The United States is home to 63 designated national parks, each managed by the National Park Service and offering its own unique landscape, ecosystem, and history. These parks span across deserts, mountains, forests, wetlands, caves, islands, and arctic tundra—protecting some of the country’s most iconic and diverse natural features.
While every park has its merits, a handful consistently rank among the most visited and most beloved: Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These heavy-hitters draw millions of visitors each year for good reason: geothermal wonders, epic hikes, vast wilderness, and stunning geological formations.
The U.S. national park system was born in 1872 with the establishment of Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park. Since then, the system has expanded to protect landscapes of ecological, geological, and cultural significance across the country. Entry fees vary—most parks charge $20–$35 per vehicle, but the America the Beautiful pass offers unlimited access to all federal recreation lands (including all national parks) for $80 per year. Many parks are open year-round, including Yosemite, Everglades, and Grand Canyon, though certain roads or facilities may close in winter. Others, especially in northern regions or at high elevations, have seasonal closures due to snow or harsh weather—Glacier National Park, Mount Rainier, and Isle Royale are notable examples.
Different parks shine in different seasons. Spring is ideal for wildflowers and waterfalls in Great Smoky Mountains, Yosemite, and Shenandoah. Summer brings access to alpine trails and backcountry in Rocky Mountain, Glacier, Denali, and North Cascades. Autumn offers fewer crowds and brilliant foliage in Acadia, Zion, and Cuyahoga Valley. Winter transforms Bryce Canyon, Death Valley, and Saguaro into more comfortable, surreal landscapes, with opportunities for solitude, stargazing, and seasonal activities like snowshoeing in Crater Lake or geyser viewing in a snow-covered Yellowstone.
- Acadia National Park: Rocky Atlantic coastline, granite peaks, and historic carriage roads on Maine’s Mount Desert Island.
- Arches National Park: Over 2,000 natural stone arches and surreal red rock formations in eastern Utah.
- Badlands National Park: Layered rock formations, fossil beds, and prairies with bison in South Dakota.
- Big Bend National Park: Remote desert scenery, canyons, and the Rio Grande in southwest Texas.
- Biscayne National Park: Coral reefs, mangroves, and marine life just offshore from Miami, Florida.
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: Sheer cliffs and narrow canyons carved by the Gunnison River in Colorado.
- Bryce Canyon National Park: Stunning hoodoo formations and natural amphitheaters in southern Utah.
- Canyonlands National Park: Vast canyon systems, mesas, and desert solitude in Utah’s high desert.
- Capitol Reef National Park: Colorful cliffs, hidden canyons, and orchards in a lesser-visited Utah gem.
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Massive underground caverns with intricate limestone formations in New Mexico.
- Channel Islands National Park: Isolated islands off California with rugged hiking and rich marine life.
- Congaree National Park: Towering hardwoods and swamp boardwalks in a quiet corner of South Carolina.
- Crater Lake National Park: Deepest lake in the U.S., formed in a volcanic caldera, with intense blue water in Oregon.
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Waterfalls, towpaths, and woodlands nestled between Ohio’s cities.
- Death Valley National Park: Hottest and lowest place in North America, with vast salt flats and desert extremes.
- Denali National Park: Home to North America’s tallest peak and abundant wildlife in the Alaskan wilderness.
- Dry Tortugas National Park: Remote island fort with excellent snorkeling and history in the Florida Keys.
- Everglades National Park: Unique subtropical wetland ecosystem teeming with birds, gators, and mangroves.
- Gates of the Arctic National Park: True wilderness north of the Arctic Circle with no roads or trails—pure backcountry.
- Gateway Arch National Park: Symbolic 630-foot arch in downtown St. Louis honoring westward expansion.
- Glacier Bay National Park: Tidewater glaciers, fjords, and marine wildlife in Alaska’s Inside Passage.
- Glacier National Park: Alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and scenic drives through Montana’s Crown of the Continent.
- Grand Canyon National Park: Immense and iconic canyon carved by the Colorado River, unmatched in scale and beauty.
- Grand Teton National Park: Jagged peaks, glacial lakes, and incredible wildlife in Wyoming’s Teton Range.
- Great Basin National Park: Remote Nevada park with alpine lakes, ancient bristlecone pines, and Lehman Caves.
- Great Sand Dunes National Park: Towering sand dunes set against snow-capped peaks in southern Colorado.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Lush forests, misty peaks, and biodiversity straddling Tennessee and North Carolina.
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Rugged desert mountains and high Texas peaks with few crowds.
- Haleakala National Park: Massive volcanic crater and star-filled skies above the clouds on Maui.
- Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: Active volcanoes and evolving landscapes on the Big Island of Hawaii.
- Hot Springs National Park: Historic bathhouses and thermal springs in an urban Arkansas setting.
- Indiana Dunes National Park: Lake Michigan beaches and dune ecosystems just outside Chicago.
- Isle Royale National Park: Remote island wilderness with moose, wolves, and solitude in Lake Superior.
- Joshua Tree National Park: Iconic desert landscapes and boulder formations where two deserts meet in California.
- Katmai National Park: Brown bear viewing and steaming volcanic terrain in Alaska’s wild frontier.
- Kenai Fjords National Park: Glaciers flowing into the sea and dramatic coastal Alaskan scenery.
- Kings Canyon National Park: Deep canyons and High Sierra wilderness adjacent to Sequoia National Park.
