The United States is home to 62 preserved areas of natural landscapes or national parks. From sea to shining sea, Americans are spoiled with a long list of options for multi-day road trips, backcountry hiking expeditions, camping in the untamed wilderness, RV vacations, and goldmines for photographers.
Ranking the best U.S. national parks is a challenge because they’re all special and beautiful in their own right, However, we delved into research and visitor experiences to make our selections. Read below to discover RoadHuntin’s picks for the five best U.S. national parks for an unforgettable trip. We’ve also thrown in a few extras to show which ones barely missed our cut for the list.
1. Glacier National Park- Montana
Glacier National Park encompasses 1,583-square miles of Montana’s untamed wilderness and jaw-dropping mountain landscapes. With more than 700 miles of hiking trails and 131 named sapphire-blue lakes, the “Crown of the Continent” is a nature lover’s playground.
The Highline Loop, Swiftcurrent Pass, and Grinnell Glacier only scratch the surface of the spellbinding hikes in Montana’s backcountry. Pack your camera to take spectacular photos of massive glaciers, hanging valleys dotted with evergreen forests and blooming wildflowers, and snow-capped mountain peaks.
Going-to-the-Sun Road winds through the park and guides you to the most dramatic stretches of the Continental Divide. The scenic drive is only 50 miles, but you’ll likely make dozens of stops on the narrow, twisting road’s breathtaking vistas. Some of the must-see stops on the engineering feat include Lake McDonald, Logan Pass, and the Hidden Lake Lookout.
Although Going-to-the-Sun Road isn’t doable by RV, the park boasts over a dozen front-country campgrounds with over 1,000 campsites. Many campgrounds have space for RVs, but most are first-come, first-serve. However, RV campers will find better amenities, such as water and electricity hook-ups, just outside the park.
2. Yellowstone National Park- Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park holds the illustrious title of the world’s first national park. 19th-century pioneers, Native Americans, and artists cherished the region’s geothermal landscapes and native wildlife, and feverishly advocated the preservation of the land.
Today, the 2.2 million-acre park resides mostly in northwest Wyoming, but also stretches into parts of Montana and Idaho. Day hiking in Yellowstone requires no permits, and trekkers have more than 900 miles of trails to explore. Many hikes take you to Yellowstone’s most photogenic sights such as Lower Falls, Old Faithful, Electric Peak, and the Grand Prismatic Spring.
Yellowstone’s plunging waterfalls, gushing geysers, and craggy canyons are a photographer’s dream, but it’s also perfect for wildlife photography. The grasslands of Lamar Valley reveal striking images of free-range bison, moose, bears, wolves, and more. Many of North America’s incredible species cluster throughout the protected wilderness, and be on the lookout for bighorn sheep, cougars, coyotes, white-tail deer, and hundreds of bird species.
The park has more than 2,000 campsites, several national park lodges, and backcountry campgrounds to completely disconnect from reality. All campgrounds are RV accessible, but there may be size restrictions or a reservation requirement. Although some roads in Yellowstone are windy and have steep grades, an RV vacation through the park gives you a lot of flexibility if lodging inside the park is limited.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park- Tennessee & North Carolina
Receiving 12.5 million tourists in 2019, Great Smoky Mountains National Park clings to its title as America’s most visited national park. One of the jewels of the American Southeast, the park contains over 500,000 acres of protected landscapes that include the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains.
Stretching from Georgia to Maine, the Appalachian Trail is one of America’s legendary cross-country trekking expeditions that passes through the park. Hiking through the Smoky Mountains lead you to pristine forests, tumbling waterfalls, colorful foliage, and lush mountain ranges.
The Smoky Mountains host a multitude of scenic drives that showcase some of the park’s majestic scenery. If you’re driving to the Smoky Mountains from the northern United States, consider taking the 469-Blue Ridge Parkway that hugs the Appalachian Mountains through Virginia and North Carolina.
Within the park, the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road provides non-stop photo opportunities of verdant forests, native wildlife, and historic homes. Newfound Gap crosses the Tennessee-North Carolina border and offers numerous scenic viewpoints, while Little River Road shines with its waterfalls, wildflowers, and picnic areas.
