After more than 15 years of exploring the globe and visiting over 120 countries, some of our most memorable adventures have been right here in North America. We’ve navigated the wilds of Alaska, hiked through Utah’s otherworldly canyons, and stood in awe of California’s giant forests. The United States is home to 63 national parks, and while we haven’t seen them all, we’ve explored a good chunk of them.
This isn’t just another list. This is our curated guide to the best national parks to visit in the US, based on our firsthand experiences. We’re sharing the parks that truly impressed us, from the world-famous icons to the remote wilderness escapes. We’ve been there, and we’re here to help you plan an adventure you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Our Top Picks: The Best US National Parks at a Glance
If you’re short on time, here are the parks that we believe offer the most incredible experiences.
The Unmissable Icons: America’s Most Famous National Parks
These 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.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in the United States, and when you visit, you understand why. It was also the world’s first National Park, and it feels like a landscape built to impress. With the planet’s 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’ve returned to Yellowstone several times, and the sight of a bison herd moving across the valley never gets old.
Best For: Wildlife viewing and geothermal wonders.
Our Top Tip: 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.
When to Go: Spring and autumn offer fewer crowds and great wildlife spotting opportunities.
The park’s 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’s worth pulling over in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys, where we’ve 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.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of those places that actually lives up to its legendary status. To be honest, we didn’t 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’t grasp until you’re there.
Best For: Awe-inspiring views and understanding geological time.
Our Top Tip: Stay for sunset. Find a spot along the Rim Trail away from the main viewpoints, and watch the canyon colours change. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
When to Go: March to May and September to November offer pleasant weather for hiking without the intense summer heat.
Most 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’s 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.
Yosemite National Park, California
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’s dream, but it’s also a paradise for hikers and climbers.
Best For: Granite cliffs, giant waterfalls, and world-class photography.
Our Top Tip: 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’s the classic scene for a reason.
When to Go: Spring is fantastic for waterfall viewing when the snowmelt is at its peak. Autumn provides beautiful colour and fewer people.
Yosemite Valley is the heart of the park, where you’ll find the towering faces of El Capitan and Half Dome. There are countless hiking trails, from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks. While it’s known as a rock climbing mecca, you don’t have to be a climber to appreciate the raw power of this landscape.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion is the crown jewel of Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks, and it’s easy to see why it’s 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’s a completely different and more intimate experience.
Best For: Unforgettable hikes and unique canyon views.
Our Top Tip: The park’s free shuttle is mandatory for accessing the main canyon drive for most of the year. Use it. It’s efficient and lets you focus on the scenery instead of searching for parking.
When to Go: Spring and autumn have the most comfortable temperatures for hiking. Summer can be extremely hot.
Zion is a hiker’s 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’t miss the scenic drive along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which offers incredible views as it climbs out of the canyon.
For the Adventure-Seeker: Parks That Get Your Heart Pumping
If 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’ve had some of our most demanding but rewarding experiences.
Denali National Park, Alaska
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’ve 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’s tallest mountain, Denali, appear from behind the clouds is a moment that stays with you.
Best For: True wilderness, wildlife viewing, and mountaineering.
Our Top Tip: Take a flightseeing tour. It’s the only way to truly appreciate the scale of the Alaska Range and get a close-up view of the mountain itself. It’s an investment, but worth every penny.
When to Go: The park is most accessible from late May to early September.
To preserve the wilderness, private vehicle access is restricted. You’ll explore the park via the bus system, which is an adventure in itself. We’ve 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.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is a hiker’s paradise, plain and simple. It shares a border with Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada, forming the world’s first International Peace Park —a detail we love as Canadians. With over 700 miles of trails, it’s a place of high alpine meadows, active glaciers, and deep, cold lakes.
Best For: Epic day hikes and dramatic road trips.
Our Top Tip: Plan ahead for the Going-to-the-Sun Road. A vehicle reservation is now required to drive it during peak season, and it’s something you need to book well in advance.
