This guide summarizes practical information for major national parks in the United States, including the state where the national park is located, the opening hours of the park, the best time to visit, nearby airports, and the distance required to arrive from the airport.
Most importantly, you can read the complete travel guides to the US National Parks.
Here are 17 U.S. national parks that are especially worth considering for a first national parks trip:
- Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
- Yosemite National Park (California)
- Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
- Glacier National Park (Montana)
- Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
- Zion National Park (Utah)
- Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
- Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
- Olympic National Park (Washington)
- Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
- Death Valley National Park (California)
- Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)
- Arches National Park (Utah)
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee)
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park (California)
- Acadia National Park (Maine)
- Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)
The article ends with a detailed introduction to the top 17 national parks. Check it out.
The National Park Service currently lists 63 sites that carry the formal “National Park” designation.
The broader National Park System includes 433 units covering more than 85 million acres across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. These units include national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and other designations.
Where are all these U.S. national parks located? How do you choose? Which season should you visit? Which airport is closest to the park?
This article summarizes all the above questions to help you better plan your itinerary. Additionally, we will gradually provide detailed guides to all the U.S. national parks.
The U.S. National Park System
The United States was the first country in the world to establish a national park system, which is crucial for protecting the natural environment and wildlife.
The first three national parks in the United States were:
- Yellowstone National Park (1872)
- Sequoia National Park (1890)
- Yosemite National Park (1890)
Each national park in the United States has unique characteristics, some beautiful, some rugged, and some desolate, making them the best choices for domestic travel and leisure entertainment.
All the national parks in the U.S. are managed by the National Park Service (abbreviated as NPS).
All the relevant information for park visitors is listed there, making it the most official source for exploring U.S. national parks.
The NPS staff are called “Rangers,” which means forest protectors. As of 2018, over 20,000 rangers and more than 300,000 volunteers served the U.S. national parks.
This illustrates the active efforts the U.S. has made to protect the natural environment and wildlife.
Below is a brief introduction to the NPS. You can also learn about the history of U.S. national parks from the video.
In addition to the NPS, there’s a primary site for national forests and another for wildlife refuges:
Maps of U.S. National Parks
The current administrative setup of the U.S. consists of 50 states + 1 district (the District of Columbia). Among them, Hawaii and Alaska are not part of the contiguous U.S.
All of these 51 administrative divisions have national parks, national forests, or national preserves. Their specific distribution is shown in the following map:
In the map above, to the left of the red line are the often-mentioned U.S. national parks, such as Yellowstone in Wyoming, Yosemite in California, and Grand Canyon in Arizona.
