Exploring America’s 63 National Parks: Wonders, Wildlife, and Adventure

The United States is home to 63 designated national parks, each offering its own unique landscapes, ecosystems, and recreational opportunities. Managed by the National Park Service (NPS), these parks preserve everything from volcanic craters and glacier-capped peaks to vast deserts and subtropical wetlands. Here’s a park-by-park guide to what you can explore and experience across these natural treasures.

Western U.S.

Alaska (8 parks)

1. Denali – See North America’s tallest peak; wildlife viewing, hiking, dog sledding.

2. Gates of the Arctic – Remote wilderness; backpacking, river floating, solitude.

3. Glacier Bay – Glaciers, kayaking, whale watching, cruise visits.

4. Katmai – Brown bear viewing (especially at Brooks Falls), volcano hiking.

5. Kenai Fjords – Glacier cruises, sea kayaking, marine wildlife.

6. Kobuk Valley – Sand dunes in the Arctic; caribou migration.

7. Lake Clark – Volcanoes, salmon fishing, remote fly-in hikes.

8. Wrangell–St. Elias – Largest U.S. national park; glaciers, mountain climbing, flightseeing.

California (9 parks)

1. Channel Islands – Kayaking, snorkeling, sea cave exploration.

2. Death Valley – Sand dunes, salt flats, stargazing, Badwater Basin.

3. Joshua Tree – Rock climbing, desert flora, night sky viewing.

4. Sequoia – Giant sequoia trees, hiking, caving (Crystal Cave).

5. Kings Canyon – Rugged canyons, alpine meadows, waterfalls.

6. Yosemite – Iconic granite cliffs, waterfalls, rock climbing.

7. Lassen Volcanic – Geothermal features, hiking, snowshoeing.

8. Redwood – Tallest trees on Earth, coastal trails, elk watching.

9. Pinnacles – Rock spires, condor viewing, cave hikes.

Hawaii (2 parks)

1. Hawai’i Volcanoes – Active volcanoes, lava tubes, crater hikes.

2. Haleakalā – Sunrise summit views, crater hiking, endangered species.

Washington (3 parks)

1. Olympic – Rainforests, tidepools, mountain trails.

2. Mount Rainier – Wildflowers, glacier trekking, hiking.

3. North Cascades – Jagged peaks, alpine lakes, backcountry adventures.

Oregon (1 park)

1. Crater Lake – Deepest lake in the U.S., boat tours, rim hikes.

Nevada (1 park)

1. Great Basin – Caves (Lehman Caves), ancient bristlecone pines, astronomy.

Southwest U.S.

Arizona (3 parks)

1. Grand Canyon – Rim-to-rim hiking, rafting, panoramic views.

2. Petrified Forest – Fossilized trees, painted desert landscapes.

3. Saguaro – Iconic cacti, desert hiking, birdwatching.

Utah (5 parks – “Mighty 5”)

1. Arches – Over 2,000 natural stone arches, photography, hiking.

2. Bryce Canyon – Hoodoos, horseback riding, snowshoeing.

3. Canyonlands – Desert mesas, canyons, 4x4 trails.

4. Capitol Reef – Red rock formations, orchards, stargazing.

5. Zion – Angel’s Landing, The Narrows, rock climbing.

Colorado (4 parks)

1. Rocky Mountain – Alpine lakes, wildlife viewing, hiking.

2. Mesa Verde – Ancient cliff dwellings, cultural history.

3. Great Sand Dunes – Sandboarding, dune hiking, dark skies.

4. Black Canyon of the Gunnison – Steep canyons, scenic drives, rock climbing.

Midwest U.S.

South Dakota (2 parks)

1. Badlands – Fossil beds, scenic loops, wildlife.

2. Wind Cave – Unique boxwork cave formations, bison spotting.

North Dakota (1 park)

1. Theodore Roosevelt – Prairie wildlife, Badlands scenery, history.

Minnesota (1 park)

1. Voyageurs – Water-based recreation, houseboating, Northern Lights.

Michigan (1 park)

1. Isle Royale – Remote island, canoeing, backpacking, wolves and moose.

Indiana (1 park)

1. Indiana Dunes – Lake Michigan beaches, sand dunes, birding.

Southern U.S.

Texas (2 parks)

1. Big Bend – Rio Grande rafting, desert hiking, stargazing.

2. Guadalupe Mountains – Highest Texas peak, fossil reefs, hiking.

Florida (3 parks)

1. Everglades – Airboat tours, birding, alligators, wetland trails.

2. Dry Tortugas – Fort Jefferson, snorkeling, remote beaches.

3. Biscayne – Coral reefs, scuba diving, boating.

Kentucky (1 park)

1. Mammoth Cave – Longest cave system, tours, spelunking.

Arkansas (1 park)

1. Hot Springs – Historic bathhouses, thermal springs, hiking.

Eastern U.S.

Tennessee & North Carolina (1 park)

1. Great Smoky Mountains – Waterfalls, fall colors, wildlife, hiking.

Virginia (1 park)

1. Shenandoah – Skyline Drive, Appalachian Trail, waterfalls.

   South Carolina (1 park)

1. Congaree – Floodplain forest, kayaking, ancient trees.

Ohio (1 park)

1. Cuyahoga Valley – Waterfalls, biking, historic canal paths.

Northeastern U.S.

Maine (1 park)

1. Acadia – Coastal scenery, Cadillac Mountain sunrise, hiking.

New River Gorge (West Virginia)

1. New River Gorge – Rock climbing, whitewater rafting, scenic bridge.

U.S. Territories and Remote Islands

American Samoa (1 park)

1. National Park of American Samoa – Tropical rainforests, Samoan culture, coral reefs.

U.S. Virgin Islands (1 park)

1. Virgin Islands – Snorkeling, beach relaxation, tropical hikes.

Newest Parks (Designated Since 2018)

1. Gateway Arch (Missouri) – Iconic monument, museum, river views.

2. White Sands (New Mexico) – Gypsum dunes, sledding, sunset walks.

3. Indiana Dunes (Indiana) – Already listed, designated in 2019.

4. New River Gorge (West Virginia) – Already listed, designated in 2020.

5. Great Sand Dunes (Colorado) – Already listed, redesignated in 2004.

6. Congaree (South Carolina) – Already listed, upgraded in 2003.

America’s national parks offer a diverse range of experiences—from tranquil solitude and cultural heritage to outdoor adventure and family fun. Whether you’re hiking alpine trails, kayaking through mangroves, or gazing at geysers, there’s a park for every traveler. These protected spaces not only provide recreation but also preserve the country’s natural and cultural heritage for generations to come.