From Florida to Alaska, the National Park Service manages and maintains some of the most beautiful public lands. In fact, the NPS protects more than 44 million acres of designated wilderness areas! These parks make up some of the most iconic American landscapes and have been the setting of thousands of family memories. Here are 10 of the best National Parks in the United States.
10 of the best National Parks in the u.s.
Tim and I have a goal to visit all 58 U.S. National Parks, and while we have a few under our belt there are still plenty we can’t wait to see! We have our National Park Passport and one weekend at a time we are making our way through the list!
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is known as the Crown Jewel of America’s North Atlantic Coast. The sees more than 3.3 million visitor each year who are eager to explore seven peaks above 1,000 feet, 45 miles of carriage roads with 16 stone bridges, and over 150 miles of hiking trails. The park is a home to moose and black bears, along with minks, muskrats, foxes and coyotes just to name a few. Wildlife lovers and nature aficionados fall in love with Acadia every year.
Places to check out
Bass Harbor Head Light: The only lighthouse on Mount Desert Island.
Cadillac Mountain: The tallest mountain along the eastern coast of the United States.
Park Loop Road: The historic road offers beautiful views of Acadia’s shoreline, coastal forests, and mountain silhouettes.
Schoodic Peninsula
Wild Gardens of Acadia
Isle au Haut
The National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa
This park is one of the most remote national parks in the United States. If you have an adventurous spirit and are willing to go off the beaten path, you can discover secluded villages and explore Samoan culture. Snorkling is a MUST at this park where you can view over 1,000 different fish and coral species. Just make sure you bring your own, as rental options aren’t common.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Where the sky turns the blackest of blues and rivers leave their mark on ancient limestone, you will find Big Bend National Park. As the desert is kissed by the southwestern sky and hundreds of bird species take flight toward the solitary mountain range a Texan adventure is ready to begin. Big Bend National Park goes along the Rio Grande and includes massive canyons, forested mountains, and vast desert landscapes. This is one of the last remaining wild areas in the country, so pack your sense of adventure and try to stay cool amid the Texas heat.
Places to check out
Castolon Historic District: See a glimpse into Big Bend’s past through exhibits and see historic adobe buildings.
Santa Elena Canyon: One of the most famous landmarks of Big Bend.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Chisos Basin
Persimmon Gap
Rio Grande Village
Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
Hot Springs Historic District
Boquillas Canyon
Fossil Discovery Exhibit
Biscayne National Park, Florida
One of my biggest regrets as a Florida resident is never really appreciating the national parks we had so close to us. Now that we live in Tennessee, I find myself putting a few Sunshine State parks on my bucket list. Biscayne National Park is really unique in that you are within sight of downtown Miami but as the waters invite you to splash around, fish, and snorkel you feel like you are miles away from any man-made influence. This park is 95 percent water, so the best way to experience it means you will be getting wet!
Places to check out
Boca Chita Key: The most visited island in the park is home to an iconic and historic lighthouse.
Maritime Heritage Trail : An underwater trail that offers exciting opportunities to snorkel and explore shipwrecks.
Dante Fascell Visitor Center, Gallery and Museum
Jones Family Historic District and Lagoon
Elliott Key
Stiltsville
Denali National Park, Alaska
Alaska is one of the most picturesque landscapes in America. With snow peaked mountains, majestic wildlife, and beautiful flora it isn’t surprising that so many people wish to visit this national park. Home to numerous wild animals and wild lands, visiting the park is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced – a vastness of glaciers and meadows filled where nature shows off her beauty. This simple yet beautiful park takes you back to basics, in more ways than one.
Things to do
Bus tours
Hiking
Wildlife Photography
Camping
Bike
Explore Savage River
Alaska Railroad Depot
Flightseeing Trips
Search for Wildlife
Meet the Denali Sled Dogs
Hike with a Ranger
Bird Watching
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Another Alaska park? You betcha! Glacier Bay National Park covers more than 3.3 million acres and is a World Heritage Site that offers a wild remoteness hard to find in today’s world. Humpback whales spend their summers in the waters of Glacier Bay National Park before heading to Hawaii for the winter.
Places to check out
Barlett Cove
The Bay
Dry Bay: Glacier Bay National Preserve
The Outer Coast
Community of Gutavus
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
I’ve never been, which is why this park is on my bucket list for future visits, but I can’t help but imagine that visiting this national park would remind me of Jurassic Park (minus the crazy dinos, though!) The park is a world where volcanoes actively show their intensity. With the opportunity to hike or visit by car, the park is offers guest a great adventure in the tropical paradise of Hawaii. Because of how active the volcanoes are, make sure you check with the park before you visit for any closures or advisories.
Things to do
Take the Crater Rim Drive Tour
Drive Chain of Craters Road
Hiking
Guided Hikes
Biking
Camping
Jagger Museum
Joshua tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park is where two desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, meet and is open year around. Every year, approximately 1.4 million visitors come to the park. Only a few hours from major cities like Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the busy season runs from October through May. The park is known as a favorite for those looking to enjoy hiking, camping, rock climbing, and its calmly haunting desert scenery. Desert climates can change quickly and dramatically, so prepare for your visit by checking the forecast and local park advisories.
Places to check out And Things to go
Berdoo Canyon Road
Black Eagle Mine Road
Convington Flat
Geology Tour Road
Old Dale Road
Pinkham Canyon-Thermal Canyon Roads
Queen Valley Roads
Keys Ranch Tour
Rock Climbing
Stargazing
Birding
Wildflower Viewing
Redwood National Park, California
Redwoods National Park has been on my list of places to visit for as long as I can remember. The massive Redwood trees and the park’s ecosystem and coastlines are home to grey whales, banana slugs, Douglas-fir, and black bears. The Park, like some others on this list, is recognized as both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, so if you are looking for amazing flora and fauna as well as breath taking majesty this is the park for you!
Things to do and Check out
Scenic Drives
Walk among the Redwoods
Howland Hill Road
Enderts Beach Road
Requa Road
Coastal Drive Loop
Newton B. Dury Scenic Parkway
Cal-Barrel Road
Davison Road
Bald Hills Road
Ranger Led Kayak Tours
Tidepool Walks
Hiking
Wildlife Viewing
Camping
yosemite, California
Yosemite is one of the first National Parks in the United States. Known around the world for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoia groves, mountains, and meadows Yosemite has around 5 million visitors a year. You can drive Yosemite year round with some road closures on occasion due to snow. With so much to see and do in the park, it is easy to spend a few days exploring everything! Prepare for adventure and explore one of the nation’s first National Parks.
Places to check out
Yosemite Valley
Mariposa Grove
Tuolumne Meadows
Tioga Road
Hetch Hetchy
Crane Flat
Yosemite Museum
Historic Yosemite Cemetery
The Majestic Yosemite Hotel
Such stunning pictures and these National Parks are very beautiful
I have only been to the Grand Canyon in the US. I have to visit more often to cover other NP
I have visited quite a few in Canada including Banff
Great post!
WOW this is such a good list! I love how it includes some really off-the-beaten-track national parks many people may not have heard of. I know I have some new ones on my list!