8. Arches National Park
Head on over to eastern Utah to find 77,000 acres of natural scenery, all spanning the Arches National Park, which was established as far back as 1929.
Hikers, rock climbers, and backpackers have long since picked this National Park as the destination for their next adventure, no doubt due to the iconic rock formations that pepper the landscape. Don’t be surprised if you bump into a handful of photographers on the way too, as it’s one of the most sought out areas for a surreal-looking photoshoot.
With more than 2,000 arches around the park, every trail you pick will be sure to be packed with some of these breathtaking formations, but the most popular ones ate the Delicate Arch, the Double Arch, and the Landscape Arch.
33 thoughts on “The Best U.S. National Parks You Have to Visit During Your Lifetime”
Yellowstone by far!
yellow stone park i like it. How to go to that place and where to stay.
Yellowstone! So diverse!
Love Yellowstone, you leave and go into back country and see no humans. Beautiful country, untouched from the beginning of time.
Ex Law Enforcement Ranger Yellowstone
Those are all wonderful, but so are Smoky Mountain, Denali and Acadia.
My favorite has always been Yosemite and my husband’s favorite was always Yellowstone. We visited all of these on your list except the one in Hawaii. We had a lot of visits to Yosemite for skiing and camping and hiking. I am glad we got to visit so many of our national treasures before he passed away in 2012,
Have been to all except Hawaii .They are all breathtaking.Next stop will be
Rocky Mtn, Arches and North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Rocky Mountain National Park is breathtaking, especially driving Ridge Road, Arches is beautiful and so is the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
I believe the grand canyon is number one no two views are the same. Colors are amazing
Wife & I totally agree with your comment. Been there & Will Visit again Soon.
We went to 15 national parks recently, on a road trip. They’re all great, in different ways. Very hard to say which ones are the most beautiful. Some of our favorites ( in addition to the ones listed) were Death Valley, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde. My wife and I will try to see most of them if we can.
Have been trying to talk my husband to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison, I have been to Death Valley, he has not. I had to convince him to visit Mesa Verde
Saw 8 of the 10.
1 Yellowstone. 2. Zion 3. Bryce 4. Rocky Mt.
Hiking in all plus other 4 is phenomenal.
My #1 pick to do is Yosemite. I’ve been to Yellowstone and Glacier and they are both absolutely stunning. Have always wanted to go to Yosemite . Hopefully I’ll make it.
You are so right, although haven’t visit Yosemite yet either, Rocky Mountain is breathtaking
Try Black Canyon in Western Colorado. Both North and South Rim. I found it to be as wonderful as the Grand Canyon.
Glacier national park is the most glorious!
Glacier NP and when obtaining brochures and books on the Park be SURE to read “THE GEOLOGY OF GLACIER NATIONAL PARK” by R. L. Earhart et al. Bob Earhart
I’ve been to all the ones listed, and won’t attempt to rate them. They’re all terrific! For those with the time a float trip on the Snake River in Grand Teton NP is fun. A hot-air balloon ride over Arches NP is also very nice. And if visiting Arches, nearby Canyonlands NP is also quite scenic, and a boat ride on the Colorado is a good way to see it, too. Glacier NP and Waterton Lakes (need a passport) is wonderful, but you need at least 4 days to do it justice.
Yellowstone
I live really close to Olympic Park, Forest, and Mountains. Many times, this area is listed in most top 10 lists.
The views are spectacular, the many varied topographies is ridiculous, and things like the temperate rain forests are one of a kind
Actually Utah has Three of your choices…. Arches, Capital Reef, and Zion. and all worth it!
are any f these NATIONAL parks covered by the senior pass?
All national parks are covered by the Golden Senior Pass
I wish they would have one for those who are disabled and either can’t walk much or use an electric wheelchair.
When you visited Black Canyon in Gunnison…did you the the road down into the bottom? Definitely a can’t miss!
Yellowstone No. 2????? Not No. 1?? And no mention at all of Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior (a getaway-from-the-crowd wilderness experience that is second to none).
I would love to visit Isle Royal, still trying to connivence my husband
and what of Great Smoky Mountains NP? And Death Valley NP ?
I have only seen a couple of NPs but there is not enough to do?
I have visited most of the National Parks mentioned, plus Acadia National Park, Badlands National Park, Everglades National Park, Shenandoah National Park, Smokey Mountain National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Olympic National Park, Craters Of The Moon National Park,
Our family of ten just returned from Yosemite! We biked, we hiked…a lot, enjoyed some good food and took tons of photos! Great memories were made! Highly recommend this national park!
Been to them all, most multiple times. Leaving Olympic off the list was an oversight for sure. Ocean beaches, mountains, rain forest, big trees, waterfalls, but best of all…..not crowded. Most diverse national park by far!