I’ve visited 23 of the 63 American national parks in my 2 years traveling the USA in an SUV. While some have been pretty meh, others have given me some of my best memories. Based on my long-term road trip, I want to share my undisputable list of the 23 best American national parks for road trips.

This ranking covers all the national parks I’ve visited and a little bit about each park:

1. A brief overview of the national park
2. Why it’s so great (or not so great)
3. Why it might be the one for you

At the end, check out some American national park road trip ideas – most of which I’ve done!

This ranking is really long, so feel free to browse the table of contents and jump ahead to a national park that interests you!

This article will be evolving as I visit more national parks. We’re currently exploring the West Coast, so be on the lookout for updates soon!

Know Before you Go!

1. Year-long Entrance Pass

If you think you’ll be spending 3 or more days of the year in national parks, get the America the Beautiful pass!

This pass costs $80 and grants you unlimited access to every single national park for a year! And the National Parks Service has some amazing discounts for military personnel and seniors too.

What makes it super convenient is that you don’t have to order it beforehand. Whenever you get to your first national park, just buy it at the entrance and you’re good to go for the year!

2. Reservations

Some of these national parks are VERY popular, which means they require reservations and/or timed entry passes.

Check out which ones require reservations on the National Park Service website. Then, try to get your reservation or timed entry pass as soon as you can once they’re available.

The BEST American National Parks

1. Grand Teton National Park

I’m a sucker for striking mountain peaks.

I lived most of my life surrounded by the mountains of Colombia, but I never loved them because they’re soft and rounded. The Grand Tetons, on the other hand, have rugged, pointy peaks – I LOVE that!

And I learned that they’re so imposing because, unlike most mountain ranges, these have no foothills. So, the landscape goes from mostly flat to straight up to over 12,000 feet all of a sudden.

In other words, these mountains are IMPRESSIVE.

Why it’s great:

There’s so much to do!

You can sport climb, trad climb, and do some crazy scramble hikes. Whether you do an easy or hard hike, ALL of them have incredible views.

You can kayak or canoe in the lakes, and the park is completely different in winter and summer. You can also see a BUNCH of wildlife too, like at the Elk Refuge. Plus, it’s right next to Yellowstone.

My best memory at Grand Teton National Park:

Lala and I walked up the Middle Teton, and it’s my favorite memory of the trip, even though it was slightly traumatic.

We started at 5 a.m. and finished at 6 p.m., and it was one of the toughest days I’ve ever had.

Getting to the top was long, sure, but a pleasure. You start in a dense forest, walking on a well-worn trail. The forest then leads to a never-ending talus field, which takes you to a long class 4 scramble to the top. It was a little scary, but SO much fun!

But then came the downhill, which meant passing the never-ending talus field again. That was BRUTAL, and my knees were angry at me for days.

In the end, we ate a whole pizza at Leek’s Marina & Pizzeria as the sun set over the water.

Grand Teton National Park is for travelers who…

Love being humbled by nature’s immensity. People who love having a BUNCH of activities to do will love this national park. If you love hiking, being on the water, wildlife, or even rock climbing, you’ll love being here.

2. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is everything I love – gigantic cliffs, insane beauty and amazing accessibility – all in one national park.

I almost didn’t go to Yosemite when I drove up the entire west coast. But I found a last-minute campsite spot, and it turned out to be an incredible experience and became my #2 national park.

Why it’s great:

When I see beauty, I want to go interact with it, and that’s very possible in Yosemite National Park.

What I mean is that I love sitting at tunnel view to watch the sunset color Half Dome a deep orange hue. But seeing that makes me want to, for example, go there and climb up Half Dome. I get so much more satisfaction out of that.

And I feel like Yosemite has SO many trails, overlooks, scenic drives and sectors that you can spend weeks trying to get everywhere and see everything from different angles.

Hiking in Yosemite

Hiking is by far the best and easiest way to experience any national park. And Yosemite National Park has trails all over: through the Valley and up to the top of the cliffs.