When to Go: July and August are the best months when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open and the trails are mostly snow-free.
The 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’ve experienced.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
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.
Best For: High-altitude hiking and accessible mountain scenery.
Our Top Tip: 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’ll feel it.
When to Go: June to September offers the best weather for exploring the park’s high country.
Trail 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’ll 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.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
If you want to experience Utah’s canyon country without the crowds of Zion or Arches, Canyonlands is your place. It’s the largest of Utah’s “Mighty Five” parks, and much of it is rugged backcountry. We found that exploring Canyonlands feels like a real expedition. It’s a landscape of immense canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado and Green rivers.
Best For: Backcountry exploring, 4×4 adventures, and solitude.
Our Top Tip: If you only have one day, stick to the Island in the Sky district. It’s the most accessible part of the park and offers incredible, top-down views of the canyon systems, including the famous Mesa Arch.
When to Go: Spring and autumn are ideal, with moderate temperatures for hiking and exploring.
The 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’ll need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle.
Where Landscapes Tell a Story: Parks with Otherworldly Scenery
Some 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’re the kind of places that make you feel small and leave you wondering about the powerful forces that shaped them.
Arches National Park, Utah
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’s 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.
Best For: Incredible geology and short, rewarding hikes.
Our Top Tip: 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.
When to Go: Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant temperatures for exploring.
Located just outside Moab, Arches is very accessible. You can see many of the formations from the park’s 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.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
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.
Best For: Unique landscapes, scenic drives, and fossil hunting.
Our Top Tip: 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.
When to Go: Spring and autumn are best to avoid the summer heat and winter cold.
The 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’s national parks, Badlands offers endless hiking opportunities, from easy walks to multi-day treks.
Death Valley National Park, California & Nevada
Death Valley is a land of extremes. It’s 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’d need and chek the park website.
Best For: Extreme environments, desert landscapes, and stargazing.
Our Top Tip: Visit Zabriskie Point at sunrise. Watching the first light hit the golden-coloured, eroded badlands is an unforgettable experience and one of the park’s most iconic views.
When to Go: Late autumn through spring (November to April) is the only comfortable and safe time to visit for most people.
Despite 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’s Palette, the park’s landscapes are incredibly diverse. And at night, the stargazing is some of the best you’ll ever see.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
When you first look out over the main amphitheatre at Bryce Canyon, you have to blink a few times to process what you’re seeing. It’s 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.
Best For: Unique hoodoo formations and stargazing.
Our Top Tip: Hike the Queen’s 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.
When to Go: Spring and autumn are ideal. Seeing a light dusting of snow on the hoodoos in late spring is magical.
Bryce is famous for having some of the darkest night skies in the country. The park’s 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.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
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.
Best For: Bouldering, photography, and desert sunsets.
Our Top Tip: Spend time in both the Mojave and Colorado desert sections of the park. The difference is clear—the western half is high desert with the famous Joshua Trees, while the eastern half is lower and filled with cholla cactus.
When to Go: October to May is the best time to visit, as summer temperatures are dangerously high.
This 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.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
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’s 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’t do it justice.
Best For: Lake views and scenic drives.
Our Top Tip: Take a boat tour. It’s the only way to get down to the lake’s surface and visit Wizard Island, the volcanic cone that rises from the water. You can even swim in the frigid water if you’re brave.
When to Go: The park is most accessible from July to September when the roads and trails are clear of snow.
The 33-mile Rim Drive circles the entire lake and offers dozens of pull-offs for different perspectives of the caldera. It’s 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.
Coastal Wonders & Remote Escapes: From Ocean to Island
These parks are defined by their relationship with water. They represent some of the most dramatic coastlines, remote islands, and glacier-carved fjords in the country. Visiting them often requires a bit more planning, but the payoff is an experience far from the ordinary.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic is like visiting three parks in one. In a single day, you can go from the rugged, sea-stack-dotted Pacific coastline to a dense, temperate rainforest, and then up into the glaciated peaks of the Olympic Mountains. We loved our time hiking here; the trails through the moss-draped trees of the Hoh Rainforest are unlike anything else in the country.
