First-Hand Ranking of National Parks in USA from Best to Worst
The National Parks USA is one of America’s ultimate best features. Since they are all splattered around the states, it makes it a little difficult to decide which beautiful parks you should visit, especially if you only have limited time. We would love to inspire you and help find your personal favorite for your next trip, that is why we put together a list of the best National Parks in USA we already visited. The ranking of National Parks is based on our experiences when we explored them.
We have currently taken 2 cross-country road trips, each lasting 2 months, and countless shorter trips visiting 42 National Park in the USA. But as National Park Geeks, our goal is to explore all of the 63 National Parks. Whenever we get the chance to enjoy another park, we will add it to this ranking of National Park lists to keep you updated.
Interested to get to know the best National Park in the United States? Let’s start with the actual ranking of National Parks. You are probably wondering how we ranked America’s beautiful parks. Well, here it is.
How many National Parks are in the US?
As of March 2022, there are 63 designated National Parks. The National Parks USA belongs to the National Park Service (NPS) which offers a total of 432 sites that all have their own unique beauty.
Besides the designated National Parks U S A, the NPS also includes National Battlefields, National Military Sites, National Historical Sites and Parks, National Lakeshores, National Memorials, National Monuments, National Parkways, National Preserves and Reserves, National Recreation Areas, National Rivers, National Scenic Trails, and National Seashores.
Under the National Park Service, each site is designated with one of these certain titles based on specific meaning, type of administration, and different levels of protection.
For most of the sites, it is quite complicated to become a National Park in the USA. A National Park can only be designated by an act of congress, whereas other areas can become part of the NPS through executive action or other orders.
The New River Gorge, Indiana Sand Dunes, and White Sands are the recently added National Parks USA. They became part of the family in 2019 and 2020.
Each of the 50 states plus the U.S. territories Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the district of Washington D.C. have at least 1 National Park Service site. But only 28 states and 2 U.S. territories are home to the 63 National Parks.
Ranking of National Parks in USA Factors
The ranking of the best National Parks in U.S.A is solely based on our own experiences within the park. Your ranking of National Parks or someone else’s ranking of National Parks may look totally different because we all have unique experiences when exploring a park.
It was definitely not easy to find the best National Park in the United States, since all National Parks offer amazing landscapes and unique adventures. To help us with the ranking of National parks, we created different topics.
We have scored all the best National Parks in the USA by their uniqueness, hiking trails, scenery, amenities, and effort to get there. To understand each category, read our quick description below on the ranking of National Parks in USA.
- Uniqueness 👍🏼 – What has the park to offer as a whole? From its one in a kind landscape, to exclusive activities, and everything else in between.
- Hiking Trails – How were the actual hiking trails? From thrilling adventures, to challenging climbs, and other unique experiences on the trails.
- Scenery 🌲 – How attractive is the park in overall? From beautiful scenic drives, to breathtaking vistas.
- Amenities ⛺️ – Which amenities does the park offer? From lodging/camping opportunities, to bathroom and shower facilities, dining options, transportation, and any other amenities.
BONUS: Effort 🚙 – How easy is it to get to and around in the park? From remoteness to navigating yourself around in the park. The effort will not be added to the final score for the ranking of National Parks U S A.
Each category will be based out of 5 for a total high score of 20, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest.
NOTE: Effort will score a little differently than the other categories. A score of 5 is the best, meaning you have easy access to the park and/or it is simple to get around. A score of 1 demonstrates the park’s difficulty to get to and/or it takes more effort to get around.
If more than 1 park on our ranking of National Parks list has the same score, we have placed them in an order based on the park we favored a little more.
Let’s start exploring the best National Parks of USA!
Ranking of National Parks USA
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 4/5
Hiking Trails: 5/5
Scenery: 5/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 18/20
The Rocky Mountains easily scored at the top of our ranking of National Parks list with their outstanding scenery and hiking trails.
Explore the different vegetation by making your way through pine forests while trying to spot moose or drive Trail Ridge Road and hike up the highest peak of the park to be surrounded by glaciers and ice.
Besides the several mountains to climb up, the park also features a lot of different alpine lakes, which makes it the best National Park in the United States. Don’t miss out on the Bear Lake area and hike to several lakes (we saw 6) in just one trip. The reflection of the mountains in the water is a stunning shot you have to catch.
