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Top 10 Best National Parks to Visit in the US – Ultimate Travel Guide
About National Parks in the U.S.
Inside this article:
USA's national parks showcase the country’s most captivating and intriguing landscapes, waters, mountains, wildlife, and history. With a total of 63 official national parks and hundreds of other protected sites, they're some of the popular places of exploration. From hiking and camping to wildlife watching, each park has its own charm. Here are the 10 best national parks to visit in the U.S. (in no particular order).
Top 10 National Parks to visit in US
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Zion National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Yosemite National Park
Acadia National Park (We don’t have package)
Olympic National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Glacier National Park (We don’t have package)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Overview:
When it comes to popularity, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is first on the list of the top 10 US national parks, as it is the most visited of all. It is renowned for its fog-shrouded ridges, diverse wildlife, and rich Appalachian heritage. It is replete with ancient forests, mountain streams, and historic cabins.
Location (in the U.S.): Tennessee–North Carolina border in the Appalachian Mountains.
Best Time to Visit:
April to June is the best time to witness blooming wildflowers, and September to October is the best time for warm fall colors. They're also great budget-wise and crowd-wise.
Best Things to Do:
Hiking to waterfalls such as Laurel Falls is a popular activity.
You can also drive or bike the Cades Cove Loop
Don't miss the mountain views from Clingman’s Dome.
Also, make sure to explore historic buildings apart from spotting wildlife such as black bears and deer.
Zion National Park
Overview:
This park is a land of tall sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, monoliths, natural arches, mesas, and expansive desert vistas. The Virgin River has carved deep gorges and exposed vividly colored rock layers. It features multiple life zones from desert to coniferous forest. Many plant and animal species thrive in these zones.
Location (in the U.S.): Utah
Best Time to Visit:
March through May or September through November is the best time to visit Zion National Park. The weather is mild, with warm days and cool nights. Crowds are smaller than in summer.
Best Things to do:
Hike to Angels Landing for dramatic views over Zion Canyon.
Walk through The Narrows, wading the Virgin River between towering canyon walls.
Explore Emerald Pools and Riverside Walk for easier, family-friendly trails.
Drive or see views from Kolob Canyons or Kolob Terrace Road.
Photographs feature landmarks like The Watchman, the Towers of the Virgin, or the great stone cliffs in the golden light of morning or evening.
Grand Canyon National Park
Overview:
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most famous national parks in the U.S.A. It is home to natural wonders and protects a huge gorge carved by the Colorado River. The canyon stretches about 277 miles (446 km). It’s known for layered red rocks, dramatic overlooks, and ancient geology. Native American peoples have inhabited this region for thousands of years.
Location (in the U.S.): Arizona
Best Time to Visit:
March through May and September through November are the best months to visit. The weather is milder than summer, with warm days and cooler nights, and crowds are thinner.
Best Things to do:
Walk the Rim Trail or the Trail of Time to enjoy views from multiple overlooks.
Take a mule ride down into the canyon or a guided raft trip on the Colorado River.
Don't miss the historic Grand Canyon Village and the Desert View Watchtower.
Also worth exploring are the visitor centers and ranger talks.
Yellowstone National Park
Overview:
Yellowstone National Park is not only one of the best national parks to visit in the U.S.A. but also the very first national park to be created in the country (1872). It spans across 2.2 million acres and includes forests, lakes, rivers, geysers, and one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas underneath. It's also home to geothermal wonders and a diverse array of wildlife, including bison, wolves, bears, and elk.
Location (in the U.S.): Wyoming (with small parts in Montana and Idaho)
Best Time to Visit:
The milder months, from late April to May and then from September to early October, are the best. There are fewer crowds, and most park roads and visitor services are open.
Best Things to Do:
Don't miss the famous Old Faithful Geyser. Also worth exploring are the geyser basins, such as the Upper Geyser Basin.
Visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to view the Lower Falls and Upper Falls from Artist’s Point, Inspiration Point, or Brink trails.
Take a Walk on the boardwalk among hot springs, mud pots, and colorful pools like Grand Prismatic Spring.
You can also spot wildlife such as bison, bears, elk, and wolves in Lamar Valley or Hayden Valley.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Overview:
Rocky Mountain National Park features massive mountain peaks, alpine lakes, valleys filled with wildflowers, and a rich wildlife (elk, bighorn sheep, and birds). It stretches across forested areas to the tundra region. Here, landscapes shift with elevation, thus offering a variety of climates and environments.
Location (in the U.S.): Colorado
Best Time to visit:
Mid-June through mid-August or mid-September through mid-October offer snow-free trails and active wildlife.
The shoulder months of May and late October can also be good options if you don’t mind fewer services or cooler temperatures.
Best Things to do:
Go for a scenic drive through the Trail Ridge Road for stunning alpine and mountain views.
Hike trails across different life zones: montane, subalpine, alpine, especially to Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, and other easily or moderately accessible lakes.
Wildlife enthusiasts must go for wildlife spotting to see elk, moose, and deer, especially in valley meadows and around dawn or dusk.
If you’re visiting during summer, enjoy wildflower blooms and scenic picnic spots.
In winter, try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
Yosemite National Park
Overview:
Giant granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, sequoia groves, and dramatic natural scenery: all this makes Yosemite one of the top 10 best national parks to visit in the U.S. It also protects a wide wilderness area.
Location (in the U.S.): California
Best Time to visit:
May, June, and September are the best months to visit Yosemite, thanks to good weather, fewer crowds, and many operational park roads.
Best Things to do:
Among the most popular is the hike on the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls, offering close views of the waterfalls.
