National Parks in Photos: The Most Beautiful Image We Could Find of Every US National Park
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If you want proof that the United States is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, look no further than our 63 national parks. These protected lands offer a glimpse at the diverse landscapes found throughout the country’s states and territories, ranging from mountains and deserts to hot springs and sand dunes.
National parks offer a diverse array of activities as well—think hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, rock climbing, and some serious stargazing. So whether you’re the type of traveler who wants to truly rough it in the Alaskan wilderness or the type who’d prefer a luxe glamping retreat with running water and a king-sized bed, it’s well worth visiting these outdoor treasures for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Need more convincing? From Acadia to Zion, these photos provide a glimpse at how beautiful our national parks truly are.
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated since its original publish date.
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Acadia National Park, Maine
Known for its photogenic lighthouses, weathered pine trees, and sunrises atop Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park is an essential stop on any Maine road trip. Prefer to linger for a few days? Check out our complete lodging guide for the best hotels and Airbnbs near Acadia National Park.
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National Park of American Samoa
Located about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, National Park of American Samoa is one of the most remote national parks in the US (Americans can still get there without a passport, though.) Instead of log cabins and campgrounds, expect to see sandy beaches, secluded villages, tropical rainforests, and wildlife ranging from fruit bats to humpback whales.
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Arches National Park, Utah
Part of Utah’s “Mighty Five,” Arches National Park is known for its—you guessed it—stone arches. The park has over 2,000 of them, plus hundreds of balanced rocks and soaring pinnacles. Make sure you time at least visit around sunset, when the contrasting landscapes become an incredible palette of red, orange, and gold.
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Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Found in the southwest corner of South Dakota, Badlands National Park greets visitors with an otherworldly landscape of rust-colored buttes, spires, and pinnacles rising across thousands of acres. Blink and you might think you’ve been transported to another planet.
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Big Bend National Park, Texas
Known for its hiking, camping, and epic sunsets and sunrises, Big Bend National Park consists of more than 800,000 acres of river canyons, desert, and mountains, plus thousands of species of plants and animals. Start planning your trip with our complete guide to Big Bend, including tips on when to visit, the best hiking trails, and places to eat in and around the park.
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Biscayne National Park, Florida
Located in the northern Florida Keys (a quick boat ride from Miami), Biscayne National Park is perhaps best known for its colorful coral reefs. But if you must visit the park above sea level, head straight to the lighthouse at Boca Chita Key—you can’t beat the views of the Miami skyline from its observation deck.
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Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Sculpted by the Gunnison River, this park in western Colorado is home to dramatic peaks and cliffs of dark Precambrian-age rock. Come for the variety of hiking and rafting choices; stay for the jaw-dropping overlooks.
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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon’s layered red and orange rock pillars, known as hoodoos, make it a can’t-miss destination for campers and shutterbugs alike. It also happens to be one of the country's best spots for stargazing: Head to the Dark Ranger Observatory, about a 10-minute drive from the park, to peep through telescopes and chat with astronomical experts (available May to October).
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Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park is a sprawling desert landscape of buttes and canyons near Moab, Utah, carved out by the Colorado River and its tributaries. There are no lodging or dining facilities within the park boundaries itself—only a pair of campgrounds—but Under Canvas Moab is just a quick drive away and will make all your glamping dreams come true.
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Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
An often overlooked park in Utah’s Mighty Five, Capitol Reef is a great national park alternative for folks hoping to dodge the crowds—or for geology buffs wanting to check out the park’s prehistoric petroglyph rock art. Don't miss the other rocky attractions here, including the Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and the towering structures of Cathedral Valley.
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Featuring more than 100 caves in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, the Carlsbad Caverns are famous for its population of—count ‘em—400,000 Mexican free-tailed bats. Between May and October, you can watch as the bats come barreling out of the caves and take flight for the night.
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Channel Islands National Park, California
California has quite a few national parks, but there’s only one where you can boat next to sea lions and blue whales: Channel Islands National Park. The islands are only accessible via park concessionaire boats and planes, which means you’ll be seeing a truly undeveloped and isolated slice of nature.
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Congaree National Park, South Carolina
South Carolina’s Congaree National Park is an ideal destination for both nature and adventure lovers. Home to one of the tallest deciduous forest canopies on earth, the park offers first-rate bird watching and wilderness tours, plus kayaking, canoeing, and camping. The Spanish moss–covered tree trunks make for gorgeous photo ops as well.
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Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Sitting at 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, made entirely out of glacial runoff and precipitation—which explains its clarity and intense blue color. While there are activities to enjoy here all year, we’re particular fans of Crater Lake National Park in the winter, when snowshoeing and Nordic skiing are on offer.