• Top of Yosemite Valley: most people stay in the Valley, but I want to challenge you do get to the top – and it is a serious challenge. But it’s SO worth it! The views are next level. I did the Upper Yosemite Falls trail, but you can also try the 4 Mile Trail.
• Through the Valley: there are some gorgeous hikes in Yosemite Valley. An easy one is the Mirror Lake trail, which is flat and gets you right under Half Dome. And there are more difficult hikes like the one to Nevada Falls, which gets you up close to 2 beautiful waterfalls.

There’s SO much to do in Yosemite National Park that you could spend weeks exploring the Valley, the Tuolumne Meadows and Mariposa Grove. I spent most of my time in Yosemite Valley, and you can read my 2-day Yosemite itinerary for more details on everything!

Yosemite National Park is for travelers who…

Typically stops a million times during their hikes to gaze at the view. Whether you’re a strong hiker or just strolling through the valley, the beauty of this place will move you. It’s for travelers who love impressive beauty.

3. Zion National Park

Zion National Park is Utah’s best national park, and it was my favorite for a long time.

When I first started traveling throughout the USA, I did the Grand Circle road trip. Zion totally captivated me because of its sheer, impressively gigantic cliffs.

Why it’s great:

As soon as I entered the park, the cliffs blew my mind, and I fell in love – and there was no better way to enjoy them than by hiking to the top!

I found a little-known hike, and it became one of my favorite hikes of all time!

The Imposing Cliffs

Zion Canyon is the gorge carved out by the Virgin River, and it amazes me how narrow it is. As a result, you’re always walking or driving in the middle of the gorge with 2000-foot cliffs on both sides of you.

I live for that feeling.

It’s the type of feeling you get when you learn about just how big stars are – or, rather, just how small the earth is. A place like Zion puts you in your place. It’s humbling, and the fact that we can enjoy such awe-inspiring beauty is a privilege.

The Hiking

Zion National Park is home to one of America’s most famous hikes: Angel’s Landing.

However, you now need to apply for a permit because it’s so popular. If you get a permit, DO IT! But if you aren’t able, don’t worry… there’s an even better hike.

Lala and I weren’t able to do Angel’s Landing, but we hiked up to Scout Lookout anyway, which is right where Angel’s Landing begins.

While there, we saw a trail going in the opposite direction from Angel’s Landing and decided to take it. As a result, we ended up hiking up through different colors of rock, gorgeous landscapes, and a trail cut into the side of a cliff that was pretty dang scary.

It was a better experience than if we had done a popular hike, and we saw about 10 other people. I explain this hike in detail in my guide to 2 days in Zion National Park!

Zion National Park is for travelers who…

Want to get down and dirty with their surroundings. And that’s regardless of fitness level. Zion has epic natural beauty for travelers, whether you’re just looking to stroll through the park or up for a tough hike.

4. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park is a sight to behold and it’s the national park where I’ve had the most FUN.

It’s a gigantic pile of sand in the wake of some of America’s tallest mountains. And it blows your mind is because the drive there is pretty flat. But then, BOOM… huge mountains and a desert to boot.

Why it’s one of the best American National Parks:

The natural beauty of this place had me mesmerized (I mean, look at that photo).

From far away, it doesn’t even look real. And the shapes, waves and shadows of the sand dunes are like a work of art when you see them up close.

But the reason I had so much fun is…

The SLEDDING

Our first day at the park was spent hiking in the back of the dune field (where there are way less people). Then, on day 2, we went ahead and rented a sled.

Best decision EVER.

I ate sand and got it in my ears and eyes. My scalp was crusty with sand, and let’s not even go into the state of my underwear. But we learned how to get some sick rides down the tallest dunes without crashing.

There are some small dunes closer to the parking, but don’t even bother with them. Find some tall dunes like High Dune and get after it – it’s easier to go down tall, smooth dunes than the smaller, wavier dunes.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is for travelers who…

Are ready to put themselves out there. Whether you’re an adrenaline junky or looking to do something new and awesome, you can get on a sled and have a good time. Those traveling to this desert don’t mind getting down and… sandy… in one of America’s best national parks.

Make it a part of your Colorado road trip!

5. Olympic National Park

The Washington coast may have been my favorite part about visiting Olympic National Park, but the rest of it is just as spectacular.

I spent 3 days in Olympic National Park in August, the best season to visit, and my mind was blown!

