America’s Most Enchanting National Parks

Journey through awe-inspiring landscapes, home to towering mountain peaks, dramatic desert canyons, coastal forests, and more

Few places capture the magic of the natural world quite like America’s wild lands. From towering redwood trees, waterfalls cascading over slick rocks, and wide-open plains where majestic bison roam to otherworldly red sandstone canyons bathed in sunlight and bubbling lava that erupts in fantastic fountains, travelers can enjoy unrivaled outdoor experiences paired with some of nature’s most remarkable marvels with the U.S. National Parks collection. 

Every park tells its own story, providing fascinating insights into the forces that shaped its geologic features, the cultures and communities that have called the land home, and the wildlife that finds shelter within its boundaries. Of course, scenic views await if you’re just seeking time to reset in nature amid breathtaking backdrops as well. 

In light of the nation’s 250th anniversary, there’s no better time than now to take a drive or a hike through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Consider this list your starting point, filled with inspiring places to start your next great adventure. 

Made famous by Ansel Adams’ striking black-and-white photographs, Yosemite National Park welcomes visitors with granite cliffs, sparkling waterfalls, tranquil meadows, and ancient sequoia groves that have been around for thousands of years. As Adams witnessed, it’s a photographer’s paradise, with intriguing elements like golden hour light, morning mist, long shadows, or the annual “firefall” that occurs in late winter when the sun hits Horsetail Falls just right. For a more unique adventure, register for a permit to climb the backside of Half Dome via the intricate metal cable system or visit Taft Point to walk up to massive fissures in the rocks that drop to the valley floor. Since reservation requirements were lifted earlier this year, heavy crowds have flocked to this beloved park. Arrive early and try to plan for mid-week if you’re set on seeing Yosemite Valley or explore lesser-visited parts of the park, including Hetch Hetchy, Tuolumne Meadows, Glacier Point, or Wawona. Extend your trip by heading to the coast and taking a scenic drive down Pacific Coast Highway. 

Consider adding Maine, and Acadia National Park, to the top of your bucket list. Just outside Bar Harbor, spread across Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula, visitors can explore misty coastal forests set atop dramatic rocky coastlines. Drive the scenic 27-mile Park Loop Road to hit the highlights or explore on foot to discover a wealth of unique experiences. Watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, listen to the roar of the waves as they rush into a narrow sea cave at Thunder Hole, visit the historic 1858 Bass Harbor Head Light, get a thrill from climbing the iron rungs and ladders along the Precipice and Beehive Trails, or savor traditional popovers during afternoon tea overlooking Jordan Pond. Although summer is peak season, visiting in autumn lends itself to comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and the vibrant fall foliage New England is known for. Before or after your visit, make a stop at Inn by the Sea for a quintessential East Coast stay. 

Sharp, jagged granite peaks are silhouetted against the sky at Grand Teton National Park. Carved by ancient glaciers less than 10 million years ago, these mountains have no foothills, instead rising right from the Jackson Hole valley floor for views that are both regal and dramatic. This rugged park, just 10 miles from the iconic Yellowstone National Park, is often considered the more adventurous of the two, with ample opportunities for outdoor exploration amid stunning scenery. Hike to the glacial Delta Lake, float down the Snake River in search of local wildlife (ranging from bears, moose, and elk to beavers and eagles), embark on guided mountaineering excursions, see the sights via a horseback trail ride, go whitewater rafting, wander wildflower-filled meadows, or paddleboard atop String Lake just below the iconic peaks. Travelers can also wake up early for sunrise photos of the alpenglow, when the mountains appear to shift to shades of pink and gold, or visit the Western-inspired town of Jackson for a historic stay at The Wort Hotel to round out your visit. 

Wonder and discovery awaits around every corner at Zion National Park, known for its bright pops of color – from the dazzling red rocks to lush greenery, bold blue skies, and yellow wildflowers or golden autumn leaves. While Zion Valley offers a stunning overview of the landscape, there are two hikes in particular that captivate travelers from across the globe. Follow the Virgin River upstream at The Narrows, a slot canyon trail requiring hikers to wade through the water beneath 1,000-foot sandstone walls, or tread carefully at Angels Landing, featuring tight switchbacks and bolted support chains to help you along thin sections with sheer drops on both sides. Those looking to pump up the adrenaline further can go canyoneering at Mystery Canyon or Pine Creek. Immerse further with a stay in the park, either at a dedicated campground or by permit-required backcountry camping in the wilderness. 

With more than 50 eruptions since late 2024, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is one of the most thrilling parks on the list. Kilauea’s Kaluapele caldera is a sacred site to the Hawaiian people, holding deep cultural significance as the so-called “pit of Pele,” the goddess of fire. While volcanic activity is not consistent, those lucky enough to visit when Kilauea is erupting may see lava fountains and flows as well as a strong glow once the sun sets. Head to Uekahuna, Keanakakoi Overlook, and Crater Rim Drive in hopes of seeing these phenomena or dine at Volcano House’s The Rim, a restaurant perched on the edge of the caldera. While volcanism is often the main draw, the park provides several other unique experiences, including the chance to wander the Nahuku Lava Tube, view ancient rock carvings at the Puuloa Petroglyphs, or hike through the rainforest to cross the Kilauea Iki Crater, a solidified lava lake.