These states are located at tectonic boundaries, leading to active geology. Volcanoes have formed here, resulting in various unique terrains and landscapes.
To the right of the red line, the terrain becomes progressively flatter, with fewer mountain peaks and rugged terrain.
List of U.S. National Parks
| U.S. National Parks | State | Operation Hours (Best Months) | Airports Nearby (Hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| YellowStone (Guide) | Wyoming | All Year Around (7~8) | JAC (1hr) SLC (8hr) |
| Grand Teton (Guide) | Wyoming | All Year Around (6~8) | JAC (0.5hr) SLC (7hr) |
| Devils Tower | Wyoming | All Year Around (6~8) | RAP (2hr) |
| Mount Rainier (Guide) | Washington | All Year Around (7~8) | SEA (1.5hr) |
| Olympic (Guide) | Washington | All Year Around (7~8) | SEA (2hr) |
| Denali (Guide) | Alaska | 5~9 | ANC (4hr) FAI (2hr) |
| Kenai Fjords | Alaska | All Year Around (7~9) | ANC (2.3hr) |
| Death Valley (Guide) | California | All Year Around (2~4) | LAS (2hr) LAX (4.5hr) |
| Yosemite (Guide) | California | All Year Around (6~9) | SFO (4hr) SJC (4hr) LAX (6hr) LAS (8hr) |
| Lassen Volcanic (Guide) | California | All Year Around (8~9) | RDD (1hr) CIC (1hr) |
| Sequoia and Kings Canyon (Guide) | California | All Year Around (7~9) | FAT (1hr) |
| Mojave | California | All Year Around (4~5, 9~10) | BFL (1hr) BUR (1.5hr) LAX (2hr) VIS (2.5hr) |
| Grand Canyon (Guide) | Arizona | All Year Around (3~5, 9~11) | PHX (3.5hr) |
| Glacier (Guide) | Montana | All Year Around (6~9) | FCA (0.5H) MSO (2.5H) GTF (2.5H) |
| Bighorn Canyon | Montana | All Year Around (5~9) | BIL (1.5H) COD (1H |
| Petrified Forest | Arizona | All Year Around (3,7,8) | PHX (3hr) ABQ (3.5hr) TUS (4hr) |
| Saguaro | Arizona | All Year Around (10~4) | TUS (0.3hr) |
| Arches (Guide) | Utah | All Year Around (4~5,9~10) | CNY (0.3hr) SLC (4hr) |
| Cedar Breaks | Utah | All Year Around (5~10) | SGU (1hr) LAX SLC |
| Zion (Guide) | Utah | All Year Around (4~10) | SLC (5hr) LAS (3hr) |
| Bryce Canyon (Guide) | Utah | All Year Around (5~9) | LAS (4.5hr) SLC (4.5hr) |
| Great Basin | Nevada | All Year Around (7~9) | SLC (3.6hr) LAS (4.5hr) |
| Mount Hood | Oregon | PDX (1.1hr) | |
| Crater Lake (Guide) | Oregon | All Year Around (7~9) | LMT (0.9hr) MFR (1hr) PDX(5hr) |
| Rocky Mountain (Guide) | Colorado | All Year Around (6~9) | BJC (1.5hr) DEN (1.9hr) CYS (2hr) LAR (2.5hr) BFF (3.3hr) CPR (4.5hr) GJT (5.3hr) |
| Mesa Verde | Colorado | All Year Around (6~8) | CEZ (0.5hr) DRO (1hr) |
| Great Sand Dunes | Colorado | All Year Around | ALS (0.8hr) COS (2.75hr) DEN (4hr) |
| Chaco Culture | New Mexico | All Year Around | FMN (4hr) ABQ (5.5hr) |
| Bandelier | New Mexico | All Year Around | ABQ (2.2hr) |
| Carlsbad Caverns | New Mexico | All Year Around | ELP (2.2hr) |
| Theodore Roosevelt | North Dakota | All Year Around (5~10) | DIK (0.75hr) |
| Mount Rushmore | South Dakota | All Year Around (6~10) | RAP (0.75hr) |
| Wind Cave | South Dakota | All Year Around | RAP (1.1hr) |
| Homestead | Nebraska | All Year Around | LNK (0.8hr) |
| Tallgrass Prairie | Kansas | All Year Around (5~6) | MCI (4.4hr) ICT (2.2hr) |
| Chickasaw | Oklahoma | All Year Around | DFW (4.75hr) OKC (2.3hr) |
| San Antonio Missions | Texas | All Year Around | DFW (5hr) |
| Voyageurs | Minnesota | All Year Around | MSP (4.75hr) |
| Effigy Mounds | Iowa | All Year Around | MSN (2.3hr) |
| Ozark | Missouri | All Year Around | MCI(3.25hr) STL (3.3hr) |
| Hot Springs | Arkansas | All Year Around | HOT (4.7hr) |
| Kisatchie | Louisiana | All Year Around | AEX (0.75hr) |
| Apostle Island | Wisconsin | All Year Around | DLH (2hr) |
| Shawnee | Illinois | All Year Around | SCE (0.75hr) |
| Vicksburg | Mississippi | All Year Around | JAN (0.8hr) |