Why it’s great:

The Olympic Peninsula (that very western part of Washington) has a little bit of everything. You can hike to glaciers, walk down to the beach and amble around the most ancient rain forests you’ve ever seen.

• The Alpine: you can access the Olympic mountains from lots points around the park, but the easiest access is at Hurricane Ridge. That’s the first place I went! You get to a spot overlooking the snow-capped mountains and the hikes are gorgeous. On one side, you can see those peaks, while you get to see smaller mountains and the ocean to the north!
• The Beaches: I’m adamant, try camping on the beach for a night in Olympic National Park! It’s such a fun and unique experience. My visit to Shi Shi Beach was my first time camping on the beach, and what a beach to choose! The entire Olympic Coast is full of amazing beaches, and you could sleep on Shi Shi Beach or go to Second Beach, which is easier to access.
• The Rain Forest: I grew up near the Amazon Rain Forest, but the rain forest in the Olympics was an unexpected surprise! I have never seen so much life or been so amazed by just… trees. Going to the Hoh Rain Forest was SO memorable, and I’m glad I didn’t skip it!

Olympic National Park is for travelers who…

Want to see the most natural diversity in the least amount of time! If you have a hard time choosing between the ocean and the mountains, like I do, Olympic National Park is the place for you.

6. Arches National Park

What stood out to me the most during my road trip through Arizona and Utah was erosion – it’s what makes Arches National Park one of the best American national parks in the southwest.

Why it’s great:

Arches National Park is SUCH a great place to hike because it’s home to the largest concentration of arches in the world. It’s why I hiked 13 miles in one day to visit 14 of the most well-known arches!

This amazing national park was created by erosion. More specifically, wind, water, and ice chipped away at the softer rock and, in some rare places, these arches are what remained.

Aside from lots of hiking options, from really tough to nice and easy, Arches is also super accessible. You can see a bit of everything from your car, and there are overlooks everywhere for you to see landscapes and arches.

Arches National Park is for travelers who…

Love how weird nature can be and immersing themselves in that weirdness. It’s a place where everyone can enjoy the park’s special features, no matter their fitness level. But it’s best enjoyed by travelers who love hiking.

7. Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is #6 on the list of best American national parks for road trips because it’s extremely drivable and close to some of the wildest places in the USA.

However, it’s not THAT high up on the list because my one day in Yellowstone was after visiting Grand Teton National Park, and that’s a hard act to follow. Plus, where Yellowstone truly shines is its backcountry experiences, which aren’t ideal for a road trip.

Why it’s great:

My favorite things about it were just how magnificent everything was and how it was so drivable!

Unhinged Beauty

Yellowstone National Park is the most beautiful national park I’ve visited. When I visited in August, the weather was perfect, the river was raging and everything was green.

And the geysers look like something out of this world because of their colors.

They range from teal to orange, and the clarity of the water makes the colors SO deep. It looks fresh and cool, but it’s actually hundreds of degrees above boiling.

And watching Old Faithful EXPLODE? That’s the most iconic experience in national park history.

Last, but not least, Yellowstone is the national park where I’ve seen the most wildlife.

Drivability

Getting around and seeing everything is easy inside Yellowstone National Park because it’s very drivable.

Access to everything you NEED to see, like Old Faithful, Upper and Lower Yellowstone River Falls, and all the geysers is really easy. And the best part might have been the drive through Lamar Valley, where we saw hundreds of Bison.

I loved how drivable the park was because I had just done my 13-hour hike in the Grand Tetons the day before.

Yellowstone National Park is for travelers who…

Either want easy natural tourism or pure adventure in the backcountry. Either way, you’ll enjoy the wilderness in its purest form. It’s for people who love walking, seeing wildlife, being in the wilderness, and discovering new things.

EVERYONE should visit the first national park in the US at some point in their lives!

8. White Sands National Park

Yes, there’s another desert high up in the national park ranking, and it’s also because it’s gorgeous and fun.

Why it’s great:

White Sands National Park is such a phenomenon that my iPhone mistakes it with a beach. It just can’t understand the colorful sunsets and white sand.

That’s why I love this park. While I hiked, I would walk a bit, stop and gaze at the horizon for a few seconds, keep walking, and repeat.

My favorite hike was the Alkali Flat Trail, which I did in my bare feet. Fun fact: the sand doesn’t get hot because it’s white!

