Looking for a list of national parks in the United States? Look no further! This guide provides all the information you need to explore these natural wonders.

The US is a huge and varied country, with many kinds of landscapes, from snowy hills and green forests to dry deserts and rough coasts. A great way to see and enjoy the US is by visiting its National parks, where you can discover beautiful scenery and animals.

What is a national park?

A national park is a special place that Congress has chosen to protect because it has something important for nature, culture, or history. The National Park Service, which is part of the Department of the Interior, takes care of these parks.

They want to make sure that the parks stay beautiful and that the historical things and animals in them are safe. They also want to make sure that people can enjoy these places for a long time.

How many national parks are there in the US?

As of the year 2023, there are a total of 63 national parks spread across the United States, encompassing an impressive expanse of over 52 million acres of land. The very first national park to be established was Yellowstone back in 1872, followed by Yosemite in 1890. 

More recently, in the year 2020, New River Gorge was designated as the newest national park. When it comes to size, Wrangell St. Elias in Alaska takes the crown as the largest national park, spanning over a staggering 8 million acres. 

On the other end of the spectrum, we have Gateway Arch in Missouri holding the title for being the smallest national park with less than 200 acres. In terms of popularity and visitation rates, Great Smoky Mountains leads the pack with over 12 million visitors flocking to its stunning landscapes in just this past year of 2022.

 Conversely, Gates of the Arctic in Alaska saw comparatively fewer visitors with less than 10,000 people exploring its untouched beauty.

Why visit national parks?

National parks offer a variety of benefits for visitors and society. Some of these benefits are:

• They protect and showcase the natural and cultural heritage of the US, such as geysers, glaciers, canyons, monuments, wildlife, and historical sites.
• They provide opportunities for recreation, adventure, education, and inspiration, such as hiking, camping, biking, rafting, climbing, wildlife watching, learning, and photography.
• They contribute to the economy, tourism, and employment of local communities and regions.
• They support scientific research and conservation efforts on topics such as climate change, biodiversity, geology, ecology, and history.
• They promote health and well-being by encouraging physical activity, mental relaxation, social connection, and spiritual renewal.

Top 10 List of National Parks to Visit in 2023

There are parks available, for exploration making it quite challenging to determine the best ones to visit. To assist you in organizing your journey I have compiled a list of the ten remarkable national parks to consider for your 2023 adventure.

Yellowstone National Park

Location

Yellowstone National Park is a national park situated in the western part of the United States, predominantly in the northwest region of Wyoming but also extending into Montana and Idaho. The park was created by the 42nd U.S. Congress through the enactment of the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act, which was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. It holds the distinction of being the world’s first national park and is presently under the management of the National Park Service.

Highlights

Yellowstone National Park is famous for its geothermal features, such as geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. The park has more than 10,000 geothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts every 90 minutes on average. The park also has diverse and abundant wildlife, such as bison, elk, wolves, bears, moose, and eagles. The park also offers scenic views of mountains, lakes, waterfalls, canyons, and forests.

Best times to visit

The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round, but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in winter. The peak season is from June to August, when the weather is warm and dry, but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from April to May and from September to October when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller, but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The winter season is from November to March, when the weather is cold and snowy, but also quiet and beautiful. Winter activities include skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and wildlife watching.

Yosemite National Park

Location

Yosemite National Park, situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California is an American national park. Its fame stems from its cliffs cascading waterfalls, pristine streams, majestic groves of sequoia trees, picturesque lakes, towering mountains, expansive meadows, awe-inspiring glaciers, and a remarkable range of wildlife. President Lincoln established Yosemite in 1864. It is presently under the management of the National Park Service. Within its boundaries thrive, over 400 animal species including bears, deer, coyotes, and bighorn sheep.

Highlights

Yosemite National Park is renowned for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoia trees, meadows, and valleys. The park has some of the most iconic landmarks in the US, such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove. The park also has diverse and abundant wildlife, such as deer, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, black bears, and marmots. The park also offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, climbing, biking, rafting, fishing, and skiing.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Yosemite National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in winter. The peak season is from May to September when the weather is warm and dry but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from March to April and from October to November when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The winter season is from December to February when the weather is cold and snowy but also quiet and beautiful. Winter activities include skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and wildlife watching.

Grand Canyon National Park

Location

The Grand Canyon National Park is situated in the region of Arizona within the boundaries of Coconino and Mohave counties. Spanning a length of 277 miles (446 km) it stretches up to 18 miles (29 km) wide. Reaches a depth of, over a mile (6,093 feet or 1,857 meters).

