Among the places on Earth where Mother Nature has been most generous and creative stand out the USA National Parks. This vast nation boasts, from east to west, the highest number of protected natural areas in the world: a total of 63!
We are talking about landscapes of ancient and breathtaking beauty, unique scenes ranging from sequoia forests to sand dunes, featuring towering granite mountains and red rock canyons, geysers, and waterfalls. In short, panoramas we've seen in hundreds of films but that never cease to amaze and offer unique experiences in person.
All these territories are managed by the National Park Service, the federal agency that for over 100 years has been dedicated to preserving the landscape, flora, and fauna of national parks, monuments, reserves, and all areas requiring special protection.
Seeing all the national parks during a trip to the United States is unfortunately an impossible feat, but it's definitely worth trying! You can design your USA tour to cover a good portion of them, or join a trip organized by an agency focused specifically on exploring nature.
In this article, we want to help you choose the most beautiful national parks to visit. So grab a map to plot every stop you want to visit, and let's set off together on this journey through the United States!
California, More Than Just Sea and Cinema
California is a land we immediately associate with Hollywood, crowded beaches, and culturally vibrant cities—a destination we've also included among honeymoon trips in America. This state also boasts some of the most interesting USA national parks, especially with very different landscapes and atmospheres.
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley, literally Valley of Death, is so named because life seems never to have set foot there. We are talking about a vast territory made up of sand dunes, dried lakes, and barren mountains—almost a Martian landscape!
Being the lowest point in North America, nature here has really struggled to adapt, and for entire kilometers you might not encounter anything, not even a dry thorn bush! Temperatures easily reach 54 degrees Celsius during the day, dropping to 28 at night. There are no public transport vehicles inside the park, but you can access it with your own vehicle, always checking weather and transit conditions with the National Park Service.
Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National Park covers a vast area that includes part of the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. It takes its name from the Joshua tree, the short-leaf yucca characteristic of this territory.
Unlike Death Valley, here you can spot some animals and numerous plants and cacti, which in spring create landscapes that are still barren but green and blooming. Although its landscapes often seem surreal, this park is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating and unique in the United States.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park represents the wilder, greener side of California. Nestled among the Sierra Nevada Mountains, it boasts numerous water sources and diverse vegetation, including many rare plants, red firs, and giant sequoias, including the Mariposa Grove.
Inside the park are the Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfalls in North America, nearly ten times the height of Niagara Falls! But the true symbol of the park is Half Dome, the granite dome rising over 2,900 meters high, a favorite destination for all lovers of hiking and mountaineering. Equally famous and sought after, although “only” 2,300 meters high, is the summit of El Capitan, which can be climbed in as many as 70 different ways.
Between Arizona and Utah, The True Stars of the National Park Service
Straddling the states of Arizona and Utah are the USA national parks that are by far the most beautiful and famous in the world. Which are they? Let's see!
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is rightly considered one of the most spectacular wonders in the world. It is neither the largest nor the deepest canyon, but certainly the most famous, visited, and photographed. It is a gorge carved into the red rocks typical of the area by the Colorado River, stretching for 445 km.
You can access Grand Canyon National Park from three distinct areas: the South Rim, the North Rim, and the West Rim. Among these, the South Rim is the most frequented, also because it is the most equipped area for tourist visits and from here starts the Rim Trail, a highly scenic hiking trail that touches many beautiful viewpoints.
The West Rim, on the other hand, is mainly visited to access the skywalk, the dizzying glass platform suspended above the canyon!
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the smallest parks in the United States, but thanks to its fortunate location, southwest of Las Vegas, it is among the most visited. Its peculiarity is the hoodoos, red rock pinnacles that form a valley of spires with a Gothic feel.
Bryce Canyon is truly a gem, differing from many other parks due to the unique combination of red rock stones, the green of the lush vegetation and the white of the soft snow that covers the hoodoos in winter.
This park is a must-visit for those who love trekking. It is crossed by many trails, to be explored on foot or horseback, along paths traced centuries ago by Native Americans.
Not far from here you can also visit Capitol Reef, a small park considered Utah's best-kept secret.
Monument Valley National Park
Monument Valley is etched in the collective imagination as the true icon of the Wild West conquest, immortalized in countless western films and a stop on all trips to the United States. This valley is located within the Navajo Nation, the largest area managed by Native Americans, and is therefore not under the federal National Park Service.
The park mainly consists of a vast desert plateau, from which rise the tall red spires, known as buttes. Throughout the valley, you will find a single visitor center and one long road that allows you to tour Monument Valley by car in just a few hours. However, the park is dotted with several viewpoints where you can admire the desert and spires from truly privileged perspectives!
We also point out, still within the Navajo Nation, theAntelope Canyon, a beautiful gorge characterized by vertiginous walls where the sun creates wonderful light plays from dawn to dusk!
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Yellowstone, The Oldest National Park in the United States
Among all American national parks, Yellowstone is the most well-known, both because it is home to Yogi Bear and because it was the first national park established not only in the country but worldwide.
Yellowstone National Park covers an area larger than the entire island of Corsica and extends across three states: Wyoming,Idaho and Montana, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Its territory therefore includes very diverse landscapes, with conifer forests, mountains, waterfalls, and especially geysers and hot springs, known for their unique colors. The park is also home to many animal species, foremost the grizzly bear, followed by bison, elk, and various bird species.
To plan your visit to Yellowstone, allow at least two days to see as much as possible. Keep in mind that the visit can be monotonous, but you can entertain yourself in many ways, practicing sports like cycling, horseback riding, boating, or canoeing.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park, located along the Atlantic coast of Maine, is not among the most famous American parks, but we wanted to include it in our list because it is very different from those seen so far and has its own unique beauty. In fact, it is a park surrounded by water, rocky promontories, and icy areas, spread over several islands.
Inside it, you'll find the small but charming village of Isle au Haut, the Shoodic Peninsula, the Mount Desert Island and its highest point, Cadillac Mountain . It is a park offering many activities andsports year-round. In spring and summer, you can explore lakes and ponds by kayak or canoe, with the possibility of swimming in Maine's clear waters. In winter, snowshoeing, different at every time of the year. In spring and summer, you can explore the lakes and ponds by kayak or canoe, with the opportunity to swim in the clear waters of Maine. In winter, however, the most popular activities are and ice fishing are very popular.cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
From Death Valley to Yellowstone, it has been a wonderful journey through some of the USA national parks and the most beautiful landscapes on our planet. If you enjoyed our itinerary, don't miss all our tours and join Meeters on trips, both in Italy and abroad!