And the picnic we had during the sunset was magical. The light from the sun at that angle made the dunes super dramatic – I’ll remember that sunset for a long time.

A city by the park

Alamogordo is right outside of White Sands National Park and, though you’ve never heard of it, it’s really cool!

It has lots to explore, like a Pistachio farm and a couple of space museums.

Alamogordo is actually close to where the first atomic bomb was detonated (yes, the one from Oppenheimer). So, the city has several attractions based on that.

The craziest thing is that you can occasionally hear missiles blasting off from the nearby base – I heard 3 while I was camping for free by the lake!

You can read all about what there is to do in White Sands and Alamogordo in my White Sands National Park itinerary for first-timers!

White Sands National Park is for travelers who…

Want to feel and get to know the magic of a destination off the beaten path. It’s for travelers who love nature and the amazing things it makes. If you love getting down and sandy with your surroundings, this is the place to have a blast doing just that.

Pair it with 2 other national parks for a super underrated southwestern road trip!

9. Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is the standard for American national parks, second only to Yellowstone. It’s worth a visit, and a long one at that.

Why it’s great:

I loved the Grand Canyon for two reasons: just how enormous it is and the quality of the hiking.

Its Enormity

The Grand Canyon humbles you, much like the Grand Tetons, because it’s imposing. I LOVE that!

It’s actually so big, that it’s hard to grasp how enormous this canyon is.

The best way to get a feeling for that is to hike down as far as you can – to the bottom if you have the time!

Hiking in the Grand Canyon

Hiking in this national park is pretty simple: you can hike along the rim or straight down.

I loved hiking down to Skeleton Point because it helped me understand how big this place is. We just kept hiking down, and down, and down… and it scared us to think the second half was all of that again, but upwards!

When I visit again, I want to do more – like hike to the bottom and camp there or even canoe through the Grand Canyon!

I go into my favorite hike and a lot more in my guide to spending 2 days in the Grand Canyon!

Grand Canyon National Park is for travelers who…

Will travel to the middle of nowhere to experience the grand outdoors. It’s for travelers hoping to gaze at one of the wonders of the natural world while taking a stroll through the park. But it’s also perfect if you’re searching for the thrill of adventure in the wilderness.

10. Death Valley National Park

Death Valley was a complete surprise – I was amazed at how much there is to do and how beautiful it all is!

Why it’s great:

Death Valley National Park is the largest American national park outside of Alaska, so it’s full of amazing destinations.

But what type of things can you see?

My favorite were the sand dunes. There are quite a few dune fields in the park, but the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are super accessible, right by the road.

You can also walk in the middle of giant, narrow canyons, hike (or just look at) tall mountain peaks, walk under the sun to the famous salt flats, visit a natural arch and SO much more.

Because the national park is so big, it’s hard to plan a trip, so here are my tips for that:

• If you only have 1 day in Death Valley, there’s a short route with all the park’s most iconic destinations. It starts at the Visitor Center and you can stop at 7 different spots with minimal driving between them so that you spend more time hiking or just enjoying the views.
• If you have more time, you should still do that route I talked about one day and then start getting to know more of the park. My 1, 2 or 3-day Death Valley itinerary covers more dunes, more canyons and even includes a short drive out of the park to the tallest mountain in the US!

Before going to the park, I had a few people ask me if it was worth it. I wasn’t sure myself, but after going, I fell in love with it – I already want to go back because I missed so much!

Death Valley National Park is for travelers who…

Know the road less traveled usually rewards those who take it. It’s for people who don’t mind driving when the destination is epic and a place not that many people have been.

Speaking of the road less traveled, Death Valley is the start of California’s most underrated road trip.

11. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree is a unique national park because of two things: the Joshua trees and its huge piles of gigantic boulders. The best part: they allow bouldering in Joshua Tree!

Why it’s great:

• The Hiking: I spent one day in Joshua Tree just hiking, and it was perfect. We were able to do a ton of short hikes to see all the must-sees in the park. That included Skeleton Rock, Hidden Valley, Split Rock and 7 other landmarks. It’s all super accessible and close to the road, and they have lots of parking.
• Bouldering in Joshua Tree: My favorite thing about the park is that people are free to rock climb. A lot of other national parks prohibit rock climbing or limit it, but not in Joshua Tree. I tried some classic boulders and had an absolute blast.

