The Most Beautiful National Parks in the USA

Declared a national park in 1919 under the name of Lafayette, Acadia National Park, as its been known since 1929, is a stunning area located in Maine. The first national park east of the Mississippi River, the land, which was donated by people who wanted to see it protected, features rugged coastline and 47,000 acres (19,000ha) of verdant forests, lakes and mountains plus flora and fauna. A photographer and outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, Acadia features miles of hiking trails and carriage roads perfect for strolling and taking in the scenic beauty.

Book your Acadia National Park tours here.

Located in southeastern Utah north of Moab, Arches National Park features approximately 73,000 acres (30,000ha) of colorful desert landscape along with over 2,000 natural red rock arches. To qualify as an arch, the opening must be at least three feet (1m) wide. Officially becoming a national park in 1971, this national treasure will entice anyone to explore its beauty either through hiking, biking, climbing, off-roading or camping. The Delicate Arch, Devils Garden and Fiery Furnace, a labyrinth of narrow passages produced by sandstone fins, are a few of the parks must-see attractions.

Book your Arches National Park trips here.

America is home to 58 national parks – some are considerably more famous than others, like the Grand Canyon, which draws five million visitors annually. But why not push an equally spectacular park up your bucket list? Badlands National Park in South Dakota sees only one million people visit annually to soak up its natural works of art: red, tan and white striped sedimentary rocks that were formed millions of years ago. To say it’s mesmerising is an understatement; seeing is believing, and you can do so on some of its most popular hiking trails, like Castle Trail and Medicine Root Trail if you’re looking for more of a challenge, or Notch Trail and Fossil Exhibit Trail for shorter jaunts.

Book your tours of the Badlands National Park here.

Despite it being one of the largest national parks in America at 1,252 square miles (3,243 square km), Big Bend National Park in Texas is one of the least-visited in the country. Annually, it draws around 440,000 people, who come to trace its hiking trails and take in the sites of the Chisos mountain range and Chihuahuan Desert. It’s a wonderful place to visit if connecting with nature is high on the agenda – you’ll practically have the place to yourself. Renting an RV and camping is a great way to go about it, with over 10 different campgrounds and roadside camps in the area. If you want to bag yourself an iconic photograph, hike up the Window Trail for 5.6 miles (9km), which will lead you to a V-shaped canyon looking out into Mexico with beautiful views of the Chisos Mountains.

Book your tours of Big Bend National Park here.

A road trip with pals – in an open-top convertible, no less – is the symbol of pure freedom and fun. And North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway is one such open stretch of road to enjoy, en route to the highest peaks in eastern North America at the Blue Ridge Mountains. The valleys are incredibly picturesque as you drive down to this mountain range, which is a part of the larger Appalachian Mountain group. Once there, you can hike the 1.5-mile-long (2.4-km-long) range in about an hour, before making the Great Smoky Mountains your next pit-stop.

Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway with these amazing tours.

Not far from Cleveland and Akron in Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park features a wide variety of landscapes from gorgeous forests and rolling hills, to open farmlands still in use. Becoming a national park in 2000, this 33,000-acre (13,350ha) area is not quite as old or large as some of the others on this list, but its beauty is just as powerful. From the colorful display of wildflowers in the spring to the rich foliage of the fall season to stunning waterfalls – the Brandywine Falls are a must-visit – the park is brimming with picturesque scenery and hours of activities, including walks along the Towpath Trail.

Book your tours of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park here.

A string of archipelagos that stretches some 120 miles (193km) off the south of Florida, a trip to the Florida Keys is a little different from the rest, with it being plonked in the middle of the ocean and therefore centered on water-based activities like snorkeling, scuba diving and boating. Key West is the most popular area for its various vibrant coral reefs like Molasses Reef and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, along with its botanical state parks and beaches. Yet, the middle part of the keys is often overlooked. Take, for instance, a village called Islamorada: known also for its coral reefs, here you can catch a sea lion and dolphin show at its Theater of the Sea before seeing a 16th-century treasure chest at the History of Diving Museum. The Keys border three national parks, including Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, and the Everglades.

Book your trips to the Florida Keys here.

Declared a national park in 1910, Glacier National Park is a breathtaking area in northwest Montana. With over one million acres (404,000ha) of protected land, including majestic peaks, lakes, alpine meadows and glacier-carved valleys with numerous types of trees and other vegetation, this park is an outdoor lover’s haven with endless recreational opportunities. From hiking the over 700 miles (1,100km) of trails, to biking to historic chalets and lodges, there is something for every explorer. Be on the lookout for gorgeous wildlife, as everything from elk to grizzly bears to wolves to mountain goats call the area home.

