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Every time I visit one of the stunning national parks, I am reminded of all the beauty in our country. Whether it’s the snow-capped mountains of the Rockies, the colors of the desert sun, or the clear lakes that reflect the sky off their surface, we’re surrounded by stunning landscapes.
These are some of the most awe-inspiring parks in the country. How many have you been to? Which one is next?
1. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
The Colorado and Green rivers carved out the magnificent canyons now known as Canyonlands. Today, tourists flock to this area to revel in the natural beauty of Utah’s largest national park.
Highlights include the towering rock spires at the Needles or taking in the vastness on top of the mesa known as “The Island in the Sky.”
2. Arches National Park, Utah
You don’t have to travel too far from Canyonland to find another beautiful park in Utah. Arches National Park has over 2,000 sandstone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch, which graces Utah’s automobile license plates.
In addition to the famous arches, the park is also home to Balanced Rock, which rises 128 feet into the sky. This gravity-defying feature demonstrates the natural action of erosion and its effect on the Earth’s landscape.
3. Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park is west of Arches National Park in the Southwest corner of Utah. Known for its landscape of pink Navajo sandstone cliffs and burnt orange slot canyons, Zion is breathtaking.
Adventurers flock to the park to wade through the Virgin River as they hike The Narrows. Those looking to confront their fear of heights will take on The Angel’s Landing hike, where they navigate steep cliffs and loose rock to take in the panoramic views of Zion Canyon.
4. Glacier National Park, Montana
This million-acre park sits on the border of Montana and Alberta, Canada. In this wilderness, visitors can see some of the last remaining reminders of the ice age due to the park’s natural glaciers it is named after.
People can enjoy the park’s natural beauty by exploring the hiking trails, swimming in one of its lakes, and searching for wildlife. Bears, moose, elk, wolves, mountain goats, and bobcats all call Glacier home, so you’re sure to catch a glimpse of one of these majestic creatures.
5. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
There’s something special about standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon and gazing into an abyss that took millions of years to make. Deep in the heart of the canyon, the Colorado River has etched out layers of history in the cliffs and gorges, providing beautiful colors sparkling in the desert.
Visitors can enjoy hiking to the bottom, whitewater rafting on the river, or camping out under the Arizona sky.
6. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
Stretching over 2.2 million acres across three states, Yellowstone is home to stunning mountains, serene hot springs, and expansive canyons. It’s also an active volcano.
That’s correct. When you visit Yellowstone, you’ll see bubbling geysers and geothermal activity just under the Earth’s crust, demonstrating the volcanic activity in the area. You can witness it firsthand at Old Faithful, the park’s most reliable geyser, which erupts almost every hour.
7. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
As you drive south out of Yellowstone National Park, you will see the imposing outlines of the Teton Mountain Range.
Grand Teton Park doesn’t have the geothermal features of its sister park, Yellowstone. Still, it has some of North America’s most immaculate waterways. Visitors can take in the mountains in a kayak or canoe as they float down the Snake River, looking for wildlife like moose, elk, bears, and bison.
8. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake sits on the collapsed summit of a volcano that erupted 7,700 years ago. The volcano is dormant, and the lake is fed by melting snow, which makes its 1,900-foot-deep water some of the country’s clearest and purest.
The lake attracts thousands of visitors who enjoy its many hiking trails and epic views. While you can take the scenic drive, the best views come from the Garfield Peak hike, a 1,000-foot climb to a 360-degree view of the lake and surrounding park.
9. Joshua Tree National Park, California
The Milky Way comes to life at night in Joshua Tree National Park. Star gazing in the Southern California desert sky is a magical experience, and our galaxy is clearly visible, away from city lights and activity.
The park has become a hotspot for rock climbers, photographers, and artists looking to capture the beauty of this desert landscape.
10. Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite might be the most iconic park in California. Granite walls that stretch to the sky, like El Capitan and Half Dome, dominate the park’s skyline. The rock formations have become a mecca for professional and amateur rock climbers looking to scale these epic walls.
Below, in the park’s valley, there are meadows, creeks, lakes, bike paths, and various hikes to waterfalls and hidden pools. Whether you plan to hike, climb, or relax and enjoy the outdoors, you’ll fall in love with the sheer beauty of this park.
11. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia is the only national park in the Northeastern U.S. The park’s tall, craggy coasts caught the eye of 19th-century artists, eventually making it a vacation spot for wealthy families like the Fords, Carnegies, and Rockefellers.
Nowadays, the Precipice and Beehive hiking trails lead tourists to breathtaking views of the Gulf of Maine. You’ll feel like you are stepping out into a new world in this remote area.
12. Gates of the Arctic, Alaska
Gates of the Artic is the least visited national park and is accessible only by air taxi or hiking from the village of Anaktuvuk Pass. Due to its remote location, the glacier-carved valleys and crystal-clear rivers have remained almost entirely untouched by humans. The rugged terrain and lack of resources make it the perfect location for experienced backpackers and adventurers. Those brave enough to endure the elements are in for amazing landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
13. Denali National Park, Alaska
There are very few places in the United States where you can feel like the only living human left on Earth. Denali is definitely one of those places. The rugged, remote wilderness and glacier-capped skyline, with the dominant Denali casting a shadow over the land, can be equally beautiful and terrifying. With only one road going through the park, it’s the perfect place to get some alone time and reconnect with the land.
14. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
About 70 miles west of Key West, the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico are only accessible by boat or seaplane. Once in the park, visitors can explore Fort Jefferson, kayak, fish, paddleboard, watch wildlife, or snorkel.
Much of the park’s beauty is under the water. It’s home to over 30 species of coral, sea turtles, octopuses, squid, and, of course, hundreds of colorful fish. Be sure to take a dip when you visit this isolated paradise.
15. Haleakalā National Park, Hawai’i
The Haleakalā crater on the island of Maui is a cultural and spiritual place for native Hawaiians. At 10,000 feet above sea level, the crater is nicknamed “House of the Sun.” It’s also home to many endangered species that exist nowhere else in the world. The park contains subtropical rainforests as well as volcanic views, and hikers can spend the night in the park.
Today, tourists drive to the peak to seek their own spiritual awakening by catching a glimpse of one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world.
16. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
If you want to cross off seeing the Northern Lights from your bucket list, Voyageurs National Park might be your next vacation spot. It’s one of the few spots in the lower 48 states where tourists can view the aurora borealis. Visitors are encouraged to camp out under the stars to take in a sight many others won’t have the chance to see.
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