Joshua Tree National Park is for travelers who…

Love the desert but need to see more than just plains and sand (the sensory experience is fantastic). It’s for travelers who want to drive and hike and people who want to get down and dirty with nature by climbing it.

Joshua Tree is an iconic stop on any of the many road trips to Las Vegas.

12. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

This American national park was the biggest surprise ever. I almost skipped it because it requires a reservation, but I was able to get one and go.

What I saw is one of the most impressive national parks in the US.

Why it’s great:

Like my top national parks in this ranking, the Carlsbad Caverns make you feel small.

The sheer dimensions of the caverns and how steep the hike straight down is are mind boggling – and it never stops. Knowing it’s all underground? Crazy!

The hike down is like going down the height of the Empire State Building. The main cavern is 350 feet tall and there’s even a 200,000-ton rock you have to walk around!

Another thing that’s great is that it has another national park right next to it. It only takes 30 minutes to get from Guadalupe Mountains National Park to Carlsbad Caverns, so you can see 2 for 1 easily!

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is for travelers who…

Love seeing the insane things nature can make, like gigantic caverns or all the types of stalactites and stalagmites. It’s for travelers who want a truly unique hike and experience.

The Carlsbad Caverns are a great stop on any road trip from Texas to California.

13. Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is one of the most beautiful things my eyes have ever seen!

I visited the national park in May, when there’s nothing to do except go to two overlooks that are open. And it was still absolutely incredible! I’m 100% sure Crater Lake is going to go way up in this ranking once I can do some hiking in the park.

Why it’s great:

Two things stood out to me about Crater Lake – the view and the story of how it formed.

• The view: the deep blue color of the lake, contrasted with green pine trees and white snow, is so gorgeous. And then there’s the immensity of the lake and the mountains around it. It’s just a wild, beautiful place. Fun fact: Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the USA.
• The story: Crater Lake is a lake in a crater at the very top of a volcano. The volcano used to be a pointy mountain, but then it erupted 7,000 years ago. The eruption killed everything within 30 miles of the mountain and then the top of the mountain imploded, leaving behind the crater. Over thousands of years, the crater has filled up with water from rain and snow, and it there are no rivers flowing into or out of the lake. Pretty cool for a nature nerd like me!

Crater Lake National Park is for travelers who…

Love alpine lakes – Crater Lake is the ultimate alpine lake. It’s also for people who love having an incredible view all the time. Whether you’re just driving to the park to see it or up for a challenging hike, everyone gets to enjoy seeing Crater Lake – but you’ll get more angles of it on a hike!

Crater Lake is a must-stop destination on any road trip through Oregon!

14. Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The best things to do in Guadalupe Mountain National Park are all hikes. Thankfully, I love hiking!

Why its great:

My favorite thing about this national park was being able to hike to the highest point in Texas. I like hikes with a purpose best, which made getting up early for this 8-mile hike a lot easier.

I also like when it’s easy to just get started on a hike. The park’s two Visitor Centers are close to the road and all the hikes start from the Visitor Centers.

And then I love the geology of this place. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is an ancient coral reef that is now a mountain range. Just the thought is mind blowing.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is for travelers who…

Love hiking, especially when it’s special… like hiking on a coral reef or getting to the top of a State. Travelers who like finding gorgeous, impressive mountains in the middle of nowhere will love this American national park.

15. The New River Gorge

I love going to West Virginia and people always ask me “Why West Virginia?” Well, that’s easy – it’s because of the New River Gorge.

Why it’s great:

I’m always amazed at the sheer concentration of fun activities here, but also the awesome community right at New River Gorge National Park’s doorstep.

Playing in the Great Outdoors

The New River Gorge is one of the best places to climb in the U.S.

I came because Lala and I are avid rock climbers, and our 2-year road trip was more of a climbing road trip than anything.

But aside from rock climbing, the area is also world-renowned for its white-water rafting. For a few weeks of the year, it’s the best place in the world for it. You can also take to the lake to paddleboard and even surf on the river in the summer!

Fayetteville – the coolest town

Fayetteville is awesome.

