Yellowstone National Park is the first and most famous national park in USA. The park is so massive it sprawls across three states: Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.

The park is world known for its spectacular geothermal geysers and hot springs, including the picturesque rainbow-hued waters of Grand Prismatic Spring and the reliable eruptions of Old Faithful geyser.

Yellowstone is also a great place to see wildlife like bison, elk, bears, wolves, and pronghorns. It’s a huge park that is easy to explore by car, and one of the best places to visit in winter in USA. But if you want to get off the beaten path, go for a hike and explore hundreds of miles of trails. Check out this Yellowstone itinerary.

• Best Time to Visit: June - September
• Closest City: Bozeman (big city) or Gardiner and West Yellowstone (gateway towns), Montana
• How to Get There: 1.5-hour drive from Bozeman
• Where to Stay: Jackson Lake Lodge

Located next to Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is known for the towering spires of the Grand Teton Mountains. Drink in views of these spectacular peaks from many roadside lookouts in the park, or hike to see them up close.

Grand Teton National Park includes part of the lake-speckled Jackson Hole valley. The boat trip across Jenny Lake to visit Hidden Falls is a must-do. With moose, bears, bison, elk, pronghorns, and coyotes, Grand Teton is also a great place for wildlife watching.

• Best Time to Visit: June - September
• Closest City: Jackson, Wyoming
• How to Get There: Fly into Jackson and drive into the park. Or visit Yellowstone first, then drive south into the park
• Where to Stay: Jackson Lake Lodge, Moran

Another one of the top national parks in the US, Yosemite National Park sprawls across the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. It is home to El Capitan and Half Dome, two of the most spectacular granite features in the world. The hike up to the Half Dome is one of the best hiking trails in California.

Tucked between Yosemite’s granite peaks are serene alpine meadows, raging waterfalls, rivers worthy of rafting on, hundreds of hiking trails, and thriving wildlife. If you're planning a California road trip, be sure to spend a few days here exploring the stunning backcountry of California. Those spending a weekend in San Francisco can also visit Yosemite on a day trip.

• Best Time to Visit: May and June
• Closest City: Merced, California
• How to Get There: 3-hour drive from San Francisco and 4.5-hour drive from Los Angeles
• Where to Stay: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite 

The world famous Redwood National Park is not just one, but three state parks rolled into one: Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks.

This is where you'll find the world’s tallest tree: Hyperion, standing at a soaring 379.7 feet tall. However to prevent it from public vandalism and harm, the location of the tree is kept secret.

Take in views of beautiful redwood in coastal fog and hike through Fern Canyon, which is famous for its wall of ferns. Combine a trip to the Redwood with wine-tasting sessions at the nearby wineries. 

A must-see on any California road trip is Joshua Tree National Park. The park is home to a unique landscape straddling the border between the Colorado and Mojave desert ecosystems. The park is named for its unmistakable “forests” of large yucca plants, which combine with distinctive boulder piles to create an otherworldly landscape.

Outdoor adventurers come to experience the terrain up close by hiking, biking, camping, and rock climbing. Visitors of every age and outdoor experience level will find something to learn and enjoy at Joshua Tree National Park. We've included Joshua Tree in our recommended 2-week California itinerary.

• Best Time to Visit: March-May or October-November
• Closest City: Palm Springs, California
• How to Get There: 1-hour drive from Palm Springs, 2.5 hours from Los Angeles, 3 hours from San Diego
• Where to Stay: The Joshua Tree House

Visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the best things to do in Northern California. The park is characterized by its volcanic and geothermal activity, boasting a diverse landscape of mountain peaks, sulfur pools, and thick forests.

One of the must-see hydrothermal sites is Bumpass Hell, with its acres of bubbling mud pots. The summit of Lassen Peak Volcano offers views over the surrounding wilderness. Nearby, the Devastated Area is littered with lava rocks from its last eruption. A network of trails here connect with the Pacific Crest Trail, one of the most famous hikes in the world.

• Best Time to Visit: June - September
• Closest City: Redding, California
• How to Get There: 1-hour drive from Redding or 4-hour drive from San Francisco
• Where to Stay: Manzanita Lake Campground

Receiving over 6 million visitors per year, Grand Canyon National Park definitely tops the chart as one of the most popular national parks in America.  It's the highlight of any Arizona road trip!

