Considering the fact that the USA is huge, there are so many wide-open spaces that boast every kind of climate and ecosystem.
The USA is full of temperate rainforests, mountains to deserts as well as scrublands.
Thus, you can imagine how many national parks are present in this wast area, all of them dedicated to preserving nature.
We have made a short description of the 25 most famous national parks in the USA, which includes its sandstone monuments, hot springs, coastlines, deserts full of iconic cacti, etc.
Let’s dive into the best national parks in America.
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Big Bend (Texas)
Its name Big Bend National Park comes from the fact that it is set in a dramatic meander of the Rio Grande.
Actually, on one side of the river is Texas, USA, while on the other side is Mexico.
It is almost equal in size to Rhode Island and you can find loads of trails that offer many things to discover.
We suggest seeing the Chisos Basin as it is the most popular area.
Of course, the Chihuahuan Desert should not be missed, as it is home to real-life roadrunners and coyotes.
Saguaro (Arizona)
Saguaro is known as the home of the classic southwest American cactus.
It is located in Arizona, and this is quite literally a deserted area.
The park itself is divided into East and West parts, and the two halves of the park are separated by the city of Tucson.
Inside both portions of this park, numerous trails along its desert landscapes can be found which is considered a paradise for adventurers and explorers.
There is the Rincon Mountain District, which is the larger, eastern portion of the park.
This is a part where you can try adventurous horseback rides and camping.
On the other hand, the west part which is called the Tucson Mountain District is spectacular, as it offers hiking on Signal Hill and is definitely worth trying.
Shenandoah (Virginia)
Shenandoah national park located in Virginia is considered a breathtaking national park.
This is probably due to an abundance of wildflowers which can be seen in summer as well as the trees which turn orange and red in autumn.
The park is located 75 miles from Washington D.C. and offers various hiking trails to discover and explore nature.
The most famous part of these trails is 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Hiking is the first thing you will do there, and you will probably try to climb up to the peak of Old Rag Mountain.
You have to know that this task is exhausting but worth doing it for the stunning views.
If you are not that into hiking, the Skyline Drive is also worth your efforts but it means stunning views from your car.
Mesa Verde (Colorado)
Mesa Verde is a national park ideal for adventures.
It is perfect for those who want to know more about mysterious, centuries-old cultures, being that this is the place where the ancient Puebloans used to live.
You will be able to see their cliff dwellings that date back to 1100 AD.
Furthermore, you will be able to discover their houses built in ancient times that are still standing to this day.
As they are so important to history, walking off-trail is not allowed, as well as entering the ancient dwellings without a ranger.
Our suggestion is to take the Mesa Top Road Circuit around ten of the excavated pueblos.
Death Valley (California)
One of the world-famous national parks is Death Valley in California.
Death Valley National Park is not only a place where it is very hot, as its name suggests.
This is actually a place where visitors can enjoy an abundance of nature with huge boulders lying around on a grand scale, canyons, and sand dunes.
We have to say that the place that gives the park its name is really a scorching area being that this is among the hottest spots in the US.
You should not miss Dante’s View which is a panoramic view of the southern portion of Death Valley Basin from atop the Black Mountains.
Crater Lake (Oregon)
Crater Lake is actually the only national park in Oregon.
This national park is named after the eponymous lake.
The lake was formed after a huge volcanic eruption that took place around 7,700 years ago.
What makes it special is the fact that this is the deepest lake in the entire United States.
For those who like making perfect photographs of nature, this location should not be missed, as the like reflects the mountain peaks in its sparkling waters, making a gorgeous effect.
Trek lovers would be glad to hear that there are over 90 miles of trails throughout the park.
However, they are available for hiking only in summer as snow covers trails during the rest of the year.
Travelers will be able to see the wildflowers in full bloom in summer.
Acadia (Maine)
Acadia is New England’s only national park.
It is very famous, as it dates back to 1916.
Acadia actually boasts some dramatic views, but also, those who come to Acadia National Park are attracted by various mountain hikes and bike rides.
When it comes to the park’s landscape, there are many things to discover in this national park.
You can explore dense forests and lakes, as well as beaches with lonely lighthouses.
It is worth mentioning that sandy beaches and islands are important features of this national park, such as the famous Mount Desert Island.
