Whoever said you had to leave the United States to experience beauty like you’ve never seen before? Beautiful landscapes can be found all over the United States, but nowhere does it better than our national parks, where unparalleled beauty abounds. From towering trees resembling giants stretching toward the sun to plunging gorges where the light rarely touches, the United States offers ever-changing landscapes that range from breathtaking to downright otherworldly. So put away your passport and prepare to get swept away to some of the most beautiful national parks in the US.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Most Beautiful Park in the US?
- What Is the #1 Visited National Park?
- 27 Beautiful National Parks in the US
- Which State Has the Best National Parks?
- Explore the Most Beautiful National Parks in the US with Next Vacay
What Is the Most Beautiful Park in the US?
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but they say numbers don’t lie, and the numbers point to a clear winner in Crater Lake National Park. Visitors claim that no words or pictures can adequately capture the beauty of Crater Lake: its evergreen forests, gushing waterfalls, towering mountains, and the serene image of a picturesque island set in a captivating, rich blue lake. But if you’re not convinced, that’s just one more reason to book your ticket to see it in person and decide for yourself.
What Is the #1 Visited National Park?
With 13,297,647 visitors, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the country. Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, the park’s iconic mist-covered mountains take center stage, but its lush forests and diverse wildlife are not to be missed. From the mountain views of Newfound Gap to the wildlife spotting of Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park promises diverse experiences and unforgettable memories to make its status as the most visited park in the nation well-deserved.
27 Beautiful National Parks in the US
From sea to shining sea, national parks dot the landscape of the United States, protecting some of the most beautiful natural landmarks the country has to offer. From colorful canyons to towering sand dunes to flourishing forests, the US is home to unique and breathtaking parks. So grab your hiking boots and get ready to explore 27 of the most beautiful national parks in the US.
Glacier National Park
Home to two million acres of beautiful alpine meadows, lush forests, and valleys carved by prehistoric ice rivers, Glacier National Park has been called the “Crown of the Continent,” so it’s no surprise it ranks as one of the most beautiful national parks in the US. With over 700 glittering glacial lakes, 170 snow-dusted mountains, and 300 species of mammals and birds, Glacier National Park is a paradise of stunning views, towering lookouts, and exciting animal spotting, including the park’s unofficial mascot, the mountain goat.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park boasts diverse ecosystems that span beautiful beaches with rugged shorelines, temperate rainforests with lush canopies, and million-year-old glaciers with peaks that dot the skyline. A 17-mile stretch of road known as Hurricane Ridge offers striking views of the mountain ridges, tree-covered valleys, and the sea. The Hoh Rainforest boasts magnificent waterfalls and its popular Hall of Mosses trail, with crooked and curving trees covered in a rug of moss. With such a range of beauty, Olympic National Park promises something for everyone.
Black Canyon National Park
Known as Colorado’s Grand Canyon, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers no less sweeping views and dramatic landscapes than its more popular counterpart. The park’s steep and narrow cliffs steal the show and even explain how the park got its name, as the canyon’s depths are so narrow that sunlight only reaches the bottom for a few scant minutes a day. The lack of light below and the canyon’s dark coloring due to the volcanic rock present make the name fairly apt, and it’s no exaggeration to say that Black Canyon is a dark treasure and one of the coolest national parks in the US.
North Cascades National Park
Less than three hours from Seattle, North Cascades National Park is a picturesque alpine escape. Snow-topped peaks create the perfect backdrop for lush green forests and flower-filled meadows. Serene glacial lakes sparkle turquoise in the sunlight, and cascading waterfalls tumble over rocky outcroppings. There’s no shortage of beauty, ensuring that while North Cascades National Park may be one of the least visited in the country, it’s nothing less than a hidden gem that will sweep you off your feet.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park claims a spot among the most visited parks in the US, and seeing it, the reasons why quickly start to take shape—literally. The unique landscape of Zion makes it one of the most beautiful national parks in the US. 200-million-year-old rocks form narrow slot canyons, sandstone cliffs, and natural arches to create otherwordly displays. Fun fact: Zion National Park is home to one of the largest natural arches in the world, Kolob Arch. From an endangered species to an ancient civilization, Zion holds enough surprises and secrets to keep you coming back to discover more.
Redwood National Park
With 2,000-year-old trees stretching over 300 feet tall, Redwood National Park has to be one of the coolest national parks in the US. The Redwoods here grow in clusters, their roots intertwining with one other, which anchors them to the ground and each other. Though the park offers several activities, hiking is the most popular, as it takes visitors through the stunning trails that traverse the captivating redwoods. See if you can spot Hyperion—whose exact location is kept secret—the tallest redwood in the park at 379 feet, making it taller than the Statue of Liberty.