| Pictured Rocks | Michigan | All Year Around (6~8) | MQT (1hr) |
| George Rogers Clark | Indiana | All Year Around | EVV (0.8hr) |
| Cumberland Gap | Kentucky | 3/15~11/14 | TYS (1hr) LEX (2hr) |
| Great Smoky Mountains (Guide) | Tennesse | All Year Around (6~11) | TYS (0.75hr) |
| Tuskegee Airmen | Alabama | All Year Around with Sunday Closed | MGM (1hr) ATL (1.75hr) |
| Perry’s Victory | Ohio | 5/18~9/30 | CLE (2hr) |
| Cuyahoga Valley | Ohi | All Year Around | CLE (0.25hr) CAK (0.4hr) PIT (1.3hr) YQG (1.5hr) CMH (1.75hr) |
| Cumberland Island | Georgia | All Year Around | JAX (3hr) |
| Castillo De San Marcos | Florida | All Year Around | JAX (1.2hr) |
| Everglades (Guide) | Florida | All Year Around | MIA (0.6hr) |
| Gettysburg | Pennsylvania | All Year Around | MDT (0.5hr) BWI (1hr) DC (1.25hr) PHL (2hr) |
| Harper Ferry | West Virginia | All Year Around | IAD (0.8hr) DCA (1.5hr) BWI (1.5hr) |
| Shenandoah | Virginia | All Year Around | SHD (0.6hr) DCA (1.5hr) |
| Blue Ridge | North Carolina | GSO (1hr) USA (1.5hr) CLT (1.75hr) AVL (2hr) | |
| Fort Sumter | South Carolina | MYR (2.5hr) SAV (3.75hr) CAE (5hr) ILM (5.2hr) | |
| Saratoga | New York | 4/1~11/30 | ALB (0.5hr) |
| Acadia (Guide) | Maine | 4/16~10/30 | BHB (0.2hr) BGR (1hr) |
| White Mountain | New Hampshire | All Year Around | MHT (2hr) |
| Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller | Vermont | All Year Around | BTV (1.7hr) MHT (1.7hr) BOS (2.5hr) |
| Block Island | Rhode Island | All Year Around | PVD (0.75hr) |
| Ellis Island | New Jersey | EWR (0.2hr) JFK (1hr) | |
| Weir Farm | Connecticut | All Year Around | DXR (0.2hr) HPN (0.75hr) |
| Fort Mchenry | Maryland | All Year Around | BWI (0.2hr) |
| Bombay Hook | Delaware | All Year Around | PHL (1.5hr) BWI (1.8hr) |
| Frederick Douglass | Washington D.C. | All Year Around | HGR (0.5hr) IAD (0.5hr) |
| Volcanoes | Hawaii | All Year Around | ITO (0.75hr) KOA (2.5hr) |
Top 17 Best National Parks
1. Yellowstone National Park
- Location: Wyoming
- Attractions: Geothermal features, canyon waterfalls, wildlife
- Best Time to Visit: Late June to early September
- Nearest Airports: JAC, SLC
- Travel Guide of Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is the first national park in the United States, located in Wyoming. It is characterized by its abundant geothermal features, the famous Old Faithful geyser, and unique wildlife such as the North American grizzly bear and wolves.
This vast nature reserve is Earth’s largest active volcanic system, attracting tens of thousands of tourists to explore its natural beauty.
2. Yosemite National Park
- Location: California
- Attractions: Massive granite cliffs, ancient sequoia trees, waterfalls, clear streams, and biodiversity
- Best Time to Visit: May to October
- Nearest Airports: FAT, MCE
- Travel Guide of Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is located in the central region of California and is renowned for its spectacular waterfalls, massive granite cliffs, and ancient groves of giant sequoias.
El Capitan and Half Dome within the park are challenges for climbers. While the park offers attractive views throughout the year, the waterfalls are most spectacular in the spring.
3. Grand Canyon National Park
- Location: Arizona
- Attractions: majestic red-rock canyon, the Colorado River, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
- The best time to visit: April to June and September to November.
- Nearest airports: FLG, GCN
- Travel Guide of Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It showcases billions of years of geological history.
It stretches down a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide and is renowned for its spectacular vistas and distinctly layered rock formations.