Canyonlands (Utah)
What people who have already visited Canyonlands National Park say about it is that its landscape is somehow similar to what you can find on Mars and not on Earth.
This is the largest national park in Utah and it boasts lots of canyons.
We cannot but mention the 1,000-foot-tall white cliffs above the Colorado and Green Rivers.
The park is divided into four sections and Island in the Sky – an enormous mesa – sits in the middle of it.
This is considered the busiest part, as the views are unbelievable.
Redwood (California)
Redwood, one of the famous national parks located in California is home to the giant trees, that it was named after.
Redwood National Park is on the northwestern Pacific Coast and you will find the tallest trees in the world there.
The Sequoia, which is actually the scientific name for the redwood, is the most ancient tree on the planet and you will be able to see many of them there.
Plus, numerous trails are available there to enjoy walking through the forests.
For those who want to spend some time here, the park offers campgrounds and overnight stays in nature.
Grand Teton (Wyoming)
Grand Teton is located in the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming.
It is famous for 12 peaks sculpted throughout the ages by glaciers.
One of these peaks is the Grand Teton standing at an impressive 13,775 feet above sea level.
Nature lovers must experience the beautiful landscape that can be hiked.
Canyons that wait to be explored, crystal alpine lakes, and wildflowers at certain times of the year are only some of the fantastic features of this national park.
The land there is home to various beasts, including elks, moose, and bears.
Mount Rainier (Washington)
Mount Rainier in Washington is the fifth-highest peak in the United States.
Mount Rainier is so high that you can see it throughout much of Washington state.
Furthermore, Rainier is actually an active stratovolcano and its last eruption was in 1854.
The park is located close to the urban areas of Puget Sound.
To make it even more attractive, Mount Rainier National Park has 26 glaciers and it is considered a hikers paradise.
There are some amazing hiking trails that are surrounded by carpets of flowers in spring and summer.
Those more adventurous ones try to climb to the snowy peak of Rainier, but only half of them manage to reach it.
Sequoia (California)
Sequoia national park in California is named after another species of the Sequoia family, the Sequoiadendron giganteum.
This amazingly high tree is known as the giant redwood.
Actually, this national park boasts ancient examples of the redwoods, and General Sherman is the most famous one, being that it is a giant redwood believed to be the largest living tree on Earth.
Besides the trees, there are 10,000-year-old caves with supersize stalactites.
Arches (Utah)
Arches are one of Utah’s national parks that are made up of Martian badlands.
What makes Arches National Park stand out among so many other national parks in the USA is the fact that there is a sublime selection of rock arches, striped pink and red buttes, and other rock formations.
Landscape Arch is considered the largest of natural arches in the world, as it is 306 feet, while the Fiery Furnace is the most famous formation which blazes orange and red as the sunsets.
Besides being a national park that is often visited for short hikes, it is more popular for rock climbing and canyoning.
Glacier (Montana)
Glacier National Park, as its name suggests, has been carved and sculpted over thousands of years by glaciers.
You will be able to notice dramatic rocky outcrops there, as well as peaks covered with snow, stunning waterfalls, and reflective lakes.
What makes it special is an impressive number of hiking trails as there are around 740 miles of hiking paradise.
When it comes to attractive animals that can be seen, this is the place where grizzly bears live in mountain forests.
Once there, you should not miss the well-known drive Going-to-the-Sun Road.
This is a way to take a closer look at everything this national park has to offer without getting out of your car.
Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
Rocky Mountain set in Colorado is definitely one of the most spectacular slices of nature.
Rocky Mountain National Park boasts granite mountains, lakes, and meadows.
This is considered the perfect place for adventures as they can find ideal trails in the middle of stunning nature.
If you are looking for peace and quiet surroundings, then this is the place for you.
This natural park is so full of wilderness so that many wild animals have found their home there, including elk, moose, and black bears.
Bear Lake is just one of ten lakes that are located within this park where you can enjoy reflections of the glacial valleys and mountaintops.
Everglades (Florida)
The Everglades National Park is full of swamps, but what makes it attractive are the alligators that live there.
The Everglades is a place where you can take a kayak if you wish to explore its waterways, or you can go on an airboat tour of the swamp.
