Best National Park in Every U.S. State

America’s National Parks represent the nation’s most spectacular natural beauty, geological wonders, diverse wildlife, and deep-rooted history. We’ve rounded up the best National Park in every state, from remote wilderness in Alaska to the sun-drenched coral reefs of Florida’s Dry Tortugas. Whether you’re seeking adventure, peace, or inspiration, let this guide spark your next great journey.

National Parks by State

• Alabama – Little River Canyon National Preserve

  The Little River carves an unexpected, dramatic gorge through Lookout Mountain. Visitors can enjoy hiking, kayaking, and scenic drives that reveal waterfalls and breathtaking overlooks.

• Alaska – Denali National Park & Preserve

  Famous for housing North America’s tallest peak, Mount Denali, this park features six million acres of wild, pristine terrain teeming with wildlife and endless opportunities for exploration.

• Arizona – Grand Canyon National Park

  A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited natural wonders on earth, Grand Canyon astounds with its massive scale, vibrant colors, and a myriad of hiking and rafting adventures.

• Arkansas – Hot Springs National Park

  While natural beauty abounds in the Ouachita Mountains, this park is best known for its historic bathhouses, once-famed as therapeutic retreats for travelers seeking wellness and leisure.

• California – Yosemite National Park

  Embodying the National Park ideal, Yosemite dazzles with dramatic waterfalls, ancient sequoias, granite cliffs, and legendary hikes like Half Dome and El Capitan.

• Colorado – Mesa Verde National Park

  This UNESCO site preserves almost 5,000 archaeological sites and the incredible cliff dwellings of ancestral Pueblo people, providing a captivating window into the past.

• Connecticut – Weir Farm National Historical Park

  Charming and tranquil, Weir Farm preserves the legacy of impressionist artist J. Alden Weir. Guests can tour historic buildings and stroll through fields and woodlands that inspired generations of painters.

• Delaware – First State National Historical Park

  This unique park links several historic sites, including Fort Christina and the Dover Green, chronicling the birthplace stories of the nation’s first state.

• Florida – Dry Tortugas National Park

  Located almost 70 miles off Key West, accessible only by boat or seaplane, this remote park features crystal-clear waters, vast coral reefs, and the impressive 19th-century Fort Jefferson.

• Georgia – Cumberland Island National Seashore

  Celebrate wild beauty on an island dotted with beaches, dunes, maritime forests, and wild horses. It’s ideal for camping, hiking, and connecting with peaceful, untouched nature.

• Hawaii – Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

  Marvel at the powerful, living landscape shaped by the world’s most active volcanoes. Trails wind through rainforests, barren lava fields, and past spectacular craters and steam vents.

• Idaho – Craters of the Moon National Monument

  With its surreal lava landscapes, caves, and craters, the park offers an otherworldly glimpse of volcanic geology, perfect for adventuresome explorers.

• Illinois – Pullman National Historical Park

  This site preserves America’s first planned industrial community and the legacy of early labor history, revealing stories of workers and innovation.

• Indiana – Indiana Dunes National Park

  Bordering Lake Michigan, enjoy sweeping dunes, peaceful wetlands, and vibrant prairies with ample opportunities for birding, hiking, and swimming.

• Iowa – Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

  Celebrating the boyhood home of America’s 31st President, this site features historic buildings and restored tallgrass prairie landscape, ideal for history buffs.

• Kansas – Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

  This preserve protects one of the last remaining expanses of tallgrass prairie, with over 40 miles of hiking trails and abundant wildflowers and wildlife.

• Kentucky – Mammoth Cave National Park

  Home to the world’s longest known cave system, guided tours take visitors deep into vast chambers and winding passageways beneath the rolling hills of central Kentucky.

• Louisiana – Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

  This collection of sites tells the story of New Orleans’ rich cultural blend, wild wetlands, and the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte through exhibits, boat tours, and scenic walks.

• Maine – Acadia National Park

  Rugged shoreline, granite peaks, and spectacular Atlantic views define Acadia—the Northeast’s beloved natural playground for hiking, cycling, and sightseeing.

• Maryland – Assateague Island National Seashore

  Famous for its wild horses that roam the dunes, this coastal sanctuary also features pristine beaches, salt marshes, and camping under the stars.

• Massachusetts – Minute Man National Historical Park

  Walk the storied paths where the American Revolution began, and explore iconic battlefields, period homes, and interactive exhibits.

• Michigan – Isle Royale National Park

  Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Isle Royale offers solitude, scenic trails, kayaking, and unique wildlife on one of Lake Superior’s most pristine islands.

• Minnesota – Voyageurs National Park

  Explore the interconnected lakes, forests, and rock formations by boat or canoe, tracing ancient voyageur routes and camping at secluded sites.

• Mississippi – Vicksburg National Military Park

  A preserved Civil War battlefield with monuments, historic forts, and informative trails that recount the pivotal Siege of Vicksburg.

• Missouri – Gateway Arch National Park

  St. Louis’s famed Arch, a testament to westward expansion, soars above the riverfront. Ride to the top for panoramic city and Mississippi River views.

• Montana – Glacier National Park

  Renowned as the “Crown of the Continent,” this park’s jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and alpine meadows provide exquisite scenery and world-class hiking.

• Nebraska – Scotts Bluff National Monument

  An icon of the Oregon Trail, these ancient bluffs offer panoramic vistas and historic tales of pioneers traversing rugged terrain.

