From towering red cliffs to glacier-carved valleys, America’s National Parks showcase the country’s most stunning landscapes and unforgettable adventures. I’ve been lucky enough to visit several of these natural treasures, each with its own character, must-see highlights, and insider tips to make your trip even better. Here’s my national parks guide, a quick look at the parks I’ve explored—where they are, what they’re known for, and what to expect when you go.
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Acadia (ME)
Acadia National Park is located along Maine’s rocky coastline and is known for its stunning views and diverse landscape. The park includes over 120 miles of hiking trails, rocky beaches, granite peaks, and dense forests.
Visitors can explore the many trails for breathtaking views or take a boat tour to spot seals, porpoises, and other marine life. Acadia also features several historic sites, including Sieur de Monts Spring, a 17th-century French trading post.
Arches (UT)
Arches National Park is home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, as well as an array of other geological features, including fins, pinnacles, and balanced rocks. This park offers spectacular views of the desert landscape from lofty peaks and dramatic canyons.
Popular activities include hiking, camping, climbing, photography, stargazing, and sightseeing. The Delicate Arch is one of the most well-known features at Arches National Park.
Badlands (SD)
Badlands National Park, in South Dakota, is a rugged landscape of sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles that have been sculpted over millions of years by the forces of erosion. The park is home to a diverse array of birds, reptiles, and mammals, like bighorn sheep and black-footed ferrets.
Visitors can explore the park’s many trails to observe wildlife or catch a glimpse of the stunning sunsets.
Big Bend (TX)
Big Bend National Park, along the Rio Grande River, is home to an incredible array of wildlife and over 450 species of birds. It’s also a prime spot for serious hikers who wish to explore this vast landscape — think stunning views from mountain peaks and desert canyons.
Big Bend is home to the Chisos Mountains, which make up the northernmost part of the park. The Rio Grande River provides a spectacular view from down below.
FYI: Big Bend National Park is extremely close to Big Bend State Park, offering much different landscape and making this a two for one vacation destination. Lajitas is a perfect spot for overnighting.
Bryce Canyon (UT)
Bryce Canyon National Park is a stunning natural wonder that rivals its more famous neighbor, Zion National Park. Bryce Canyon features breathtaking views of red rock formations, hoodoos, and other rock formations that have been carved by wind, water, and time.
The park has some wildlife (mule deer, bighorn sheep, and birds). It is the perfect destination for hiking, camping, or just taking in the beauty of nature. It also elicits jaw-dropping responses from youngsters like my 6-year-old granddaughter, who claims this as her favorite national park.
Biscayne (FL)
Biscayne National Park, located in South Florida, spans over 172,971 acres and offers visitors the opportunity to encounter marine life, including dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles. Activities within the park include fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. Many ranger-led programs offer educational opportunities about the park’s wildlife and ecosystems.
The park is also home to a variety of rare plants and birds, making it an ideal destination for birdwatchers. Visitors can also explore the park’s many islands, coves, and reefs.
Capitol Reef (UT)
Capitol Reef National Park in south-central Utah is a hidden gem bursting with color, history, and jaw-dropping scenery. Spanning more than 240,000 acres, the park showcases dramatic red rock cliffs, twisting canyons, and rugged sandstone formations shaped by the Waterpocket Fold — a nearly 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust.
Visitors can explore scenic drives, hike trails ranging from easy strolls to moderate climbs, and discover natural wonders like Hickman Bridge, Capitol Gorge, and Cohab Canyon. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as golden eagles soaring overhead or coyotes roaming the desert floor.
Carlsbad Caverns (NM)
Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is home to the largest and most spectacular cave system in the world. The park protects over 119 caves, some of which are more than 4,000 feet deep and feature stalactites, stalagmites, and other remarkable geological formations. Visitors can explore these caves on their own or take a guided tour.
In addition to the caves, the park has other natural wonders, like desert wildlife and scenic views of the Guadalupe Mountains.
Dry Tortugas (FL)
About 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of Florida’s most fascinating and remote destinations. This cluster of seven islands is home to pristine beaches, tropical birds, and even sea turtles.
The highlight is at Dry Tortugas National Park is Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fortress built during the Civil War to defend the coast. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and colorful coral reefs, the park is a paradise for nature and history lovers alike.