The Anhinga Trail is for those braver visitors who want to see cold-blooded alligators that are waiting for their prey.
The most courageous adventurers can even try a nocturnal walk with a ranger.
Bryce Canyon (Utah)
Bryce Canyon National Park is yet another place famous for rock formations.
Its sandstone rocks that stretch into the sky have been sculpted throughout many years by freeze-thaw erosion.
So, you can enjoy the marvelous landscape while going on various trails, such as the Rim Trail.
Bryce Point is the spot from where you can see the so-called Silent City.
The view that you will see from there is described as the vista of an ancient ghost city.
Hawai’i Volcanoes (Hawaii)
Hawai’i Volcanoes are located on Hawaii Island which is also known as the Big Island.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park includes Mauna Loa, which is a massive volcano in Pacific Islands that is sometimes covered in snow.
The national park does not only include rich rainforests, but also features wonderfully green meadows in the mountains, and lava tubes.
Kilauea is a shield volcano that erupted in 2018 and this caused the change of the shape of this national park.
Due to this power of nature, some areas of the park remain closed.
Carlsbad Caverns (New Mexico)
Carlsbad Caverns is a location that features a network of caverns.
Actually, the main chamber of the cave itself, known as the Big Room, is impressive.
If you want to reach it, you should enter an ear-popping elevator that gets so high that this height is equal to the one of the Empire State Building.
On the other hand, you can take a pathway into the subterranean abyss below the cavern.
The Big Room boasts the largest stalagmite in the world.
Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee, North Carolina)
The Great Smoky Mountains located in Tennessee, North Carolina feature forests that spread as far as your eyes can see.
Plus, to make the beauty even greater, there are waterfalls and mountain peaks.
The forests in springtime offer an amazing view, with colorful wildflowers between the trees, while autumn brings a sea of reddish-brown color.
In winter, it is all about snow.
If you decided to explore this national park, you should know that it will really bring you the feeling that you took a step into the past and left the modern world behind.
Denali (Alaska)
Denali National Park is definitely Alaska’s most famous national park.
The place is formerly known as Mount McKinley, and this mountain is the tallest in North America as it reaches 6,190 meters above sea level.
The first thing that is noticed is its snowy tip which gives an impression that it pierces the sky.
Explorers find this place ideal as there are snowy forests, tundra, mountains, and lakes.
Plus, the park boasts interesting animal species such as caribou, moose, grizzly bears, and wolves.
Zion (Utah)
Zion in Utah is considered a splendid national park.
You cannot but notice the red and white cliffs that the Zion Canyon is made of.
Plus, the fact that they are edged by greenery makes it the amazing wonder of nature.
If you wish to explore this national park, you can take the Narrows, a 16-mile adventure through the canyon and along the Virgin River.
Furthermore, you can try the Big Springs, which is actually a hike that goes along the eponymous fern-edged spring.
Yosemite (California)
Yosemite in California is a really famous national park and deserves its place at the top of our list.
It is known for its giant sequoias at Mariposa Grove as well as for its glorious green color of the Yosemite Valley.
We cannot but mention the spectacular Vernal Fall, which is actually an iconic sight of the Merced River falling 317 feet to the pool.
Yosemite National Park is so popular that it receives four million visitors annually.
Grand Canyon (Arizona)
The Grand Canyon is a world-famous travel destination and the largest canyon in the world.
It does not require any special introduction, but it has to be appreciated.
Besides the awesome landscape, around the national park, there are trails and viewpoints.
Some of them are Cape Royal on the North Rim from where you can see almost all of the major parts of the Grand Canyon.
Also, there is a chance to get down to the canyon floor, if you dare to hike via steep, meandering trails.
Yellowstone (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
The Yellowstone is the oldest of all American national parks and that is why it takes the top position on our list.
Furthermore, Yellowstone is the oldest in the world as it was founded in 1872.
After its discovery, nobody believed in stories of its magnificence.
They were considered as lies and tall tales and no wonder so.
There are erupting geysers such as the clockwork Old Faithful, the boiling hot springs, including the Grand Prismatic Spring.
Also, due to contrary temperatures and minerals that come out of the waters, a rainbow of unbelievable colors is made.
Last but not least, there is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
There are no suitable words to describe its beauty so we can only say that we believe this is definitely a must-see national park.