Top Tip: You need a timed-entry permit to access this National Park of America through all of the entrance gates between May 27 and October 10.
2. Yellowstone National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 5/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 5/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 18/20
Yellowstone shares our top ranking of National Parks with Rocky Mountain National Park for its incredible unique hydrothermal landscape. It was established as the first National Park USA because of its exceptional geysers, mud pots, and hot springs.
You can’t beat watching the famous geyser Old Faithful erupt.
To get an extraordinary view of the Grand Prismatic Spring from above, make sure to hike up the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail.
The best thing is it doesn’t even take a lot of effort to see all the special features of the park. Most of them are easily accessible and just a short walk away from the parking lot.
3. Kenai Fjords National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 4/5
Hiking Trails: 4/5
Scenery: 5/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 18/20
Kenai Fjords National Park may be Alaska’s smallest National Park but it is still big in comparison to many of the beautiful parks in the lower 48. The park is situated on the southeast coast of the Alaskan Kenai Peninsula. It is the 3rd park to tie for our top ranking of National Parks in U.S.A.
The crown jewel to the park is the Harding Icefield which can be explored on a strenuous hiking trail in the park. It is the largest icefield that lies entirely within the United State borders.
Besides taking an exhausting climb, cruise on a boat tour to explore the park’s waters, glaciers, puffins, sea lions, whales, and otters.
4. Zion National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 5/5
Hiking Trails: 5/5
Scenery: 4/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 17/20
Zion immediately captivated us with its remarkable colorful high canyon walls and thrilling adventures. Even though Zion is not the best National Park in the United States, it is extremely high in our ranking due to some of the most unique hiking trails in the country.
Wade through the Virgin River to hike the famous slot canyon, The Narrows, and challenge yourself by climbing up narrow ridges in dizzying heights to the summit of Angels Landing.
Even when you don’t want your adrenaline to rush, you will find plenty of opportunities to fully enjoy the park’s outstanding landscape. Don’t miss out on driving the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and explore the Kolob area of Zion.
Top Tip: Beginning in April 2022, hikers who want to tackle Angels Landing need to enter a permit lottery to win tickets for the famous trail.
5. Yosemite National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 5/5
Hiking Trails: 5/5
Scenery: 4/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 17/20
One thing is for sure, everyone will enjoy the beauty of Yosemite’s landscape: the high mountain peaks, dramatic canyon walls, and high dropping waterfalls.
Here, you will find a wide range of activities for every traveler. The more adventurous soles can try to snag a permit to climb up Half Dome or hike the steep trail up to Vernal Falls. After that, make sure to cool down in one of the 2,000 lakes the park has to offer.
Want to see the park in different lights? Head to Glacier Point to see a phenomenal sunset that will cover the famous Half Dome in orange-purple lights.
Top Tip: To avoid congestion in the park, a time-entry ticket is required from May 20 to September 30 during the peak hours from 6 AM to 4 PM.
6. Grand Canyon National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 5/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 5/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 17/20
Grand Canyon National Park showcases one of the largest canyons in the world which makes it one of the most famous National Parks U S A. Admire this natural wonder with your own eyes and see spectacular panoramas while walking along the rim or even hiking down into the canyon.
To get more insight into the indigenous tribes who once lived there, visit the Tusayan Museum & Ruins and enjoy epic vistas of the canyon from the Desert View Watchtower.
Also make sure to visit Grand Canyon Village with its outstanding amenities from lodging, camping, various stores, delicious restaurants, and laundry/shower facilities.
7. Denali National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 4/5
Scenery: 5/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 17/20
Denali National Park is known for the tallest mountain in North America, Denali formerly Mt Mckinley. Since the weather can be very temperamental, you need a little luck to actually see the mountain and not just clouds. In the summer approximately 30-40% of the visitors get the chance to admire a fully visible Denali.
Denali was the first park to be established as a National Park of America solely to protect wildlife such as the grizzly bear, Dall sheep, wolves, and moose.
The best way to see the park is on the ranger-led shuttle since the park is closed off to private vehicles after 15 miles on the Denali Park Road.
8. Virgin Islands National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 5/5
Bonus – Effort: 1/5
Score: 16/20
When you travel to St. John, you can’t miss the Virgin Islands National Park, which covers two-thirds of the island.
