10 Best U.S. National Parks For more than 100 years, the National Park
Service has managed millions of acres solely for the "enjoyment, education and inspiration
of this and future generations."
Today, 63 national parks in the United States draw millions of visitors a year to unique
natural wonders and unforgettable terrains.
To determine the best U.S. national parks, U.S. News considered the opinions of both
travel experts and recent park visitors.
Do you have a favorite park?
Cast your vote below.
10 Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is defined by its beautiful, towering sequoia trees – the largest trees
in the world.
Travelers can hike through this unique California national park to admire the trees and rivers,
as well as take in views of the meadows and wildlife.
A visit here is not complete without seeing the Giant Forest's General Sherman Tree, which
measures 275 feet tall and more than 36 feet in diameter, making it the world's largest
tree by volume.
After you ogle the truly impressive trees, try some other adventurous activities like
rock climbing, horseback riding or fishing 9 Rocky Mountain National Park
The Rockies earn plenty of points for their convenience.
Sitting just 70 miles northwest of Denver, the area makes for an easy daytrip.
However, you could also spend days exploring this Colorado park.
The Rockies' magnificent landscape is one for the books, featuring more than 300 miles
of scenic trails, 147 lakes and 118 peaks taller than 10,000 feet.
If you're short on time, Emerald Lake Trail is a popular trek that's less than 5 miles
round trip and promises spectacular alpine views
8 Arches National Park Established in 1929, Arches National Park
covers nearly 77,000 acres in eastern Utah.
Oddly shaped sandstone monuments occupy every view, and the formations make the park an
excellent place for backpackers, rock climbers and hikers, not to mention photographers.
Visitors will find a whopping 2,000-plus arches in the park; the most popular to see are Landscape
Arch, Delicate Arch and Double Arch.
Plus, travelers will want to check out the visitor center, which features a wealth of
information and exhibits outlining the park's history, geology and more.
7 Bryce Canyon National Park Hoodoos are odd-shaped pillars of rock left
standing from forces of erosion, and Bryce Canyon is home to the most extensive collection
of hoodoos in the world.
Located in southern Utah, the roughly 35,835-acre park offers an array of hiking opportunities.
All trails offer a glimpse of the impressive red rock formations; visitors can also sign
up for guided horseback riding tours.
While Bryce Canyon is most popular in summer, previous visitors said the park's stark white
snow-covered landscape juxtaposed with the orange-red rocks is an unforgettable sight.
6 Grand Teton National Park Jackson Hole's backcountry is a wild wonderland
begging to be explored.
Once home to ranchers and fur trappers, this Wyoming park now offers more than 200 miles
of trails that weave through prairies, lakes and the park's most remarkable attribute,
the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Grand Teton mountain range.
The Cascade Canyon Trail shows off the best of the park's stunning topography.
Don't forget to stop by the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor Center to stock up on maps, check
out its informational exhibits and watch the interesting documentary film about the park.
5 Zion National Park This Utah national park is a paradise for
thrill-seekers.
Hike Angels Landing, which brings you up through a nearly 1,500-foot natural staircase, or
trek The Narrows, a 10-mile hike through the thinnest section of Zion Canyon, which requires
hikers to travel upstream through the Virgin River.
For a less strenuous exploration of the park, hop in your car to traverse the nearly 60-mile
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, which takes you past many of the park's most famous landmarks.
4 Grand Canyon The Grand Canyon is so magnificent that even
the highest quality photos don't do the Arizona park's vast beauty justice – you just have
to see it in person.
The 18-by-277-mile UNESCO World Heritage Site offers endless hiking opportunities with trails
of various lengths and degrees of difficulty, as well as the chance to raft the Colorado
River.
For a slight break from the tourist crowds, head to the less-crowded North Rim.
And if you're looking for a different vantage point, consider a helicopter tour to learn
more about the Grand Canyon and see it in all its glory from above.
3 Glacier National Park Water and mountains define this national park,
which spans two mountain ranges and includes more than 700 lakes across Montana.
Take advantage of the park's expansive hiking trails, and be sure to hit traveler favorites
like the Trail of the Cedars and Iceberg Lake Trail.
Other activities visitors can enjoy include a ride along scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road
and a trip to the unique Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
What's more, Glacier National Park hosts plenty of free ranger-led activities like guided
hikes and stargazing events ideal for visitors of all ages.
2 Yosemite California's most-visited national park stands
out for its bevy of impressive waterfalls, such as Vernal Fall and Bridalveil Fall, as
well as unique granite rock formations like Half Dome and El Capitan.
There are ample scenic hiking and camping opportunities in Yosemite National Park as
well.
Whatever your itinerary may be, make sure to stop by the Tunnel View Outlook, which
offers a show-stopping panoramic view of Yosemite Valley.
What's more, the picturesque lookout spot is relatively easy to access
1 Yellowstone Even if Yellowstone didn't hold the incredible
distinction of being the world's first national park, the 2.2 million-acre park could easily
stand on its own for its unique natural attractions and diverse geography.
What's more, this behemoth national park stretches across three states: Wyoming, Montana and
Idaho.
Here, travelers can get lost in the splendor of Yellowstone's many lakes, mountains, buffalo-filled
valleys and, of course, its unmatched geysers and hot springs.
To avoid the crowds that often plague the park, plan to visit in April, May, September
or October