The color changes of the canyon during sunrise and sunset are particularly captivating.
4. Glacier National Park
- Location: Montana
- Attractions: Ancient glaciers, lakes, forests, mountain ranges, and a rich variety of wildlife and flora.
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-July to September
- Nearest Airport: FCA
- Travel Guide of Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, located in Montana, USA, is a haven that preserves nature’s beauty and biodiversity.
It boasts magnificent mountain ranges, pristine lakes, and numerous glaciers and is home to a variety of wild flora and fauna.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road within the park is a favorite among visitors, offering spectacular views of the park’s core areas.
5. Grand Teton National Park
- Location: Wyoming
- Attractions: Jagged mountain ranges, crystal-clear lakes, and diverse wildlife.
- Best time to visit: mid-June to mid-September
- Nearest Airport: JAC
- Travel Guide of Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park, located in Wyoming, USA, is renowned for its awe-inspiring mountain ranges, profound canyons, and tranquil lakes.
The park’s signature feature is the Grand Teton mountain range, with its cliffs soaring into the sky, offering unparalleled experiences for climbers and photography enthusiasts.
Beyond mountainous activities, the area is also an ideal spot for hiking, kayaking, and wildlife observation.
6. Zion National Park
- Location: Utah
- Attractions: Red Rock Canyon, towering sandstone cliffs, Emerald Pools
- Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn
- Nearby airports: SGU, LAS
- Travel Guide of Zion National Park
Zion National Park, located in Utah, USA, is a natural red rock canyon that attracts countless hiking enthusiasts and climbers.
The park is characterized by its towering red and orange sandstone cliffs and the Zion Canyon that runs through it.
This spectacular scenic area offers visitors a range of activity opportunities, from leisurely riverside walks to cliff climbing.
7. Rocky Mountain National Park
- Location: Colorado
- Attractions: Mountains, lakes, wildflower meadows
- Best time to visit: June to September
- Nearby airport: DEN
- Travel Guide to Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Colorado, USA. It’s a majestic haven of mountains and alpine lakes that attracts countless outdoor enthusiasts each year.
The park is renowned for its towering peaks, abundant wildlife, and over 300 miles of hiking trails.
Visitors can hike, camp, and enjoy the wildflowers and wildlife.
8. Mount Rainier National Park
- Location: Washington
- Attractions: Snow-capped mountains, glaciers, wildflower meadows
- Best time to visit: July to September
- Nearby airport: SEA
- Travel Guide of Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is located in Washington State, USA, and is centered primarily around the majestic Mount Rainier. This active volcano is the highest peak in Washington State.
The park boasts rich glaciers, snowfields, forests, and mountain streams, offering a variety of hiking and climbing activities. Every year, many travelers come here to appreciate the natural scenery and engage in adventurous activities.
9. Olympic National Park
- Location: Washington
- Attractions: Rainforests, coastline, snow-capped mountains
- Best time to visit: June to September
- Nearby airport: SEA
- Travel Guide of Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, USA, and is renowned for its diverse ecosystems, ancient rainforests, and spectacular coastline.
The park encompasses dense temperate rainforests, majestic mountains, and pristine coastlines, offering visitors a rich natural exploration experience.
It is one of the few national parks in the U.S. that boasts a combination of coastline, rainforest, and mountain landscapes.
10. Bryce Canyon National Park
- Location: Utah
- Attractions: Unique rock pillars, canyons, night sky
- Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn
- Nearby airports: CDC, LAS
- Travel Guide of Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is located in Utah, USA, and is renowned for its unique red rock pillars – landforms known as “hoodoos.”
These natural stone pillars, shaped by erosion, display breathtaking colors and shapes in the sunlight. Here, you can enjoy these peculiar formations along the trails and, in winter, experience the charm of Bryce Canyon in the snow.
11. Death Valley National Park
- Location: California
- Attractions: Desert, Salt Flats, Lowlands
- Best Time to Visit: October to April
- Nearby Airports: LAS
- Travel Guide of Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is North America’s hottest, driest, and lowest national park.
