The United States has a proud history of preserving its natural beauty through national parks. Each year, millions of visitors flock to these 423 parks to admire the great American wilderness and its wildlife. But which are the most popular?

The parks are diverse in their appeal and attractions. Some exhibit the desert landscapes of the dry country, and others offer majestic forests, bears, and snow-covered mountains. Others are home to some essential historical and geological North American landmarks.

With so many parks to choose from, which ones should you put at the top of your bucket list? Let’s look at the 15 most popular national parks in the US, listed alphabetically.

1. Acadia National Park, Maine

Maine has a number of unique attractions. In this case, Acadia National Park is located on an island, which is somewhat of a rarity when it comes to such parks. The Maine park offers the northeastern charms of the oceanside, wildlife like deer and bear, and forested woodlands.

Mount Penobscot and Cadillac Mountain are probably the most well-known landmarks. You’ll also enjoy the rocky beaches, though Bar Harbor is the easiest and most populous town at which to gather on your visit.

Acadia National Park receives around 4 million visitors per year.

2. Arches National Park, Utah

This beautiful wilderness park in Utah is known mostly for its incredible natural sandstone arches. There are about 2000 of them. One of the most famous is the Delicate Arch, which is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide.

Another one of the attractions is the Balanced Rock, which is right in the middle of the park. As a site for strange and wonderful geological phenomena, it’s not hard to see why this area was destined to become a national treasure.

Visitors recommend the cooler months for visiting the park, as the hottest part of the year regularly sees 100-degree days. This makes hiking around the park hard work.

Arches National Park receives around 1.3 million visitors per year.

3. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

The Badlands in South Dakota are visually stunning, offering rock formations, canyons, and desert landscapes. The park is also home to an extremely rich layer of fossils, which scientists are routinely digging up.

The Badlands Scenic Loop is worth driving, allowing you to see most of its essential features in about an hour. That is to say, it can take you an hour to drive it without stopping. But rest assured, you will want to stop often to take pictures and hike The Prairie Dog Town trail.

Badlands National Park receives about one million visitors per year.

4. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

The beautiful spires of this Utah park are best viewed at either sunrise or sunset. These impressive rock formations are called hoodoos. They even form a natural amphitheater accessible from the Rim Trail hike path. Make a specific effort to get to Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point and Bryce Point around sunset.

Bryce Canyon National Park receives around 1.5 million visitors per year.

5. Canyonlands National Park, Utah

sunset-rocks — Image by Adam Derewecki from Pixabay

As with the other Utah parks on this list, Canyonlands is known for its dramatic rock formations and vistas. Probably most notable is the unique Island in the Sky, a flat-topped mesa formation that seems somewhat surreal in its position.

Few realise that Canyonlands happens to be the biggest national park in Utah by area. Aside from the Island in the Sky, you can visit three other designated areas: The Needles, The Maze, and the Rivers. Bear in mind that these areas are less popular because of their remote location. Rest assured, though, that they are well worth the effort if you choose to go there.

Canyonlands National Park sees around a million visitors per year.

6. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

By now, you’ve probably picked up that Utah has a rich blessing of national parks. The landscape here certainly does invite long spells of appreciation from anyone who sees it. Capitol Reef’s main draw is the Waterpocket Fold, a literal wrinkle in the earth’s crust. This wrinkle is 100 miles long!

Other attractions include the Chimney Rock Pillar, the Hickman Bridge Arch, and the sandstone rock domes of Capitol Reef.

Capitol Reef receives 1.2 million visitors a year.

7. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Oregon is a beautiful state, so it’s no small feat to be described as one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas of that state. As the name suggests, the centrepiece of this stunning national park in the Cascade Mountains is Crater lake itself. It also happens to be the deepest lake in the continental United States.

There are lots of trails to hike around the lake area and through the surrounding forests. You can stop to view gorgeous waterfalls, wildlife, and superb lakeside scenery along the way. For a shorter visit, it is best to take the Rim Drive, a road circling the lake. Make a special note to view the Phantom Ship, a tiny island located in the lake itself.

Approximately half a million visitors head to Crater Lake National Park each year.

Read Next: Things to do in Eugene Oregon

8. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Visitors love to cycle or hike the trails and paths through the Cuyahoga Valley. The park’s main feature is the lovely Cuyahoga River, which provides you with Cuyahoga Falls, Brandywine Falls, Lake Warren, and Lake Arkona.