Here, you can find beautiful beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters, offering extraordinary snorkeling opportunities to get a closer look at the colorful coral reefs. One of the best beaches to enjoy the bright white sand is Trunk Bay, with a unique snorkeling trail.
But there is so much more to explore in this stunning park. Take some of the trails through the moist forests, climb steep mountains, discover petroglyphs on the Reef Bay Trail, and learn more about the island’s role in sugar production at the Annaberg Plantation.
9. Arches National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 4/5
Scenery: 5/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 16/20
Find the highest concentration of arches and other geological features in stunning Arches National Park. Trust us, hiking the gorgeous trails looking at the thousands of uniquely shaped arches never gets boring.
Most of the famous landmarks of the park are easily accessible. Walking around Balanced Rock or feeling like an ant while standing under the impressive Double Arch, are great activities for every age.
Even though it takes a little more effort, don’t miss out on hiking to Utah’s state symbol, Delicate Arch. This impressive arch will leave you speechless.
Top Tip: Arches require a time entry permit from April 3 through October 3 when you plan on arriving in the National Park between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
10. Bryce Canyon National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 5/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 16/20
Have you ever heard of hoodoos? Hoodoos are tall, spiral rock formations that can be found in high plateaus.
The absolute best place to admire them is on the stunning hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park. The park features the highest number of hoodoos in the world.
The Bryce Amphitheatre is the most popular area to get a mesmerizing view of them but if you are up for a moderate hike, add the Navajo Loop and Queens Garden Trail to your bucket list. On this 3.5 miles trail, you will wander along with the park’s most famous hoodoos.
Top Tip: Since Zion National Park is in close proximity to Bryce Canyon why not visit two of the best National Parks in the USA together. We wrote a detailed guide on how to plan a trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon.
11. Grand Teton National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 4/5
Hiking Trails: 4/5
Scenery: 4/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 15/20
The Grand Tetons are absolutely amazing with their high mountain ranges and lush forests. Unfortunately, they don’t get enough attention, due to their famous neighbor Yellowstone.
Visit this best National Park in USA for a great mix of water activities, hiking trails, and relaxation. After taking an excellent hike through the meadows to Taggart Lake, spotting some abundant wildlife, spend the afternoon swimming at the crystal clear String Lake or explore the waters by paddling.
This is a park we will definitely be back to visit again and who knows maybe it will jump even higher on our ranking of National Parks list.
12. Lake Clark National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 4/5
Scenery: 5/5
Bonus – Effort: 1/5
Score: 15/20
Lake Clark National Park is a remote destination that requires about a 1-hour absolutely scenic small plane ride from Anchorage. The park’s distant destination gives you a taste of the Alaskan wilderness. Even the groceries have to get flown into Lake Clark.
You will want to enjoy the park by taking a long hiking trip to Kontrashibuna Lake which is best to combine with an exclusive camping adventure next to the lake. Another great way to see the natural beauty of the landscape is on a kayaking trip on Lake Clark itself.
13. Everglades National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 4/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 14/20
The Everglades offer a much different National Park experience. The largest tropical wilderness in the U.S. invites you to explore abundant wildlife on stunning hiking and kayaking trails.
Go bird watching on the Anhinga trail, kayak through freshwater marshes and mangrove forests, or spot alligators on a tram tour in the Shark Valley area.
Our favorite experience is biking the 15 miles long Shark Valley Loop Trail. There is no better way to encounter these beautiful reptiles. We were able to spot over 50 alligators. How many alligators do you think you can find on your visit?
14. Badlands National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 4/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 14/20
Badlands is one of the underrated National Parks USA, even though it deserves better. The dramatic, rugged landscape with colorful buttes and spirals is absolutely worth seeing.
Drive on the scenic 39 mile Badlands Loop Roads which will bring you to the must-see places in the park. From there, you can enjoy the several overlooks, see the Yellow Mounds, search for prairie dogs and bighorn sheep.
Make sure to get out of the car to visit the fossil prep lab in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and climb some ladders on the fun Notch trail.
15. Acadia National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 4/5
Hiking Trails: 4/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 14/20
Acadia is the only National Park in the northeast. You can’t help but fall in love with the charm of the New England landscape, dominated by rough coastlines, beautiful beaches, and pristine forests.
