Discover the Wild Side: Best U.S. National Parks to Visit in 2025

Beliza
•
Dec 10, 2024

Visiting any of the U.S. national parks is a wonderful experience that everyone should have. While many share similarities that unite them, each one has unique characteristics that make it stand out. This is why it’s important to understand what each park offers and choose the one that best suits your interests.

In this article, we present a brief summary of some of the best national parks in the U.S. Don’t miss them!

Statue of Liberty, NY, USA

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Best National Parks to Visit in the U.S. In 2025

Yellowstone National Park

Do you know that Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in the world? In the northwestern United States, Yellowstone is one of the largest national parks since 1872, with an area of approximately 8,983 km². It is a popular tourist destination that receives about 4 million visitors annually, and it is also important for environmental conservation.

Learn the most important details about this natural wonder:

There is a supervolcano that had major eruptions in the past, with the last one occurring approximately 70,000 years ago.
Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest and highest lakes in North America, with a depth of up to 121.9 meters.
It is estimated that more than 300 species of birds and multiple species of mammals inhabit this area.
Yellowstone offers various recreational activities for visitors such as hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, boating, and fishing.

Yellowstone National Park, USA

Photo by Nicolasintravel on Unsplash

Sequoia National Park

Do you know the third national park created in the United States? The Sequoia National Park is located south of the Sierra Nevada in California. With an area of approximately 1,635 km², it is known for having some of the largest sequoias in the world such as General Sherman, the largest tree on record by volume.

Here are some other important details about Sequoia, one of the best national parks to visit in the United States:

Mount Whitney has the highest elevation at 4,418 meters, the highest peak in the United States outside of Alaska.
You can find many popular attractions such as Giant Forest, Moro Rock, Tunnel Log, or Congress Trail.
Hiking, guided tours, and camping in recreational areas while enjoying nature are some activities you can do in Sequoia National Park.
Park admission is $35 per vehicle or $20 per person.

Sequoia National Park, USA

Photo by Thomas Wavid Johns on Unsplash

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest national park in the country since 1890. Located in California’s Sierra Nevada, it is one of the most emblematic and visited destinations in the United States. In its 3,081 km², you can find granite cliffs, majestic waterfalls, and giant sequoia forests that will impress you.

These are some important details you should know about Yosemite, one of the best national parks in the United States:

Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America at 739 meters high.
The Mariposa Grove forest is home to some of the oldest giant sequoias in the world, including the famous Grizzly Giant, which is about 3,000 years old.
Approximately 95% of the area is designated as wilderness, thus contributing to the conservation of rare and endangered species.
Yosemite offers many outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing, photo shoots, and more.
To facilitate mobility within the park there is a free public transportation system called YARTS.
The entrance fee is approximately $35 per vehicle.

El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, USA

Photo by Adam Kool on Unsplash

Grand Canyon National Park

Northern Arizona is home to Grand Canyon National Park, one of the most impressive natural wonders in the United States and the world. This park of approximately 4926 km² reveals almost 2,000 million years of geological history. River erosion has created an intricate and colorful landscape that attracts millions of visitors each year.

Here are some of its most important features:

The park treasures great biodiversity and is home to numerous species, such as the California condor, an endangered species that found refuge in this area.
You can enjoy various activities such as hiking, mule rides, boating on the Colorado River, guided tours, and more.
It has been inhabited by various Native American tribes for thousands of years who consider it a sacred region.
Admission is $35 for vehicles and discounts are available for seniors.

Grand Canyon National Park, USA

Photo by Susanne Martinus on Unsplash

Rocky Mountain National Park

Located in the state of Colorado, United States, Rocky Mountain National Park was established in 1915. It extends along the continental border, therefore it has two distinct ecosystems: the eastern part is drier and mountainous and the western part is wetter and forested. Because of its impressive mountain scenery and the outdoor activities it offers, it has become one of the best national parks in the United States.

Learn other important details about the Rocky Mountain National Park:

With an area of approximately 1,076 km², it has more than 150 lakes and 60 peaks, more than 3,700 meters high, for example, the highest is Longs Peak with 4,346 meters.
The climate varies significantly depending on the altitude; the warmest months are July and August, where temperatures can exceed 27 °C, but nights can be cold, even below 0°C.
The lower areas are covered by pine and Douglas-fir forests, while species such as Engelmann spruce predominate at higher altitudes. Wildlife includes moose, Canadian deer, black bear, and bighorn sheep.
Enjoy hiking around alpine lakes, climbing peaks such as Longs Peak, and driving along the famous Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the country.

