15+ Best & Most Beautiful National Parks in the US You Shouldn’t Miss

Check out the most beautiful national parks in the US with breathtaking landscapes, from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone, ideal for a journey to explore the nature of the US.

If you are a nature lover, passionate about trekking, landscape photography or simply want to “escape the city” to breathe fresh air, the US is an ideal destination. Besides modern cities like New York or Los Angeles, the US also owns more than 400 national parks preserved and developed by the National Park Service (NPS).

From the brilliant red canyons of the Grand Canyon, the seven-colored hot springs of Yellowstone, to the pristine temperate rainforest of Olympic National Park, each park has its own unique ecosystem, breathtaking landscapes and experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. Let’s plan and prepare for an inspiring journey!

Most beautiful national parks in the US: Yellowstone National Park – The Legend of Hot Springs in America

Do you believe that this place used to be… a super volcano? Yes, Yellowstone National Park is not only the first national park in the world, but also the most vivid natural wonder in America. When you stand in front of the rainbow-colored Grand Prismatic Spring, or wait for the moment Old Faithful erupts, you will understand why Americans call this place “the wild heart of America”.

Grand Teton National Park & Yellowstone National Park Multi-day Guided Tour

The wonderful thing is that nature in Yellowstone is always changing – sometimes it is snow-covered forests, other times it is a sun-drenched prairie where bison and grizzly bears walk like characters in a documentary.

Yosemite National Park – A Famous American Tourist Destination for Nature Lovers

2D1N Yosemite Valley Tour from San Francisco

Yosemite National Park is likened to an epic made of stone, water and light. From the Yosemite Falls cascading down like a giant silk ribbon, to the towering granite cliffs of El Capitan that challenge human limits – this place will make your heart stop before the inviolable beauty. Get up early, walk through the giant sequoia forest, listen to the birds waking up in the branches. And if you stand at Tunnel View at sunset, you will understand why generations of photographers and artists have not left this place.

Grand Canyon National Park – The Great Canyon in the Heart of the Arizona Desert

The Grand Canyon, with its red cliffs that have been created over millions of years, is one of the most spectacular destinations that America is proud to introduce to the world. Standing at the edge of the South Rim at sunset, you will feel overwhelmed – not only because of the depth of thousands of meters, but because of the strange feeling of being small before the majestic nature. And if you are up for a challenge, try trekking to the bottom of the canyon or flying a helicopter along the Colorado River to see everything from an unbelievable perspective.

2D1N Grand Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon & Zion National Park

Glacier National Park – Snowy Mountains & Blue Lakes in Nordic Style

There are places that make you doubt that you are in America – Glacier is one of them. Sitting on the car driving along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, you will see the snowy mountains reflecting on the calm lake, even without a filter, it is still incredibly beautiful. Try kayaking on Lake McDonald in the early morning, when the water is blue and calm as a mirror.

Wander Camp Glacier

Or just walk along the road, listening to the sound of melting ice in the distance – every moment here makes you feel like time has slowed down. Glacier is not noisy, not majestic like the Grand Canyon, but has a quiet, fairy-tale beauty, as if you are entering a chapter of a mythical story that has no end.

Bryce Canyon National Park – The Maze of Red Rock Pillars

Bryce Canyon is not really a “canyon”, but rather a giant outdoor theater – where thousands of strange rock pillars (called hoodoos) stand upright, layered like an audience waiting for the sun to rise. Standing from Sunrise Point on a chilly early morning, you will see the first rays of sunlight dyeing the top of the rocks golden, turning the scene into a surreal scene like a vivid oil painting. It feels like wind and time have secretly created this wonder for thousands of years, just for you to come here one day, stand still and exclaim: “Why isn’t this place a wonder of the world?”

Bryce Canyon & Grand Canyon Multi-day Guided Tour

Zion National Park – Walking Through the Red Rock Canyon Like on Mars

If you have ever dreamed of walking through an alien planet, Zion is the closest place to making that happen. The towering rock walls, glowing red under the Utah sun, form a natural maze that makes you want to walk forever. The Narrows trail takes you through a stream between two steep cliffs, both cold and magical. Angels Landing – one of the most adventurous hikes in the US – will test your courage and… height.

Yosemite National Park Join-in or Private Tours

Acadia National Park – Catch the First Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain

Woodland Apartments-Acadia National Park

It is said that if you want to greet the new day first in America, climb Cadillac Mountain in Acadia. When the first rays of sunlight touch the Atlantic Ocean, the entire Maine mountains and coastline light up like a new coat. In the summer, Acadia is lush and bustling with birds; in the fall, the red leaves turn this place into a romantic picture that makes anyone want to stay for a long time. If you like to watch the ocean, trek through the forest, and enjoy the peace of an ancient coastal town – Acadia is the place to put it all in one trip.

5G USA eSIM | T-Mobile Verizon

Rocky Mountain National Park – Lost in Snowy Mountains & Ice Lakes

There is a unique music when you enter Rocky Mountain: the sound of wind howling through the valley, the sound of melting ice streams, and the rapid heartbeat when standing before the peak of the mountain over 4,000m high. Trail Ridge Road takes you through the snow-capped mountains, opening up panoramic views that will make anyone speechless. In the summer, the meadows are covered with wildflowers like a carpet of brilliant colors; winter, white snow turns the park into a fairytale paradise.