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Situated along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is an easy (and can’t-miss) day trip for travelers. The winding river gives way to deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands, while a walk on the Towpath Trail allows you to follow the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.
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Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada
Death Valley National Park is not only a Guinness world record darling (lowest elevation in North America, hottest month on earth, etc.), but is also the subject of some of the world's most awe-inspiring photos. If you think the mauve-and-ochre-colored sunrise over Zabriskie Point is incredible, just wait until you see the star-studded sky after the sun goes down.
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Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Denali National Park gets more than a half-million visitors a year, and it’s easy to see why. The park is a wild and massive (we’re talking 6 million acres) landscape of snowy amphitheaters, glaciers, ice caves, and mountains that would look home in the Himalayas. It’s not exactly the easier park to navigate, however, so be sure to read our complete guide before you set out.
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Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Located on the southwestern tip of the Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas National Park is actually closer to Cuba than the US and is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Once there, enjoy the views and history of the island and famous Fort Jefferson, whose military moat resembles an infinity pool at a luxury hotel.
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Everglades National Park, Florida
Occupying 1.5 million prime acres of Southern Florida, these famed wetlands are one of the world’s most varied (and fascinating) ecosystems. No trip to Everglades National Park would be complete without an airboat tour, which will whip you past alligators, manatees, and other swampy creatures.
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Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Gates of the Arctic is the second-largest and northernmost national park in the US, with its 8.4 million acres located completely above the Arctic Circle. Its remoteness and lack of roads means it doesn't receive too many visitors, but those who do make it to the park are rewarded with some of the country’s most pristine mountain views, scenic rivers, and diverse wildlife, like wolverines, polar bears, and caribou.
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Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri
The 630-foot-tall, stainless steel Gateway Arch in St. Louis was designed by Eero Saarinen and originally built as a monument to the Louisiana Purchase. It's still the tallest arch in the world today. The Arch and its surrounding acres were named a national park in 2018, with visitor sites including green space, historical buildings, and museums.
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Glacier National Park, Montana
It’s easy to see why Glacier National Park is one of the most-visited parks in the country. The park represents some of the best nature the US has to offer, with pristine mountain lakes, glaciers, road trips along Going-to-the-Sun Road, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails for every skill level.
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Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Covering 3.3 million acres of mountains, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords, Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park sits in one of the world’s largest international protected areas. We can’t think of many other places on earth where you can see crashing glaciers, temperate rainforests, mountain goats, and breaching whales in the same day.
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Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Easily one of the most recognizable US national parks—and one of the most recognizable spots on the entire planet—the Grand Canyon has become nearly synonymous with America. We could tell you all about the sunsets and views and epic hikes along this 277-mile-long chasm, but honestly? This is one you need to see for yourself.
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Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Jutting up to 13,775 feet above the prairie-like landscapes of Wyoming, the magnificent Teton mountain range feels almost like a mirage. Visitors can enjoy nearly 200 miles of hiking trails, go rafting in the Snake River, and maybe even spot a grizzly bear or two.
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Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Great Basin is Nevada’s only national park, providing visitors with some of the state’s most beautiful sites—both above and below the surface. Aside from the dozens of outdoor activities (including fishing and backpacking in the summer and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter), the guided tours of the Lehman Caves are the park’s main draw.
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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
Set against the Rocky Mountains, the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado (the tallest dunes in North America) look like they were transported straight from Africa’s Sahara or Namib deserts. It takes hours to climb to the top of the dunes from the parking lot, but the feeling of standing alone, hundreds of feet in the air, is well worth the trek.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
Spanning the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited park in the US—it even beats the Grand Canyon’s visitor numbers by several million people per year. There’s no wrong way to experience the 800 square miles of this natural wonder, but we recommend staying for at least a few nights at Blackberry Mountain for a dose of luxury amongst the trees.
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Located in the Guadalupe Mountains east of El Paso, this park offers deserts, canyons, gypsum sand dunes, and spectacular views of the night sky and Milky Way. There are hiking trails ranging in difficulty and time constraints, as well as campsites, horseback riding paths, and the nearby McDonald Observatory.
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Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
The highest point on Maui is also one of its most visited, and for good reason: Haleakalā Crater provides epic, sweeping views of the island from an elevation of just over 10,000 feet. In fact, the sunrises from the park’s highest points are so popular, you have to make a reservation in advance (and pay) to see it.
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Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Extending from sea level to 13,677 feet, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park encompasses the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. If the lava isn’t flowering during your visit, you can still enjoy unique activities like exploring lava tubes and hiking through the rainforest.