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is the only park with an entire mountain range. The Chisos mountains span 20 miles and are loveliest to visit during the fall or spring. Found alongside the mountain range are river corridors and canyons ripe for exploration. With over 450 species of birds, 1,200 species of plant, and fascinating geological features that include dinosaur bones, there’s good reason to keep your eyes peeled. And at the end of a long day of exploration, rest your weary feet by dipping in the park’s natural hot springs and taking in the starry sky above your head from one of the best places to stargaze in the US.
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is home to Crater Lake, the deepest lake in the US and one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. It formed 7,700 years ago when a volcano erupted and then collapsed in on itself, forming a caldera. Over time, that caldera filled with water from rainfall and snow, creating the enchanting blue lake that is so widely known and loved. But Crater Lake’s charm goes deeper than the surface, as do its mysteries. From Indigenous legends to a special species of newt called Mazama—which can only be found in the lake—Crater Lake holds a special magic one must experience for themselves.
Rocky Mountain National Park
With climates that range from glacial to alpine to desert, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the US. Glittering lakes, rugged mountains, cascading waterfalls, and deep valleys are some of the dramatic features of this national park. While hiking the Continental Divide promises beautiful sights and some of the best views in the park, the less strenuous option for epic views is to set out on Trail Ridge Road. The highest continuous paved road in the country, the road goes as high as 12,183 feet and promises jaw-dropping mountain views, along with unmatched stargazing.
Bryce Canyon National Park
The name is a misnomer—you won’t find any canyons in Bryce Canyon National Park. But you will find hoodoos, the largest collection on Earth, making this one of the coolest national parks in the US. The largest number of hoodoos can be found at Bryce Amphitheater, making it one of the park’s most popular destinations. But watch out for “Thor’s Hammer,” and stick around after nightfall to appreciate the dark sky above Bryce Canyon glittering with thousands of stars. Of Utah’s five national parks, Bryce Canyon may be the smallest, but when it comes to breathtaking wonders, it definitely punches above its weight.
Acadia National Park
The northeast may not boast as many parks as the Midwest or even the West Coast, but what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality with gems like Acadia National Park. Over 150 miles of hiking trails traverse this national park’s beautiful and ever-changing landscapes, from granite peaks to misty coastlines and thick forests to shimmering lakes, sometimes all-encompassed in one challenging but rewarding hike. The sweeping summit of Cadillac Mountain offers panoramic views of the coast and dramatic landscapes and a great spot to glimpse birds of prey. With so much natural beauty, Acadia is a nature lover’s paradise.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is impressive in every measure. It’s bigger than the state of Rhode Island. Its rock walls are older than the dinosaurs. It even creates its own weather—in just eight miles, you can travel from the burning depths of the gorge to the frigid heights of the North Rim. Standing on the precipice of the Grand Canyon’s rocky walls, overlooking the vast park, it’s no wonder why Roosevelt called it “beyond comparison.” For natural wonder, the Grand Canyon is unparalleled.
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is the hottest place in the US, with the highest temperature ever recorded in the world. Unsurprisingly, it’s also the driest spot in the country, which helps to create its dramatic landscapes. The landscapes here are so otherworldly, in fact, that they proved the perfect location to film the beloved space opera Star Wars. So, while visiting Tatooine, admire the breathtaking vistas from Dantes View, enjoy the seemingly impossible wildflowers that spring up amidst the landscape, walk the rim of a volcano, and so much more.
Mount Rainier National Park
Between its iconic, snowcapped mountain and wildflower meadows carpeting the valley, Mount Rainier blows away a lot of the competition for being one of the most beautiful national parks in the US. But this park is more than just a pretty face. The tallest peak of the Cascades hides an active volcano and a labyrinth of ice caves few know about, known as the Coliseum. In contrast to the summit’s inhospitable conditions, wildlife flourishes at its base. One can often spot black bears, coyotes, Cascade red foxes, bobcats, and mountain lions. Whether going for the allure of nature or the beauty of wildlife, Mount Rainer National Park is sure to delight.
Capitol Reef National Park
Located in Utah’s Red Rock Country, Capitol Reef is brimming with red sandstone cliffs and canyons. Shale deposits are almost everywhere you look. So, of course, the park is filled with winding trails that take you right into the heart of these stunning landscapes and scenic drives that wisk you past astonishing vistas. Between the mighty white domes, a nod to the Capitol building in DC and how the park earned its name, and the mesmerizing landscapes that stretch on for acres and acres, it’s hard to imagine this park is often overshadowed by Utah’s other parks. But make no mistake, Capitol Reef is a hidden gem and a beautiful national park worthy of recognition.
Sequoia National Park
The “Land of Giants.” Sequoia National Park is named after the towering and beautiful sequoia trees that fill the park, and standing at the base of these steadfast sentinels, one truly feels as though they’re standing among giants. Thousands of years old, these ancient forests of giant trees demand to be seen in person, if only to truly understand how spectacular they are.