For snorkeling enthusiasts, Dry Tortugas offers an unforgettable underwater experience filled with vibrant marine life — from parrotfish and grouper to angelfish and starfish. Visitors can reach the park by a 2+ hour ferry ride or by seaplane; I took the Yankee Freedom Ferry, which includes breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, and a guided tour of the fort.
Everglades (FL)
Everglades National Park is also found in South Florida and spans over 1.5 million acres. Although most known for gators, you’ll also find mangroves and plenty of beautiful photo opportunities.
Activities available within the park include canoeing, fishing, birding, and camping. Ranger-led programs that offer educational opportunities about the park’s wildlife and ecosystems. I’ve taken multiple Everglades boat rides, and they always promise something totally different each time.
Everglades National Park has three main entrances—Homestead (Main Entrance), Shark Valley near Miami, and the Gulf Coast entrance in Everglades City (the gateway for boat tours and Ten Thousand Islands activities—each offering a unique way to explore the park’s wild beauty.
Glacier (MT)
Northwest Montana’s Glacier National Park is one of the most breathtaking places in North America, maybe on Earth. Nestled near Kalispell and St. Mary, this awe-inspiring park features over 130 active glaciers, 700 miles of trails, dramatic peaks, and pristine alpine lakes.
With its waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and endless views, Glacier is truly a wilderness paradise worth the journey. Whether you’re hiking, biking, photographing, or simply soaking in the scenery, Glacier delivers unforgettable experiences at every turn.
Stop at Eddie’s Café in Apgar for a pulled pork sandwich or a slice of Huckleberry Cobbler à la mode — a Montana must! Before driving the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, pack snacks and plenty of water; the views are spectacular, but the drive can be intense.
Admission is $35 per vehicle for seven days ($25 in winter).
Grand Canyon (AZ)
Grand Canyon National Park, located in Arizona, is one of America’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Spanning 277 miles in length, up to 18 miles in width, and a mile in depth, this ancient canyon reveals millions of years of geological history in its colorful rock layers.
Home to wildlife such as bighorn sheep, elk, condors, and bald eagles, the park offers endless opportunities for hiking, sightseeing, and taking in some of the most spectacular views on Earth.
Visitors can explore either the South Rim or the North Rim, each offering a different experience. The South Rim is more developed and bustling with activities and viewpoints. At the same time, the North Rim provides a quieter, more serene escape — my personal favorite for its peaceful atmosphere and equally stunning vistas.
Whichever side you choose, the Grand Canyon promises an unforgettable adventure.
Grand Teton (WY)
Grand Teton National Park, a gem in northwestern Wyoming, is home to majestic mountain peaks and pristine glacial lakes. Views from the park’s many peaks include the towering Grand Teton and Mount Owen, as well as the spectacular Jackson Hole Valley.
Visitors can explore backcountry trails, take a boat tour on Jenny Lake, or spot wildlife from one of the many lookout points. There is no fee for this national park, and can be viewed from a long stretch of land.
Great Sand Dunes (CO)
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve spans over 147,870 acres in south-central Colorado. It is home to the tallest dunes in North America, with some reaching heights of up to 750 feet. Visitors can explore the park by taking a drive, hiking, or horseback riding on the surrounding trails.
Wildlife in the area includes pronghorn antelopes and mountain lions. Other activities available include four-wheel driving, sandboarding, stargazing, and wildlife-watching.
Great Smoky Mountains (TN/NC)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. The park is the most visited national park in the United States, and it is easy to see why. From its dense forests, home to black bears, deer, and coyotes, to its stunning views of mountain peaks like Clingman’s Dome and Rocky Top, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers an unforgettable outdoor experience.
The park is also home to several historic sites, including Cades Cove, an open-air museum of mountain life from the 1800s.
Mammoth Cave (KY)
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is the longest known cave system in the world. This underground wonderland features winding passageways, deep chasms, and a vast array of stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is home to thousands of species and provides a habitat for animals (bats, blind fish, salamanders, and many others).
Several tours are available, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the depths of this natural wonder. Reservations are necessary for cave tours and they sell out fast.
Mesa Verde (CO)
Mesa Verde National Park is a fascinating southwest Colorado destination filled with ancient history and breathtaking views. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park, it’s home to more than 4,000 archaeological sites that tell the story of the Ancestral Puebloan people who lived there between 600 and 1300 A.D.
Visitors can explore remarkable cliff dwellings like Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House, or join a guided tour for deeper insight into the area’s rich cultural past.
