Top 10 most beautiful National Parks in the USA (2024)

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Today: Top 10 most beautiful National Parks of the USA

The United States of America is fortunate to have an abundance of gorgeous places to visit, with the majestic National Parks featuring on the bucket list of most travelers. Whether you are enjoying the shorelines of the East Coast, traveling along the magnificent West Coast, or hiking in the majestic Rockies, there are more than enough opportunities to explore the great outdoors in one of these spectacular parks. All National Parks, 63 in total, represent an extraordinary variety of pristine natural environments and ranking them would be unfair since they all offer different experiences. Nonetheless, I hereby present you my ten favorite National Parks in the USA, with my ranking based on overall scenery, wildlife viewing, and hiking opportunities.

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10. GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK (ARIZONA)

A powerful and inspiring landscape, Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the USA (so be prepared to deal with huge crowds). Unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms carved by the Colorado River decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide, and a mile (1.6 km) deep. The Grand Canyon reveals nature’s sheer force with its towering buttes, pinnacles and mesas, and its immense size leaves many visitors weak in the knees. Another way to weaken your knees is to hike to the canyon’s floor, an incredible adventure not to be undertaken lightly (especially not in a single day).

Official website:Grand Canyon NP
Highlights:Bright Angel Trail, North Kaibab Trail,rafting on the Colorado River, and the many vistas along the North and South Rim.
Other accolades: Grand Canyon NP also features in my top 10 lists of the world’s most iconic sunrise and sunset spots and the world’s most spectacular water falls.

9. DENALI NATIONAL PARK (ALASKA)

Denali is six million acres of wild land, bisected by one ribbon of road, where solitude, tranquility and wilderness await, despite being the most visited National Park in Alaska. Travelers to Denali will see the relatively low-elevation taiga forest give way to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America’s tallest peak, 20,237 feet or 6,168 m high Mount McKinley (unfortunately obscured by clouds 4 out of 5 days). Wild animals, large and small, roam unfenced lands, living as they have for ages, creating outstanding opportunities for spotting them, like the occasional grizzly bear along the road, herds of caribou on the plains and dall sheep high on the cliffs.

Official website:Denali NP
Highlights: Park Road, Mount McKinley, Alpine tundra scenery, and wildlife viewing.
Other accolades: Denali NP also features in my top 10 list of the best things to see & do in Alaska.

8. YELLOWSTONE (WYOMING, MONTANA & IDAHO)

Yellowstone was established in 1872 as America’s first National Park – an idea that spread worldwide – to protect the majority of the earth’s geysers, as well as other thermal wonders that make up an otherworldly landscape composed of steam, bubble, and boiling mud. Besides thermal features, Yellowstone’s vast wilderness includes mountain ranges, lakes, waterfalls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The main reason of most tourists for visiting Yellowstone is observing the amazing wildlife: grizzly and black bear, bison, bighorn sheep, elk and moose roam the plans and valleys.Unfortunately, you will have to share Yellowstone’s wonders with many other visitors.

Official website:Yellowstone NP
Highlights:Old Faithful geyser and other thermal features, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs, and wildlife viewing in the Lamaar Valley.
Other accolades: Yellowstone NP also features in my top 10 list of the most epic wildlife holidays in the world.

7. HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK (HAWAII)

Atop this volcano, located on Hawaii’s second largest island Maui, you can hike above the clouds across an otherworldly desert (is this the planet Mars?) with incredible vistas towards the Pacific Ocean. The National Park also cares for endangered species, some of which exist nowhere else, such as the Nene (Hawaiian goose). Perhaps just as spectacular are Haleakala’s world-famous sunsets are the bright, starry skies revealed at night. As the park stretches out towards the sea, the desolate volcanic landscape gives way to lush bamboo forests and thundering waterfalls.

Official website:Haleakala NP
Highlights: watching the sunrise or sunset atopHaleakala peak, hiking in the crater, and Pools of Oheo area.
Other accolades: Haleakala NP also features in my top 10 lists of the best things to see & do in Hawaii and the best things to see & do in Maui.

