Best National Parks in the USA: 7 Epic Parks to Visit in 2025

The best national parks in the USA are Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Glacier, and Grand Teton. Together, these seven parks deliver geysers, canyons, alpine lakes, and some of the most photographed landscapes on Earth. In fact, the National Park Service recorded over 325 million recreation visits in 2023, and these parks drew a huge share of that traffic.

So why do these seven stand out? First, they offer variety. You can watch bison roam volcanic valleys in Wyoming, then hike through narrow sandstone slot canyons in Utah a day later. Second, they suit every travel style, from wheelchair-accessible boardwalks to multi-day backcountry treks.

In this guide, I’ll break down each park, compare them in a quick table, share the best months to visit, and answer the questions travelers ask most. Let’s dive in.

Quick Comparison: The Best National Parks in the USA at a Glance

Before we get into detail, here’s a side-by-side look at the best national parks in the USA. Use this table to match a park to your travel dates, budget, and energy level.

Park	State	Best For	Best Months	Entry Fee (per vehicle)
Yellowstone	WY/MT/ID	Geysers, wildlife	Apr–May, Sep–Oct	$35
Zion	UT	Slot canyons, hiking	Mar–May, Oct–Nov	$35
Grand Canyon	AZ	Iconic views, rafting	Apr–May, Sep–Oct	$35
Yosemite	CA	Waterfalls, granite cliffs	May–Jun, Sep	$35
Great Smoky Mountains	TN/NC	Fall colors, free access	Jun, Oct	Free
Glacier	MT	Alpine lakes, scenic drives	Jul–Sep	$35
Grand Teton	WY	Mountain photography	Jun–Sep	$35

Note that fees cover seven consecutive days. However, if you plan to visit three or more parks within a year, the America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) pays for itself quickly.

Yellowstone National Park: The Original American Safari

Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872, and it still sets the standard. The park sits on top of a massive supervolcano, which fuels half the planet’s active geysers. Consequently, nowhere else in the country packs this much geothermal drama into one place.

What to see

Start with the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful. This famous geyser erupts roughly every 90 minutes, and rangers post predicted times at the visitor center. Next, drive north to the Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin. Its rainbow-colored waters look almost unreal from the boardwalk, but the overlook trail from Fairy Falls gives you the full aerial perspective.

For wildlife, head to Lamar Valley at dawn or dusk. Bison herds number in the thousands here. Moreover, you’ll often spot wolves, pronghorn, and the occasional grizzly. Bring binoculars and keep at least 100 yards from bears and wolves.

Insider tip

Visit in September. Crowds thin out after Labor Day, elk bugle across the valleys during the rut, and steam from the geysers looks more dramatic in cool morning air.

Zion National Park: Utah’s Sandstone Cathedral

Zion is the most-visited of Utah’s Mighty Five, and for good reason. The Virgin River carved a 2,000-foot-deep canyon through Navajo sandstone, creating sheer walls that glow orange and red at sunset. As a result, photographers and hikers treat this park like a pilgrimage site.

Hikes you shouldn’t skip

Angels Landing is the park’s headline hike. The final half-mile chains section climbs along a razor-thin ridge. Since April 2022, you need a permit lottery through recreation.gov to attempt it. Alternatively, the Watchman Trail delivers big views without the permit hassle.

For something gentler, walk the Riverside Walk to the mouth of the Narrows. If you’re prepared with proper shoes and a walking stick, continue wading upriver between walls that tower 1,000 feet overhead. Check flash-flood warnings at the visitor center first, because slot canyons fill fast during storms.

Practical advice

Zion runs a mandatory shuttle from spring through fall, since the canyon road closes to private vehicles. Park in Springdale and ride the free town shuttle to the pedestrian entrance.

Grand Canyon National Park: A Mile-Deep Wonder

No list of the best national parks in the USA works without the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River spent nearly six million years carving this chasm, which stretches 277 miles and plunges over a mile deep. Photos simply don’t prepare you for the scale.

South Rim versus North Rim

The South Rim stays open year-round and holds most visitor services. It sits at 7,000 feet, so expect snow in winter and manageable crowds in early December. In contrast, the North Rim closes from mid-October to mid-May, yet rewards summer visitors with cooler temperatures, forested viewpoints, and a fraction of the people.

Best experiences

Hike below the rim on the Bright Angel Trail, even just to the 1.5-Mile Resthouse. The canyon’s inner layers reveal themselves only from inside. For a different angle, book a sunrise spot at Hopi Point, or ride the historic Hermits Rest shuttle line, which stays car-free most of the year.