This park offers a wide range of hiking trails from easy strolls along the water, to walking on historic carriage roads, and climbing up the challenging Precipice Trail and the Beehive Trail.
During some months of the year, you can be part of a very unique moment. Drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain and be one of the first people who watch the sun rising up in the USA.
Top Tip: From May 25 through October 22, you will need to get a permit to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain to either enjoy the sunrise or the spectacular views during the daytime.
16. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 4/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 13/20
Carlsbad may not be high on everyone’s ranking of National Parks in USA because it doesn’t offer a lot of hiking trails but it is actually one of our favorite ones, due to its unique feature.
What makes this National Park of America so special is the fascinating underground cave system. Enter through the original, natural cave entrance to explore the largest accessible cave chamber in North America.
Besides being amazed by the caves, we were also very fascinated by the bat flight program. Sit down in the Amphitheatre and watch thousands of bats flying out of the cave to go hunting.
17. Mesa Verde National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 13/20
Are you interested in America’s archeological heritage? Dive deeper into the Ancestral Puebloan history by exploring well-preserved cliff dwellings and archeological sites in Mesa Verde National Park.
To best enjoy the park, you can drive the scenic route through the park and take a short hike to the Cliff Palace Overlook to see the biggest cliff dwelling in the park.
For a special experience, take one of the guided tours (the Balcony House Tour is exceptional) to get up close and learn more about how people in the past lived in these stunning dwellings, nestled into the high cliffs.
18. Joshua Tree National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 13/20
This best National Park in the US is located in the Mojave Desert. It is home to the unique Joshua Tree, a spiny, twisted, palm tree-like plant that is actually a succulent.
Besides this famous ‘tree of the desert’, you can encounter complex landscapes in the different elevations of the park. Climb up massive granite boulders (Skull Rock is excellent), visit an old dam, and wander along cacti in the Cholla Cactus Garden.
Don’t miss out on driving all the way up to Keys View to get incredible views of the vast Coachella Valley.
19. Capitol Reef National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 13/20
Capitol Reef is one of the most underrated National Parks in the USA but is higher up on our ranking of National parks list. We were blown away by its various special features. Since it is not that visited, you will find more solitude than in other Utah’s beautiful parks.
You can hike to spectacular natural arches, wander through water-filled slot canyons, get vistas of the impressive canyon landscape, and find petroglyphs on the high canyon walls.
For a quick snack between your adventures, stop in the Historic Fruita District. The Gifford House offers delicious treats, and in the fruit orchards, you can even pick your own juicy fruits.
20. Saguaro National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 5/5
Score: 13/20
Find the largest cacti in the USA, which is also the symbol of the American west, in Saguaro National Park.
The park is split into two sections. The east side is bigger and offers more hiking trails, whereas the west side has a denser population of Saguaro cacti.
Driving the scenic roads, you already get an awesome impression of the desert landscape but to get a real feel for the tall cacti you have to get out of the car to hike on the trails.
Make sure not to visit in the summer months. It gets incredibly hot and you won’t be able to appreciate the park because the temperature will be too hot for any outdoor activity.
21. New River Gorge National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 13/20
Before officially becoming a National Park in the USA, the New River Gorge was recognized as a National River. When it was redesignated in 2020 it became one of America’s newest National Parks in the east.
The park is made up of 70,000 acres along the New River. The New River is a rugged whitewater river that flows northward in deep canyons. This park is definitely a rafters paradise.
Rafting is not the only thrilling adventure that is waiting for you in the New River Gorge National Park. This place is filled with exciting activities like the Bridge Walk, Base Jumping, and Climbing. If you are looking for some calmer outdoor adventures, hike some of the stunning hiking trails.
22. Channel Island National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 1/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 4/5
Bonus – Effort: 1/5
Score: 12/20
Located off the coast of California, Channel Island is made up of 5 different islands: Santa Rosa, San Miguel, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara.
The park allows for a lot of classic land activities, such as hiking and camping, and stunning sea experiences like swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Especially the guided kayaking tour through the sea caves that will leave you speechless.
A truly unique experience is to spend a night on the island’s campground. After the daily stream of tourists leaves the island, you can enjoy the landscape exclusively with just a few other people and catch a sunset at Cavern Point.
23. Death Valley National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 4/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 12/20
Death Valley is not only known as the hottest and driest place in the USA, but it is also below sea level which makes it the lowest National Park.