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Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Though it wasn’t officially named a national park until 1921, the waters of Hot Springs National Park have been providing luxurious baths to travelers since the early 1800s. Visit in the fall to enjoy the Ozarks’ beautiful fall foliage before warming up with a soak.
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Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
The 15,000-acre Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore got a major upgrade in February 2019, when the landmark’s official name changed to the Indiana Dunes National Park. The Indiana Dunes stretch for 15 miles along the shores of Lake Michigan, making it a popular spot for swimming—and even surfing—during the summer. (It’s also one of many easy day trips from Chicago.)
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Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Yellowstone receives more visitors per day than Isle Royale gets in an entire year, but don’t overlook the beauty and activities of this Michigan national park. Although it’s consistently chilly and foggy, Isle Royale offers some of the most pristine views you’ll get of Lake Superior—if you’re willing to brave the cold, you can even take a scuba diving trip to the lake’s many shipwreck sites.
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Joshua Tree National Park, California
If you even have the slightest appreciation of natural beauty, Joshua Tree National Park is a must-visit in your lifetime. Don’t miss the Cholla Cactus Garden, where the iconic plants stretch on as far as the eye can see; and be sure to linger for a few hours after sunset to appreciate the dazzling night skies. You can even spend an entire long weekend here, with an array of chic Airbnbs within the park limits.
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Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Famous for its brown bear population, Katmai National Park and Preserve also features volcanic landscapes that could draw easy comparisons to Iceland. Make sure you take a detour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, whose stark terrain makes for excellent photo ops.
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Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Alaska is home to more than 3 million lakes, but we have a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to Bear Lake. Located in the Kenai Fjords National Park, the site stands out for its massive glaciers, year-round water sports (kayaking, ice skating, dog mushing), and viewings of the Northern Lights from September through April.
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Kings Canyon National Park, California
The Sequoia & Kings contain some of the wildest, most beautiful sites in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. There are the giant sequoia trees, of course, but also steep mountains, deep canyons, and wildlife ranging from bighorn sheep to kingsnakes.
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Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Home to the largest active sand dunes in the Arctic, Kobuk Valley National Park is mainly known for one thing: caribou. For 9,000 years, people came to this neck of Alaska to hunt for the species as they swam the Kobuk River, and half a million caribou still migrate through the river and dunes every year.
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Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
If you want to see volcanoes, glaciers, and rainforests all in one place, just add Lake Clark National Park to your travel list. The lake’s diverse ecosystem makes it a microcosm of what makes America’s lakes so beautiful (think clear waters and tons of wildlife). As an added bonus, you’re almost guaranteed to spot some foraging brown bears along the shore.
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Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
While millions of tourists flock to Yosemite and Death Valley, enjoy a more secluded experience at Lassen Volcanic National Park, one of California’s least-visited parks. As the name suggests, the site is home to active volcanoes and hot springs, best appreciated from hikes like the 1.7-mile Manzanita Lake Loop.
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Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Located about 90 minutes south of Louisville, Mammoth Cave National Park has 70 miles of hiking trails and 400 miles of passageways, making it the world’s longest cave system. The park is filled with interesting wildlife as well, including Kentucky cave shrimp, several species of bat, coyotes, and flying squirrels—and who knows how many more slinky nocturnal creatures.
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Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
This concentration of the Pueblo people’s ancestral dwellings sits at an altitude of over 8,500 feet in southwest Colorado. The park protects nearly 5,000 archaeological sites (including the 600 cliff dwellings), which explains why it was dubbed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
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Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Filled with snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and meadows dotted with wildflowers, Mount Rainier National Park is one of the most scenic spots in all of Washington—and an easy day trip from Seattle. Serious (and we mean serious) hikers should consider the 93-mile Wonderland Trail, which passes through a range of alpine landscapes and takes 10 to 14 days to complete.
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New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia
New River Gorge is the newest addition to the national parks lineup at number 63 and marks the first national park in the Mountain State. The park (formerly a national river) has long been renowned for the 53 miles of rafting within its borders, as well as some 1,400 climbing routes on sandstone cliffs. The park is also a national preserve—the only dual-designated park and preserve outside of Alaska—with 65,000 acres offering hunting and fishing access.
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North Cascades National Park, Washington
Known for its diverse ecosystems and wildlife, Washington’s North Cascades National Park is one of the least-visited in the entire country—no doubt due to its rugged terrain and difficult hiking trails. Those up to the task, however, will get the rare experience of spotting bald eagles and hearing the thundering waterfalls that give the park its name.