6. ZION NATIONAL PARK (UTAH)

At Zion National Park, forces of nature have come together to create one of the USA’s most dramatic cliff-and-canyon scenery, offering almost unlimited opportunities for hiking, camping, canyoning, and other wilderness experiences. The main valley boasts some of the most iconic hikes in the National Park system, such as the (in)famous Angels Landing hike along a frighteningly narrow ridge, from where you can gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Wildlife such as mule deer, golden eagles, and mountain lions, also inhabit the Park.

Official website:Zion NP
Highlights: Angel’s Landing day hike, The Great White Throne monolith, and the Narrows Slot Canyon.

5. GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK (ALASKA)

Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines, and deep fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre World Heritage Site (one of the world’s largest protected areas). Long before global warming became a headline, the glaciers of Glacier Bay began a rapid retreat, which has created a 65-mile (104 km) fjord of spectacular beauty that is still dominated by numerous large glaciers that cascade down from the surrounding mountain peaks. The most spectacular summer residents of Glacier Bay are the humpback and killer whales, and it’s easy to spot them.

Official website:Glacier Bay NP
Highlights: boat trip to the glaciers (often part of cruise liner’s itinerary through the Inside Passage), kayaking with whales, and hiking inBarlett Cove.
Other accolades: Glacier Bay NPalso features in mytop 10 list of the world’s best wildlife holidays

4. OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK (WASHINGTON)

Olympic National Park is a land of such variety in climate and terrain that it’s hard to believe it’s just one Park; it’s more like many magical Parks in one. A day’s exploration can take you from spectacular Pacific Ocean beaches with colorful tide pools to inspiring mountain scenery dotted with massive glaciers and alpine meadows of wildflowers. In addition, in the heart of Olympic National Park, you can hike through some of the largest remnants of ancient sopping-wet rainforests left in the USA. I suggest to take some time to explore Olympic’s different faces, and to escape from the outside world in the largely untouched forests, the beautiful mountains, and desolate, wild beaches.

3. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK (WYOMING)

Spectacular Grand Teton National Park is located just south of its more famous sibling, Yellowstone National Park. Rising above a flat valley rich with extraordinary wildlife and pristine lakes, the Teton Range stands monument to the people who fought to protect it. These are mountains of imagination, where you can explore over 200 miles (320 km) of trails, float the Snake River, observe grizzly bears and moose, or enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place. One of the convenient features of Grand Teton National Park is that it’s not a huge park (with less crowds as) compared to its neighbor Yellowstone, so everything is fairly close together and doesn’t require a lot of driving.

Official website:Grand Teton NP
Highlights: Grand Teton peaks, Jackson Lake, trail to Inspiration Point & Hidden Falls, and wildlife viewing.
Other accolades: Grand Teton NP also features in my top 10 list of the most epic wildlife holidays in the world.

2. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK (CALIFORNIA)

First protected in 1864 and one of the first parks in the National Park Service, California’s Yosemite is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Park’s central feature is Yosemite Valley, which is surrounded by towering granite summits, densely forested with pines, and its famous spectacular waterfalls. But the Park is so much more than just a great valley with waterfalls; it’s a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. Within Yosemite’s vast wilderness area, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, and more than 800 miles (1300 km) of spectacular hikes.

Official website:Yosemite NP
Highlights: granite monoliths ofHalf Dome and El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, giant sequoias, Tioga Pass, John Muir day hike.
Other accolades: Yosemite NP also features in my top 10 list ofthe world’s most spectacular water falls.

1. GLACIER NATIONAL PARK (MONTANA)

The one million acre Glacier National Park wilderness area is located in the state of Montana and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. The Park, not to be confused with Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park (cf above), was established in 1910 to preserve its pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, glacially-carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. Its diverse habitats support healthy populations of grizzly & black bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose, wolverines, wolves and mountain lions. With over 740 miles (1200 km) of trails, Glacier is a hiker’s paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude.

Official website:Glacier NP
Highlights: Going-To-The-Sun Road scenic drive, the Highline day hike, Many Glacier area trails, and wildlife viewing.
Other accolades: Glacier NP also featuresin my top 10 list of the world’s most beautiful roads.