Last year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited in the system by far, drawing 6.5 million more visitors than the second most popular destination, according to the National Park Service. These ancient mountains, which top out at just over 6,600 feet at their highest point, were once far taller but millions of years of weather have softened their jagged peaks into rounded, rolling ridgelines. In modern times, the park blends tranquil scenery with incredibly diverse wildlife, Southern Appalachian culture, and a blue-hued mist that blankets the mountains. Enjoy quintessential outdoor experiences here, from swimming in the emerald pool of Midnight Hole, watching elk graze in Cataloochee Valley, and exploring unique geological features at Arch Rock and the Alum Cave Bluffs to walking behind the cascading Grotto Falls. Culture takes center stage at landmarks like the Mountain Farm Museum or Cades Cove, both home to preserved cabins, churches, barns, and other structures from the 19th century. 

Alaska’s national parks are in a league of their own. Although the state is home to only eight of the country’s 63 parks, they encompass some of the most untamed and awe-inspiring scenes – and comprise more than half of all national park land in the U.S. Fly into Anchorage for a visit to Hotel Captain Cook before heading down to Kenai Fjords National Park, near the coastal town of Seward, there is a paved road leading to Exit Glacier, the only part of the park accessible by car. Everything else in this intricate network of glacially carved fjords must be explored by boat or kayak. While Harding Icefield is one of the main attractions, travelers can also visit Aialik Glacier to witness calving as giant chunks of ice plunge into the sea or Resurrection Bay to seek out orca or humpback whales, sea otters, puffins, harbor seals, and mountain goats meander atop rocky ledges. With thinning ice fields and glacial retreat, this park also showcases the effects of climate change and the importance of protecting our planet.

It’s hard not to feel like a fairy when towering redwoods rise 250 feet above you, creating an utterly enchanting setting along the Northern California coast. These captivating old-growth forests, filled with the tallest trees in the world, offer cool, winding trails with dappled light, damp dirt, and the fresh smell of nature at every turn. Comprising the national park and three state parks, this region is home to Fern Canyon, a magical creek bed trail with vertical walls completely covered in lush ferns, and the Grove of Titans, where an elevated boardwalk gets you close to the trees while also protecting their root system. Or trek the short, family-friendly Trillium Falls Trail for the best of it all: redwoods, waterfalls, ferns, bridges, and more. Coastal beaches and headlands are found just nearby as well, making Redwood National and State Parks a diverse getaway that completely immerses you in the magic of the natural world. 

Deep blue water sits inside a volcanic caldera at this mesmerizing park in southern Oregon, giving it the name Crater Lake National Park. Along with being the deepest lake in the U.S., Crater Lake gets its color from the purity of its waters; it’s filled entirely by rain and snowfall, with no rivers or streams feeding into it and bringing their dirt or pollution along. Visitors can hike down to Cleetwood Cove for the only official access point to the water itself or explore the needle-like spires of The Pinnacles, hardened volcanic rock formed around ancient gas vents atop the volcano. Another unique excursion whisks travelers by boat to Wizard Island, a cinder cone shaped like a sorcerer’s hat where visitors can hike to the summit crater for sweeping views of the sprawling lake. 

In 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act to create a safeguarded space that allowed everyone access to the wonders of the natural world. With this action, Yellowstone National Park became the first of its kind in the world, paving the way for the full national parks system that was created in the 1900s. More than 150 years later, this space is still treasured by nature lovers. Spanning more than 3,000 square miles within three states, this sprawling space is home to iconic landmarks like the rainbow-colored Grand Prismatic Spring and the Old Faithful geyser that shoots water more than 100 feet in the air. Driving through, make sure to stop at Artist Point, perched above the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where you can catch views of lower Yellowstone Falls. Photography and wildlife viewing is also popular here, where grizzly bears, gray wolves, American bison, pronghorn sheep, elk, and other animals can be seen roaming through the park. If Montana is your starting point for exploring the park, consider a luxury stay at Montage Big Sky, located only an hour from the park's western entrance.

Set in the open water near Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by boat or seaplane, making it an intriguing option that is perfect for those staying at the family-friendly Hawks Cay Resort on nearby Duck Key. Seven small islands make up the park – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – but Garden Key is the main hub, home to Fort Jefferson. This 19th-century military installation was abandoned by the U.S. Army in the early 1900s and established as national monument in 1935. Now open for tours, visitors can see masonry walls, cannons, prison cells, and even a historic lighthouse. Thousands of migrating seabirds pass through the area, providing a dream setting for birdwatchers, while white sand beaches offer ample space for relaxing in the Florida sun. Snorkel just outside the moat walls to see tropical marine life and coral growth, with collapsed brick pieces submerged underwater serving as an artificial reef. At nearby Loggerhead Key, divers can also explore an underwater Windjammer shipwreck. 

Few places compare to the awe you’ll experience seeing Grand Canyon National Park for the first time. Its massive scale tricks the brain, making it look more like a painting or backdrop than real life. But it’s real, and it’s deep. The Colorado River runs through the canyon floor while horizontal rock layers filled with desert color are stacked up above. With ample open space for exploring the rim, those of all ages and abilities can visit. Watch the sun come up at Mather Point or walk along easy, paved trails with panoramic views. Adventurers can take it a step further and head down into the canyon – a feat only 5% of visitors actually take on. Experienced hikers can go all the down to the bottom to visit the historic Phantom Ranch while rafting trips along the river and mule rides through the canyon are also offered. Overall, it’s a brilliant display of the American Southwest that enchants all who visit.