The park is renowned for its stunning desert landscapes, colorful rocks, and salt flats. Despite the extreme conditions, the variety of plant and animal species here is surprisingly rich, showcasing the adaptability and resilience of life in the harshest environments.
12. Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Location: California
- Attractions: Volcanoes, hot springs, lakes
- Best time to visit: July to September
- Nearby airport: RDD
- Travel Guide of Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located in California, USA, with its spectacular volcanic terrain and diverse volcanic activity.
The park has volcanoes, lava pinnacles, and hot springs. You can experience the magnificent beauty of the volcanic landscape and explore its diverse ecology and natural scenery.
13. Arches National Park
- Location: Utah
- Attractions: Stone arches, red rocks, sunrise and sunset
- Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn
- Nearby airport: CNY
- Travel Guide of Arches National Park
Arches National Park is located in Utah, USA, and is renowned for its thousands of natural red sandstone arches, especially the iconic “Delicate Arch”.
The park’s unique landscapes were formed over millions of years of weathering and erosion. In addition to the arches, the park also boasts a variety of unique geological structures, expansive vistas, and rich cultural landmarks.
14. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Location: Tennessee
- Attractions: Mountains, mist, wildflowers
- Best time to visit: Spring and Summer
- Nearby airport: TYS
- Travel Guide of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina and is one of the most popular national parks in the country.
The park is renowned for its ancient mountain ranges, misty landscapes, and rich biodiversity. In addition to the spectacular natural scenery, it also preserves the historical and cultural heritage of the southern Appalachian region.
15. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
- Location: California
- Attractions: Giant sequoia trees, deep valleys, high mountains
- Best time to visit: June to September
- Nearby airport: FAT
- Travel Guide of Sequoia and Kings Canyon
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range and are known for their gigantic sequoia trees and spectacular canyon landscapes.
This place is home to the most giant tree in the world, the General Sherman Tree, as well as deeply carved valleys, alpine meadows, and snow-covered peaks.
16. Acadia National Park
- Location: Maine
- Attractions: Coastline, lakes, and hills
- Best time to visit: June to September
- Nearby airport: BGR
- Travel Guide of Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island in Maine and is the only national park in the New England region.
The park is renowned for its rugged coastline, towering mountains, deep lakes, and dense forests. Visitors can enjoy spectacular sunrises, hiking, cycling, and other outdoor activities here.
17. Crater Lake National Park
- Location: Oregon
- Attractions: Deep blue lake, volcanic crater, snowy landscapes
- Best time to visit: July to September
- Nearby airport: MFR
- Travel Guide of Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is in Oregon, centered around the deep blue Crater Lake.
The lake was formed from accumulated water in a caldera left behind after a massive volcanic eruption. Its crystal clear and deep waters, juxtaposed against the surrounding mountainous landscape, create a stunning view, making it an ideal spot for photography and hiking.
FAQ
Q1. How many national parks are there in the US?
The United States has 63 sites with the formal “National Park” designation. The broader National Park System includes 433 units across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
Q2. When is the best time to visit US national parks?
The United States has 63 formally designated national parks, and the best time to visit each one varies.
For example, Yellowstone National Park is best visited in the summer, while Death Valley National Park is best visited between February and April. The article lists the opening times and best visitation periods for almost all US national parks.
Q3. Which US national parks are the most fun?
Generally speaking, the national parks near the west-central part of the US are more fun, mainly because these areas have active geology, frequent volcanoes, and therefore unique geological structures.
The most fun national parks are mainly concentrated in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona.
Among them, for example, famous national parks include Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Glacier National Park, among others.
Of course, the two national parks in Alaska and the Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii are also not to be missed.
Q4. Where can I find information about all the national parks?
The official website for the US national parks is: https://www.nps.gov. We have summarized the states where almost all US national parks are located, park opening hours, best touring times, nearby airports, and the distance required to reach from the airport, and we also attached detailed guides to the most popular US national parks.
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