The park has 10 front-country campgrounds, and many allow you to bring your RV. All of them have flush toilets and running water, but there are no water or electrical hook-ups. Half of the campgrounds are first-come, first-serve, and shower facilities are available in areas just outside the park.
4. Grand Canyon National Park- Arizona
This geologic wonderland in northern Arizona attracts hikers, photographers, and campers with its mesmerizing red-rock cliffs, sandstone canyons, and the mighty Colorado River. The Grand Canyon’s immense size, prehistoric fossils, and breathtaking vistas earned its premier status as one of the Natural Wonders of the World.
The South Rim is the usual starting point for a Grand Canyon vacation with its scenic viewpoints, access to trailheads, or even as a launching pad for helicopter tours. Grandview Point, Mather Point, Moran Point, and Yaki Point are stunning areas to pull over and snap golden hour pictures of canyon vistas.
Lace-up your hiking boots and get a closer glimpse of the gorge’s steep walls, extensive rock formations, and desert basins by trekking one of the numerous South Rim trails. The South Rim trail is a 13-mile, mostly paved path that hugs the edge of the rim. Bright Angel Trail meanders below the rim towards Grand Canyon Village and the South Kaibab Trail helps you reach the Colorado River.
Hiking deep within the canyon leads to the turquoise waterfalls of the Havasupai Campground. Located on Havasupai tribal lands, the alluring cascades plunging over red-rock cliffs into natural pools is one of the most surreal places inside Grand Canyon National Park. Reservations for the majestic campground can be made online only and winning a campsite will treat you to a once in a lifetime photography spot.
Camping is possible in the popular South Rim and the lesser-discovered North Rim, but the North Rim has a shorter season and is visited by far fewer travelers. Sticking to the South Rim is better for RV campers since you have the Trailer Village RV Park in Grand Canyon Village that provides full hook-ups all year.
5. Yosemite National Park- California
Nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is among the best U.S. national parks for avid hikers and campers. Some of the country’s most daring treks are in Yosemite, and only the most experienced adventurers should challenge them. Photographers are also given a spectacular show with humongous sequoia trees, jagged cliffs, and unbelievable vistas.
Yosemite’s Half Dome hike often earns the moniker as America’s most death-defying trekking expedition. The granite dome challenges seasoned hikers due to a vigorous elevation gain of almost 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley. Passing the awe-inspiring Vernal and Nevada Falls, the thrilling adventure includes a steep climb using cables and wooden planks.
Half Dome may be the star attraction, but other treks like Lower Yosemite Falls and Panorama Trail provide lots of photo-worthy sights. With over 100 hard trails inside the park, Yosemite is heaven on Earth for advanced hikers. Don’t forget to bring your camera for images of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Glacier Point, and Tunnel View that will leave you speechless.
There are 13 total campgrounds in and around Yosemite Valley to give campers plenty of options. Reservations are available at seven campgrounds, and they’re often sold out a few months in advance during popular months. 10 campgrounds welcome RV campers, and several have dumping stations available at certain times of the year.
6. Grand Teton National Park- Wyoming
Explore over 300,000 acres of preserved Wyoming wilderness that includes legendary vistas of the 40-mile Teton Range.
7. Zion National Park-Utah
Famous for its piercing red cliffs, Utah’s first national park offers mind-blowing canyon vistas, tranquil gardens, trickling waterfalls, and hiking trails for all skill levels
8. Arches National Park- Utah
Bordering the Colorado River near Moab, Utah, Arches National Park is among the best U.S. national parks for befuddling geologic wonders such as stone arches, rising pinnacles, and steep-sided buttes.
9. Denali National Park and Preserve- Alaska
Alaska’s untamed interior is on full display inside this 6 million-acre park that features massive glaciers, taiga forest, and snow-capped mountaintops.
10. Acadia National Park- Maine
Mostly on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, the rocky Atlantic coastline creates the road trip and hiking adventure of a lifetime for those with an intimate relationship with the sea.