Discover All 63 U.S. National Parks

Our nation’s National Parks are like an open invitation to explore some of the country’s most stunning and diverse landscapes. Each park has its own unique character, with one-of-a-kind plants, animals, and geological wonders that make it a place worth visiting. With 63 parks spread from the towering peaks of Alaska to the tropical coastlines of Hawaii, each one offers a chance to connect with nature in a way that’s truly unforgettable. Here’s a look at all the U.S. national parks and what makes each one special.

 

The Complete List of U.S. National Parks

 

Acadia National Park, Maine

• Known For: Rugged coastal cliffs, dense woodlands, and panoramic views from Cadillac Mountain—the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Acadia also has historic carriage roads for biking and vibrant fall foliage.

American Samoa National Park, American Samoa

• Known For: Tropical rainforests, stunning coral reefs, and vibrant cultural heritage. The park spreads across three islands and offers lush mountains, idyllic beaches, and pristine snorkeling areas.

Arches National Park, Utah

• Known For: Over 2,000 natural stone arches, dramatic rock formations, and iconic sites like Delicate Arch. The park’s sandstone structures showcase the effects of millions of years of erosion.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

• Known For: Strikingly eroded rock formations, sharp cliffs, and mixed-grass prairie. The park is a fossil-rich area where ancient mammal remains have been discovered, making it popular for paleontology enthusiasts.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

• Known For: Vast desert landscapes, the winding Rio Grande River, and the Chisos Mountain range. Big Bend is home to diverse wildlife, including roadrunners, javelinas, and black bears, as well as beautiful night skies for stargazing.

Biscayne National Park, Florida

• Known For: Coral reefs, marine wildlife, and a subtropical ecosystem accessible primarily by boat. The park protects one of the most extensive coral reef systems in the world, perfect for diving, snorkeling, and boating.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

• Known For: Steep, narrow canyons with dramatic cliffs carved by the Gunnison River. Known for its challenging rock walls, it’s a favorite for climbers and offers spectacular scenic overlooks.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

• Known For: Its unique hoodoo rock formations and stunning amphitheaters of red, orange, and white. The park’s high elevation offers clear night skies, making it ideal for stargazing. 

Hiking daypack for the adventurer in you. 

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

• Known For: Expansive mesas, towering rock formations, and river-carved canyons. It’s split into districts, each offering a different experience, including hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and challenging off-road trails.

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

• Known For: The Waterpocket Fold, a geological wrinkle that creates a colorful landscape of cliffs and canyons. The park is also known for its historic orchards in Fruita, where visitors can pick fruit seasonally.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

• Known For: A vast network of underground limestone caves, including the famous “Big Room,” one of North America’s largest caverns. The park also has bat flights at dusk during the summer.

Channel Islands National Park, California

• Known For: Isolated island landscapes with unique plants and animals, some found nowhere else in the world. Marine life around the islands includes sea lions, dolphins, and kelp forests perfect for snorkeling and diving.

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

• Known For: One of the tallest deciduous forests in the U.S., with trees over 100 feet tall and unique floodplain ecosystem. The park is known for its scenic boardwalk trails, canoeing routes, and seasonal firefly displays.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

• Known For: The deepest lake in the U.S., renowned for its strikingly clear blue waters. Crater Lake is a caldera lake formed by the eruption of Mount Mazama, with dramatic cliffs surrounding it.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

• Known For: A mix of forests, rivers, and waterfalls, especially Brandywine Falls. The park also features historic canal routes and is one of the few national parks offering a scenic train ride.

Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada

• Known For: The hottest and driest place in North America, with a landscape of salt flats, sand dunes, and dramatic canyons. Despite its name, Death Valley teems with life and offers colorful displays of wildflowers after rare rains.

Denali National Park, Alaska

• Known For: Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America, along with expansive wilderness home to grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. The park is ideal for wildlife viewing and scenic drives on Denali Park Road.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

• Known For: A collection of small islands in the Gulf of Mexico, including historic Fort Jefferson. Accessible only by boat or plane, the park is surrounded by coral reefs and turquoise waters.

