From Coast to Coast: The Top 46 National Parks to Visit in America is a comprehensive guide to some of the most breathtaking and diverse landscapes in the United States. With 62 designated national parks spread across the country, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to visit. That’s why we have narrowed down the list to the top 46 must-see national parks, from the rugged coastlines of California to the towering peaks of Alaska.
1. Acadia National Park, Maine: Located on the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, rocky beaches, and lush forests. Visitors can hike up Cadillac Mountain, the tallest peak on the East Coast, or explore the historic carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr.
2. Arches National Park, Utah: Known for its iconic red rock arches, this park in Utah is a photographer’s paradise. Visitors can hike to the famous Delicate Arch or explore the many other unique rock formations throughout the park.
3. Badlands National Park, South Dakota: The otherworldly landscape of Badlands National Park is a must-see for any nature lover. The park is home to a vast expanse of eroded buttes, spires, and pinnacles, as well as abundant wildlife such as bison and bighorn sheep.
4. Big Bend National Park, Texas: Located on the border of Texas and Mexico, Big Bend National Park offers stunning views of the Chihuahuan Desert and the Rio Grande River. Visitors can explore the park by hiking, camping, or floating down the river on a raft.
5. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah: This park is famous for its unique hoodoos, tall spires of rock that look like something out of a fantasy novel. Visitors can hike through the canyon and take in the breathtaking views of these natural rock formations.
6. Canyonlands National Park, Utah: This park is divided into four districts, each with its own unique landscape and activities. Visitors can hike through the Needles district, go mountain biking in the Island in the Sky district, or take a scenic drive through the Maze district.
7. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah: Located in the heart of Utah’s red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park offers stunning views of towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and the famous Waterpocket Fold. Visitors can hike through the park’s many trails or drive the scenic Capitol Reef Scenic Drive.
8. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico: This park is home to one of the largest cave systems in the world, with over 119 caves to explore. Visitors can take a guided tour or hike through the caves on their own.
9. Channel Islands National Park, California: Located off the coast of Southern California, the Channel Islands are a group of five islands that offer a unique opportunity to explore untouched wilderness. Visitors can take a boat ride to the islands and hike, kayak, or camp in this remote paradise.
10. Congaree National Park, South Carolina: This park is home to one of the largest and oldest intact bottomland hardwood forests in the United States. Visitors can explore the park by hiking, canoeing, or kayaking through the Congaree River.
11. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon: This park is home to the deepest lake in the United States, formed by a collapsed volcano. Visitors can hike around the rim of the lake, take a boat tour, or even swim in the crystal-clear waters.
12. Death Valley National Park, California & Nevada: With its extreme temperatures and vast desert landscape, Death Valley National Park is not for the faint of heart. However, visitors who brave the elements will be rewarded with stunning views of sand dunes, salt flats, and colorful rock formations.
13. Denali National Park, Alaska: Home to the highest peak in North America, Denali National Park offers breathtaking views of the Alaska Range and abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and caribou. Visitors can explore the park by hiking, camping, or taking a bus tour.
14. Everglades National Park, Florida: This park is home to one of the most unique ecosystems in the world, with a vast expanse of wetlands and mangroves. Visitors can take a guided boat tour, hike through the park, or even go on a swamp walk to see the diverse wildlife.
15. Glacier National Park, Montana: Known as the “Crown of the Continent,” Glacier National Park offers stunning views of snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can explore the park by hiking, camping, or taking a scenic drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
16. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: One of the most famous national parks in the United States, the Grand Canyon offers breathtaking views of the massive canyon carved by the Colorado River. Visitors can hike, camp, or take a helicopter tour to see the canyon from different perspectives.

From Coast to Coast: The Top 46 National Parks to Visit in America
17. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming: Located just south of Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton offers stunning views of the Teton Range and the Snake River. Visitors can hike, camp, or take a scenic boat ride on Jenny Lake.
18. Great Basin National Park, Nevada: This park offers a unique landscape of ancient bristlecone pine forests, deep caves, and glacier-carved valleys. Visitors can hike to the summit of Wheeler Peak, the second-highest peak in Nevada, or explore the underground world of the Lehman Caves.
19. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee: This park is known for its stunning fall foliage, diverse wildlife, and historic cabins. Visitors can hike to the top of Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the park, or explore the historic Cades Cove loop road.
20. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas: This park is home to the highest peak in Texas and offers stunning views of the rugged desert landscape. Visitors can hike to the summit of Guadalupe Peak, explore the park’s extensive cave system, or camp under the starry desert sky.
21. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii: Located on the island of Maui, this park is home to one of the most unique landscapes in the world. Visitors can watch the sunrise from the top of Haleakalā, explore the park’s many hiking trails, or even go on a guided horseback ride.
22. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii: This park is home to two of the most active volcanoes in the world, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. Visitors can hike through the park to see lava flows, explore lava tubes, and even see the glow of molten lava at night.
23. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas: This park is famous for its natural hot springs, which have been used for healing and relaxation for centuries. Visitors can take a dip in the hot springs, explore the historic bathhouses, or hike through the park’s many trails.
24. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan: Located in the middle of Lake Superior, Isle Royale offers a remote and untouched wilderness experience. Visitors can explore the island by hiking, camping, or kayaking through the crystal-clear waters.
25. Joshua Tree National Park, California: This park is named after the iconic Joshua trees that dot the landscape and offers stunning views of the desert landscape. Visitors can hike through the park, go rock climbing, or stargaze at night in this dark sky preserve.
26. Katmai National Park, Alaska: This park is home to one of the largest populations of brown bears in the world, and visitors can witness these majestic animals fishing for salmon in the rivers. The park also offers stunning views of volcanoes, glaciers, and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
27. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska: This park is a popular destination for glacier and wildlife viewing, with the Harding Icefield, a massive expanse of ice, as the main attraction. Visitors can take a boat tour to see glaciers up close or hike through the park to see abundant wildlife, including whales and sea lions.
28. Kings Canyon National Park, California: This park is home to the deepest canyon in North America and offers stunning views of towering granite cliffs, giant sequoia trees, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can hike through the park, camp under the stars, or even go on a guided mule ride.
29. Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska: One of the most remote and least visited national parks, Kobuk Valley offers a truly wild and untouched experience. Visitors can hike through the park’s vast sand dunes, camp along the Kobuk River, or even go dog sledding in the winter months.
30. Lake Clark National Park, Alaska: This park is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in Alaska, including towering mountains, pristine lakes, and active volcanoes. Visitors can explore the park by hiking, camping, or taking a scenic flight over the park.
31. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California: This park offers stunning views of volcanic features such as hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. Visitors can hike to the summit of Lassen Peak, explore the park’s many trails, or even go on a guided boat tour of the park’s lakes.
32. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky: Home to the longest known cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave offers a unique underground experience. Visitors can take a guided tour of the cave, explore the park’s many trails, or even go on a canoe trip down the Green River.
33. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado: This park is home to some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the United States, built by the Ancestral Puebloans over 700 years ago. Visitors can take a guided tour of the dwellings, hike through the park, or even camp in the backcountry.
34. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington: This