This park is full of natural wonders. Where else can you enjoy stunning views of endless salt flats, colorful hills ranging from yellow to pink and green, and short hikes to natural bridges.
For the best overview of Death Valley, make your way up the windy 16-mile drive to Dante’s View.
By the way, one of the best times to visit the park is in early spring. Then you get to see the beautiful wildflowers bloom.
24. Big Bend National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 2/5
Score: 12/20
Located in the Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend National Park showcases a great variety of dramatic landscapes, from the high mountain ranges to one of the longest rivers in America, the Rio Grande.
Hike to the highest point, Emory Peak, to enjoy the vistas of the rugged landscape. If you like to get wet, wade through the Santa Elena Canyon being surrounded by massive canyon walls, or soak in the Rio Grande Hot Springs.
On your trip through the park, always keep an eye out for the legendary roadrunners crossing the street.
Even though it takes a little more effort to reach Big Bend National Park due to its remoteness, a trip to this rugged park is absolutely worth it for nature lovers.
25. Canyonlands National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 12/20
Canyonlands National Park splits into three parts, the Needles, the Maze, and Island in the sky.
Islands in the Sky is the most popular section, since it is easily accessible and located next to Arches National Park. Drive on the Scenic Road and hop out of your car at the various stunning viewpoints overlooking the wide lands of canyon and desert landscape.
As big hiking enthusiasts, we loved hiking the short trails to get to know more of this rugged park. The Mesa Arch trail brings you to one of the best features of the park, an epic natural arch. If you are interested in seeing an erupted crater, visit Upheaval Dome.
26. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 12/20
Explore some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rock formations in the USA in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
If you want to soak in the dramatic landscape, stop at the viewpoints along the rim and take the Oak Flat Loop Trail for breathtaking views from the inner canyon.
Even though it is a little scary to drive down the steep and windy road to East Portal Road, you don’t want to miss this perspective of the park. Down at the bottom of the canyon, the vertical canyon walls seem to be even more impressive.
27. Mammoth Cave National Park
Uniqueness: 5/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 1/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 12/20
Mammoth Cave National Park’s famous feature is the world’s longest cave system. More than 400 miles are already mapped, and around 600 miles of underground corridors still remain undiscovered.
Visitors can admire this magnificent wonder on the variety of cave tours offered. A highlight which is included in most of the tours is the Frozen Niagara area, an outstanding natural decorative section with stalactites coming down like a waterfall.
When you are done exploring the mind-blowing underground, don’t forget to check out the park’s miles of hiking or water trails.
28. Great Sand Dunes National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 11/20
Believe it or not, Great Sand Dunes National Park consists of various landscapes, from wetlands to aspen forests, alpine lakes, and the most famous part, the sand dunes.
A visit wouldn’t be complete without making your way up the sand dunes to see the park from above. You can even hike up the tallest sand dune of North America. End the day by grabbing your sled and go sliding down the golden hills.
If you are lingering for an exclusive experience, spend a night in the dunes. It will take you a while to hike to the primitive campsites but you will get rewarded with magnificent views of the glowing dunes during sunrise or sunset.
29. Petrified Forest National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 11/20
Petrified Forest National Park totally surprised us with its unique landscape. Have you heard of petrified wood? Those are trees being replaced by stone over millions of years via a mineralization process.
Sounds fascinating? Then you have to visit this National Park of America to see the petrified logs scattered through the vast desert landscape with your own eyes. The Giant Logs trail or the Crystal Forest trail are great options to get up closer.
Besides this natural phenomenon, you can also travel back in time to see ancient petroglyphs, remnants of Puebloan villages, and the old roadbed of Route 66.
30. Great Basin National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 2/5
Score: 11/20
Mainly known for the high concentration of uniquely twisted bristlecone pine trees, the oldest living organism on earth, Great Basin National Park offers stunning forest and alpine vistas.
To get to the most exciting trailheads, make your way up 5,000 feet on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. From here, combine the Bristlecone and Glacier Trail with the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail (7.3 miles long) which brings you to bristlecone pine trees, crystal clear alpine lakes, and the only active glacier in Nevada.
When you’re done exploring the hiking trails, why not check out the underworld. Join a ranger-led walk through the massive Lehman Caves and be impressed by more than 300 shield formations.
