Most Beautiful National Parks in the USA

With more than 60 diverse national parks, the USA can offer something for everyone’s taste. From mountainous landscape with gorgeous snowy peaks to stunning limestone formations, the natural beauty of this country will take your breath away. Here are the most beautiful national parks in the USA that you need to visit at least once in your life.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Located in the western part of the country, in northwest Montana, Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States that is known for its unique landscape and nature. This national park consists of over one million acres of protected land, including incredible mountain peaks, glacier lakes, alpine meadows, and beautiful valleys. Here you can also spot some wildlife such as mountain goats and grizzly bears.

The park has an extensive system of trails that are suitable for hiking and some even for biking. If you want to stay longer in the area, you can stay at one of the lodges and chalets that are situated around the park. The best time to visit the park is in the summer months when all the snow and ice are melted. The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $20 per person for a 7-day permit in the summer.

Arches National Park, Utah

Arches National Park is located in southeastern Utah north of Moab. The park compasses around 73,000 acres of unique topography. Here you can explore colorful desert landscapes along with over 2,000 natural red rock arches. The unique beauty of this national park makes it one of the most beautiful places in the USA attracting more than one million visitors each year from all around the world.

Arches National Park is a great place for nature lovers looking for unique hiking, biking, or even camping destinations. Among the most popular trails, you can find Delicate Arch or Fiery Furnace. This national park is best explored in spring and fall months when the weather is less hot and more pleasant. The 7-day pass costs $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Recognized as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Grand Canyon National Park is probably the most iconic national park in the USA. Located in northwest Arizona, the park offers an incredible opportunity to get a closer look at the geologic history of the Earth, as well as observe a variety of wildlife such as mountain lions, various reptiles, coyotes, and more. The park also has an observation deck, the SkyWalk, that will give you an aerial view of the canyon.

The best time to visit the park is definitely spring or fall due to weather conditions. It is also a great idea to plan a visit during the off-season if you want to avoid crowds and enjoy the park with fewer people around. The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, and $20 per person for a 7-day pass.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Located in Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to many of the highest mountain peaks in the country. The park is composed of over 250,000 acres of beautiful mountainous and alpine scenery fields of wildflowers, deep forests, pristine lakes, and breathtaking peaks. Here you can also observe incredible wildlife such as elks, bighorn sheep, bears, and many smaller species.

If you don’t mind hiking or camping for a few days, the best way to discover this national park is by hiking or driving around designated roads. The best time to visit the park is definitely summer (from mid-June to mid-October) when the weather conditions are most favorable for hiking and camping. Similarly to other national parks, the entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $20 per person for a 7-day permit.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

On the west coast of the country, you will find this very accessible yet uniquely beautiful national park that mainly consists of two deserts, the Mojave and Colorado. The national park is mostly known for the Joshua Trees after which the park was named. Here you can also find lots of cactus, wandering coyotes, and more fascinating desert wildlife.

One of the top activities in the national park is stargazing which you can do from one of the many camping grounds of the park. Due to the climate, the best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is spring or fall when the temperatures are cooler during the day and not too cold at night if you plan on camping. The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per person for a 7-day permit.

Photo: AndrePagaPhoto/Shutterstock

You might also like:

Discovering Slovenia & Its Beautiful Nature

Support us!

All your donations will be used to pay the magazine’s journalists and to support the ongoing costs of maintaining the site.