Highlights

Grand Canyon National Park is famous for its immense and spectacular gorge, carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. The park has different rims and regions, each with its own character and attractions. The South Rim is the most popular and accessible, with viewpoints, trails, museums, and lodges. The North Rim is more remote and less crowded, with cooler temperatures, forests, and meadows. The West Rim is home to the Skywalk, a glass bridge that extends over the canyon. The East Rim is where the river enters the canyon, with rapids, beaches, and historic sites.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Grand Canyon National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in winter. The peak season is from May to October when the weather is warm and dry but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from March to April and from November to December when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The winter season is from January to February when the weather is cold and snowy but also quiet and beautiful. Winter activities include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife watching.

Zion National Park

Location

Zion National Park can be found in the region of Utah, United States. Its situated 30 miles (50 km) northeast of the city of St. George. Washington County and Iron County border the park. It boasts a range of flora and fauna. Wildlife such, as deer, elk, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and various bird species call this park their home. Additionally several Native American tribes including the Paiute and Navajo have connections, to this area. The park is renowned for its sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and narrow slot canyons. 

Highlights

Zion National Park is known for its red sandstone cliffs, canyons, rivers, waterfalls, and wildlife. The park has some of the most scenic and challenging hikes in the US, such as Angels Landing, The Narrows, Observation Point, and The Subway. The park also has diverse and abundant wildlife, such as mule deer, bighorn sheep, cougars, coyotes, foxes, and turkeys. The park also offers other outdoor activities, such as camping, climbing, biking, horseback riding, and canyoneering.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Zion National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in winter. The peak season is from April to October when the weather is warm and dry but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from March and from November when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The winter season is from December to February when the weather is cold and snowy but also quiet and beautiful. Winter activities include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife watching.

Glacier National Park

Location

Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana. It covers an area of over 1 million acres and is part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights

Glacier National Park is famous for its glaciers, mountains, lakes, and wildlife. The park has over 700 miles of trails, including the historic Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic drive that crosses the Continental Divide. The park also has over 25 active glaciers, such as Grinnell Glacier, Sperry Glacier, and Jackson Glacier. The park also has diverse and abundant wildlife, such as grizzly bears, mountain goats, moose, wolves, and lynx. The park also offers other outdoor activities, such as camping, boating, fishing, horseback riding, and rafting.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Glacier National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in winter. The peak season is from June to September when the weather is warm and dry but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from May to October when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The winter season is from November to April when the weather is cold and snowy but also quiet and beautiful. Winter activities include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife watching.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Location

Rocky Mountain National Park is located in north-central Colorado. It covers an area of over 400,000 acres and is one of the highest national parks in the US.

Highlights

Rocky Mountain National Park is known for its mountains, lakes, meadows, and wildlife. The park has over 300 miles of trails, including the Trail Ridge Road, a scenic drive that reaches an elevation of 12,183 feet. The park also has over 60 peaks that exceed 12,000 feet, such as Longs Peak, Hallett Peak, and Flattop Mountain. The park also has diverse and abundant wildlife like elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, coyotes, and marmots. The park also offers other outdoor activities, such as camping, climbing, biking, fishing, and snowshoeing.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in winter. The peak season is from June to August when the weather is warm and dry but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from April to May and from September to October when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The winter season is from November to March when the weather is cold and snowy but also quiet and beautiful. Winter activities include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife watching.

Acadia National Park

Location

Acadia National Park is located in southeastern Maine. It covers an area of over 49,000 acres and is the only national park in New England.

Highlights

Acadia National Park is famous for its rocky coastline, islands, mountains, and forests. The park has over 120 miles of trails, including the Carriage Roads, a network of gravel paths built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. The park also has the highest point on the Atlantic coast of the US, Cadillac Mountain, which offers panoramic views of the ocean and the sunrise. The park also has diverse and abundant wildlife, such as moose, deer, foxes, beavers, and bald eagles. The park also offers other outdoor activities, such as camping, boating, biking, fishing, and kayaking.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Acadia National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in winter. The peak season is from June to October when the weather is warm and dry but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from April to May and from November to December when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The winter season is from January to March when the weather is cold and snowy but also quiet and beautiful. Winter activities include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife watching.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Location

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. It covers an area of over 500,000 acres and is the most visited national park in the US.

