15 Amazing National Parks Across the USA

Many states across the nation are easing self-isolation restrictions that were put in place due to COVID-19, and just in time for summer! What better place to enjoy yourself after months of being cooped in the house than with a trip to one of the USA’s many amazing national parks. You can spend time off the grid, enjoying the fresh air and wild natural surroundings – a welcome change in scenery compared to your living room, bedroom, and kitchen.

1. Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Address: 20 S Entrance Rd, Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Phone Number: (928) 638-7888

Considered one of the Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park has several stunning features but is most known for its namesake canyon which runs over a mile deep and eighteen miles wide. The views you’ll see of the layered bands of colorful rock are breathtakingly beautiful and visually portray millions of years of geological history. You can partake in activities such as hiking, camping, rafting, stargazing, going on a mule ride, or taking a private plane or helicopter ride to see a birds-eye-view of the canyon.

Fun Fact: The Grand Canyon is around 6,000 feet (1,800 meters) deep. That’s nearly 18 football fields end to end!

2. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Address: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Phone Number: (307) 344-7381

Yellowstone National Park has several different aspects for you to enjoy including geyser basins, hot springs, historically significant structures, archaeological sites, lakes, rivers, canyons, volcanoes, and mountain ranges. This means that everyone you travel with will find an activity that they’ll love such as hiking, camping, fishing, boating, swimming, birdwatching, sightseeing, and even snowmobiling in the winter months. The flora and fauna will capture your eye, especially if you come across American bison, grizzly bears, Rocky Mountain wolves, or one of the 60 other species of mammals that live in the park.

Fun Fact: Yellowstone is the world’s first national park.

3. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park

Address: Yosemite National Park, California

Phone Number: (209) 372-0200

Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is famed for many things such as their giant sequoia trees and Tunnel View, the iconic vista of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. In addition to the park’s many waterfalls, you’ll also be able to explore vast wilderness areas, grand meadows, deep valleys, and much more. Camping is an extremely popular activity in the park, as is hiking, horseback riding, gold panning, rafting, biking, fishing, and rock climbing.

Fun Fact: The park attracts rock climbers from all over the world, many of whom recognize Yosemite as the birthplace of rock climbing (for sport).

4. Zion National Park

Yosemite National Park

Address: 1 Zion Park Blvd., State Route 9, Springdale, UT 84767

Phone Number: (435) 772-3256

Zion National Park offers some of the most panoramic vistas you’ll come across. The Navajo sandstone canyon walls reflect in a gorgeous manner throughout the day as the sun changes positions. In addition to the canyons, you’ll also see mountains, monoliths, rivers, and natural arches. There are so many things you can indulge in such as hiking, camping, going on nature walks, enjoying horseback riding, rock climbing, or feasting on a picnic in one of the designated sites.

Fun Fact: Zion National Park is continually changing; the rivers and tributaries that run through the canyon remove so much sediment that the canyon continues to widen.

5. Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Address: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Phone Number: (435) 834-5322

Housing a series of canyons and natural amphitheaters carved into the edge of a high plateau, Bryce Canyon National Park is a great choice when searching for an outdoor destination. There are miles and miles of hiking trails that let you explore the plateau forests; ask about their full moon hikes which takes you through the national park in the middle of the night. You can also spend the night in the Bryce Canyon Lodge or in one of the two camping sites. Other activities include stargazing, horseback riding, and more.

Fun Fact: Stargazing on a clear night is a popular activity at Bryce Canyon National Park since it has some of the darkest night skies in the nation.

6. Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park

Address: Everglades National Park, Florida

Phone Number: (305) 242-7700

There is no shortage of things to do during a visit to Everglades National Park. Individuals and groups of friends or family can spend their time partaking in an array of activities offered because of the diverse habitats in the park. These include hiking, biking, geocaching, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, kayaking, canoeing, fresh and saltwater fishing, and camping in the wilderness. Go on a ranger-led guided tour of the park to really make the most of the environment, flora, and fauna you’ll come across.

Fun Fact: Everglades National Park is home to 13 endangered and 10 threatened species.

7. Arches National Park

Arches National Park

Address: Arches National Park, Utah

Phone Number: (435) 719-2299

Adjacent to the Colorado River, Arches National Park houses over 2,000 natural sandstone arches in addition to an array of other geological formations. Bring along your camera because these arches and formations make for some Insta-worthy photographs. Standing at 52 feet tall, the Delicate Arch is one of the more popular spots and is a well-recognized landmark in the state. Recreational activities you can take part in include hiking, rock climbing, bicycling, auto touring, camping, backpacking, canyoneering, and going on guided tours.

Fun Fact: Some of the wildlife you may come across at Arches National Park include peregrine falcons, midget faded rattlesnakes, western collared lizards, and mountain lions.

8. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Address: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718

Phone Number: (808) 985-6000

One of the more exciting national parks on our list, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. These are some of the most active volcanoes in the world and add a bit of excitement to visitors who come there to explore. The dramatic volcanic landscapes are sure to take your breath away. Start your trip at the main visitor center, which is filled with displays and intriguing information about the park. Activities include day hiking, backcountry hiking, or going on a crater rim drive tour which is a scenic drive around the summit of Kilauea.

Fun Fact: There are no large mammals at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; in fact, the only land mammals are several species of rats.

9. Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park

Address: Glacier National Park, Montana

Phone Number: (406) 888-7800

Encompassing over a million acres, Glacier National Park can be found in Montana, right on the Canadian – United States border. The national park has a pristine ecosystem and was once inhabited by Native Americans. Today, visitors come from far and wide to explore all that the park offers, especially the mountains which were formed over 170 million years ago. The park has really fun and unique Red Jammer tours, which run on vintage White Motor Company/Bender Body Company Model 706 buses; they also offer tours on historic wooden boats. Other recreational activities visitors can partake in include hiking, backcountry camping, rock climbing, fly fishing, and cross-country skiing.

Fun Fact: Mountain goats are the official symbol of the park since you’ll often see them hanging on the edge of a steep cliff.

10. Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Address: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Phone Number: (307) 739-3399

Grand Teton National Park is named after the Grand Teton, the tallest mountain in the Teton Range. It is a marvelous structure to view and offers some truly panoramic vistas of the mountain range and its surroundings. The park has become a popular destination for visitors who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, mountaineering, fishing, boating, and backcountry camping. There are several amenities and features that contribute to a memorable stay such as informative visitor centers, marinas, on-site lodges, and more.

Fun Fact: If you’re visiting Yellowstone National Park, you can easily explore Grand Teton National Park as well since the two are connected by the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway.

11. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Address: 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277-3597

Phone Number: (760) 367-5500

Before you plan a trip to Joshua Tree National Park, visit their website and learn about all of the ranger-led programs and special events that may be taking place at the time; these activities vary with the season and can be fun for the entire family. Other aspects that visitors usually make the most of include the 300+ miles of hiking trails, the amenity-filled campsites, and over 2,000 sites for bouldering and rock climbing. Popular activities such as camping, stargazing, birdwatching, biking, horseback riding, and taking nature photography tours are also available.

Fun Fact: American politician and explorer John Fremont thought that Joshua trees were “repulsive”.

12. Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park

Address: Acadia National Park, Maine

Phone Number: (207) 288-3338

Bicycling, hiking, boating, bird watching, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, swimming, tide pooling, skiing, and snowmobiling are just a handful of things that you can do at Acadia National Park. Their ranger-guided bicycle tours and boat cruises are very popular and must often be scheduled well in advance; they’re worth the wait though because you learn so much more about your surroundings and the flora and fauna you may come across. If you’re traveling with younger kids, you must check out the Junior Ranger Station which has tons of fun programs for different age groups.

Fun Fact: Acadia National Park is home to the tallest mountain on the east coast, Cadillac Mountain. You’d have to travel to Rio de Janeiro to find a higher peak on the Atlantic Coast.

13. Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Address: 1000 US Hwy 36, Estes Park, CO 80517

Phone Number: (970) 586-1206

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited parks in the United States. They have over 355 miles of hiking trails and you can head on over to the visitor center to see which trail is suitable for your fitness/ experience level; the mostly flat lakeside strolls are extremely popular with those who are traveling with kids. You can still enjoy the scenic views without ever getting out of your car; the scenic drive within the park takes visitors through aspen groves, flowing rivers, and subalpine forests. Other things to do include wildlife watching, bird watching, nature photography, picnicking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding.

Fun Fact: There are over 600 buildings located within the park, some of which are preserved as historic structures. You can explore several backcountry cabins like Shadow Mountain, Fern Lake, and Keyhole on Longs Peak.

14. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Phone Number: (865) 436-1200

Whether you’re looking for a serene spot to enjoy the sunset or for a day of strenuous outdoor fun, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has something for you. Activities range from the usual hiking, bicycling, fishing, picnicking, and camping to the more unique waterfall trekking, wildlife viewing, and hiking to historic buildings. In fact, the park houses over 90 historic structures such as houses, barns, churches, and mills.

Fun Fact: Some of the mountains at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are estimated to be around 200 to 300 million years old.

15. Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park

Address: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Phone Number: (541) 594-3000

Visit America’s deepest lake at Crater Lake National Park; it’s sure to be one of the most beautiful panoramic views you’ve ever experienced. Since the intense blue water is fed entirely by rain or snow, the lake is considered to be one of the clearest bodies of water in the world. Afterward, take a walk through the old-growth forests with its towering pine trees that provide shelter to an array of wildlife. Other activities include camping, bicycling, boating, fishing, or going on a scenic drive.

Fun Fact: The namesake Crater Lake was formed by a 12,000-foot volcano, Mount Mazama, that erupted and collapsed nearly 8,000 years ago; it filled with water over time and gradually became the lake we see today.