U.S. National Parks
Complete Guide & Video Series

America’s national parks protect some of the most incredible landscapes on Earth—from towering mountains and ancient forests to deserts, glaciers, and tropical islands.

In this complete 63 U.S. National Parks series, we explore every national park across the United States through videos, travel guides, and helpful visitor information.

Whether you're planning your next adventure or dreaming about future travel, this page serves as your master guide to all U.S. national parks.

Each park page includes: An informational video, park highlights, popular hiking trails, wildlife and plant life, visitor tips and safety information, one-day itineraries, hidden gems, planning resources, scenic drives, nearby towns, camping and lodging information, popular photography spots and more!

Thank You!

A huge shoutout to National Park Services employees , USGS, volunteers and all others that work hard to keep the U.S. National Parks beautiful and safe!!

Did You Know? Fun Facts About U.S. National Parks

Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872, making it not only the first U.S. national park, but the first national park in the world.

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska is the largest U.S. national park, covering 13.2 million acres. That’s larger than the entire country of Switzerland.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, welcoming 12–13 million visitors each year.

Death Valley National Park holds the record for the highest air temperature ever recorded on Earth: 134°F (56.7°C) in 1913 at Furnace Creek.

Mammoth Cave National Park contains the longest cave system in the world, with over 420 miles of explored passageways — and scientists believe even more remains undiscovered.

Perched along the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park dazzles with granite peaks, pine-scented forests, crashing Atlantic waves, and winding carriage roads—crowned by the unforgettable sunrise view from Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the United States to greet the morning light.

Remote, wild, and culturally rich, National Park of American Samoa spans lush volcanic mountains, vibrant coral reefs, and pristine tropical rainforests across the islands of Tutuila, Ofu Island, and Taʻū Island—where turquoise waters, soaring sea cliffs, flying fox bats, and living Samoan traditions create one of the most unique and breathtaking national parks in the United States.

A surreal desert landscape of towering red rock, sweeping sandstone fins, and more than 2,000 natural stone arches, Arches National Park captivates visitors with iconic formations like Delicate Arch rising dramatically above the Utah desert and glowing brilliantly beneath fiery sunsets and star-filled skies.

A dramatic maze of jagged buttes, striped rock formations, and vast prairie grasslands, Badlands National Park reveals millions of years of geological history while roaming herds of American bison and curious Black-tailed prairie dog bring life to one of the most striking and rugged landscapes in the American West.

Vast, remote, and breathtakingly wild, Big Bend National Park stretches along a sweeping bend of the Rio Grande where towering desert mountains, deep canyons like Santa Elena Canyon, and some of the darkest night skies in North America create an unforgettable frontier of rugged beauty and adventure.

A vibrant underwater paradise just off the coast of Miami, Biscayne National Park protects crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, mangrove shorelines, and historic shipwrecks scattered across Biscayne Bay—making it a dream destination for snorkeling, boating, and discovering South Florida’s hidden marine world.

Carved into near-vertical darkness by the Gunnison River, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a jaw-dropping rush of sheer cliffs and dizzying depth—stand at overlooks like Painted Wall and Chasm View as the canyon drops away beneath you in one of the most dramatic landscapes in Colorado.

A dazzling amphitheater of fiery red rock spires known as hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park stuns visitors with its otherworldly formations—especially from iconic overlooks like Sunrise Point and Sunset Point—glowing brilliantly beneath some of the clearest, star-filled skies in the United States.

A vast wilderness of deep canyons, towering mesas, and winding desert rivers, Canyonlands National Park showcases the raw power of erosion where the mighty Colorado River and Green River carve a dramatic labyrinth of red rock stretching to the horizon.

A hidden gem of towering cliffs, colorful canyons, and the dramatic 100-mile wrinkle in the Earth known as the Waterpocket Fold, Capitol Reef National Park blends rugged desert landscapes with historic orchards and pioneer history in the heart of Utah’s red rock country.

Hidden beneath the Chihuahuan Desert, Carlsbad Caverns National Park reveals a vast underground world of enormous limestone chambers, glittering stalactites, and the awe-inspiring Big Room—one of the largest cave chambers in North America.