Best For: Diverse ecosystems and rainforest hikes.
Our Top Tip: Pack rain gear, no matter the forecast. The western side of the park is one of the wettest places in the continental US, and the weather can change in an instant.
When to Go: Summer (June to September) offers the driest and warmest weather for exploring all regions of the park.
Because the park is so diverse, it’s best to focus on one or two areas per trip. Popular spots include the Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach for its tide pools and sea stacks, and Hurricane Ridge for its accessible mountain views and hiking trails.
Washington is a powerhouse for national parks. While we love Olympic’s diversity, the state is also home to the iconic Mount Rainier National Park and the rugged, alpine wilderness of North Cascades National Park.
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Glacier Bay is a park on a massive scale, a protected area of 3.3 million acres that showcases raw, untamed wilderness. Seeing this landscape by ship is an experience everyone should have. We’ve cruised through its waters three times, and watching tidewater glaciers calve huge chunks of ice into the sea is a sound and sight you never forget.
Best For: Glaciers, marine wildlife, and fjord scenery.
Our Top Tip: If you can, choose a smaller cruise ship (like UnCruise, which we’ve taken). They can often get closer to wildlife and navigate narrower passages than the larger ships.
When to Go: The cruise season runs from May to September.
This is one of the few national parks in the world that is primarily accessed by water. As you cruise through the fjords, you’ll see an abundance of wildlife. We’ve spotted humpback whales, sea otters, bald eagles, and even grizzly bears walking along the shoreline, all from the deck of our ship.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Located on the coast of Maine, Acadia is one of the few places in North America where the mountains meet the sea. We loved the combination of hiking up granite peaks and then exploring the rugged, rocky coastline just a short drive away. It’s the jewel of the North Atlantic Coast and a favourite among New Englanders.
Best For: Coastal hikes and ocean views.
Our Top Tip: Drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain to see the sunrise. During certain times of the year, it’s the very first place the sun touches the United States. You’ll need to book a vehicle reservation in advance.
When to Go: Autumn is beautiful with its fall colours, but summer offers the warmest weather for enjoying the coast.
The park offers over 120 miles of hiking trails, from easy coastal paths to more strenuous mountain climbs. You can also drive the scenic Park Loop Road, which provides access to key sites like Sand Beach and Thunder Hole.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Located 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas is perhaps the most isolated national park in the lower 48. Getting there is an adventure in itself, requiring a long ferry ride or a seaplane trip. The reward is a remote island dominated by the impressive Fort Jefferson, surrounded by clear turquoise water and coral reefs.
Best For: Snorkeling, history, and a true sense of remoteness.
Our Top Tip: Book your ferry or seaplane ticket months in advance. There are limited spots available each day, and they sell out very quickly, especially during peak season.
When to Go: The best weather is from November to April. Summers can be hot, humid, and carry the risk of storms.
The centrepiece of the park is Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century coastal fortress. You can spend your day exploring the fort, snorkeling in the clear waters right off the beach, or just enjoying the solitude. For a truly unique experience, you can even camp here overnight.
Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
On the island of Maui, Haleakal?, or “House of the Sun,” offers two completely different worlds. The most famous experience is driving to the summit of the dormant volcano, over 10,000 feet up, to watch the sunrise from above the clouds. We’ve done it, and shivering in the pre-dawn cold is absolutely worth it when the sky ignites with colour.
Best For: Sunrises and unique volcanic landscapes.
Our Top Tip: You now need to make a reservation online to see the sunrise from the summit. These become available 60 days in advance and are mandatory for entry between 3:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
When to Go: The weather at the summit is most stable during the summer months, but the park is a year-round destination.
Beyond the summit, don’t miss the park’s coastal K?pahulu District. Here, you can hike the P?p?wai Trail through a dense bamboo forest to the base of the towering Waimoku Falls. It feels like a different world from the barren, Mars-like landscape of the summit crater.