Book a trip to the Glacier National Park here.

Found in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park is an awe-inspiring desert stunner that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A national park since 1919, this massive, colorful geological wonder, where some of the geological formations date back 1.8 billion years, is an impressive 277 river miles (446km) long, up to 18 miles (29km) wide and one mile (1.6km) deep and is home to a diverse group of wildlife. Wanting to experience the grandness of the canyon, millions of people visit each year to capture the beauty on their cameras, to hike or to take river rafting trips on the Colorado River.

Visit the Grand Canyon National Park with these amazing tours.

Situated in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is a serene area comprised of approximately 310,000 acres (125,000ha) of beautiful scenery. From majestic peaks that rise from the land to clear lakes to lush forests and more, the national park, declared in 1950, is bound to impress anyone who visits. Along with the natural elements, including a great variety of wildlife – bison, elk, moose and bald eagles, to name a few – an impressive cultural history can also be explored through various old homesteads and ranches. As for outdoor adventures, the area provides miles of trails along with plenty of water activities and climbing spots.

Book your trips and tours of the Grand Teton National Park here.

Home to some of the oldest mountains in the world, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (declared in 1934) is the most visited national park in the US, and it’s easy to see why. Straddling two states – Tennessee and North Carolina – the park boasts more than 500,000 acres (200,000ha) of dense forests containing over 1,600 species of vegetation blanket the mountains and create a natural masterpiece like no other. Adventurers will enjoy many activities, from hiking to wildlife watching and exploring waterfalls, while culture-lovers can visit one of the largest collections of historic log buildings in the country.

Head to the Great Smoky Mountains with these trips and tours.

Designated a national park in 1980, Kenai Fjords National Park is an Alaskan gem featuring forests plus 40 glaciers that flow out of the incredible Harding Icefield. A stunning landscape, the park features over 600,000 acres (240,000ha) of land, half of which is covered by ice. Brimming with diverse vegetation and wildlife, nature lovers flock here to catch glimpses of land animals, including bears, wolves, lynx and more, marine life such as killer whales, humpback whales and harbor seals, and birds of which over 191 species have been recorded. The area is also popular for adventure seekers with activities such as hiking and kayaking.

Explore the Kenai Fjords with these tours and experiences.

Located in the Pacific Northwest state of Washington, Olympic National Park is a spectacular area of almost one million acres (405,000ha). Featuring several distinct ecosystems, from glacier-capped mountains to old-growth forests and rugged coastline, the scenery is truly diverse and breathtaking. Established in 1938, the land is home to an impressive array of animal life, while the sea is home to whales, dolphins and sea otters. The vegetation is equally diverse and lush, providing beauty at every turn. Popular activities include hiking, backpacking, climbing and camping.

Explore the Olympic National Park with these tours and trips.

With some of the highest mountains in the nation, Rocky Mountain National Park is truly majestic. Established in 1915, this park – which covers over 250,000 acres (100,000ha) – is beautiful, with its montane, alpine and subalpine ecosystems providing unique scenery from wildflowers, forests and lakes to diverse plant life and wildlife. Indeed, the mountains are home to everything from butterflies to reptiles and birds to mammals, including big-horn sheep, mountain lions and moose. The best way to explore this Colorado area is by getting out in nature and hiking or taking scenic drives.

Head up to the Rockies with these tours and trips.

The country’s first national park, established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park spreads across three states: Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Home to the largest group of geysers in the world – of which Old Faithful is a definite must-see – this area contains over two million acres (810,000ha) of incredible landscape, including alpine lakes, waterfalls, canyons, forests and mountains. With such diverse scenery comes an incredible array of wildlife, from grizzly bears and wolves to bison and elk, plus various flora. As with all the other parks mentioned thus far, Yellowstone offers a plethora of outdoor activities, from hiking to boating and everything in between.

Book your trips and tours in Yellowstone here.

Having just celebrated the 125th anniversary of its being made a national park, Yosemite National Park is a beautiful treasure in California made up of almost 750,000 acres (304,000ha). Known for its waterfalls, the land also features imposing granite cliffs, valleys, lush meadows and giant sequoias, plus lakes and rivers that combine to create a feast for the eyes. If you’re lucky, you might see some of the resident black bears, mountain lions, pikas and bats. Must-see attractions include Half Dome and El Capitan, two impressive Yosemite landmarks, while must-do activities include hiking one of the many trails and swimming in one of the area’s bodies of water.

Visit Yosemite National Park with these trips and tours.