Hallett Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, USA

Photo by Michael Kirsh on Unsplash

Glacier National Park

Northwest Montana is home to one of the best parks in the United States. Glacier National Park is a stunning natural destination that covers approximately 4,102 km² and is part of the famous Rocky Mountain range. Although a century ago the park had 150 glaciers there was a significant decrease and currently only has 25 active glaciers.

Here are some other details you should know about Glacier National Park:

The mountains have been shaped by the action of glaciers that created pyramidal peaks and deep valleys.
Glacier has more than 130 lakes and the largest is Lake McDonald located at 960 meters above sea level.
It has more than 1,000 species of plants and several wild animals, including grizzly bears, bison, cougars, and wolves.
Enjoy activities such as hiking, traversing the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road, or observing different species in their natural habitat.
The best time to visit Glacier is between late June and September because most facilities are open and weather conditions are ideal for outdoor activities.
It is open year-round; however, many facilities close in the winter due to weather conditions. The main entrance is located on West Glacier.

Glacier National Park, USA

Photo by Michael Kirsh on Unsplash

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is located in Washington and is another significant example of the ecological and geographic diversity of the United States. Officially established in 1938, it covers approximately 3,733 km² and extends along the Olympic Peninsula, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Puget Sound to the east.

Here are some other details you should know:

It has received several international recognitions, including its designation as a Biosphere Reserve in 1976 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
The park offers many recreational activities and places of interest such as hiking and trekking, Hurricane Ridge or the Hoh Forest.
Spring and summer are the recommended seasons to visit due to the warmer weather. However, autumn also offers colorful scenery and fewer crowds.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Do you know about the most visited national park in the United States? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives about 10 million visitors annually and is a protected area that extends along the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. With around 760 km² of exuberant mountains and forests, it’s an ideal place for visitors to experience the rich cultural history of the Appalachian Mountains.

Here are some other details:

It is home to an impressive biodiversity, with more than 17,000 species of plants and animals. The region is known for its high concentration of salamanders, considered the largest variety in the world.
The highest point is Clingmans Dome, which reaches an altitude of 2,025 meters.
The climate is generally cool and humid. Annual rainfall varies between 1,400 mm in the valleys and up to 2,200 mm on the peaks.
The park offers almost 1,300 kilometers of hiking trails and spectacular waterfalls such as Laurel Falls and Hen Wallow Falls.

Laurel Falls, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA

Photo by Rodney Truitt Jr on Unsplash

Everglades National Park

Did you know that Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical natural park in the United States? Located at the southern tip of Florida, it covers an area of approximately 6104 km². It is a unique ecosystem declared a World Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve, and Wetland of International Importance.

Here are some other important details:

The park includes wetlands, mangrove forests, freshwater prairies, and endangered animal species such as the Florida panther, West Indian manatee, and Florida black bear.
More than 36 hiking trails, canoe or kayak excursions, guided boat rides, or hovercraft tours are just some of the activities in this natural wonder.
The dry season, from December to April, is the best time to visit the park because temperatures are milder and there are fewer mosquitoes.
The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, valid for seven days at any of the three main entrances.
It is advisable to bring repellent, sunscreen, and a hat, due to sun exposure and the presence of insects.

Everglades National Parks, USA

Photo by Brice Cooper on Unsplash

Hot Springs National Park

You’ve probably wondered what is the oldest national park in the United States. The answer is Hot Springs National Park, located in Garland County, Arkansas. Created as a Federal Reserve in 1832, to preserve the hot springs, it was designated as National Park in 1921. Its hot waters have been known for their medicinal properties since the times of the Native Americans, who called it “The Valley of the Steams”.

Learn here other important aspects about Hot Springs, another of the best national parks in the United States:

It has 47 hot springs that flow from the slope of Mount Hot Springs and produce hot water with an average temperature of 143 °F, historically used for health treatments.
The famous Bathhouse Row, a collection of 8 historic bathhouses, is a park landmark and a National Historic District. Currently, two are operated as bathhouses: the Buckstaff and the Quapaw.
Admission is free and easily accessible from the town of Hot Springs.