Here are the best US national parks, chosen for American travellers. America’s 63 national parks protect its most spectacular landscapes. These are the best to visit in 2026, from geysers to granite domes.
Best US national parks
1. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone, the world’s first national park (1872), protects geysers, hot springs, canyons and wildlife including bison, elk, wolves and grizzly bears. Read our Yellowstone National Park travel guide.
- Best time: late May to September (most roads open); winter by snowcoach
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Bozeman to the North or West Entrance; 1 hour from Jackson to the South Entrance
- Don’t miss: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
2. Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is a mile-deep, 277-mile-long gorge carved by the Colorado River, one of the most awe-inspiring sights on Earth. Read our Grand Canyon National Park travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and September to November
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Flagstaff; 4.5 hours from Las Vegas; 3.5–4 hours from Phoenix
- Don’t miss: South Rim viewpoints, Bright Angel Trail and Desert View Watchtower
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
3. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is a granite wonderland of waterfalls, giant sequoias and sheer cliffs, including El Capitan and Half Dome. Read our Yosemite National Park travel guide.
- Best time: May to June for waterfalls; September to October for fewer crowds
- Getting there: About 4 hours from San Francisco; 1.5 hours from Fresno
- Don’t miss: Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View and Mariposa Grove
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
4. Zion National Park
Zion is a canyon of soaring sandstone walls in southern Utah, famous for Angels Landing, The Narrows and its shuttle-only scenic drive. Read our Zion National Park travel guide.
- Best time: March to May and September to November
- Getting there: About 2.5 hours from Las Vegas; 1.5 hours to Bryce Canyon
- Don’t miss: Angels Landing, The Narrows and Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
Gear up for the trail
- Best hiking and camping gear BuyrSkip
Trekking poles, headlamps, hydration packs and layers for park trails. - Best smartwatches for hiking VerdictFox
GPS, altitude and heart-rate tracking are genuinely useful on big park hikes. - Outdoor gear picks Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping essentials for park trips.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
5. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is known as the Crown of the Continent, with the Going-to-the-Sun Road, turquoise lakes and more than 700 miles of trails. Read our Glacier National Park travel guide.
- Best time: July to September
- Getting there: About 30 minutes from Kalispell to West Glacier
- Don’t miss: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass and Lake McDonald
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
6. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The Great Smoky Mountains are America’s most visited national park, with misty ridges, waterfalls, historic cabins and black bears. Read our Great Smoky Mountains National Park travel guide.
- Best time: April to May for wildflowers; late October for fall colours
- Getting there: About 45 minutes from Knoxville; 1.5 hours from Asheville
- Don’t miss: Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome and Laurel Falls
- Mid-range hotels: $140–230 a night
7. Acadia National Park
Acadia protects the granite coast of Mount Desert Island, with Cadillac Mountain, carriage roads and lobster shacks nearby in Bar Harbor. Read our Acadia National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to mid-October; early October for foliage
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Bangor; 3 hours from Portland
- Don’t miss: Cadillac Mountain, Park Loop Road and Jordan Pond
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
8. Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton’s jagged peaks rise abruptly above lakes and sagebrush flats, just south of Yellowstone and next to the Western town of Jackson. Read our Grand Teton National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; winter for skiing
- Getting there: About 1 hour from Yellowstone’s South Entrance
- Don’t miss: Jenny Lake, Mormon Row and Oxbow Bend
- Mid-range hotels: $260–450 a night
9. Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park offers alpine tundra, elk herds and Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the US. Read our Rocky Mountain National Park travel guide.
- Best time: June to September; late September for elk rut
- Getting there: About 1.5–2 hours from Denver
- Don’t miss: Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake corridor and Moraine Park
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
10. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park packs three ecosystems into one: rugged Pacific beaches, the Hoh Rain Forest and the glaciated Olympic Mountains. Read our Olympic National Park travel guide.
- Best time: July to September
- Getting there: About 2.5–3 hours from Seattle
- Don’t miss: Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rain Forest and Ruby Beach
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
11. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is an amphitheatre of orange hoodoos at around 8,000–9,000 feet, magical at sunrise and under its exceptionally dark skies. Read our Bryce Canyon National Park travel guide.
- Best time: May to October; winter for snow on the hoodoos
- Getting there: About 1.5 hours from Zion; 4 hours from Las Vegas
- Don’t miss: Sunrise and Sunset Points, Navajo Loop and Queens Garden and Inspiration Point
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
12. Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree is where two deserts meet, with spiky Joshua trees, giant boulders and some of the best stargazing in Southern California. Read our Joshua Tree National Park travel guide.
- Best time: October to April
- Getting there: About 2.5 hours from Los Angeles; 1 hour from Palm Springs
- Don’t miss: Hidden Valley, Cholla Cactus Garden and Keys View
- Mid-range hotels: $180–300 a night
2026 fee changes
US residents pay $80 for the America the Beautiful pass, while non-US residents pay $250 and, from 2026, a $100 per-person surcharge at 11 popular parks. See our pass guide.
How to choose
Start with when you can travel and how you like to spend your days. Some destinations on this list shine in summer, others in shoulder season; some suit active travellers, others are made for slow days and good food. Pick one or two that match your style rather than trying to see everything, and read the linked guides for timing, costs and where to stay.
How we chose
We picked destinations that consistently impress first-time and returning visitors, balanced famous names with lesser-known gems, and considered access, value, seasonality and the quality of the experience on the ground. Prices, opening dates and reservation rules change, so confirm the details before booking.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require a REAL ID-compliant licence or another accepted ID such as a passport. See our guide to REAL ID and TSA rules.
- Money: Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city; tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
- Insurance: Your health plan may have limited out-of-network cover in another state, and trip-cancellation cover is worth having for expensive bookings, especially in hurricane season.
- Driving: Most visitors drive; rental cars are widely available, and a US licence is all you need. Gas prices vary widely by state; California and Hawaii are usually the most expensive.
- Saving money: our budget vacation and cheapest places to travel guides have dozens of practical ideas.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $120–$180 | motel or hostel, casual meals, self-drive or transit |
| Mid-range | $250–$400 | good hotel, sit-down meals, some tours |
| Luxury | $600–$1,200 | resort or boutique hotel, fine dining, private tours |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Trail-ready gear
- Power stations for camping and road trips VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups. - Outdoor gear picks Buyzello
Headlamps, multi-tools and camping essentials for park trips. - Best power banks for travel BuyrSkip
Navigation, photos and cold weather drain phones fast; a 20,000 mAh bank keeps you going.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best choice on this list?
It depends on your travel style, but Yellowstone National Park is a standout for most travellers.
When should I go?
Most of these destinations are best in spring and fall, when crowds are lighter and prices lower.
How many days do I need?
Plan at least two to three days per destination.
Are these good for families?
Most are; check each guide for family tips.
How much should I budget?
Mid-range travellers typically spend $250–$400 per person per day.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Yellowstone Travel Guide: Geysers, Wildlife and Planning Tips
- Grand Canyon Travel Guide: South Rim, Hikes and Planning Tips
- Yosemite Travel Guide: Valley Highlights, Hikes and Tips
- Zion National Park Travel Guide: Angels Landing, The Narrows and Tips
- How to Plan a Budget Vacation in the USA: 25 Money-Saving Tips