31. Sequoia National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 11/20
California is home to the most National Parks U S A. To protect the Sequoia trees from the logging industry, Sequoia became California’s first National Park in 1890.
Being neighbors with Kings Canyon National Park, they share the same landscape of large forests with Sequoia trees but also rugged mountain peaks, and several lakes and ponds.
As outdoor lovers and National Park geeks we couldn’t wait to hug one of the world’s largest trees in Sequoia National Park, the General Sherman Tree which stands 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter.
Feel what it is to be an ant as you hike between the 200+ feet high trees on the Congress Trail.
32. Kings Canyon National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 11/20
Kings Canyon National Park is very similar to its neighboring park Sequoia National Park. The park is filled with trees that look like skyscrapers and is home to the largest grove of Sequoia in the world.
Besides the charming Sequoia trees, visitors can enjoy various hiking trails, horseback riding, and camping under the stars.
A trip to Kings Canyon would not be complete without a visit to some of the tallest trees in the Grant Grove area (General Grant Tree), Cedar Grove area, and Zumwalt Meadows.
33. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Uniqueness: 2/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 5/5
Score: 11/20
Referred to as the “Wildflower National Park” you can find wildflowers of all kinds blooming in the dense forests from late winter to late fall.
But there is so much more to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The most visited National Park in the USA offers activities for all ages, from hiking to bicycling, horseback riding, fishing, and much more.
Hike up Tennessee’s highest point, Clingman Dome, from where you will have spectacular views of the surrounding mountain landscape, chase some waterfalls, encounter wildlife, or learn more about the park’s history and the early settlers in Cades Cove.
34. Hot Springs National Park
Uniqueness: 4/5
Amenities: 4/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 1/5
Bonus – Effort: 5/5
Score: 11/20
Hot Springs National Park offers a much more relaxing experience than other beautiful parks. Here, you can soak in the warm waters of the area’s hot springs in one of the bathhouses on Bathhouse Row.
There is no opportunity to take a bath in the hot springs themselves but pipes will bring the thermal water directly into your tub to enjoy a traditional bathing experience from the early 20th century.
For a more natural encounter with the water, walk to one of the springs which are easily accessible from West Mountain Drive.
This park is vastly different from the majority of the others on this ranking of National Parks list but it is one not to be missed, especially if you are in the area.
35. White Sands National Park
Uniqueness: 3/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 10/20
White Sands is one of the newer parks to the National Park Services offering unforgettable adventures in a white oasis.
Even though the dunes are shorter than those in the Great Sand Dunes National Park, sliding down the dune fields is one of the best things to do in the park. If you don’t bring your own sleds, you can purchase one from the gift shop.
To discover the white gypsum dunes the best, take your car on the dune drive and venture on some of the 5 hiking trails. You can also plan a backcountry camping trip among the glistening dunes which is an excellent opportunity to admire the clear night sky.
36. Shenandoah National Park
Uniqueness: 2/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 2/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 10/20
Shenandoah National Park is a hiker’s paradise with more than 500 miles of trails for all skill levels in a beautiful forested landscape. When touring the park’s scenic drive, Skyline Drive, you will want to stop around every corner to enjoy the stunning vistas of the mountains.
Climb up the short and thrilling Bearfence Mountain for some exercise, hike parts of the Appalachian Trail, and don’t miss the park’s most graceful waterfall, Dark Hollow. There is a good chance you will be lucky and encounter the park’s most popular animal, the black bear.
There are great ways to combine your trip to Shenandoah with other popular activities in that area. Since the park is part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, continue driving this phenomenal scenic drive or visit the largest caverns in the eastern USA, Luray Caverns.
37. Pinnacles National Park
Uniqueness: 2/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 10/20
See fascinating rock formations made of erupting volcanoes millions of years ago in the smallest National Park in California, Pinnacles.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find a lot of joy on the more than 30 miles of trails, including two stunning Talus Caves. Feel like a cave explorer, when you wander through the dark, Bear Gulch Cave, which you will share with large colonies of bats and frogs.
If you’re up for some rock climbing, you can enjoy several different routes along the towering rock formations.
38. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Uniqueness: 2/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 3/5
Scenery:3/5
Bonus – Effort: 3/5
Score: 10/20
Located at the border of New Mexico and Texas, you find the secluded Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Great hiking trails in different elevations invite you to enjoy the desert with its extraordinary wildlife and plants, pine forests, and dramatic mountain ranges.