American Samoa National Park, American Samoa
We have to include this one because we’ve been there, and it’s a testament to how far the US National Park system reaches. It’s the second least-visited park for a reason, it is incredibly remote. Located deep in the South Pacific, it’s the only US national park site south of the equator.
Best For: A true off-the-grid experience, tropical rainforests, and Samoan culture.
Our Top Tip: Visiting this park requires serious planning. It is not a casual trip. Most visitors, like us, arrive via a South Pacific cruise, but you can also fly into Pago Pago.
When to Go: The dry season runs from May to September.
The park is spread across three different islands and protects pristine tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and important cultural sites. Visiting here is less about checking off sights and more about immersing yourself in a remote and beautiful part of the world.
Giants of the Forest & Mountain Sanctuaries
These parks are home to some of the oldest living things on Earth and some of the most dramatic mountain ranges in the country. They inspire a sense of awe, reminding us of the immense power and patience of nature. They are places that feel both ancient and alive.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC & TN
It might surprise you to learn that this is the most visited national park in the United States, seeing more people than the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. For me, it was actually the first national park I ever visited. During my family’s annual snowbird pilgrimage from Canada down to Florida, we would often stop here. The hazy, “smoky” fog that hangs over the rolling Appalachian Mountains makes it a beautiful place to explore.
Best For: Forest hikes, waterfalls, and Appalachian culture.
Our Top Tip: To avoid the legendary traffic in Cades Cove, consider entering the park through less-used entrances like Townsend or Cosby for a quieter experience.
When to Go: Autumn is a spectacular time to visit for the fall foliage, but spring also brings beautiful wildflower blooms.
With its lush forests and an abundance of rivers and waterfalls, this park is a sanctuary for hikers. It’s a different kind of mountain experience compared to the jagged peaks out west, more intimate, green, and full of history.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California
These two adjacent parks are a showcase of nature’s scale. In Sequoia National Park, you walk through groves of the largest trees on the planet. Standing next to the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest by volume, is a truly humbling experience that makes you feel incredibly small. It’s impossible not to be moved by their ancient presence.
Best For: Giant trees, deep canyons, and high Sierra hiking.
Our Top Tip: Give yourself plenty of driving time. The roads within the parks, like the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway, are winding and slow, but the views are worth it.
When to Go: Summer and early autumn provide the best access to all parts of the parks, including the high-elevation trails.
Just next door, Kings Canyon offers a landscape that rivals Yosemite, with soaring granite cliffs and one of the deepest canyons in North America. Together, these parks offer both the giants of the forest floor and the grandeur of the High Sierra mountains.
Redwood National Park, California
While sequoias are the largest trees by volume, the coast redwoods are the tallest living things on Earth. Walking through these forests is a completely different experience. The trees soar hundreds of feet into the air, creating a high canopy that filters the light, giving the forest floor a quiet, almost reverent feeling.
Best For: Old-growth forest walks and scenic coastal drives.
Our Top Tip: For a more immersive experience, get off the main highway and take a drive on the Newton B. Drury Parkway or the Avenue of the Giants just south of the park.
When to Go: Year-round, but be prepared for rain and fog, especially from autumn to spring.
The park is a collection of federal and state parks that protect the remaining old-growth redwood forests. Hiking among these giants, some of which are over 2,000 years old, feels like stepping back in time. The combination of the massive trees and the nearby rugged coastline makes for a memorable visit.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Located just south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton is often combined with its more famous neighbour, but it absolutely stands on its own as a world-class destination. What we love about the Tetons is their dramatic presentation. There are no foothills; the jagged peaks of the Teton Range rise abruptly from the flat floor of the Jackson Hole valley, creating an unforgettable skyline.
Best For: Mountain photography and wildlife viewing.
Our Top Tip: For iconic photos of the mountains reflected in the Snake River, head to Schwabacher Landing at sunrise. For the famous barn shots, Mormon Row is the place to be.
