I’ve always believed the best way to experience the USA is to get beyond its cities and into the wild. From towering mountains and deep canyons to ancient forests, waterfalls and desert landscapes, America’s national parks offer some of the most unforgettable places to explore.
After exploring what makes each park unique, I’ve narrowed it down to 10 of the best national parks to visit in the USA. Whether I’m looking for scenic hikes, incredible wildlife, breathtaking viewpoints or a memorable road trip, these parks stand out for their natural beauty and experiences worth adding to any U.S. travel itinerary.
1. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho
Yellowstone is the kind of place that makes me understand why national parks are so special. Spread across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, it combines dramatic mountains, wildlife, waterfalls, lakes and one of the most impressive geothermal landscapes in the world. It was also established in 1872 as the first national park in the United States.
For me, the geothermal features are the biggest draw. I’d make time for Old Faithful, the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The park is also home to bison, elk and other wildlife, so even a scenic drive can turn into an unexpected wildlife experience.
Best for: Wildlife, geothermal features, hiking and scenic drives
Don’t miss: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone Lake and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
2. Zion National Park, Utah
Zion feels completely different from Yellowstone. Here, I’m surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, narrow canyons and dramatic desert scenery. Located in southern Utah, the park is especially appealing if I want a trip that combines spectacular views with challenging hikes.
The famous Zion Canyon is the heart of the park, and trails such as Angels Landing and The Narrows offer two very different ways to experience it. Even if I’m not looking for an intense hike, simply traveling through the canyon and looking up at the massive cliffs makes Zion worth visiting.
Best for: Hiking, canyon views and adventure
Don’t miss: Zion Canyon, The Narrows, Angels Landing and Canyon Overlook
3. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Few American landscapes are as instantly recognizable as the Grand Canyon. Its enormous scale is difficult to appreciate until I’m standing at the rim and looking across the layered canyon walls carved by the Colorado River. The canyon stretches for roughly 277 miles, reaches depths of about a mile and can be up to 18 miles wide.
I’d recommend taking time to see the canyon from several viewpoints rather than rushing through it. Sunrise and sunset are particularly memorable, when changing light brings out different colors and textures in the canyon.
Best for: Scenic viewpoints, photography and hiking
Don’t miss: Mather Point, Desert View, South Rim viewpoints and a hike below the rim
4. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite is one of those places I could easily spend several days exploring. The California park is famous for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, meadows and deep valleys. With nearly 1,200 square miles of High Sierra wilderness, there is far more to see than its famous viewpoints.
The iconic Yosemite Valley is the obvious starting point, but I wouldn’t stop there. Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite’s waterfalls make the park particularly impressive, while the giant sequoias offer a completely different experience.
Best for: Waterfalls, mountains, photography and hiking
Don’t miss: Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls
5. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
If I want mountain scenery, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the easiest choices to make. The Colorado park combines alpine lakes, towering peaks, forests and high-elevation trails, giving me plenty of opportunities to experience the Rocky Mountains.
One of my favorite ways to explore the park would be along Trail Ridge Road, where the landscape changes dramatically as the road climbs into the alpine environment. Hiking around Bear Lake is another popular option for experiencing the scenery at a slower pace.
Best for: Mountain scenery, hiking and wildlife
Don’t miss: Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake, Emerald Lake and Longs Peak
6. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia would be my pick for a national park that feels completely different from the western parks. Located along the rugged coast of Maine, it combines rocky shorelines, forests, mountains and ocean views.
I especially like the idea of exploring Mount Desert Island, where I can move from coastal scenery to forest trails and mountain viewpoints in a relatively short distance. Cadillac Mountain is another highlight, particularly around sunrise.
Best for: Coastal scenery, hiking and scenic drives
Don’t miss: Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Sand Beach and Park Loop Road
7. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park is where I’d go when I want dramatic mountain views without the geothermal focus of Yellowstone. The Teton Range rises sharply above the surrounding landscape, creating some of the most recognizable mountain scenery in the country.
I’d spend time around Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake, both of which provide beautiful perspectives of the mountains. Wildlife watching is another major reason to visit, with opportunities to see elk, moose, bison and other animals.
Best for: Mountains, wildlife, photography and lakes
Don’t miss: Jenny Lake, Jackson Lake, Mormon Row and Snake River Overlook
8. Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse parks on this list. In a single trip, I can experience rugged Pacific coastline, temperate rainforest, mountain landscapes and alpine environments. That variety makes it particularly appealing when I want several different experiences in one destination.
For me, the Hoh Rain Forest is the standout experience. Walking beneath its moss-covered trees feels worlds away from the dry desert landscapes found in Utah and Arizona.
Best for: Rainforests, coastline, mountains and hiking
Don’t miss: Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, Ruby Beach and Lake Crescent
9. Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is another destination I’d put high on my list for mountain scenery. Located in Montana’s Northern Rockies, the park is filled with alpine lakes, rugged peaks, forests and mountain valleys.
The famous Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the best ways to experience the landscape. The route climbs through forests and alpine meadows while opening up spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.
Best for: Mountain scenery, hiking and road trips
Don’t miss: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Lake McDonald, Logan Pass and Hidden Lake
10. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee & North Carolina
I’d finish the list with Great Smoky Mountains National Park, especially because it offers a completely different atmosphere from the western parks. Straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, it is known for forested mountains, misty valleys, streams and remarkable biodiversity.
It is also the most visited U.S. national park, recording more than 11.5 million recreation visits in 2025. For me, the appeal isn’t about one massive landmark. It’s about slowing down, driving through the mountains, hiking through the forest and experiencing the changing scenery.
Best for: Forests, wildlife, scenic drives and family trips
Don’t miss: Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, Newfound Gap and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
A Quick Way to Choose
If I were narrowing these down based on the type of experience I wanted, Yellowstone would be my choice for wildlife and geothermal wonders, Yosemite for dramatic mountain scenery, Zion for adventure, Grand Canyon for iconic views, Acadia for the coast and Great Smoky Mountains for forests and scenic drives.
Together, these parks show just how diverse the landscapes protected by the U.S. National Park System really are. The National Park Service currently recognizes 63 national parks across the country, but these ten offer an especially good mix of mountains, forests, deserts, coastlines, wildlife and geological wonders.