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park is certainly one of the most beautiful and unique national parks in the US. It’s home to the largest amount of gypsum dune fields. Waves and hills of pure white sand that’s as soft and powdery as snow cover the land. It’s hard to decide the best way to experience this beauty: driving across the hardpacked roads, hiking the trails winding through the shifting sands, or sledding down the dunes themselves.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is home to a wealth of beauty. The massive park is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, which encompasses sweeping views of the flat-topped mountains and breathtaking skies; The Needles, which is full of colorful sandstone steeples and columns; The Maze, which consists of beautiful arches, soaring cliffs, and narrow canyons; and lastly, Horshoe Canyon, which contains stunning rock art painted long ago by Indigenous peoples.
Yosemite National Park
Granite cliffs sit as a backdrop to vibrant green trees dotting the crystalline waters of Yosemite, which is quite an astounding sight. But take a trip to Yosemite, and you’ll quickly learn that astounding sights are par for the course in one of the most beautiful national parks in the US. Wander through Yosemite’s astonishing sequoia groves, where the trees tower high overhead. Hike to Yosemite Falls, where the gorgeous waterfall turns into “firefall” at sunset. Yosemite National Park is a place of untold beauty unlike any other.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is home to dense forests, wildflower meadows, and pristine lakes with deep blue waters. Over 200 miles of hiking trails will whisk you past snowcapped peaks and glacier-carved canyons. On top of its beauty, it’s also the perfect place for wildlife enthusiasts, as the park is brimming with exciting wildlife that will surely capture the heart of any nature lover.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
There is so much to see and do at the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Whitewater rafting, rock climbing, biking, and fishing are just some activities the park offers. In contrast, scenic drives and overlooks offer magnificent views of the tall cliffs and bluffs. And for those who like to pair a beautiful view with a heart-pounding thrill, Bridge Day is not to be missed.
Kings Canyon National Park
Kings Canyon National Park is actually attached to Sequoia National Park and is also home to the marvelous sequoia trees in its Grant Grove and Cedar Grove. Meanwhile, the enchanting Halstead Meadow is full of lush grasses and bright wildflowers, contrasted against the mesmerizing Boyden Cavern, filled with marble walls, stalagmites, stalactites, and pendants. One thing’s for sure: Kings Canyon National Park is full of so many interesting sights that you’ll never be bored.
Denali National Park and Reserve
The untamed and dramatic landscapes of Denali are often unmarked, making it the ideal place for the most intrepid of explorers to lose themselves—figuratively speaking, of course. Sheep, bears, and wolf packs roam these wild lands, all overlooked by the astounding Mount Denali, whose granite peaks and snowy summits can be seen as far away as Anchorage and Fairbanks. Denali’s unique landscapes easily make it one of the most beautiful national parks in the US.
Badlands National Park
Filled to the brim with steep canyons, lofty spires, deep ravines, buttes, mesas, and hoodoos, Badlands National Park begs exploration. Sunsets and sunrises are enthralling, while after the sun sets, the stargazing becomes epic. It’s no exaggeration to say that, no matter when you visit, Badlands is an otherworldly experience and one of the coolest national parks in the US.
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is home to amazing archaeological sites of the nomadic Puebloans from 1,000 BCE. Under overhangs, the people built homes and villages that could house 200 people. The most notable site is the Cliff Palace, one of the most well-preserved cliff dwellings. Take a walk through ancient times at Mesa Verde and marvel at the ingenuity and beauty of these breathtaking living spaces.
Joshua Tree National Park
Besides the Joshua trees of which the park is named, Joshua Tree National Park is full of beauty. The rugged terrain, barren landscapes, and sheer size of the park make some feel as though they are in a different world. Giant boulders and oddly shaped rock formations give the park an eerie feel, especially when gazing at them under the dark night skies. The unmatched natural beauty of this park is best experienced firsthand.
Shenandoah National Park
With wooded hallows, trailing waterfalls, and fields of wildflowers, Shenandoah National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the eastern US. An abundance of hiking trails take visitors on a journey through the stunning wildlife and wilderness Shenandoah offers. Skyline Drive offers 105 miles of road with 75 scenic overlooks to stop and admire the view. Shenandoah is a fantastic wonderland year-round, but with the arrival of fall, it becomes an even more spectacular destination.
Which State Has the Best National Parks?
The short answer is it depends on what you’re looking for. Alaska is known for its gorgeous parks with fjords and tundras, while California and Utah have a variety of landscapes like sandstones, hoodoos, and sequoias. However, with so many stunning parks in the US, every state with national parks has something special to offer to make your trip unforgettable.
Explore the Most Beautiful National Parks in the US with Next Vacay
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