Wild and windswept off the coast of Santa Barbara, Channel Islands National Park protects a chain of rugged islands where sea caves, dramatic cliffs, kelp forests, and rare wildlife—from island foxes to migrating whales—create one of the most untouched coastal ecosystems in North America.

Towering old-growth trees and wild swampy beauty define Congaree National Park—walk the elevated boardwalk through primeval floodplain forest, paddle quiet cedar-lined waterways, and experience a lush, living jungle-like landscape unlike anywhere else in the U.S.

Deep, impossibly blue, and born from a collapsed volcano, Crater Lake National Park is pure wonder—drive the rim for jaw-dropping overlooks, gaze down into the deepest lake in the U.S., and soak up alpine scenery that feels almost unreal in its color and clarity.

Tucked between the cities of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park blends lush forests, winding rivers, historic canals, and scenic trails—highlighted by the picturesque cascade of Brandywine Falls—creating a peaceful natural escape in the heart of Ohio.

A land of extremes and haunting beauty, Death Valley National Park stretches across vast salt flats, towering sand dunes, and colorful badlands—where places like Badwater Basin mark the lowest point in North America beneath blazing desert skies and brilliant stars.

A vast wilderness of tundra, glaciers, and roaming wildlife, Denali National Park and Preserve is crowned by Denali—North America’s tallest peak—rising dramatically above a rugged landscape where grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves still roam free.

Dry Tortugas National Park is an epic, far-off island escape where you’ll boat or seaplane to a legendary ocean fortress, snorkel neon-blue water over living coral reefs and shipwrecks, and soak up postcard-perfect beaches surrounded by endless open sea.

Everglades National Park is a wild, one-of-a-kind “River of Grass” adventure where you can glide through mangrove tunnels and sawgrass marshes, spot alligators and manatees up close, and catch jaw-dropping sunsets over one of America’s most iconic wetlands.

Gates of the Arctic National Park is pure, untamed Alaska—an epic off-the-grid wilderness of towering peaks, endless tundra, and braided rivers where you can trek without trails, witness caribou migrations, and experience raw adventure under massive northern skies.

Towering 630 feet above downtown St. Louis, Gateway Arch National Park delivers a quick-hit, big-wow experience—ride the tram to the top for sweeping Mississippi River views, then explore the powerful stories of America’s westward expansion right below the stainless-steel icon.

Carved by ancient ice and crowned with jagged peaks, Glacier National Park is a jaw-dropping alpine playground—cruise the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike to turquoise lakes and thundering waterfalls, and watch for mountain goats and grizzlies in one of America’s wildest landscapes.

A front-row seat to Alaska’s raw power, Glacier Bay National Park stuns with towering tidewater glaciers that crack and thunder into icy-blue waters—cruise past drifting icebergs, spot humpback whales and sea otters, and soak in a wilderness that feels like the edge of the world.

Bigger than imagination and carved in layers of time, Grand Canyon National Park delivers nonstop awe—watch the canyon ignite at sunrise, trace the Colorado River far below from epic rim viewpoints, or hike into the depths for a true once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Rising like a jagged skyline straight from the valley floor, Grand Teton National Park is pure mountain magic—catch mirror-perfect reflections at Jenny Lake, spot moose and bison in the sage flats, and hike into dramatic alpine basins with world-class views around every turn.

Hidden in Nevada’s high desert, Great Basin National Park packs huge adventure into a quiet, uncrowded escape—tour the dazzling Lehman Caves, hike to ancient bristlecone pines, and watch the Milky Way blaze overhead beneath the towering peak of Wheeler.

Like stepping into a desert wonderland at the base of the Rockies, Great Sand Dunes National Park lets you race up the tallest dunes in North America, splash through seasonal Medano Creek, and catch unreal sunset colors that turn the sand into a glowing sea.

Misty ridgelines, roaring waterfalls, and endless forest views make Great Smoky Mountains National Park a must—drive Skyline-high overlooks, hike to iconic peaks like Kuwohi, and chase wildflower blooms and black bear sightings in America’s most-visited national park.

Rugged, remote, and wildly underrated, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is where Texas gets epic—hike to the summit of Guadalupe Peak (the state’s highest point), wander dramatic desert canyons, and step into ancient reef geology with huge skies overhead.

