The 11 Best National Parks in the U.S.

Officially becoming a National Park in 1890, Yosemite is one of the most spectacular parks in America. Located in Northern California (about three hours east of San Francisco), the park covers an area of nearly 750,000 acres, including some of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Around 3.7 million people visit the park each year to explore the scenic waterfalls, majestic sequoia trees, and granite cliffs.

Arizona's Grand Canyon is one of many people's favorite national parks, and it's easy to see why. Located roughly three hours north of Phoenix, the canyon was formed by erosion caused by the Colorado River over millions of years. The Grand Canyon is a breathtaking 277 miles long and over a mile deep, so there’s lots to explore here. Aside from the requisite hiking, visitors can go whitewater rafting, ride a mule down the trails, or take a helicopter ride above the stunning landscape.

The Great Smoky Mountains is both a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the most frequented national park in the United States, welcoming approximately 13 million visitors annually. The main entrances to the park are along Highway 441 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina. Travelers explore the hundreds of miles of hiking trails, including 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail; other available activities include camping, fishing, horseback riding, and water tubing.

Bordering Canada and occupying Montana's Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park is stunning. Spanning 1,600 square miles, the park is packed with pristine lakes, snow-capped mountains, forested areas, and rushing waterfalls. It also has 26 glaciers, though there were an estimated 150 glaciers in 1850, and those that remain today are melting. Travelers wanting to traverse the 50-mile main road should stick to summer months when it's completely open.

Near Springdale, Utah, Zion National Park is most recognized for its towering tan-to-reddish canyons. Visitors to the park can expect to see a diverse mix of plants and animals, high plateaus, springs, and waterfalls. With such an array of wildlife, a guided nature walk is a popular activity for park-goers, as are rock climbing and horseback riding.

Located on the island of Maui, Haleakalā became a national park in 1961. The park has two sections: the summit and the coast. The summit area consists of Haleakalā volcano's crater, numerous hiking trails, and a high elevation area that allows for incredible views of sunrise and sunset. The other section, Kīpahulu District, is the coastal side with gorgeous waterfalls, ocean vistas, and lush greenery. It's definitely worth spending time in both parts.

Often regarded as the first national park in the world, Yellowstone became a national park in 1872. Although located primarily in Wyoming, the 2,219,789-acre park extends into Montana and Idaho as well. The park's crowning jewel is Old Faithful, a geyser that erupts about every hour, while the Mammoth Hot Springs and Grand Prismatic Spring are also popular spots. The park has the largest herd of public bison, so visitors can be sure to spot some roaming; grizzly bears, wolves, elk, and pronghorn are just a few of the other wildlife species within the park.

If you're in Oregon and want to head to a national park, you only have one option—Crater Lake. The main sight of the park is, not surprisingly, Crater Lake—a caldera formed by the eruption of Mount Mazama volcano; the lake is 1,943 feet deep at its deepest point, making it the deepest lake in the country. Another notable feature is that the Pacific Crest Trail, popularized in the novel/film Wild, runs through the park. Since winters can lead to road closures, the park receives most of its visitors in summer.

Joshua Tree, located an hour east of Palm Springs, California, was a U.S. National Monument until 1994, when it officially became a national park. Named for the Joshua trees that fill the park, it covers an expansive 800,000 acres and includes both the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. The park is also flanked by large boulders that are popular among rock-climbing enthusiasts; the most well-known is Skull Rock, aptly named as it resembles a skull. Animals that thrive in the desert are present, including snakes, coyotes, and black-tailed rabbits.

Situated in Maine, Acadia is renowned for its plant and animal life diversity. Visitors can enjoy gorgeous views of the rugged coastline, mountains, woodlands, and lakes, and there's plenty of scenery to marvel at. The park is home to 40 different species of mammals, including black bears, moose, beavers, and bobcats. It's also an ideal spot for birdwatching enthusiasts, as bald eagles, peregrine falcons, snowy owls, and red-bellied woodpeckers all call Acadia home.

Located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park occupies nearly 266,000 acres of land situated about a 90-minute drive from Denver. The views are spectacular with elevations ranging from 7,500 to 12,000 feet; the lakes, rivers, and lush greenery all make for great photo ops. Visitors should also expect to see some wildlife, as elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, and mountain lions can all be spotted around the park. From climbing and hiking to horseback riding and fishing, there's an outdoor activity for every traveler's style.