Here, you will get the chance to hike up 3,000 ft to stand on the highest natural point of Texas, Guadalupe Peak, or climb up the natural rock stairway on the Devil’s Hall Trail.
Plan a quick stop at its neighbor Carlsbad Caverns National Park to explore the stunning cave systems with its fantastic stalactites and stalagmites.
39. Indiana Dunes National Park
Uniqueness: 2/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 5/5
Score: 10/20
Indiana Dunes National Park offers 15 miles of beautiful beaches along Lake Michigan to relax, go for a swim, or fly some kites.
If you are looking for some more activities, enjoy the park’s many trails while climbing up the massive dunes, wandering through deep forests, or exploring awe-inspiring wetlands.
From Indiana Dunes National Park, it is just a quick jump over to the inland, where the Indiana Dunes State Park is located. Here you find a very unique activity, the ‘3 Dunes Challenge’, a stunning hike to the three tallest dunes in the park.
40. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Uniqueness: 1/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 3/5
Bonus – Effort: 5/5
Score: 9/20
Just a short drive from Cleveland, you will find Ohio’s only National Park Cuyahoga Valley. The mossy sandstone ledges and mysterious wetlands can best be experienced by hiking the several trails or paddling on the Cuyahoga River which feeds into Lake Erie.
If you enjoy biking, you will love the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which passes some of the most scenic and interesting places in the park. Since the bike path is mainly flat, it is a great activity for all ages.
For a one-of-a-kind excursion (especially in the fall), you should book a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, showing you everything this park has to offer on a three and a half hours round trip.
41. Congaree National Park
Uniqueness: 2/5
Amenities: 3/5
Hiking Trails: 2/5
Scenery: 2/5
Bonus – Effort: 4/5
Score: 9/20
Congaree National Park shares a spot with Cuyahoga Valley National Park as our second to last on our ranking of National Parks. But to be fair to this unique National Park in the USA, we may have not given it the best chance. This park does deserve a return visit in the near future.
The park reserves the largest enactment of bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States.
There are a bunch of easy to strenuous trails in the park, but to get a great overview of the park, we would recommend taking the 2.4 miles Boardwalk Loop Trail. Make sure to pick up an informative brochure at the Visitor Center that will tell you more about the nature and cultural background of the park.
Another way of exploring this beautiful park is on one of the water trails. Go on a Ranger-led canoe tour or explore the Congaree River on your own.
42. Gateway Arch National Park
Uniqueness: 1/5
Amenities: 2/5
Hiking Trails: 0/5
Scenery: 2/5
Bonus – Effort: 5/5
Score: 5/20
Gateway Arch currently comes at the bottom of our ranking of National Parks list. It is known for St. Louis’ most epic landmark, the 630 feet tall arch. Even though it has a big wow factor, this park is much different than the other best National Parks in USA, since it doesn’t offer any outdoor adventures.
When visiting the tallest national monument in the USA, don’t forget to go inside. The interactive museum will teach you everything you need to know about the Native Americans and (early) pioneers who were responsible for the westward expansion of the United States.
After that, take the tram ride to the top to enjoy spectacular views of St. Louis and the surrounding area.
National Park USA FAQ:
When is the Best Time to Visit One of America’s National Parks?
No matter what time of year you visit a National Park of America, you will have an undeniably unforgettable experience exploring the beautiful lands. Each park offers various and unique opportunities in the different seasons.
Do keep in mind that depending on the season, different parts of the beautiful parks or activities may be closed. So before planning your trip, it is best to visit the specific park’s website to find out more information about what is open and available during your planned visit.
What is the Biggest National Park in the USA?
The biggest National Park of America is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska. The park comprises 13.2 million acres. It is also the largest wilderness area in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This park is full of tall mountain peaks, one of the largest and most active volcanoes, and some of the biggest glaciers in North America.
The biggest National Park in the lower 48 states is Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada with over 3 million acres. The park is best known for being the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park USA.
What is the Smallest National Park in the USA?
Gateway Arch National Park is the smallest National Park in the USA at 90.9 acres. The park is located in the city of St. Louis, Missouri.
To be clear, this is the smallest National Park but it is not the smallest landmark in the National Park service. This is held by Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial in Pennsylvania at 0.02 acres.