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Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park contains oceanic coastlines, temperate rainforests, and alpine mountains within its boundaries—and you can experience them all in one day. If you’re really looking to unplug for a while, head to the Hoh River valley—aside from its beautiful, lichen-covered trees, the spot happens to be home to the quietest spot in the contiguous United States.
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Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park gets its name from its samples of colorful petrified wood (essential wood that has fossilized into stone), best seen in the Rainbow Forest. Get yourself a (free) backcountry permit to hike through the park’s badlands and camp under the stars.
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Pinnacles National Park, California
Pinnacles National Park was formed some 23 million years ago when multiple volcanoes erupted, flowed, and slid to form the unique landscape you see today. The park is perfect for hikers, who can oftentimes spot eagles and California condors among the rock spires and caves.
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Redwood National Park, California
Most people know Redwood National Park as the home of the world’s tallest trees, but the park also encompasses prairies, rivers, and about 40 miles of rugged coastline. Aside from the beautiful flora, you can expect to see tons of wildlife here, including sea lions, gray whales, coyotes, and 280 species of birds (that’s one-third of all recorded species in the entire United States).
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Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
There’s a reason why Rocky Mountain National Park appears on so many travel itineraries: It’s simply stunning. The adventurous can tackle epic hikes and conquer peaks, while film buffs can hole up in the Stanley Hotel (aka the hotel that inspired The Shining) in nearby Estes Park.
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Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Saguaro National Park is home to the giant saguaro, the country’s largest cacti and universal symbol of the American West. Visit the park to see the iconic plants for yourself, all set to the backdrop of the magnificent Sonoran Desert (best enjoyed at sunset), then book a stay at this dreamy Airbnb to rest up and head back for more hikes the following day.
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Sequoia National Park, California
This central-Californian park is home to some 8,000 colossal sequoia trees—the gentle giants of the tree world. The “General Sherman” tree (named for the Civil War general) is the hero of these treasured acres: It stands 275 feet tall and 25 feet wide, making it the largest known single-stem tree on earth. Browse our list of the best camping in Sequoia to jumpstart your planning.
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Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
With more than 500 miles of hiking trails, Shenandoah National Park is a massive retreat just an hour and fifteen minutes away from DC in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Besides hiking, you can do almost anything in the park—fishing, horseback riding, camping, and bird watching are all top of mind.
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Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt’s name has been tied to this 110-square-mile piece of land since 1919, although the area wasn’t officially named a national park until 1978. The nature-loving president used to hunt wild game here, and many people believe his time on the preserve inspired him to become a champion of conservation and an early driving force behind the NPS.
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Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
Just 11 miles off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix are best known for their white-sand beaches, reef and wreck diving, and ecological preserves. St. John holds the honor of containing the Virgin Islands National Park, where visitors can snorkel the coral reefs and hike to sugar plantation ruins.
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Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Tucked away in northern Minnesota near the Canadian border, Voyageurs National Park (named for the French-Canadian fur traders of the 1600s, or voyageurs) is all about the water—from border rivers to lakes dotted with tiny islands. Take a guided boat tour or canoe trip to best enjoy this watery wonderland, or plan a winter trip for a chance to see the northern lights.
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White Sands National Park, New Mexico
New Mexico’s White Sands National Park is one of the youngest national parks, only just officially recognized in December 2019. The sprawling site is the world’s largest gypsum dune field (gypsum is a common rock material that reflects light, giving the dunes their dazzling look), which was formed close to 10,000 years ago.
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Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Established in 1903, this national park is one of the oldest in the nation. Above ground, you'’l find rolling prairies filled with bison and grass blowing in the wind. Below ground, you’ll find the Wind Cave—one of the longest, most complex cave systems in the world.
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Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States, spanning a whopping 13.2 million acres (that's twice the size of Massachusetts). You can hike across Root Glacier to the mile-high Stairway Icefall, or you can just see it from above by taking a “flightseeing” trip on a Wrangell bush plane.
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Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
The oldest of all US national parks (established in 1872), Yellowstone still one of the most spectacular places to visit in the entire country. Famous sites include the Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring, but truly, every single acre of the park is worth seeing in person. (Pro tip: Visit in winter for low crowds and rare wildlife.)
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Yosemite National Park, California
Another one of the country's most popular national parks, Yosemite contains alpine meadows, five of the world's highest waterfalls, giant sequoia groves, and the spectacular, half-mile-deep Yosemite Valley. And all that beauty didn't happen overnight—glacial erosion over millions of years birthed the spectacular park you see today.
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Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park is so beloved, park officials have discussed raising the entrance fees in an effort to prevent overcrowding. We understand the appeal: With its massive sandstone cliffs and biodiversity, we'd risk bumping elbows with a fellow tourist or two to stand in awe of this park.