This national park’s popularity is surprising, given that it’s a relatively small park. Much of its appeal lies in its proximity to nearby Cleveland Ohio. This makes it an easy destination to get to.

Nearly three million people visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park annually.

Read Next: Castles in Ohio you Must Visit

9. Death Valley National Park, California & Nevada

Death Valley carries all the charm and mystical appeal one might expect from such a name. The national park in question may be the hottest and driest, and it’s undoubtedly one of the warmest places in the US in summer.

The most well-known landmarks in the park are Titus Canyon and its ghost town, the Badwater Basin. This basin is North America’s lowest land point. Other colourfully-named areas include the Devil’s Golf Course.

It is worth noting that this is the largest national park in the US outside of Alaska, drawing around 1.5 million visitors each year.

10. Everglades National Park, Florida

The Everglades in Florida provide visitors with the best experiences of semi-equatorial wetland wildlife. The Everglades is actually a large area covered in mangroves, sawgrass, and pinewoods. The wildlife here is abundant and notable for its unique species and habitat.

For example, the Everglades is the only known region on earth where alligators and crocodiles can be found sharing a habitat. There are also plenty of fascinating but endangered species clinging on for survival, which makes seeing the Everglades that much more important for the current generation.

Due to its geography, the best way to travel around Everglades National Park is by boat, which can be hired for day trips and the like.

A million people do the Everglades National Park experience each year.

11. Glacier National Park, Montana

river most popular national parks in the united states — Image by David Mark from Pixabay

Montana‘s Rocky Mountains is the home of Glacier National Park, which, obviously, displays the wonderful effect of glacier movement through its peaks and valleys. You can choose to see any of the 26 existing glaciers in the park. The park is immense, measuring over one million acres of land.

So beautiful are its lakes, rivers, forests and mountains it has been nicknamed the Crown Jewel of the continent by many visitors. There are too many highlights to list, but among them, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must-drive.

More than three million people visit the park annually.

12. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Everybody knows about the Grand Canyon and its national park. These legendary red rocks have been the subject of decades of study, admiration, and storytelling. Six million years went into creating these views, which extend over an area greater than the state of Rhode Island!

This geological phenomenon is so immense it actually influences weather patterns. One notable trait of the park is the deceptive terrain. To travel just ten miles in straight distance between the north and south rims, you have to traverse over 200 miles of road to get around the geography.

Fun fact: The most dangerous animal in the park by the number of attacks is the rock squirrel.

Nearly six million people visit the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona (or part of it) each year.

Read Next: Arizona’s Most Famous Landmarks

13. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Situated in Wyoming, Grand Teton boasts a legacy as part of a historical frontier state. The Jackson Hole Valley and Grand Teton mountain range form part of the park. The park attracts hikers, fishermen, and even enthusiastic mountaineers who wish to take advantage of its pretty cliffs.

You’ll love the possibility of seeing both black bears and grizzlies on your visit here. Adding to the park’s popularity is its proximity to Yellowstone National Park, making it an easy double-benefit for your holiday planning.

Fun fact: Grand Teton is the only national park that has its own airport.

14. Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee & North Carolina

smokey-mountain — Image by AnnBoulais from Pixabay

Tennessee and North Carolina offer the legendary Great Smoky Mountains, familiar to music lovers because of its most famous native, Dolly Parton. The mountains are so named because it regularly carries a blanket of fog, which no doubt has contributed to an abundant plant and animal ecosphere.

Several natural and constructed attractions contribute to making this park into one of the most visited places in the entire United States. Within the park, the most popular activity is driving the Cades Cove Loop Road.

Nearly 15 million people visit the Great Smoky Mountains every year.

15. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

kilauea — Image by Tommy Beatty from Pixabay

This incredible park is both an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. One fascinating aspect of the park is the presence of two active volcanoes — Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. This park is great if you have an interest in volcanology, as the Crater Rim Drive is marked by centres and exhibits along the way.

At various times, the volcanoes offer views of lava and even small eruptions. There are also regularly active steam vents. Bear in mind that these conditions are closely monitored and walks and visits may sometimes be restricted for safety reasons. Take a guided tour for a rich and educational experience.

Hawai’i Volcanoes receives 1.3 million visitors per year.

Amanda OBrien

Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.

Top 15 Must-Visit National Parks in the United States