It’s a small community full of people who have moved to West Virginia for sports. And not just climbing – people come from around the country for a multitude of different, very unusual sports.

You can find amazing coffee shops and great restaurants like Range Finder, Cathedral Café, Pies & Pints, and Secret Sandwich Society. People are into baking, carpentry, sowing, pottery, and other cool things.

I know this because we made SO many friends in our 3 weeks there, and they were all great people.

The New River Gorge is for travelers who…

Love being immersed in a soft beauty – rolling hills and eternal forests, connected by one of the world’s tallest steel arch bridges. It’s for travelers who love having lots of activities to do and a community to enjoy.

People who love being surprised by places off the beaten path will love this national park.

16. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Why is a small national park in Ohio ranked this high? Because it’s the first park Lala and I visited when we started our 2-year road trip across the USA… good memories!

Cuyahoga Valley is the only national park in Ohio and, oddly enough, is close to 2 big cities. Because of this, it was the 12th-most visited national park in 2023.

Why it’s great:

Before going on our long-term road trip across the USA, neither Lala nor I had experienced real snow. We were hit by a snowstorm as we traveled towards Toronto, but that didn’t keep us from stopping at Cuyahoga National Park.

When we got there, everything was covered with almost a foot of snow. And the best part was we hadn’t been expecting it!

Now, since Cuyahoga is so accessible because it’s not that big, we were able to walk on a boardwalk to the waterfall we wanted to see. But in the end, we spent more time playing in the snow than looking at the waterfall.

Words can’t explain how happy we were, but photos can (like the ones above)!

Cuyahoga National Park is for travelers who…

Get excited about finding natural beauty in unexpected places (like right next to a city).

17. Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is one of the best American national parks for hiking.

This is because the national park is divided into three districts: Fruita, Cathedral Valley, and Waterpocket Fold. What that means is it has a little bit of everything, from easy hikes through dried-up rivers to imposing ‘cathedrals’ that tower over you.

Why it’s great:

Capitol Reef National Park is a rugged place, which I love, but it’s so rugged that some awesome places are inaccessible without 4WD.

Being in this national park makes you feel deep in the wilderness!

There’s a TON of different options for hiking into the wild, from flat hikes through dried-up riverbeds to tough ones across the landscape.

The Cassidy Arch Trail and Grand Wash were both amazing. We weren’t expecting such amazing views and weird formations.

The only problem with Capitol Reef is that you need 4-wheel drive to access the more epic part of the park, like Cathedral Valley. This also makes it less crowded, though, which is SO nice. And this national park is already one of the least crowded I’ve visited.

Capitol Reef National Park is for travelers who…

Want to feel like they’re in the outback. And don’t get me wrong, you can do multi-day hikes out there. But just being in the park’s main area, even close to the Visitor Center, makes you feel deep in the Wild West. The park is for travelers who love hiking and getting off the beaten path.

18. Rocky Mountain National Park

Why it’s great:

I absolutely love impressive mountains, so why is Rocky Mountain National Park so far down the list? It’s a combination of things (but don’t get me wrong, I loved it):

The Scenic Drive

The entire drive from one end of the park to the other is scenic. You start at low altitude and drive into the alpine. The stops along the way to see wildlife, outlooks, and visitor centers are perfect.

Funny enough, I thought this park would be a hiker’s paradise, but it ended up being a driver’s paradise. That’s especially true if you only spend 1 day in the park and want to see a lot.

If you had the time do hike into the backcountry, it’d be a whole other story!

But I spent the day driving from spot to spot, with short hikes at a lot of stops.

Its Surroundings

The main reason Rocky Mountain National Park is so low on the list of best American national parks is that the mountains right outside of it are just as beautiful!

But they feel a lot more free and wild.

We barely hiked at all in RMNP, while we did hike throughout the Rockies. Maybe it was the crowds, maybe it was the specific day. Regardless, this park is surrounded by some of my favorite places in the U.S.

Rocky Mountain National Park is for travelers who…

Love a good view, regardless of whether they get it during a hike or a drive. It’s for people who want to learn about new places, like the alpine ecosystem. If you’re doing a Colorado road trip, you can’t skip this park!

19. Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is divided into three sections: Island in the Sky, Needles District, and the Maze.