High above the clouds on Maui, Haleakalā National Park feels like another planet—watch sunrise spill across a massive volcanic crater, hike through surreal lava landscapes and rare silversword plants, and end the day under some of the darkest, most dazzling night skies in the Pacific.

On the Big Island, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a living, breathing landscape—walk through steaming craters and lava tubes, drive across black volcanic plains, and feel the thrill of witnessing Earth being shaped in real time by Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Tucked into the hills of Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park blends nature and history in the coolest way—stroll the grand Bathhouse Row, sip thermal spring water, and hike shaded forest trails that lead to scenic overlooks above a city built on soothing, steaming springs.

Stretching along the shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is a surprise-packed escape where you can climb rolling sand dunes, wander oak savannas and wildflower trails, and unwind on beautiful beaches with big-water views that feel miles away from everyday life.

Far out in Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is a true off-the-grid adventure—paddle glassy coves, hike remote ridgelines, and camp under star-filled skies in a wild island world known for its moose, wolves, and total silence.

Where two deserts collide under endless sunshine, Joshua Tree National Park is a surreal playground of twisted yuccas and giant boulder piles—scramble and climb world-famous rocks, hike to sweeping viewpoints, and watch the night sky explode with stars in one of California’s best dark-sky destinations.

Wild, remote, and absolutely legendary, Katmai National Park is the ultimate bear country—watch massive brown bears fish for salmon at Brooks Falls, explore volcanic landscapes like the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, and experience Alaska at its most raw and unforgettable.

Icy-blue glaciers, crashing waves, and wild ocean life make Kenai Fjords National Park an Alaska showstopper—hike to Exit Glacier, cruise past tidewater ice and towering cliffs, and keep your eyes peeled for whales, sea otters, puffins, and sea lions in every direction.

Deep, dramatic, and wildly beautiful, Kings Canyon National Park delivers towering granite walls, roaring rivers, and giant sequoia groves—drive into the epic canyon, hike to sweeping overlooks and alpine lakes, and feel the scale of the Sierra Nevada in a place that still feels refreshingly untamed.

Remote and otherworldly, Kobuk Valley National Park hides a true Arctic surprise—massive golden sand dunes above the tundra—where you can roam without trails, watch caribou migrations, and experience pure wilderness under endless northern skies.

A rare mix of glaciers, volcanoes, turquoise lakes, and wild coastline, Lake Clark National Park is Alaska’s ultimate choose-your-own-adventure—fly into remote backcountry, spot brown bears along the shores, and explore a jaw-dropping landscape that feels completely untouched.

Boiling mud pots, steaming vents, and snowy peaks all in one place—Lassen Volcanic National Park is like Yellowstone and the Sierra rolled together, where you can hike to the summit of Lassen Peak, wander the bubbling hydrothermal wonderland of Bumpass Hell, and explore a volcanic landscape that’s constantly alive.

Beneath Kentucky’s rolling green hills, Mammoth Cave National Park plunges you into the world’s longest known cave system—tour massive underground chambers and twisting passages, then pop back into sunshine for peaceful rivers, forest trails, and wildlife-filled valleys above ground.

Perched high on Colorado’s mesa tops, Mesa Verde National Park is a jaw-dropping time capsule—climb down ladders to explore incredible Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings like Cliff Palace, wander scenic canyon overlooks, and feel history come alive in the desert air.

Dominating the Washington skyline with glaciers and wildflower meadows, Mount Rainier National Park is pure Pacific Northwest drama—explore the iconic Paradise area, hike through alpine fields bursting with color, and chase waterfalls and mountain views that feel straight out of a postcard.

Carved through West Virginia’s wild hills, New River Gorge National Park is an adrenaline-and-scenery powerhouse—take in epic views from the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, hike rugged cliffside trails, and hit the river for some of the best whitewater rafting in the East.

Jagged, glacier-clad peaks and electric-blue lakes steal the show in North Cascades National Park—pull over at Diablo Lake Overlook for unreal color, then dive into rugged hikes and waterfall-filled valleys in one of the most wild and least-crowded parks in the Lower 48.

From misty rainforests to wave-battered beaches to snowcapped peaks, Olympic National Park is three epic worlds in one—wander the mossy Hoh Rain Forest, explore rugged Pacific coastline, and chase alpine views that make every day feel like a new adventure.