- Kobuk Valley National Park: Arctic sand dunes and caribou migration routes in a roadless Alaskan expanse.
- Lake Clark National Park: Remote mountains, salmon-filled rivers, and volcanoes in southwestern Alaska.
- Lassen Volcanic National Park: Bubbling mud pots, volcanic peaks, and geothermal features in Northern California.
- Mammoth Cave National Park: World’s longest cave system lies beneath the forests of Kentucky.
- Mesa Verde National Park: Ancient cliff dwellings built by the Ancestral Puebloans in southwest Colorado.
- Mount Rainier National Park: Towering glacier-covered volcano and wildflower meadows in Washington state.
- National Park of American Samoa: Tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and Samoan culture in the South Pacific.
- New River Gorge National Park and Preserve: Rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and a scenic gorge in West Virginia.
- North Cascades National Park: Rugged alpine peaks and remote wilderness in northern Washington.
- Olympic National Park: Diverse ecosystems from rainforest to alpine peaks to Pacific coast in Washington.
- Petrified Forest National Park: Colorful badlands and fossilized trees in northeastern Arizona.
- Pinnacles National Park: Spire-studded landscapes and talus caves in central California.
- Redwood National Park: World’s tallest trees in misty coastal forests of Northern California.
- Rocky Mountain National Park: Snowy peaks, alpine lakes, and wildlife near Estes Park, Colorado.
- Saguaro National Park: Giant cacti and Sonoran desert scenery on either side of Tucson, Arizona.
- Sequoia National Park: Giant sequoia groves and High Sierra backcountry including Mt. Whitney.
- Shenandoah National Park: Blue Ridge Parkway views and Appalachian hiking in Virginia.
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Painted canyons, prairie dogs, and bison in North Dakota’s badlands.
- Virgin Islands National Park: White sand beaches and coral reefs on the island of St. John.
- Voyageurs National Park: Water-based park with lakes, islands, and houseboat adventures in northern Minnesota.
- White Sands National Park: Dazzling white gypsum sand dunes stretching across southern New Mexico.
- Wind Cave National Park: Unique boxwork cave formations and prairie wildlife in South Dakota.
- Wrangell—St. Elias National Park: Largest U.S. national park with glaciers, mountains, and solitude in Alaska.
- Yellowstone National Park: World’s first national park, with geysers, wildlife, and geothermal wonders across three states.
- Yosemite National Park: Iconic granite cliffs, waterfalls, and meadows in California’s Sierra Nevada.
- Zion National Park: Towering red cliffs, slot canyons, and riverside trails in southern Utah.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. National Parks
How many national parks are there in the United States?
There are currently 63 designated national parks in the United States, all managed by the National Park Service. These are part of a larger system of over 400 units that include monuments, historic sites, and seashores.
What is the most visited national park in the U.S.?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park, with over 12 million visitors annually, thanks to its accessibility, scenic drives, and Appalachian beauty.
What is the oldest national park?
Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, is the first national park in the United States and in the world.
Which national parks are free to enter?
Some parks like Great Smoky Mountains, Gateway Arch, and Hot Springs have no entrance fee. However, most parks charge an entry fee per vehicle or person unless you have a valid America the Beautiful Pass.
What is the America the Beautiful Pass?
It’s an annual pass that provides unlimited access to all U.S. national parks and over 2,000 federal recreation sites for $80. It covers entry for the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults.
Are national parks open year-round?
Many are open year-round, but some have seasonal closures due to weather. Parks like Denali, Isle Royale, and Glacier have limited access in winter, while others in warmer climates like Everglades or Saguaro remain accessible year-round.
When is the best time to visit national parks?
It depends on the park. Spring is best for waterfalls and wildflowers; summer offers high elevation hiking and longer days; fall provides colorful foliage and fewer crowds; winter is ideal for desert parks and snow-covered scenery in the north.
What are the least visited national parks?
Remote Alaskan parks like Gates of the Arctic, Lake Clark, and Kobuk Valley see very few visitors due to difficult access, but offer pristine wilderness experiences.
Do I need a reservation to visit a national park?
Some popular parks like Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, and Glacier now require reservations during peak seasons for entry or specific activities. Check individual park websites before visiting.
Are pets allowed in national parks?
Pets are allowed in many national parks but are usually restricted to developed areas, campgrounds, and roads. Trails and backcountry areas often prohibit pets for wildlife protection and safety reasons.
Can you camp in national parks?
Yes, most parks offer front-country and backcountry camping. Reservations are recommended, especially in summer, via Recreation.gov.
Which national parks are best for families?
Parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Acadia, and Great Smoky Mountains offer family-friendly hikes, educational programs, and easy access to iconic sights.
Are there any national parks near major cities?
Yes. Indiana Dunes is near Chicago, Cuyahoga Valley is between Cleveland and Akron, and Gateway Arch is in downtown St. Louis. Many parks can be reached within a few hours’ drive of major metropolitan areas.
Do national parks offer ranger programs or tours?
Yes, many parks have ranger-led programs, guided hikes, junior ranger activities, and educational talks, especially during peak seasons.
Can I visit multiple national parks in one trip?
Absolutely. Many parks are clustered together—like Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands in Utah—making it easy to explore several in one road trip.
Where can I find more information or plan my visit?
Visit the official National Park Service website for maps, conditions, reservations, and alerts. Each park also has its own dedicated page with details.