This park is easy to explore and great for all ages, though it takes about 45 minutes from the entrance to reach the main sites, so plan accordingly. I recommend staying in Durango, about 40 minutes away, and stopping in Mancos along the way, where Chavolo’s is a tasty Mexican food dining op.
New River Gorge (WV)
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in southern West Virginia is a true outdoor playground with rugged Appalachian scenery and endless ways to explore it. The park offers whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and camping, making it a favorite for both adventure seekers and families.
The park’s centerpiece, the New River Gorge Bridge, ranks among the world’s longest steel arch bridges and provides incredible views of the river below. You can admire it from Fayette Station Road, join a Bridge Walk high above the gorge, or visit during Bridge Day to see BASE jumpers in action.
Local outfitters like Adventures on the Gorge make it easy to experience the area’s best thrills safely and memorably.
Petrified Forest (AZ)
Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park is an incredible desert landscape filled with colorful badlands, petroglyphs, and ancient fossilized trees. Visitors can explore the park’s many trails, take a drive along scenic roads, or admire the view from one of several overlooks.
The park is also home to the world-famous Painted Desert Inn, a National Historic Landmark. Petrified Forest National Park is an extraordinary place to admire Arizona’s natural wonders and explore its rich cultural heritage.
Rocky Mountain (CO)
Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado is one of America’s most breathtaking and beloved national parks — and it’s just minutes from The Stanley Hotel, the famous inspiration for The Shining. This alpine wonderland showcases over 300 miles of scenic trails, shimmering mountain lakes, and snow-dusted peaks that soar above the clouds.
Whether you’re exploring wildflower meadows in summer or snowshoeing through a winter wonderland, the park delivers adventure in every season. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, horseback riding, or rock climbing, all while spotting elk, moose, and marmots along the way.
With postcard-perfect views around every bend, Rocky Mountain National Park is the kind of place that leaves you already planning your return trip.
Shenandoah (VA)
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is one of America’s most popular getaways. This 200,000-acre park, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, offers a wealth of outdoor activities, including hiking, backpacking, and camping.
Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic roadway that winds through the park, showcases some of the most stunning views in the eastern United States. The park also boasts hundreds of miles of trails and the beautiful Luray Caverns.
Theodore Roosevelt (ND)
Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is a special place for any outdoor enthusiast. Named after the 26th President of the United States, this national park offers visitors spectacular views of prairie grasslands and dramatically eroded badlands, making it an ideal spot for hiking and camping.
The park also has a historic ranch area with homesteads and a scenic 36-mile loop drive. Enjoy camping, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing on the park’s many trails.
Yellowstone (WY/MT/ID)
Yellowstone National Park is one of America’s most iconic and beloved outdoor destinations. Located primarily in Wyoming, with portions also in Montana and Idaho, this vast wilderness area is home to a wide variety of spectacular geological features, including the world-renowned Old Faithful geyser.
Yellowstone boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife, including elk, bison, grizzly bears, wolves, and foxes. It is also famous for its stunning landscape, canyons, rivers, hot springs, waterfalls, and mountain ranges. Visitors come from all over the world to explore this incredible park and experience its awe-inspiring beauty.
Zion (UT)
Zion National Park, Utah’s first national park, is a stunning showcase of towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, cascading waterfalls, and lush hanging gardens. Just outside Springdale and about 40 miles from St. George, it’s a dream destination for outdoor lovers and photographers alike.
Whether you’re hiking, climbing, or simply soaking in the views, Zion has adventures for every level. Two of my favorite hikes are the easy Lower Emerald Pool Trail and The Narrows via Riverside Walk — an unforgettable experience wading through the canyon. Keep an eye out for mule deer, bighorn sheep, and blue herons along the way.
Entrance is $35 per vehicle for seven days, with an extra $15 tunnel fee for oversized vehicles.
Fun Fact: Like the Grand Canyon, during busy months, park visitors will leave their cars and ride a shuttle bus into the park, which makes stops at several locations.
National Parks Guide and Geek
No matter what kind of traveler you are — avid hiker, road tripper, window shopper, nature lover, or family explorer — America’s national parks promise something special for everyone. Each park tells its own story through breathtaking landscapes, fascinating history, and incredible wildlife encounters. From mountain peaks to desert canyons and coastal cliffs, these natural wonders offer endless opportunities for adventure, reflection, and awe.
