34 of the Most Beautiful U.S. National Parks

The newest national park, New River Gorge was named as protected land in just 2020. In the southern Appalachian Mountains in Lansing, West Virginia, this serene setting boasts stunning sunrise views from the New River Gorge Bridge, ample hikes, and even river-rafting fun for the whole family.

The largest national park in Utah, Canyonlands’ famous scenery is just as the name suggests: acres and acres of beautifully carved canyons. Whether you’re walking through the towering Needles or staring across the Island in the Sky (a giant flat-topped mesa with gorgeous panoramic views); you’re sure to never be bored of the Colorado River’s famous carvings.

Full of mountains, glaciers, and forests, Washington State’s North Cascades has terrain for every preference. For those not looking to work up a sweat, the park’s lakes and ponds offer plenty of scenery for fishing or birdwatching.

While Colorado and Utah may receive all the hype for their scenery, another underrated corner state has equally beautiful landscapes. Home to the nation’s largest cacti, the Saguaro National Park is the picture-perfect American West (even Taylor Swift is a fan).

Comprising five islands off the coast of Ventura, California, the Channel Islands National Park is a must-visit for any sea-life lover. Not only can you go whale-watching and view hundreds of sea birds, the park is home to 145 native species that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

Known for its island-spotted lakes, sculptural rock garden (courtesy of artist Jack Ellsworth), and—yes—northern lights, Voyageurs National Park is perfect for both city escapists and camping pros. Situated near the Canadian border in International Falls, Minnesota, these pristine wilds are a spectacle all year-round.

Just outside South Carolina’s capital city, Congaree boasts the nation’s largest expanse of intact old growth, bottomland forests—with some of the tallest trees you’ll find in the Eastern states.

With ruins of old ranches, natural hot springs, and the entire Chisos mountain range, the million acres of Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas is for history buffs and spa seekers alike.

Take a journey underground with New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns. Made up of more than 100 caves, visitors can marvel at the hanging stalactites and the expansive Big Room. Not a fan of the dark? Not a problem: The park also features a winding desert drive with picturesque views.

Though it’s not usually thought of as a nature enthusiast’s dream destination, it’s time to move Indiana further up your vacation list; thanks to Indiana Dunes National Park. Running along the coast of Lake Michigan, Dunes has over 50 miles of hiking trails through remote wetlands and sunny prairies. After the hiking boots come off, take a dip in the pristine waters.

The largest national park in the United States, Wrangell St. Elias has over 13.2 million acres of soaring mountains, ice caves, and rich forests to explore. Follow any river to hike on a glacier, or camp overnight to view the northern lights. Up for a true adventure? The park contains nine of Alaska’s 16 highest peaks, a few of which you can climb.

Glacier National Park is so named thanks to its glacial remains dating back to the Ice Age. On the Canadian border, spanning more than 1 million acres, this park encompasses 700 lakes, two mountain ranges, and countless hiking trails and waterfalls for your pleasure. There’s so much to take in that you’ll need to stay in one of its lodges or chalets, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.

One of the most well-known national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage site to boot, Yosemite features scenic valleys you can hike through and breathtaking waterfalls to discover while rafting. Some must-see attractions are the granite monolith at Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America.

You’ll feel as if you’re standing on top of the world when you’re on the rim of the Grand Canyon, and you are: The layers of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks offer a rare look into the geologic history of the Earth. Whether you choose to walk the trails along the canyon’s floor, raft the Colorado River, or just marvel at the views on the Skywalk observation deck, you won’t be disappointed.

Old Faithful isn’t the only thing Yellowstone has to offer. After visiting the famous geyser, be sure to check out the mountains, hot springs, waterfalls, and canyons. This 2.2-million-acre national park spreads across three states and is home to countless wildlife, including buffalo, elks, and grizzly bears.

Grand Teton makes for an easy way to hit more than one national park on your trip—it’s only about an hour’s drive south of Yellowstone. And while Yellowstone is primarily known for its geothermal wonders, Grand Teton has a bounty of scenic waterways, including waterfalls, lakes, and rivers. In fact, the Snake River, which winds through the park, is perfect for fishing, canoeing, or kayaking.

Acadia is the only national park in the northeastern United States, and it’s surely one of the best. With its beautiful mountains, forests, ocean coastline, lakes, and ponds, Acadia provides endless opportunities for recreation, such as horseback riding, biking, hiking, and rock climbing. You might even spot seals playing along the rocky coast.

If forest trails aren’t really your thing, try Arches, in Utah, which is loaded with more than 2,000 naturally formed sandstone arches, thanks to millions of years of erosion. Bike or hike through some of the most popular trails, such as Delicate Arch and Fiery Furnace, and marvel at the 128-foot-tall Balanced Rock.

Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is truly a sight to see. It comprises many diverse ecosystems at varying elevations, including glacier-capped mountains and old-growth temperate rain forests. There are sandy beaches—where you can spot anemones in tide pools—and a range of fun snow sports available on Hurricane Ridge in the winter.

Rocky Mountain is an experience not to be missed. The park’s Trail Ridge Road tops out at more than 12,000 feet and introduces visitors to subalpine and alpine environments. At lower altitudes, wildflowers and wildlife thrive—the park has large herds of elks and bighorn sheep and a small population of moose. Rock climbing, backcountry camping, and horseback riding are also available to the intrepid visitor.