• Nevada – Great Basin National Park

  Stunning contrasts await in this park, featuring Wheeler Peak, mysterious caves, and ancient bristlecone pines—some of Earth’s oldest living trees.

• New Hampshire – Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park

  Tour the home and studios of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, one of America’s foremost sculptors, set amid rolling meadows and gardens.

• New Jersey – Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

  This site protects the dramatic Great Falls of the Passaic River and honors America’s industrial revolution roots.

• New Mexico – Carlsbad Caverns National Park

  Descend into a spellbinding underground world, with hundreds of caves, giant chambers, and remarkable limestone formations created over millennia.

• New York – Saratoga National Historical Park

  A must-visit for Revolutionary War enthusiasts, Saratoga commemorates a pivotal American victory and provides interpretive trails through scenic fields and woods.

• North Carolina – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  An Appalachian wonder of misty peaks, rich biodiversity, wildflower displays, and historic homesteads, straddling the North Carolina–Tennessee border.

• North Dakota – Theodore Roosevelt National Park

  This rugged park commemorates the conservation legacy of President Roosevelt, with Badlands, bison, wild horses, and striking landscapes.

• Ohio – Cuyahoga Valley National Park

  Get lost among lush forests, waterfalls, and scenic byways near Cleveland and Akron—a tranquil natural escape with commuter train rides available.

• Oklahoma – Chickasaw National Recreation Area

  This oasis combines mineral springs, sparkling lakes, and dense forests, offering hiking, swimming, and relaxation amid the rolling hills of south-central Oklahoma.

• Oregon – Crater Lake National Park

  Created by a collapsed volcano, this park boasts the deepest lake in the U.S.—with dazzling blue waters surrounded by forested peaks.

• Pennsylvania – Valley Forge National Historical Park

  Famed for its Revolutionary War significance, Valley Forge offers living history exhibits and expansive grounds to explore.

• Rhode Island – Roger Williams National Memorial

  A small, peaceful memorial in downtown Providence honoring the champion of religious freedom and the state’s founder, featuring gardens and interpretive trails.

• South Carolina – Congaree National Park

  Walk through America’s largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, with boardwalks and canoe trails among towering trees and abundant wildlife.

• South Dakota – Badlands National Park

  Otherworldly pinnacles, fossil beds, and sweeping mixed-grass prairies make Badlands a must-see for geology fans and landscape lovers.

• Tennessee – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

  The most visited national park in the country, its misty mountains and diverse flora and fauna make it a natural wonder year-round.

• Texas – Big Bend National Park

  Bordering Mexico along the Rio Grande, Big Bend features dramatic canyons, desert, mountains, and astonishing night skies—ideal for stargazing and adventure.

• Utah – Zion National Park

  Sculpted red cliffs, emerald pools, and acclaimed hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows fill this park with lasting memories and epic vistas.

• Vermont – Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park

  This park focuses on conservation history, with scenic carriage roads, historic mansion tours, and tranquil forest landscapes to explore.

• Virginia – Shenandoah National Park

  Skyline Drive offers sweeping Blue Ridge views, ideal for leaf-peeping in autumn and abundant hikes to waterfalls and rocky outcrops.

• Washington – Mount Rainier National Park

  Mount Rainier’s snow-capped volcano, wildflower meadows, and dense forests make it a Pacific Northwest icon, with alpine hiking and scenic drives galore.

• West Virginia – New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

  America’s newest national park features a dramatic river gorge, record-setting bridge, challenging rock climbs, and exceptional whitewater rafting.

• Wisconsin – Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

  Kayak sea caves, visit picturesque lighthouses, and hike trails on this cluster of 21 red sandstone islands on Lake Superior.

• Wyoming – Yellowstone National Park

  America’s first national park stuns with geysers, colorful hot springs, roaming herds of bison and elk, and iconic natural landmarks like Old Faithful.

National Park Quick Facts Table

Planning Your Visit: Pro Tips

• Book accommodations in advance, particularly for popular destinations like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Glacier.
• Many parks offer ranger-led activities—nature walks, tours, and evening programs for kids and adults alike.
• Always check current park alerts for road closures, weather updates, or visitor restrictions.
• Respect wildlife and stay on designated trails to protect fragile ecosystems.
• Pack out what you carry in to preserve the parks’ pristine beauty for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is the most visited national park?

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, spanning Tennessee and North Carolina, is the most visited national park in the United States.

Are there national parks in every U.S. state?

While almost every state boasts at least one national park or historic site, not every state has an official “National Park” designation—some feature national preserves, lakeshores, or monuments managed by the National Park Service.

When is the best time to visit national parks?

The ideal time varies by region; however, spring and fall typically offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer can bring heavy visitation, while winter provides unique opportunities for solitude in parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite.

Can I camp inside these parks?

Most of these parks offer designated campsites that may be reservable online. Backcountry camping may require special permits.

Do I need a pass to visit U.S. national parks?

Many major parks require an entry fee. Consider purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass for unlimited access to national parks and federal recreational lands for one year.

Explore More: Bonus State Parks & Hidden Gems

• Consider state parks and national monuments for off-the-beaten-path adventures, such as Devil’s Lake in Wisconsin or Chiricahua in Arizona.
• Preserved battlefields, historic towns, and undeveloped coastlines give a richer context to the American experience beyond the most famous parks.

From the wilds of Alaska to the subtropical islands of Florida, every state has something incredible to offer. Whether you chase waterfalls, explore ancient ruins, or simply labor up to epic viewpoints, let this guide inspire your next American adventure.