A desert landscape straight out of a sci-fi movie, Petrified Forest National Park dazzles with rainbow badlands and ancient logs turned to glittering stone—walk among massive petrified trees, soak in Painted Desert views, and explore a 200-million-year story written in color and crystal.

Jagged spires, golden hills, and hidden caves make Pinnacles National Park a compact but thrilling adventure—hike the High Peaks for dramatic rock views, squeeze through talus caves, and watch for California condors soaring overhead in the warm Central California sun.

Step into a living cathedral in Redwood National and State Parks, where the world’s tallest trees tower overhead—walk the hushed groves, explore ferny canyons and wild coastline, and feel tiny in the most awe-inspiring forest on Earth.

High-alpine adventure comes easy in Rocky Mountain National Park—cruise sky-high Trail Ridge Road, hike to sparkling tundra lakes and panoramic peaks, and spot elk, moose, and marmots in a landscape that feels wildly expansive and close-up beautiful at the same time.

Sunlit deserts packed with towering cactus giants make Saguaro National Park unforgettable—drive through the iconic cactus forests, hike among sunsets and saguaros that glow like silhouettes, and experience the Sonoran Desert at its most wild, colorful, and alive.

Home to trees that feel like skyscrapers made by nature, Sequoia National Park is pure awe—stand beside the legendary General Sherman Tree, explore giant forest trails, and climb into dramatic Sierra scenery where granite peaks and deep canyons frame the biggest living things on Earth.

Rolling Blue Ridge views, misty overlooks, and waterfall hikes make Shenandoah National Park an instant classic—cruise Skyline Drive, chase cascades through lush forest, and catch sunrise and fall color that turn the mountains into a glowing sea.

Wild, wide-open, and bursting with badlands beauty, Theodore Roosevelt National Park delivers North Dakota at its best—drive scenic loops through rugged canyons, spot bison and wild horses roaming the prairie, and watch the sunset light up painted cliffs in a landscape that feels truly untamed.

Crystal-clear water, palm-lined beaches, and colorful reefs make Virgin Islands National Park a tropical dream—snorkel vibrant underwater trails, hike to breathtaking island viewpoints, and soak up Caribbean paradise on the wild side of St. John.

A water-lover’s paradise of islands, coves, and endless shoreline, Voyageurs National Park is made for adventure—paddle or boat between remote campsites, swim in clear northern lakes, and catch epic sunsets and starry skies far from the noise of everyday life.

A dazzling sea of pure white dunes stretches to the horizon at White Sands National Park—hike barefoot across shimmering gypsum sand, sled down rolling hills like it’s snow, and watch sunset turn the desert into a glowing pastel wonderland.

Hidden beneath South Dakota’s prairie, Wind Cave National Park is a mind-blowing underground world—step into one of the planet’s most complex cave systems to see rare “boxwork” formations, then head back above ground to spot bison and prairie wildlife roaming the wide-open grasslands.

Bigger than some countries and packed with raw, rugged beauty, Wrangell–St. Elias National Park is Alaska on a grand scale—explore the historic Kennecott Mines, trek near massive glaciers, and witness towering peaks and wild valleys that stretch seemingly forever.

Geysers, roaring waterfalls, and unbelievable wildlife make Yellowstone National Park a true bucket-list legend—watch Old Faithful erupt, explore colorful hot springs like Grand Prismatic, and spot bison, elk, and maybe even wolves in America’s most iconic geothermal wonderland.

Sheer granite giants, thundering waterfalls, and postcard-perfect valleys make Yosemite National Park unforgettable—take in the legendary Tunnel View, hike beneath El Capitan and Half Dome, and soak up sunrise-to-sunset scenery in one of America’s greatest natural masterpieces.

Towering red cliffs and epic canyon hikes make Zion National Park pure adventure—wade through the river-carved Narrows, climb toward Angels Landing for heart-pounding views, and watch the desert light ignite Zion Canyon in every shade of gold and crimson.

U.S. National Parks Series

U.S. National ParksComplete Guide & Video Series

Thank You!

Did You Know? Fun Facts About U.S. National Parks

U.S. National Parks
Complete Guide & Video Series