My Top National Parks to Visit in the USA (And Why You’ll Want Them on Your List)
1. Yellowstone (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho) Let’s just start with the big one. Yellowstone isn’t just a national park – it’s an icon. And no matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing prepares you for the scale of it. Geysers that explode sky-high. Acid pools that look like something from outer space. Bison the size of cars just casually crossing the road in front of you. If you spend three days here, you’ll barely scratch the surface. If you’re into geothermal wonders, wide open landscapes, and spotting wildlife from the comfort of your car (I see you, lazy adventurers), this one’s a must. Pro tip: Go early. The park gets packed, especially in summer. First light is when the magic happens.
2. Zion (Utah) Zion feels biblical – not just in name, but in scale. The hikes are legendary. Angel’s Landing isn’t for the faint of heart (or the wobbly of knee), but even the riverside walks feel special. The Narrows – where you literally wade through the river between canyon walls – is worth every soggy step. Stay in Springdale, right outside the park gates, and take the shuttle in. And bring snacks. Always snacks.
3. Glacier (Montana) This is where you will fall in love with mountains. Glacier National Park is all jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and valleys carved by ancient ice. It’s dramatic and peaceful all at once – the kind of place that makes you whisper without knowing why. Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road (just the name alone, right?) and stop every five minutes for photos. Hikes like Hidden Lake and Grinnell Glacier are spectacular, but even just sitting by Lake McDonald with a coffee feels like something out of a travel brochure. And if you can swing a night at the Many Glacier Hotel -do it. Wooden interiors, glacier views, and that slightly old-world feeling you don’t get in newer lodges.
4. Grand Canyon (Arizona) Standing at the South Rim at sunrise, wrapped in a blanket can be quite overwhelming. It’s that big. That still. You don’t need to hike to the bottom to appreciate it (although if you do, high five). Even just walking along the rim, catching the light shift across the stone, is enough to make you feel small in the best way. Definitely take a helicopter tour one afternoon – and I know it’s a splurge – but oh my god. It’s wild from the ground, but from the air? Absolutely breathtaking.
5. Acadia (Maine) East coast charm meets wild Atlantic coastlines. Acadia is smaller and more manageable than some of the western giants, but it’s no less gorgeous. Think rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and forest trails that smell like pine needles and salt spray. Rent a bike and cycl the carriage roads – smooth, scenic paths with barely any traffic. Stop for lobster rolls by the water, watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain (tip: bring layers – it's freezing up there, even in July). Bar Harbor is the cutest base – all clapboard houses and ice cream shops. A great one if you’re travelling with kids or just fancy a gentler national park vibe.
So, those are my top five – but honestly, it wasn’t easy picking favourites. I mean, what about Yosemite and its granite giants? Or Arches, with those Martian landscapes? Or the Everglades, which feel like a David Attenborough documentary come to life? Every park has its thing. Its moment. That one view, or animal encounter, or perfectly-timed hike that sticks with you long after you’ve left. And that’s the beauty of the US national park system – you could spend your whole life exploring and still find surprises. Have you been to any of these? Or are you starting to map out your own “must-see” list? Let me know – and if you need help piecing together an itinerary that mixes big nature with a bit of luxury, I’m your girl.