Yosemite National Park: Waterfalls and Granite Giants

Yosemite, in California’s Sierra Nevada, delivers the country’s most dramatic concentration of waterfalls. Yosemite Falls drops 2,425 feet, making it the tallest in North America. Meanwhile, El Capitan and Half Dome anchor the valley like granite monuments.

Timing the waterfalls

Visit in May or early June. Snowmelt pushes the falls to peak flow then, and the mist at Bridalveil Fall can soak you from hundreds of feet away. By August, many falls slow to a trickle, so plan accordingly if cascades top your list.

Getting around

From late spring through summer, Yosemite Valley restricts some driving. Use the free valley shuttle instead. Additionally, reserve lodging or campsites up to five months ahead, since valley spots sell out within minutes of release.

Great Smoky Mountains: The Free, Crowd-Favorite Giant

Great Smoky Mountains National Park attracts more visitors than any other US park, often topping 13 million annually. Why? First, it sits within a day’s drive of two-thirds of the US population. Second, it charges no entrance fee, thanks to a deed restriction from its founders.

What makes it special

The park protects over 800 miles of trails and some of the most biodiverse temperate forests on Earth. In spring, more than 1,500 kinds of wildflowers bloom, which earned it the nickname “Wildflower National Park.” During fall, the ridges blaze with red maples and golden hickories.

Drive the Cades Cove loop road early in the morning for black bear sightings. After that, climb to Clingmans Dome, the third-highest peak east of the Mississippi, for a 360-degree observation tower view.

Glacier and Grand Teton: The Northern Twins

These two parks pair perfectly on a single road trip through the Rockies, since they sit about six hours apart via US-89.

Glacier National Park

Glacier straddles the Continental Divide in Montana. Its signature experience, Going-to-the-Sun Road, crosses the park in 50 unforgettable miles. However, the road typically opens only from late June to mid-October, so plan around that window. Book a seat on the vintage red Jammer buses if you’d rather not drive the hairpins yourself. Hike the Highline Trail for mountain goats and wildflower meadows above the treeline.

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton rises abruptly from the Jackson Hole valley with no foothills, creating one of the most abrupt mountain profiles anywhere. Photographers love Schwabacher Landing at dawn, when the Tetons reflect in still water. For paddling, rent a kayak on String Lake or Jenny Lake. Furthermore, the park shares an entrance corridor with Yellowstone, so you can hit both on one $35 fee in many itineraries.

How to Plan Your National Park Trip

A little planning goes a long way. For example, here are the essentials before you book anything.

Book early

Lodging inside popular parks sells out 6 to 13 months ahead. Xanterra operates Yellowstone and Grand Canyon lodgings, while Yosemite’s curry-style camps fill via Recreation.gov. Set calendar reminders for booking windows.

Travel in shoulder season

May and September offer the best balance of weather, wildlife, and thin crowds across most parks. In addition, campground availability improves dramatically once school starts.

Mix in a city break

Long park trips pair well with a few urban days to recover. For instance, many travelers combine a Utah parks loop with city time abroad afterward, or browse guides like our things to do in Barcelona itinerary for a post-hike contrast. If you prefer fairytale streets to canyon walls, our things to do in Prague guide makes an easy add-on to any European extension. And for a coastal-city reset, see our things to do in Lisbon picks.

FAQ About the Best National Parks in the USA

How many national parks are in the USA?

The National Park Service manages 63 designated national parks across 30 states. California holds the most with nine, followed by Alaska with eight.

Which national park is the most visited?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park tops the list every year, with over 13 million visits in 2023. Its free entry and proximity to major Eastern cities explain the numbers.

What is the best time of year to visit US national parks?

Generally, late May through early June and September work best. Snow blocks high-elevation roads in Glacier and Yellowstone until mid-summer, while desert parks like Zion get dangerously hot in July and August.

Can I visit multiple parks on one trip?

Absolutely. The Grand Circle route links Zion, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and more in a 7-to-10-day loop from Las Vegas. Similarly, Yellowstone and Grand Teton share a border and work as one trip.

Do I need a pass for each park?

Each park charges its own entrance fee, typically $35 per vehicle for seven days. However, the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers all federal lands, so it saves money after your third park.

Start Planning Your Park Adventure

There you have it: seven parks that define American landscape, from Yellowstone’s steaming valleys to the Grand Canyon’s mile-deep walls. Pick one that matches your season, book lodging early, and pack layers, since mountain weather changes fast.

Which park calls to you first? Browse more destination guides on Journeo, and subscribe for weekly itineraries, permit deadlines, and park travel deals straight to your inbox.