2 Day Tour Explore Banff National Park and Rocky mountains

Arches National Park – When Sandstone Turns Into Stone Bridges in the Sky

Have you ever imagined that rocks can bend, forming giant gates suspended in the sky? At Arches, that exists in more than 2,000 sandstone arches, each arch like a sculpture carved by wind and rain. The most famous rendezvous is Delicate Arch – the symbol of the state of Utah, where the setting sun turns the entire rock into a fiery orange. Arches is like a magical stage, where you stand in the middle of the desert and suddenly realize: it turns out that nature also has a bit of “artistic talent”, huh!?

Arches National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour in Utah

Great Smoky Mountains – The Most Visited National Park in the US What’s Special?

The answer lies in the name: layers of mist swirling around the mountain tops, covering the primeval forest with an unforgettable, mysterious beauty. The Great Smoky Mountains are not noisy, not ostentatious, but charming with simplicity – the chirping of birds every morning, the babbling brook among the trails, the red maple forests in the fall. This is the national park with the most visitors in the United States, because it touches the deepest emotions: a space peaceful enough to immerse yourself in nature.

Great Ocean Road Max Highlights & Iconic Coastal Views Tour

Discover Death Valley National Park – Unique Desert Scenery for American Travel Itinerary

Hearing “Death Valley” sounds scary, but Death Valley is a place where beautiful scenes converge that make it hard for you to take your eyes off. This is the lowest, hottest and driest point in North America, but it is charming in its own way. During the day, the Mesquite sand dunes shine golden under the harsh sunlight, and at sunset, the valley turns red. At night, the sky in Death Valley becomes one of the best places to watch the stars in the world. It is this fierce contrast that makes this place an emotional and surprising American travel itinerary. Don’t miss it!

Death Valley National Park Sunset & Starry Night Tour

Olympic National Park – Snowy Mountains, Rainforests and Blue Seas in One US Trip

Olympic is a rare national park where you can travel through three worlds in just one day. In the morning, stand on top of Hurricane Ridge and admire the pure white snow mountains sparkling in the sun. At noon, get lost in Hoh Rainforest, a temperate rainforest covered with green moss like a fantasy movie scene. In the late afternoon, stroll along the Rialto beach, listening to the waves crashing against the cliffs. With the combination of mountains, forests and seas, Olympic makes visitors feel like they are traveling through many planets in the same US tour.

Olympic National Park & Bainbridge Island Ferry One-day Nature & Sightseeing Tour

Joshua Tree National Park Tourism – “Natural Art Gallery” in the US

Joshua Tree is famous for its strange Joshua trees stretching their branches as if dancing in the wind, along with giant granite blocks stacked haphazardly. Under the sunset, the entire desert turns orange-yellow, creating a scene so beautiful that it seems like you have entered an outdoor art exhibition. At night, the sky in Joshua Tree is one of the most ideal places to see the Milky Way in the US, making you feel so small in the vast universe.

Joshua Tree National Park & Richard Nixon Library and Museum One-day Historical & Sightseeing Tour

Everglades National Park – Experience the Unique Swamp World in Florida

The Everglades is considered the “tropical rain forest” of the US, where the swamp ecosystem opens up before your eyes with alligators, migratory birds and rich vegetation. The best way to explore is to sit on a wind boat gliding quickly across the water, feeling the strong wind and the sound of waves lapping along the reeds. Every journey is an adventure full of surprises, because the nature here is alive and changes every moment. With its characteristic wild beauty, the Everglades is the perfect destination for those who want to experience a very different aspect of American tourism.

Big Cypress Florida Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – Magnificent Volcanic Landscape in America

Hawaii Volcanoes takes you closer to the primal power of the Earth. Here, two famous volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, still silently shape the landscape. The trail passes ancient lava flows, giant volcanic craters, and lush tropical forests. If you are lucky, you can see the red lava flowing – a rare and unforgettable moment. Exploring this national park is not only a unique American travel itinerary, but also an opportunity to feel the harmony between fire, rock, and ocean.

Volcanoes National Park Adventure Tour from Hilo

The journey through the most beautiful national parks in the US not only opens up majestic landscapes, but also brings moments that touch the heart. Whether you love trekking, hunting for photos, or just looking for a peaceful place, each park has its own story to tell.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to New York you can refer to

• Klook Pass New York City
• New York Helicopter Tour
• New York CityPASS
• Aladdin Broadway Show Ticket in New York
• Summit One Vanderbilt Ticket
• New York Landmarks Cruise by Circle Line
• Klook Special: New York Attractions Combo Ticket
• LEGOLAND® New York Ticket
• The Lion King Broadway Show Ticket in New York
• 60 Minute Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Cruise in New York
• New York City Sightseeing Bus Pass
• Empire State Building Ticket in New York
• New York Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)
• The Edge Observation Deck Ticket in New York
• Top of the Rock Ticket in New York
• The Museum of Modern Art Ticket in New York
• One World Observatory Ticket in New York
• The National 9/11 Memorial Museum Ticket in New York
• Go City – New York Explorer Pass
• American Museum of Natural History Ticket in New York
• Spyscape Spy Museum Ticket in New York

Check out more US guide here.