That means it has a bit for everyone: crazy views with short hikes, longer but well-developed hikes, and wild backcountry experiences.

Why it’s great:

There’s just so much to do and see!

• Island in the Sky: This is the most popular part of the park, where people can mostly drive around to mind-boggling outlooks. It also has some nice, short hikes to some of the most spectacular views, and the park’s most well-known arch.
• Needles District: This district is less crowded, and it has some long hikes. It’s like you’re hiking through the views you see from Island in the Sky. It has some crazy formations like mushroom-shaped rocks, and extremely narrow canyons (a few feet wide) you have to walk through. This is where I spent my 1 day in Canyonlands!
• The Maze: The Maze is hard to access, with most roads requiring 4-wheel drive. It’s for hikers and campers, and THE place to get into the outback. For obvious reasons, it’s the least crowded part of the national park.

Canyonlands National Park is for travelers who…

Love getting lost in the immensity of the great outdoors. It’s also for travelers who enjoy having options – from amazing outlooks to immersive hikes. If you’re looking to disconnect from the real world, this place is IT.

20. Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is like a painting – it’s utterly gorgeous and doesn’t look real.

An Immersive Experience

The best part of Bryce Canyon is hiking into the hoodoos.

You can enjoy them from the outlooks (best enjoyed during the sunrise and sunset), but you can also hike down and through them (sometimes literally).

The only issue is that it gets repetitive. All the hikes are gorgeous, but they are essentially the same. That’s why I think Bryce Canyon is best enjoyed in just one or two days.

Is it worth going?

Since it’s so low on the road trip ranking, is going to Bryce National Park even worth it?

Yes! It’s gorgeous and SO worth it.

I just wouldn’t go ONLY to Bryce. Instead, get to know it and then spend more time in all the national parks around it (Zion and Capitol Reef are the closest).

Bryce Canyon National Park is a great stop on a road trip like the Grand Circle or Utah Mighty 5.

Bryce Canyon National Park is for travelers who…

Find the most satisfaction in experiencing the beauty of nature. It’s for people who love hiking and don’t mind getting up early to watch one of the best sunrises there is.

21. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

This National Park is home to Colorado’s tallest cliff and is one of the narrowest, deepest canyons in the US. The other side of the canyon feels so close, but it’s about 2,000 feet down to the river first.

Why it’s great:

I loved this park because of the cliffs and how easy it is to explore!

Just looking at the cliffs from the myriad overlooks is enough for me, but many trad climbers come to this park to prove themselves, climbing some of the cliffs.

It’s a small park, with a 7-mile scenic drive that goes through it with lots of stops for short hikes to amazing views.

When I visited, I stopped at most of the overlooks and did the best hikes in a day. I wrote all about it to help you plan your Black Canyon of the Gunnison itinerary.

Though the park is incredible, I wouldn’t travel to it just to see it. But it makes for an astounding stop on a Colorado road trip or as an extension to the Grand Circle! One thing’s for sure – this is one of America’s most underrated national parks.

Black Canyon National Park is for travelers who…

Want to get to know an incredible national park in a day without too much work. However, it can also be for the most daring of adventurers – people willing to get to the bottom and even climb 2,000-foot cliffs.

Regardless of which type of traveler you are… you’ll love this national park if you love imposing cliffs.

22. Saguaro National Park

Why it’s great:

This national park is SO photogenic because of the Saguaros (the cacti here). So, even though it can get boring because it’s a lot of the same landscape, it’s wonderful to visit.

And there’s a lot to get to know because Saguaro National Park has two main areas: Saguaro East and Saguaro West. They aren’t connected. Instead, they have the city of Tucson right in between.

The best way to get to know Saguaro National Park is to hike. There are a bunch hikes, from easy to strenuous, and they’re all gorgeous. You get denser saguaro forests in Saguaro West and more expansive views in Saguaro East. Then, after all that hiking, you get scenic drives in both areas and amazing food in Tucson.

Tucson is known for it’s Sonoran-Mexican food. It has a lot of great restaurants and is a really cool city. You can spend one day in Saguaro National Park, but Tucson might require even more!