Highlights

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its mountains, forests, waterfalls, and wildlife. The park has over 800 miles of trails, including the Appalachian Trail, a long-distance hiking trail that crosses the park. The park also has over 100 species of trees, making it one of the most diverse forests in North America. The park also has diverse and abundant wildlife, such as black bears, elk, deer, bobcats, and fireflies. The park also offers other outdoor activities, such as camping, climbing, biking, fishing, and horseback riding.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in winter. The peak season is from May to October when the weather is warm and dry but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from March to April and from November to December when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The winter season is from January to February when the weather is cold and snowy but also quiet and beautiful. Winter activities include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife watching.

Olympic National Park

Location

Olympic National Park is located in northwestern Washington. It covers an area of over 900,000 acres and is part of the Olympic Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights

Olympic National Park is famous for its diversity of ecosystems, such as mountains, rainforests, coastlines, and rivers. The park has over 600 miles of trails, including the Hoh River Trail, a scenic hike through the temperate rainforest. The park also has the highest peak in the Olympic Mountains, Mount Olympus, which has several glaciers and snowfields. The park also has diverse and abundant wildlife, such as elk, cougars, otters, whales, and salmon. The park also offers other outdoor activities, such as camping, boating, biking, fishing, and surfing.

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Best time to visit

The best time to visit Olympic National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in winter. The peak season is from June to September when the weather is warm and dry but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from April to May and from October to November when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The winter season is from December to March when the weather is cold and wet but also quiet and beautiful. Winter activities include hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife watching.

Joshua Tree National Park

Location

Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California. It covers an area of over 790,000 acres and is where two distinct desert ecosystems meet: the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert.

Highlights

Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique rock formations, desert plants, and starry skies. The park has over 300 miles of trails, including the Hidden Valley Trail, a loop hike that showcases the park’s geology and flora. The park also has the namesake Joshua trees, which are actually a type of yucca plant that can live up to 200 years. The park also has diverse and abundant wildlife, such as coyotes, jackrabbits, bighorn sheep, lizards, and owls. The park also offers other outdoor activities, such as camping, climbing, biking, horseback riding, and stargazing.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park depends on your preferences and activities. The park is open year-round but some roads and facilities are closed or limited in summer. The peak season is from October to May when the weather is cool and pleasant but also crowded and expensive. The shoulder seasons are from March to April and from October to November when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller but some roads and facilities may be closed due to snow or maintenance. The summer season is from June to September when the weather is hot and dry but also quiet and cheap. Summer activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, and stargazing.

Conclusion

The US national parks are a treasure trove of natural and cultural wonders that offer something for everyone. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, education, or inspiration, you will find it in the national parks. The national parks are also a great way to connect with nature and appreciate its beauty and diversity. By visiting the national parks, you are also supporting their conservation and preservation for future generations.

If you are planning to visit the national parks in 2023, here are some tips to make your trip more enjoyable and memorable:

• Get a national park pass. If you are planning to visit more than one national park in a year, you can save money and time by getting an annual pass that covers the entrance fees for all the national parks and other federal recreation sites. You can buy the pass online or at any national park entrance station. The pass costs $80 for adults, $20 for seniors, and is free for military members, veterans, and 4th graders.
• Do your research. Before you visit a national park, make sure you check its website for information on its hours, fees, facilities, activities, weather, road conditions, closures, alerts, and safety tips. You can also download maps, brochures, and apps to help you plan your trip and navigate the park.
• Make reservations. Some national parks require or recommend reservations for camping, lodging, tours, permits, or shuttle buses. You can make reservations online or by phone through the park’s website or through third-party vendors. Reservations can fill up quickly during peak seasons, so book early to secure your spot.
• Pack smart. Depending on the season and the park you are visiting, you may need different types of clothing, footwear, gear, and supplies. Some essentials to pack for any national park trip are water, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, layers, rain gear, a first aid kit, a flashlight, a map, a compass, and a phone charger. You may also need hiking boots, camping equipment, a camera, binoculars, and insect repellent.
• Follow the rules. When you visit a national park, you are expected to follow the rules and regulations that are designed to protect the park’s resources and visitors. Some of the general rules are:
  • Stay on designated trails and roads.
  • Do not feed or approach wildlife.
  • Do not collect or damage plants, rocks, fossils, or artifacts.
  • Do not litter or leave any trace of your visit.
  • Respect other visitors and park staff.
  • Have fun and enjoy your experience.

The US national parks are waiting for you to explore them in 2023. Whether you choose one of the top 10 national parks listed above or any of the other 53 national parks in the US, you will not be disappointed by what you will see and do in these amazing places.

https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/national-parks

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

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