When to Go: Autumn is our favourite time, with golden foliage, active wildlife, and fewer crowds than in the summer.
This park is a haven for wildlife photographers and animal lovers. It’s one of the best places to spot moose, and we’ve seen elk, bison, and pronghorn grazing in the sagebrush flats with the magnificent peaks as a backdrop
Wilderness Off the Beaten Path
These parks might not have the dramatic peaks or canyons of the others, but they offer a unique kind of immersion into wild, complex ecosystems. They require a different approach and reward visitors with a sense of solitude and discovery.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Covering 1.5 million acres of southern Florida, the Everglades is a vast and subtle wetland wilderness. It’s not a landscape of grand overlooks; it’s a place you have to explore slowly to appreciate. This protected area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist.
Best For: Birdwatching, paddling, and unique wildlife.
Our Top Tip: Visit during the dry season (December to April). Water levels are lower, and wildlife, especially alligators and wading birds, congregates around the remaining water sources, making them much easier to see.
When to Go: The winter dry season is by far the most comfortable and best time for wildlife viewing.
While airboat tours are popular on the park’s outskirts, we find the best way to experience the Everglades is by paddling a canoe or kayak through its mangrove tunnels and sawgrass prairies. The Anhinga Trail near the Royal Palm Visitor Center is also a fantastic place for an easy walk with almost guaranteed alligator sightings.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Isle Royale is one of the least-visited national parks, and that’s its main draw. It’s a remote island cluster in the middle of Lake Superior, closer to Canada than to the US mainland. Dave and I have spent a lot of time exploring the shores of the Great Lakes, and we can tell you that getting out to its islands is a very special experience.
Best For: Solitude, backpacking, and backcountry camping.
Our Top Tip: You need to be self-sufficient here. Pack out everything you pack in. The island is a true wilderness with no roads, and you can only explore it on foot or by boat.
When to Go: The park is only open from mid-April to October. Summer (June to September) is the best time to visit.
Getting here requires a multi-hour ferry or a seaplane, and once you arrive, you’re on your own. The park is famous for its isolated populations of moose and wolves. For backpackers and paddlers looking to truly disconnect, Isle Royale offers a rare opportunity for solitude in a rugged, beautiful setting.
Map of the Best US National Parks
To help you visualize your next adventure, we’ve pinned all the parks on the map below.
FAQ: Your US National Park Questions Answered
f you’re asking about popularity, the most visited national park in America is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which sees over 14 million visitors a year. However, the “best” park is completely subjective and depends on what you’re looking for, whether it’s the wildlife of Yellowstone or the hiking in Zion.
California has the most national parks with a total of nine. They include some of the most famous names like Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley, making it an incredible state for a national park road trip.
That’s a tough one, as every park has its own unique qualities. We’re partial to the dramatic, jagged peaks of Grand Teton and the otherworldly hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. But the temperate rainforests of Olympic and the sheer scale of the Grand Canyon are hard to beat. The “most beautiful” is the one that connects with you the most.
Excluding the remote parks in Alaska and American Samoa, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan is one of the least visited. Its remote location in Lake Superior means it requires a significant effort to get there, but it rewards visitors with true solitude.
Absolutely. If you plan on visiting three or more parks within a year, the ‘America the Beautiful’ annual pass will save you money. It’s managed by the National Park Service and the funds help maintain these incredible landscapes for future generations.
The largest national park is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska. At a colossal 13.2 million acres, it’s larger than the entire country of Switzerland.
So, Where Will You Go First?
After years of travelling the world, we are continually drawn back to the incredible diversity of the US National Parks. From the deserts of the southwest to the glaciers of Alaska, these protected lands offer a lifetime of adventure.
Whether you’re planning a week-long hiking trip or a cross-country road trip, we hope this guide has given you some inspiration for your next journey. The most important thing is to get out there and explore. Let us know in the comments which US national park is at the top of your list.