Most people visit the South Rim which is open year round.  To escape the crowds, we recommend visiting the North Rim but it is a 4-hour drive north ( and only open from May-October each year). 

The best part of visiting the Grand Canyon is how much it changes with the seasons and the wildlife you can spot there with bison and elk and mule deer.  Don't forget to go on one of the hiking trails down into the canyon to experience it in a different way than just the viewpoints.

• Best Time to Visit: March-May and September-November
• Closest City: Tusayan, Arizona
• How to Get There: 4-hour drive from Phoenix or Las Vegas
• Where to Stay: One of the best places to stay near the Grand Canyon is The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon. 

Located in Utah, Arches National Park is home to more than 2,000 sandstone arches in shades of red, orange and brown. The majestic arches have been carved by wind, water and erosion for millions of years. The most sought-after arch in the world is definitely Delicate Arch, which is plastered on Utah’s license plates and millions of websites around the world.

But Arches National Park is home to many more spectacular sights. Don't miss the 306-foot wide, 11-foot thick Landscape Arch that’s predicted to be the next to crumble. Also countless naturally formed stone-columns lining the park’s only road like Mother Earth’s skyscrapers.

• Best Time to Visit: April - November
• Closest City: Salt Lake City, Utah
• How to Get There: Fly to Salt Lake City and rent a vehicle (4-hour drive)
• Where to Stay: Red Cliffs Lodge

Part of Utah’s Mighty 5, Bryce Canyon is one of the coolest national parks in USA thanks to its crimson-colored hoodoo. Hoodoos are spire-shaped rock formations that create an incredibly unique landscape in the canyon.

The park’s main road leads past the expansive Bryce Amphitheater, a hoodoo-filled depression lying below the Rim Trail hiking path. The best viewpoints are Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point. Prime viewing times are around sunrise and sunset.

Not to be overlooked by Utah's more popular national parks, Canyonlands National Park is equally impressive and well worth a visit. Located just outside of Moab, Canyonlands offers a diverse desert landscape featuring canyons, arches, and spires carved from rock.

The park is divided into 3 areas: the main one is Island in the Sky, which is the most accessible part of the park, with several incredible scenic lookouts. The other two areas (The Needles and The Maze) are more remote and best explored by 4WD vehicle or on foot. This is an essential part of any Utah road trip! 

• Best Time to Visit: April-May or September-October
• Closest City: Moab, Utah
• How to Get There: 40-minute drive from Moab, or 4-hour drive from Salt Lake City
• Where to Stay: Springhill Suites by Marriott Moab

Capitol Reef National Park doesn't get quite as many visitors as the nearby Bryce Canyon, but in our opinion it has every right to be on this list of top US National Parks.

The park surrounds a long wrinkle known as the Waterpocket Fold, with layers of golden sandstone, canyons and striking rock formations. Among the park's sights are the Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and Capitol Reef, known for its white sandstone domes. In the north are the towering monoliths of Cathedral Valley.

The closest towns with any accommodations are Escalante and Green River, otherwise you can camp at the park.

Zion National Park is increasing in popularity, and rising to become one of the top 10 national parks in USA. Located in southwestern Utah, Zion is a hiker's paradise with endless trails that weave their way through the park. 

One of the most popular hikes is Angel's Landing which is only suitable for advanced hikers.  I would not recommend this hike to those who suffer a fear of height or vertigo as you need to pull yourself up with chains towards the peak and there is a shear drop on each side. 

If you would still like to see magnificent views, check out the hike to Observation Point.  This point overlooks Angel's Landing and offers the same beautiful views.  No matter which hike you choose there is plenty to do in Zion.

Best Time to Visit: April-June or September-November

Closest City: Springdale, Utah

How to Get There: 3-hour drive from Las Vegas or a 5 hours from Salt Lake City

Where to Stay: The Holiday Inn Express Springdale

In the Oregon state lies Crater Lake, one of the most beautiful national parks in the US. It's easy to understand once you see the deep blue color of the lake, poised at the bottom of a steep gorge. Created by a submerged volcano, the lake is the deepest in the United States.

In addition to the lake, the national park is home to a number of mountainous hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic drives. The Rim Drive, a road surrounding the lake, offers views of the park’s volcanic formations. The park has numerous trails, the most popular being Sun Notch, that offers views of an island named Phantom Ship.