Saguaro National Park is for travelers who…

Love being still while enjoying a view, whether that means finding an outlook to enjoy the sunset or stopping every few steps to gaze at cacti. It’s also for travelers who love hiking… and eating!

23. Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is a rare gem where time has turned a forest into stone. And not just any stone – the most colorful mosaics I’ve ever seen!

The way you explore this national park is by driving down the scenic drive and making a bunch of stops along the way.

Some stops involve expansive views of the desert landscape, but the best ones are short hikes through ancient forests. The remaining logs were petrified over time and they turned into rocks – really colorful ones!

As a geology nerd, I enjoyed visiting Petrified Forest because its story is so crazy.

I was driving from White Sands National Park to the Grand Canyon anyway, so it made sense to stop and get to know this out-of-the-way national park.

Is it even worth going?

The reason Petrified Forest is so far down the list of best American national parks is that it’s in the middle of nowhere.

Because of that, and since you can see everything in a day, it’s only worth visiting Petrified Forest if you’re passing through anyway.

Should you go out of your way to see it? I don’t think so.

But if you’re traveling across the country on route 66, doing an Arizona road trip or just happen to be driving close by, definitely consider going to Petrified Forest National Park.

If you’d love to see a way time can make nature do crazy, unexpected things, this is the place to be.

Petrified Forest National Park is for travelers who…

Absolutely love the things nature can create – travelers who say “Wood turned into colorful rock?!” and go there because that’s the obvious thing to do.

24. Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde is at the bottom of my list of the best American national parks for one reason: there’s not much to do.

Why it’s great:

This place is an important part of American history that shows the close tie between nature and humanity.

You get to see something truly incredible: A cave in which an ancient society once built a home and lived in it for years!

There’s a cool museum at the Visitor Center, and this is one of the national parks that focuses most on the culture that once lived here.

Why it’s not THAT great:

There’s just not that much to do!

You can no longer go into the cave because rocks have been falling and people have been disrespectful.

There are several hikes, but since the cave is what you go to see, it just doesn’t fill up your need for activities. If you’re a hiker like me, this national park will leave you wanting.

Mesa Verde National Park is for travelers who…

Love learning about ancient cultures and ways of life. It’s for travelers who don’t need an amazing hike to feel satisfied with their trip.

The Best American National Park Road Trips

Now that you know the best American national parks for road trips, let’s quickly looks at the best road trips to see lots of national parks in one go.

This list mostly includes road trips I’ve done, but it also has some I’m dying to try!

• The Grand Circle road trip: it involves 7 national parks, including Utah’s Mighty 5 (which is a great road trip on its own too), 1 in Colorado and 1 in Arizona. It’s an incredible way to experience the American southwest.
• The Rockies road trip: this road trip is absolutely majestic. You drive from the Grand Tetons, to Yellowstone and on to Glacier National Park. To make it one of the most epic road trips of all time, you can drive a few hours north to Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada.
• The California road trip: there are so many ways to road trip through California, but mine started in San Diego, went up the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas with a stop in Yosemite and then continued north towards Lassen Volcanic National Park.
• The PNW road trip: this road trip goes through all the national parks in Washington and Oregon, but its LONG! It would be perfect for a summer vacation. Otherwise, you could do two different road trips – an Oregon road trip (1 national park) or a Washington National Park road trip (3 national parks).
• The Colorado road trip: this has been my favorite road trip yet, and it goes through Colorado’s 3 national parks and SO MUCH more! It’s an incredible trip through the Colorado Rockies.
• The Texas to California road trip: I did this one on my way to California, and it was SO surprising! It goes through 5 awesome national parks and 3 cool cities. Three of the national parks in this road trip make for their own little loop through Texas and New Mexico. It starts in El Paso, of all places, and is a VERY underrated southwestern road trip!
• The East Coast fall road trip: this is way up on my bucket list. I want to do a trip from the Great Smoky Mountains up to Acadia National Park in Maine. But it HAS to be during the fall – I’ve heard it’s the most magical time of the year in the northeast.

Most of these road trips are in the west because the west coast is the best coast, at least when it comes to epic natural beauty.

It’s also easier to camp for free in the west because there’s so much public land. That makes road trips in the west a lot cheaper too!

I’m all about affordable adventures in nature, and I hope this ranking has inspired you to go explore.