Drive or hike to Glacier Point for panoramic views over Yosemite Valley.
Walk in Mariposa Grove among giant sequoia trees.
Explore Yosemite Valley trails, viewpoints like Tunnel View, and scenic drives along Tioga Road (when open).
Climb (or view) Half Dome (requires permits when cables are up).
Acadia National Park
Overview:
Acadia National Park lies on a rugged coast, protecting forests, rocky shores, lakes, and mountains. It includes about half of Mount Desert Island, parts of the Schoodic Peninsula, and several smaller islands. You can find oceanfront views, granite domes, woods, and ponds, all within this one park.
Location (in the U.S.): Maine
Best Time to visit:
September through early October are the best months when the summer crowds thin before cool weather sets in.
April, May, and October offer quieter visits, though some services or roads may be limited.
Best Things to do:
The 27-mile Park Loop Road offers scenic coastal views, cliffs, and ocean overlooks. You can hike or bike here.
You can also hike trails like the Great Head Trail, Cadillac Mountain trails, or Jordan Pond Path.
Ride on 45 miles of historic carriage roads (no motor vehicles) for peaceful biking.
Explore tide pools and go swimming at select beaches, such as Sand Beach, or near coastal trails.
Acadia is renowned for its dark skies and hosts stargazing events, such as the Night Sky Festival in September.
Olympic National Park
Overview:
Olympic National Park is one of the top 10 U.S. national parks that are wildly diverse. It protects temperate rainforests, rugged Pacific coastlines, alpine peaks, and glacial rivers. You can walk among mossy trees, explore tidepools, or climb mountain trails.
Location (in the U.S.): Washington
Best Time to visit:
July through September is the best time to visit here. Most roads and facilities are open, and the rainfall is at its lowest.
May and June are also suitable for fewer crowds and blooming life, though some high routes may still be snowy.
Best Things to do:
Hike the Hurricane Ridge for panoramic mountain views and wildflowers.
Walk through the Hoh Rain Forest or Quinault Rain Forest among giant moss-covered trees.
Explore the coast for tide pools, sea stacks, and beaches like Ruby Beach or Rialto.
Climb or day hike in the high mountains (e.g., Mount Olympus) when the snow allows.
Go wildlife watching to spot Roosevelt elk, black bears, or marine life.
Also worth visiting are Lake Crescent and Sol Duc Hot Springs.
Grand Teton National Park
Overview:
This park protects the rugged Teton Range. It features alpine lakes, forests, and open valleys in the Jackson Hole area. Approximately 310,000 acres of land are connected to Yellowstone via the Rockefeller Parkway. Visit it for dramatic mountain scenery and diverse wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Location (in the U.S.): Wyoming
Best Time to visit:
Mid-May through late September is the best time when most roads, trails, and visitor services are open.
Early fall, especially September, is also a great option, given the cooler weather, fewer crowds, and vibrant fall colors.
Best Things to do:
Hike the Jenny Lake Trail and take the boat shuttle to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point.
You can trek segments of the Teton Crest Trail, crossing alpine ridges and high passes.
If you're looking for a moderate to strenuous hike that connects to higher terrain, explore the Granite Canyon Trail.
Spots such as Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row barns, and Oxbow Bend offer great photographic opportunities.
You can also enjoy boating, fishing, or paddling on lakes such as Jackson Lake or Leigh Lake.
You may also spot wildlife, including moose, bears, elk, bison, wolves, and numerous bird species, particularly at dawn or dusk.
Glacier National Park
Overview:
Glacier National Park sits along the U.S.–Canada border. It includes more than 130 named lakes, alpine meadows, forests, and rugged mountains, all of which were carved by glacier activity. The park is not only one of the best national parks to visit in the U.S, but is also often called the “Crown of the Continent.”
Location (in U.S.): Montana
Best Time to visit:
Late June through mid-September are the best months since the Going-to-the-Sun Road is usually open, trails are snow-free, and the weather is favorable.
September is perfect for fewer crowds and fall colors.
Best Things to do:
Don't miss the drive or hike along the Going-to-the-Sun Road for some of the park’s most dramatic views.
Hike the Highline Trail (from Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet) along the Garden Wall ridge.
Visit Grinnell Glacier Overlook via trails in the Many Glacier area.
See Bird Woman Falls, a 560-foot waterfall visible from Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Explore Cracker Lake, reached by a 6.1-mile hike, with its distinctive turquoise water from glacial silt.
Watch bears, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and other animals, especially near meadows and valleys.
Conclusion:
Visiting the best national parks in the U.S. is a chance to experience incredible landscapes, wildlife, and adventures. From towering mountains to quiet coastlines, each park offers something unique. Whether hiking, camping, or sightseeing, these natural treasures make unforgettable memories for every type of traveler.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question 1: Which is the most budget-friendly national park to visit in the U.S.?
Answer 1: The most budget-friendly national park is often considered the Great Smoky Mountains, because it has no entrance fee (just a small parking fee).
Question 2: What are the best U.S. national parks to visit with kids?
Answer 2: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Acadia, and the Great Smoky Mountains are among the best U.S. national parks to visit with kids.
Question 3: Which U.S. national parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
Answer 3: There are a total of 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the U.S. Among this list of the top 10 best national parks to visit in the U.S. are the Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Olympic, and Grand Teton National Park.
Question 4: Which is better for US national parks – guided tours or self-guided tours?
Answer 4: Guided tours are best suited for those seeking expert knowledge, convenience, and safety, while self-guided tours cater to travelers who prefer flexibility, independence, and a more personalized experience. The choice depends on your comfort level, interests, and the park you’re visiting.
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