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As a seasoned traveler, outdoor enthusiast, and avid National Parks explorer, I've crisscrossed the diverse landscapes of the United States, immersing myself in the breathtaking beauty and ecological wonders that the country has to offer. My extensive firsthand experiences, coupled with a deep passion for nature and adventure, position me as an authority on the subject of the top 10 most beautiful National Parks in the USA.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:

Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona):
- Overview: The Grand Canyon, with its awe-inspiring landscape carved by the Colorado River, stands as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the USA.
- Highlights: Bright Angel Trail, North Kaibab Trail, rafting on the Colorado River, and scenic vistas along the North and South Rim.
- Expert Insight: The challenging hike to the canyon's floor offers an incredible adventure, but caution is advised, especially for a single-day trek.
Denali National Park (Alaska):
- Overview: Denali spans six million acres of wild land, showcasing taiga forests, alpine tundra, and North America's tallest peak, Mount McKinley.
- Highlights: Park Road, Mount McKinley, wildlife viewing including grizzly bears, caribou, and dall sheep.
- Expert Insight: Despite being Alaska's most visited National Park, Denali retains its solitude, offering outstanding opportunities for wildlife spotting.
Yellowstone (Wyoming, Montana & Idaho):
- Overview: America's first National Park, Yellowstone, was established to protect geysers and thermal wonders, creating a landscape of steam, bubble, and boiling mud.
- Highlights: Old Faithful geyser, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs, and abundant wildlife including grizzly bears and bison.
- Expert Insight: Yellowstone's unique features make it a hotspot for wildlife enthusiasts, but be prepared to share the wonders with many other visitors.
Haleakala National Park (Hawaii):
- Overview: Located on Maui, Haleakala National Park offers a surreal landscape with volcanic terrain, bamboo forests, and stunning sunsets.
- Highlights: Sunrise or sunset atop Haleakala peak, hiking in the crater, and exploring the Pools of Oheo area.
- Expert Insight: The park's diverse ecosystems, from desolate volcanic landscapes to lush forests, make it a must-visit for nature lovers.
Zion National Park (Utah):
- Overview: Zion National Park boasts dramatic cliff-and-canyon scenery, providing opportunities for hiking, camping, and canyoning.
- Highlights: Angel's Landing day hike, The Great White Throne monolith, and the Narrows Slot Canyon.
- Expert Insight: Forces of nature have sculpted Zion into a landscape of towering sandstone cliffs and vibrant wildlife habitats.
Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska):
- Overview: Covering 3.3 million acres, Glacier Bay National Park features rugged mountains, glaciers, rainforests, and fjords.
- Highlights: Boat trips to glaciers, kayaking with whales, and hiking in Bartlett Cove.
- Expert Insight: The park's retreat of glaciers and its diverse wildlife, including humpback and killer whales, make it a captivating destination.
Olympic National Park (Washington):
- Overview: Olympic National Park showcases diverse climates and terrains, from Pacific Ocean beaches to glacier-dotted mountains and rainforests.
- Highlights: Hurricane Ridge, Ruby Beach, and the Hoh Rain Forest.
- Expert Insight: The park's variety makes it feel like multiple magical parks in one, with untouched forests, beautiful mountains, and wild beaches.
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming):
- Overview: Located south of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park offers spectacular mountain scenery, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife.
- Highlights: Grand Teton peaks, Jackson Lake, trails to Inspiration Point & Hidden Falls, and wildlife viewing.
- Expert Insight: Its smaller size compared to Yellowstone provides a more intimate and serene experience for visitors.
Yosemite National Park (California):
- Overview: Yosemite, established in 1864, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its granite summits, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and diverse landscapes.
- Highlights: Half Dome and El Capitan granite monoliths, Yosemite Falls, giant sequoias, Tioga Pass, and John Muir day hike.
- Expert Insight: Yosemite's vast wilderness offers over 800 miles of spectacular hikes and a profound connection to nature's wonders.
Glacier National Park (Montana):
- Overview: Spanning one million acres across Montana and Canadian provinces, Glacier National Park preserves pristine forests, alpine meadows, and glacial valleys.
- Highlights: Going-To-The-Sun Road scenic drive, the Highline day hike, Many Glacier area trails, and diverse wildlife.
- Expert Insight: With over 740 miles of trails, Glacier National Park is a paradise for hikers seeking solitude amid its diverse habitats and spectacular landscapes.