• Best Time to Visit: June - August
• Closest City: Medford and Eugene (west) and Bend (northeast), Oregon
• How to Get There: 1.5-hour drive from Bend and 4-hour drive from Portland 
• Where to Stay: Crater Lake Lodge (the only hotel located within the national park) or Best Western Crater Lake

Glacier National Park in northeastern Montana is one of the most beautiful national parks in the U.S. because of its myriad of dramatic landscapes. With over 700 miles of hiking trails, hikers are spoiled for choice here. We recommend doing the Trail of Cedars/Avalanche Lake, Highline Trail, Redrock Falls, Hidden Lake Overlook, and Grinnell Glacier. 

For us, the highlight of Glacier National Park is the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road that is only open about 3 months of the year. This scenic drive is considered one of the most dangerous roads in the country, yet it offers some of the most spectacular views of the park. Check out this list for more things to do in Glacier National Park.

• Best Time to Visit: June - August
• Closest City: West Glacier, Montana
• How to Get There: Kalispell is the closest airport to the park. It is a 1-hour drive to the West Entrance of Glacier National Park.
• Where to Stay: Glacier Outdoor Center

Located just 2 hours from downtown Denver, the Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado spans the Continental Divide. The park is known for the Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road, drives that pass aspen trees and rivers.

There’s plenty to do and see including wildlife tours, photography, mountain climbing, and scenic driving. Check out some of these best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Located in Alaska, Denali Mountain soars 20,308 feet high as the tallest mountain in North America, making Denali National Park one of the best parks in USA. Glaciers line the mountains while incredible wildlife roam freely in this vast park where wilderness rules. 

Whether you are backpacking on foot or driving the Denali park road, you’re sure to see some incredible landscapes and wildlife. Prepare to spot bears, moose, fox and caribou. Wildlife thrives in what's considered one of the most remote parts of the US.

While the summer sun helps keep you warm here in the arctic tundra, the fall is the best time to visit Denali National Park because you’ll also have a chance to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

• Best Time to Visit: June - October
• Closest City: Healy, Alaska
• How to Get There: Fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks and rent a car to drive the parks highway (2 hours from Fairbanks, 4 from Anchorage)
• Where to Stay: McKinley Creekside Cabins

Poised along the Atlantic Coast, Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area primarily on Maine's Mount Desert Island. The park has amazing hiking through woods up to mountain tops with stunning views over the surrounding sea. 

Jordan Pond House is famous for its delicious popovers, served on a lakeside lawn.  You can also swim in Echo Lake (recommended) or the cold ocean at Sand Beach.  This is lobster country, and having fresh lobster at a lobster shack nearby is the perfect way to end each day.

• Best Time to Visit: June - August
• Closest City: Bar Harbor, Maine
• How to Get There: Hancock County–Bar Harbor Airport is the nearest airport. There are free shuttle buses from Bar Harbor into the park. Alternatively, fly to Bangor International Airport and rent a car.
• Where to Stay: Bar Harbor Grand Hotel

The Olympic National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the United States. From the temperate rainforest trails to the rocky beaches on the Washington Coast, Olympic National Park boasts truly dramatic and haunting landscapes. At just 2.5 hours from Seattle, it makes for an excellent daytrip for those spending a weekend in Seattle.

Discover diverse tide pools at Ruby Beach, walk the Hall of Mosses trail through the rainforest, or backpack the High Divide Loop for an epic experience. You can also explore some incredible hiking trails, ranging from the family-friendly Sol Duc Falls path to the super challenging Mount Storm King Trail.

• Best Time to Visit: June - August

• Closest City: Port Angeles or Seattle, Washington

• How to Get There: Fly into Seattle, rent a car from the airport

• Where to Stay: Olympic Lodge

One of the top national parks in the U.S., Big Bend National Park is a massive park in Texas.  It is the only national park that houses an entire mountain range within its border: the Chisos Mountains.

Hike the 150 miles of trails in all three regions for a complete experience. For those who prefer not to hike, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a great way to see some of the park’s most stunning vistas. Alternatively, hire a guide for a canoe trip down the Rio Grande. 

• Best Time to Visit: April-May or September-October
• Closest City: Terlingua, Texas
• How to Get There: The nearest airports are El Paso (4.5-hour drive) and Midland (3-hour drive)
• Where to Stay: Terlingua Ranch Lodge

This highly under-appreciated North Dakota gem offers a completely different experience to most American parks. In this tribute to President Roosevelt, champion of national parks, you won’t find looming pine trees or gigantic mountain peaks.

