres are lush green forests teeming with flora and fauna, with 10,000 plant and animal species that include black bears, deer, birds and more.
There are also 16 mountains in the park with summits of 6,000 feet or more; nearly 900 miles of hiking trails; and driving tours that provide gorgeous views at places like Cade’s Cove and Newfound Gap Road.
Autumn is the perfect time to visit, not only because of cooler weather and richer colors, but because the famous Cataloochee Valley elk herd is in rut.
While you’re there, why not take a drive along the world-renowned Blue Ridge Parkway, which many travelers consider America’s greatest road trip? -Bret Love
READ MORE: The Cataloochee Valley Elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
NORTH DAKOTA NATIONAL PARK
THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK
Here is another national park that ranks high on the least-visited list. The 70,446-acre park is located at the western end of North Dakota, near the Wyoming border.
Visitors get two for the price of one here, as there are southern and northern units. The best way to describe Theodore Roosevelt is like Badlands National Park, but with trees and a little more color.
The backcountry camping is exceptional, with the 18-mile Achenbach Trail a highlight.
For less adventurous travelers, both units have amazing scenic drives with tons of Bison, Wild Horses, Prairie Dogs, Deer, Wild Turkey, and much more. -Ted Nelson of Traveling Ted
OHIO NATIONAL PARK
CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
OREGON NATIONAL PARK
CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK
Established in 1902, Oregon’s Crater Lake is the fifth oldest National Park in the US.
At a maximum depth of 1,949 feet, the country’s deepest lake remains just as awe- inspiring now as it was around 7,700 years ago, when Mount Mazama’s volcanic eruption and collapse created this beautiful crater.
Filled with crystalline blue water, this is a majestic site that simply must be seen in person. With winter snow often lasting well into the summer, a late summer visit is best in order to fully explore all areas of the park.
From wildflower-lined trails in the valley to crater rim hikes, there’s something for everyone here.
Book in advance for a chance to hike Wizard Island, which sits in the middle of the lake. -Karilyn Owen of No Back Home
READ MORE: 10 Best Lakes in the World
SOUTH CAROLINA NATIONAL PARK
CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK
Thanks to a grassroots Sierra Club campaign begun back in the late ‘60s, this 26,546-acre park in South Carolina preserves the nation’s largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest.
Its floodplain features lush “champion” trees that are among the tallest in the Eastern United States, which form one of the world’s highest temperate deciduous forest canopies.
Combined with the Congaree River (which flows through the park) and more than 15,000 acres of designated wilderness, it’s a fertile sanctuary for wildlife ranging from Bobcats, Feral Pigs and Coyotes to Deer, Turkeys and Otters.
For humans, there’s camping, hiking trails, 20 miles of canoeing/kayaking trails, and an excellent Visitor Center focused on the area’s natural history. –Bret Love
SOUTH DAKOTA NATIONAL PARK
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
South Dakota’s Badlands National Park is an expansive, impressive place.
Visitors come from all over the world to admire the mysterious beauty of the park’s famous buttes, spires and pinnacles, which dramatically jut out from the Earth.
This desolate and fascinating area has been ravaged by extreme elements over the eons. The erosion has revealed colorful sedimentary layers, leaving a picturesque quality to the landscape.
The park consists of around 244,000 acres, where wildlife such as bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs roam freely, and humans are thankfully in the minority.
It’s remote, but definitely worth a visit. –Kari Silcox of Happy Coconuts Travel Blog
WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK
Nestled in the famed Black Hills of South Dakota, 33,847-acre Wind Cave National Park is littered with vibrant wild sunflowers, Bison munching on rustling grass along the tree line, and Prairie Dogs poking their tiny heads out of their burrows whenever a car passes.
But the true glory of the park lies underground. The caverns below weren’t explored until the 1880s.
But today, guided tours of various difficulties wind in and out of the damp caves.
While you won’t find any stalactites or stalagmites here, Wind Cave National Park is home to 95% of the world’s box work– a cave formation that can’t be found anywhere else in the U.S. –Ashley Ryan of Pure Wander
TENNESSEE NATIONAL PARKS
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Established in 1940, the most visited U.S. National Park (around 9 million people annually) is also among its most beautiful. Approximately 95% of its 522,419 acres are lush green forests teeming with flora and fauna, with 10,000 plant and animal species that include black bears, deer, birds and more.
There are also 16 mountains in the park with summits of 6,000 feet or more; nearly 900 miles of hiking trails; and driving tours that provide gorgeous views at places like Cade’s Cove and Newfound Gap Road.
Autumn is the perfect time to visit, not only because of cooler weather and richer colors, but because the famous Cataloochee Valley elk herd is in rut. -Bret Love
READ MORE: The World’s Best Road Trips For Your World Travel Bucket List
TEXAS NATIONAL PARKS
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
Time seems to slow down in the vastness of Texas’ Big Bend National Park, which is set along the Rio Grande River flowing between Mexico and the US.
At 801,163 acres, it’s large enough to warrant a gas station, grocery store, and four visitor centers.
Scenic drives– both paved and off-road– allow visitors to enjoy the diverse ecosystem, which includes the country’s largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert.
The park is a showcase of flatlands, mountains, canyons and color, home to around 1,200 species of plants, 450 species of birds, 56 species of reptiles, and 75 species of mammals.
Hiking, biking, birdwatching, fishing, and river trips top the list of activities. Plan at least a long weekend for a fun-filled time! -Dawn Engler of Dawn Engler.com
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Located about 25 miles south of Carlsbad Caverns, this 135 square mile park is best known for the peak of El Capitan, which was historically used as a landmark by stagecoaches traveling through west Texas.
You can still see the ruins of an old stagecoach station near the Pine Springs Visitor Center today, and the Frijole Ranch House boasts a small museum on the area’s ranching history.