Is it Free to Visit the National Parks?
Entrance fees vary depending on the National Park you are visiting. Some of the best National Parks of USA are free of charge all year long, while others have a specific entrance fee.
To find out more about each park’s entrance fees, read our post about the America the Beautiful Pass, where we outline the costs for every single park.
On certain days of the year, ALL National Parks in U.S.A are free to visit.
Here is a list of free entrance days in National Parks for 2022:
- January 17: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
- April 16: First Day of National Park Week
- August 4: One year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 24: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
List of the National Parks Not Yet Visited
Our ranking of these best National Parks of USA will be coming soon!
- Biscayne National Park
- Crater Lake National Park
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- Gates of the Arctic National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Glacier Bay National Park
- Haleakala National Park
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Isle Royale National Park
- Katmai National Park and Preserve
- Kobuk Valley National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- National Park of American Samoa
- North Cascades National Park
- Olympic National Park
- Redwood National Park
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Voyageurs National Park
- Wind Cave National Park
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Which of the best National Park in the USA is your absolute favorite? How does your ranking of National Parks looks like?
Share your experiences with us or drop a question in the comments below!
Our Other National Park Resources:
- Explore Utah’s National Parks in One Unforgettable Road Trip
- How to Save Money with the America The Beautiful Pass
- 16 Best East Coast National Parks You Need to Visit
- 34 Best West Coast National Park + Western U.S. Parks that Will Blow Your Mind
- A Complete National Park List by State + Downloadable Checklist and Map
You May Also Like:
- Hiking: What You Should be Packing for a Hike: The Essentials + Extras
- Gifts: 50 Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Women Created by Outdoor Lovers
- Gifts: 100+ Best Gifts for Hikers to Buy
- Apps: 15 Most Helpful Hiking Apps to Download
- Upstate New York: 34 Top Rated Best Hikes Upstate New York
- Road Trip: 100+ Tested Road Trip Pack List Essentials You Will Not Want to Forget
Save this Post for later on Pinterest!
Did you like this post? Subscribe to our newsletter and we’ll send you more unique travel tips, updates, and even FREE content!
My favorite is Olympic NP. It has an amazing diversity of scenery and things to do. There is a panorama of glacial mountains, diverse wildlife, moss hanging rain forests, hot thermal springs, tide pools with incredible sea life, great hikes into beautiful remote wilderness and huge old growth trees. It’s very unique to have the best of mountains and sea in one place, plus a bunch of other things. It’s like having several National Parks in one place. In addition, there are many interesting towns close by including Port Angeles and historic Port Townsend. Dungeness Spit county park is close to ONP and has great camping and views of the San Juan islands and Canada. I love all the National Parks and have explored most of them. Olympic is my favorite with such incredible diversity.
I (Rachel) have been to Olympic National Park, however, we have not gone together which is why we did not write about it yet in this post. But I do have to agree with you Olympic is a beautiful National Park. We can not wait to get out to the Pacific Northwest to explore! Thanks for all the great information.
Great list! We love the national parks but some of the newer designated parks just don’t compare to the original parks like Yosemite or Yellowstone. Parks like Gateway Arch and Indiana Dunes just don’t have the nature activities and beautiful scenery that you think of when you hear the title National Park. Check out:
6 Worst National Parks And Where To Go Instead https://theadventuredetour.com/6-worst-national-parks-and-where-to-go-instead/
We totally agree with that! Both of those parks fall at the very bottom of our list for that reason. We currently have to update this post since we have visited 4 more national parks since this was written and these would still fall in our bottom 5. It looks like from your post, we have similar feelings about our least favorite national parks.
What a great article. I live in the UK, but travel to the US 1-3 times a year for a road trip. I always plan to take in at least 1 national park, but usually manage 3, along with state parks, and reserves. The scenery is stunning whichever park you visit, each offering its own unique wildlife, geology, and scenery. As I frequent these places, I always buy the annual pass. This helps to save quite a bit of money, as you can also use it in a few other places that are not national parks. Saying that, my wife always has to buy a cuddly toy as a memento, so I am not saving what I think I am.
Thank you, Keith! It is amazing that you get the chance to visit the beautiful US National Parks and State Parks that often. You could travel the US for years and would still find more scenic places to explore. Enjoy your travels!