Everglades National Park, Florida

• Known For: The largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., with vast wetlands, mangroves, and diverse wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and rare bird species. Airboat rides and wildlife tours are popular here.

Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

• Known For: Remote, untouched wilderness north of the Arctic Circle with no roads or trails. The park is for the truly adventurous, offering unparalleled solitude and raw Alaskan beauty.

Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri

• Known For: The iconic Gateway Arch, symbolizing America’s westward expansion, alongside scenic views of the Mississippi River and historic exhibits on early American pioneers.

Glacier National Park, Montana

• Known For: Glaciers, alpine lakes, and rugged mountain scenery. Known as the “Crown of the Continent,” the park offers incredible hiking, scenic drives, and the chance to see wildlife like grizzly bears and mountain goats.

Trekking poles to save those knees!

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

• Known For: Spectacular tidewater glaciers, fjords, and marine life, including whales and sea otters. Glacier Bay is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers stunning views from the water.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

• Known For: One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the canyon stretches 277 miles and plunges over a mile deep. Its massive, layered red rock walls offer unmatched views, and rafting the Colorado River is a bucket-list experience.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

• Known For: Towering mountain ranges, pristine lakes, and diverse wildlife. Grand Teton is ideal for hiking, fishing, and photography, with the iconic peaks creating one of the most recognizable mountain landscapes in the world.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

• Known For: Home to ancient bristlecone pines, some over 4,000 years old, and Lehman Caves, filled with intricate formations. It’s also one of the darkest places in the U.S., making it perfect for stargazing.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

• Known For: The tallest sand dunes in North America, surrounded by wetlands, alpine forests, and seasonal lakes. Sandboarding and hiking are popular activities here, along with exploring the diverse ecosystems around the dunes.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee

• Known For: Lush forests, mist-covered mountains, and the highest biodiversity of any U.S. park. The Smokies are known for their rich history and beautiful seasonal changes, from spring wildflowers to vibrant autumn foliage.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

• Known For: The highest peak in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, and the fossilized reef of the Permian era. The park offers rugged trails and is known for beautiful fall colors and stargazing opportunities.

Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii

• Known For: The Haleakalā Crater, a massive shield volcano with stunning sunrise and sunset views. The park also preserves rare species, including the nēnē, Hawaii’s state bird.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

• Known For: Active volcanoes, including Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, and otherworldly landscapes of lava fields and volcanic craters. Visitors can witness volcanic activity up close when the lava is flowing.

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

• Known For: Thermal springs used for therapeutic baths, a historic “Bathhouse Row,” and lush hiking trails. This is one of the oldest areas protected in the U.S., known for its healing waters.

Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

• Known For: Sandy beaches and dunes along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, with rare plant species and forested trails.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

• Known For: An isolated island in Lake Superior, with dense forests, clear lakes, and abundant wildlife, including wolves and moose. The park is known for backpacking, boating, and solitude.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

• Known For: Distinctive Joshua trees, surreal rock formations, and two unique desert ecosystems—the Mojave and the Colorado. The park is a favorite for rock climbers and stargazers due to its remote location and clear skies.

Katmai National Park, Alaska

• Known For: A renowned spot for bear viewing, especially at Brooks Falls, where brown bears gather to catch salmon. The park also has active volcanic landscapes, with the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes offering a stunning volcanic backdrop.

Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

• Known For: Dramatic coastal fjords, glaciers, and rich marine life, including orcas, sea lions, and humpback whales. The Harding Icefield is one of the largest icefields in the United States, providing spectacular views and unique hiking experiences.

Kings Canyon National Park, California

• Known For: Towering cliffs, giant sequoia trees, and one of the deepest canyons in North America. Kings Canyon is adjacent to Sequoia National Park and offers a similar landscape of massive trees and mountainous terrain.

Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

• Known For: Expansive sand dunes, the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, and an annual migration of caribou across the Kobuk River. The park is remote and largely untouched, making it an ideal location for visitors seeking solitude and rugged natural beauty.

Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

• Known For: Volcanoes, glacial rivers, and pristine lakes, with opportunities for remote wilderness camping and wildlife watching. The park is also home to a vibrant ecosystem where salmon runs attract bears and other wildlife.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

• Known For: Volcanic landscapes with all four types of volcanoes represented (shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome), as well as boiling springs, fumaroles, and other geothermal features.

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

• Known For: The world’s longest known cave system, with over 400 miles of explored underground passages. The cave formations and underground rivers make it a captivating site for spelunkers and explorers.

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

• Known For: Ancient cliff dwellings and well-preserved structures built by the Ancestral Puebloans. The park provides a unique look at Native American history and ancient engineering marvels.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

• Known For: Mount Rainier, a towering active volcano and one of the most glaciated peaks in the contiguous U.S. The park offers alpine meadows, wildflower blooms in spring, and dense forests.

North Cascades National Park, Washington

• Known For: Jagged peaks, glaciers, and rich biodiversity, with dense forests, clear lakes, and some of the best views in the Pacific Northwest. Known as the “American Alps,” it’s a rugged haven for hikers and climbers.

Olympic National Park, Washington

• Known For: One of the most diverse parks in the U.S., encompassing a range of ecosystems including coastline, temperate rainforests, and alpine peaks. Visitors can explore tide pools along the coast, lush forests, and the iconic Hurricane Ridge.

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

• Known For: Extensive deposits of petrified wood and colorful desert landscapes in the Painted Desert. The park also contains ancient petroglyphs, adding a historical layer to its natural wonders.

Redwood National and State Parks, California

• Known For: Home to the tallest trees on Earth, the coast redwoods, as well as stunning coastal landscapes and a unique mix of ecosystems that include prairie and forest.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

• Known For: Towering mountains, scenic trails, and alpine lakes at elevations over 12,000 feet. Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the United States, offers sweeping mountain views.

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

• Known For: Iconic saguaro cacti, which thrive in this desert landscape and can live up to 200 years. The park has distinct eastern and western districts with varied desert terrain.

Sequoia National Park, California

• Known For: The giant sequoias, some of the largest trees by volume on Earth, including the famous General Sherman Tree. The park’s rugged terrain includes towering mountains and underground marble caves.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

• Known For: The scenic Skyline Drive, which runs along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering expansive views and vibrant fall colors. It’s also known for waterfalls and miles of hiking trails.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

• Known For: Badlands formations and a rugged prairie landscape that was once explored by President Theodore Roosevelt. Bison, prairie dogs, and wild horses roam the park’s open fields.

Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands

• Known For: White-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant coral reefs in the Caribbean. The park protects more than half of St. John island and offers some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

• Known For: A maze of waterways, islands, and dense forests along the U.S.-Canada border. The park is popular for canoeing, fishing, and houseboating.

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

• Known For: The largest gypsum sand dune field in the world, creating a unique white desert landscape that changes color with the light. Sand sledding and hiking are popular activities.

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

• Known For: One of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world, known for its unique boxwork formations. The park also has prairie ecosystems where visitors can see bison, elk, and prairie dogs.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska

• Known For: The largest national park in the United States, covering 13.2 million acres of glaciers, mountains, and active volcanoes. It’s a true wilderness area, larger than some U.S. states, and perfect for adventurous souls.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho

• Known For: The world’s first national park, Yellowstone is famous for its geothermal features, including Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring. The park also has abundant wildlife, including bison, wolves, and grizzly bears.

Yosemite National Park, California

• Known For: Towering granite cliffs, including El Capitan and Half Dome, as well as giant sequoias and some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Yosemite Valley is an iconic destination for nature lovers and rock climbers alike.

Zion National Park, Utah

• Known For: Towering sandstone cliffs in shades of red, pink, and cream. The park is famous for the Narrows, a river walk through a slot canyon, and Angel’s Landing, one of the most thrilling hikes in the national park system.