The park offers camping, horseback riding and plenty of hiking trails: Don’t miss the 3,000-foot climb to the summit of Guadalupe Peak, which leads to breathtaking views of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Other popular attractions include a 1930s-era stone cabin, impressive gypsum sand dunes, and McKittrick Canyon, which is gorgeous when the Bigtooth Maples change color in autumn. –Bret Love
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
UTAH NATIONAL PARKS
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
There’s a reason Arches National Park is featured on many Utah license plates.
Located 233 miles from Salt Lake City, it’s incredibly unique, with over 2,000 natural stone arches as well as huge pinnacles, giant fins and enormous balanced rocks.
It was extremely hot in late June when my wife and I visited, but the two-hour hike to the iconic 60-foot arch above was worth it. Its size is unbelievable when you’re standing under it, and you can see Colorado in the distance.
After an hour of gawking at the sensational surroundings, a crazy storm emerged seemingly out of nowhere and everyone took cover.
The winds were so powerful that we thought a tornado was coming. Then they subsided, and this beautiful rainbow graced us with its presence. Magical! -Matt Bailey of Live Limitless
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
At 527 square miles, Canyonlands is the largest national park in Utah and features deep canyons, mesas, arches, domes and petroglyphs.
The Colorado and Green Rivers subdivide the park into four distinct districts– the Needles District, the Island in the Sky, The Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon.
Each has its own distinctive character. The park offers numerous hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
There’s the arduous Syncline Trail Loop, the steep Murphy Point Overlook trail, and the easy Neck Spring Trail and Mesa Arch Trail, just to name a few.
Humans first inhabited Canyonlands over 10,000 years ago. Some of the best examples of their art remain on the cliff walls of Horseshoe Canyon, which can be seen on the daily guided tours.
I would highly recommend camping in the park, but be sure to book your spot well in advance. -Katharina Parsons of A Life Beautifully Travelled
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK
ZION NATIONAL PARK
Attracting around 3.6 million visitors annually, southwest Utah’s Zion is the 6th most popular national park in the US.
But, at just 229 square miles (compared to Yellowstone’s 3,500 and Grand Canyon’s 1,900), it’s also among the most overcrowded.
After taking a gander at its striking geological formations– reddish rock towers, epic sandstone canyons and jagged cliffs that are the stuff classic westerns are made of– it’s easy to see why.
Home to Native American tribes such as the Anasazi for centuries, the area was settled by the Mormons in the early 1860s.
Its diverse ecosystems include desert, woodland and coniferous forest, and are now protected habitat for 32 species of reptiles, 75 mammals, and around 289 species of birds. –Bret Love
READ MORE: Tips for Responsible Travel to National Parks
VIRGINIA NATIONAL PARK
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
WASHINGTON NATIONAL PARKS
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
When it comes to natural wonders, nothing compares to the Pacific Northwest’s striking, Alp-like Mt. Rainier.
Declared a national park in 1889, it has served as a home for many Native Americans, as well as a playground for outdoor sports.
Hike one of its many verdant trails from Paradise, revel in its astonishing display of wildflowers, bask in the mist of Narada Falls, or take a gondola to the Summit House Restaurant for incomparable views of the valley.
If extreme sports excite you, take the challenge of climbing to its 14,000-foot summit. Be on the lookout for endemic fauna, such as Elk, Mountain Goats, and Black Bears. -Cristina Luisa of Chronicles of a Travel Addict
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE
It’s incredibly rewarding to see a spot you’ve adored for years protected as a national park. Such was the case with the New River Gorge, which became America’s 63rd national park as part of the COVID-19 relief bill in 2021.
Formerly designated as a National River, the 72,808-acre park in the Appalachian Mountains has long been a favorite among white water rafters, kayakers, rock climbers, and other outdoor adventurers.
During our 2011 visit to West Virginia, we had a chance to explore the area’s outdoor recreation activities at the Adventures On The Gorge Resort and ACE Adventure Resort, including rafting Class IV-V rapids, ATV Backcountry Tours, canopy zip-line tours, rafting, walking underneath the New River Gorge Bridge, and more.
The park’s forests, wetlands, and abandoned mine portals are home to at least 63 species of mammals (including the endangered Virginia Big-eared and Indiana Bats), while the river and its tributaries are home to 48 known species of amphibians (including the endangered Eastern Hellbender, Black-bellied Salamander, and Cave Salamander).
The park is also a vital link in the north-south migratory flyway. It’s a great place to see Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, Bald Eagles, and a myriad of other bird species, and boasts at least 1,342 species of plants. –Mary Gabbett of Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide
READ MORE: White Water Rafting in WV: A New River Gorge Family Adventure
WYOMING NATIONAL PARKS
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
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FAQS & NATIONAL PARK INFORMATION
How many National Parks are there in the US?
There are currently 59 U.S. National Parks.
What is the Largest National Park in the US?
At over 13.2 million acres, Wrangell–St. Elias is the largest National Park in the US.
What was the First National Park?
Yellowstone is the first national park established in the United States in 1872. It was also the first national park in the world.
What is the Newest National Park?
Pinnacles National Park became the Newest National Park in 2013.
What is the Least Visited National Park?
The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska is the leas visited National Park with approximately 11,000 visitors a year
What is the Most Popular National Park?
With over 11.3 million visitors, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular National Park.
What is the state with the Most National Parks?
California has the most National Parks (nine).
Does every State have a National Park?
No. Only twenty-eight states have national parks.
How many National Parks are there in the World?
There are approximately 6,555 national parks in the world. Here are some of them:
The Least Visited National Parks In Europe
Top 10 Australian National Parks
Top 13 Thailand National Parks