What you will find, however, is the sublime beauty of the open grasslands, fascinating hoodoos, great hiking and loads of wildlife, all comfortably enjoyed without the crowds that can overwhelm most U.S. popular parks in summer. Backcountry campers can set up their tent anywhere the mood strikes, or those that prefer to stick closer to civilization can choose from several scenic campgrounds and Western-themed hotels.

• Best Time to Visit: May-October
• Closest City: Watford City (North) or Medora (South)
• How to Get There: Dickinson Airport is a 45-minute away but Bismarck (2-hour drive) has the best flight selection
• Where to Stay: Teddy's Residential Suites Watford City or AmericInn by Wyndham Medora.

Located in South Dakota, Badlands National Park is home to the largest protected mixed-grass prairie in the U.S. The park is filled with some of America's most stunning natural formations, including sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires.

The park also contains a massive fossil bed, filled with remains from the Oligocene Epoch of the Age of Mammals. Today, visitors can find bighorn sheep, black-footed ferrets, prairie dogs, and bison amongst the fossil beds and pinnacles.

• Best Time to Visit: August - September
• Closest City: Rapid City, South Dakota
• How to Get There: 1-hour drive from Rapid City
• Where to Stay: Best Western Plains Motel 

Located in southern Florida, the Everglades National Park is the perfect destination if you are doing a Florida road trip. As it's just an hour from Miami, it's definitely possible to visit on a weekend in Miami.

The Everglades are a 1.5-million acres wetland, home to thousands of animal species. The best way to explore the park is to go on a ranger led tour. You will find them at the four visitor centres (Shark Valley, Gulf Coast, Flamingo and Ernest F. Coe). Another amazing experience is to go on an airboat ride across the 10,000 islands.

Finally, you will find several walking trails. The most popular ones are Shark Valley Observation Tower and the Anhinga Trail.

• Best Time to Visit: December - March
• Closest City: Miami, Florida
• How to Get There: 35-minute drive from Miami or 1 hour from Fort Lauderdale. Alternatively, you can book a day tour from Miami.
• Where to Stay: Flamingo Adventures

A best-kept secret in Florida, Dry Tortugas National Park is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful national parks in USA. Located about 80 miles southwest of Key West, Dry Tortugas is so near to the tourist hotspot and yet few people visit each year.

Getting to Dry Tortugas can be expensive and challenging: the island is only accessible by boat or plane (read below for details). Snorkeling and beach activities are the best things to do in Dry Tortugas, as well as joining a guided tour through Fort Jefferson. You can also arrange a scuba diving trip to Dry Tortugas through a liveaboard program in Key West.

• Best Time to Visit: May - September
• Closest City: Key West, Florida
• How to Get There: From Key West, hop onto the Yankee Freedom Ferry. Otherwise, Key West Seaplane Adventures offers a half day tour to Dry Tortugas.
• Where to Stay: Primitive camping is possible, first come first serve.

Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes: the Kilauea and the Mauna Loa. The result is an otherworldly and ever-changing landscape. Both volcanoes are easily accessible, either by car or on foot.

The intrepid travelers can even descend into a volcanic crater. The Kilauea Iki trail, for example, leads you from the cater rim’s lush rainforest to the crater lake where you can see steam coming through the cracks and feel the heat on the crater floor.

• Best Time to Visit: April-May or September-October
• Closest City: Hilo, Hawaii
• How to Get There: 45-minute drive from Hilo and a good 2-hour drive from Kailua-Kona
• Where to Stay: Volcano Teapot Cottage

Rising above theisland of Maui in Hawaii, is the Haleakala Volcano. Standing at 10,023 feet above sea level, it covers almost 75% of the island. While it’s no longer active, the gentle giant remains a sacred spot for the native Hawaiians.

According to Hawaiian folklore, the demigod Maui went to the top of the volcano and captured the sun, agreeing to release it only if it promised to move more slowly across the sky so that the island could have more daylight. The sun agreed, thereby giving the volcano summit approximately 15 minutes more sun than the coastal communities below. Since then, the mountain has been given the name Haleakala, or “House of the Sun.”

Sunrise/sunset viewing is a popular activity in the summit area of the park. However, viewing quality varies greatly depending on the weather conditions. The crater is often in the shadow at sunrise; whereas in the afternoon, the sun is behind you,, revealing the colors of Haleakala crater.