Downward angle icon Downward angle icon. I have traveled to 59 of the major national parks in the United States. Emily Hart
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but as someone who has visited all 50 states and nearly every U.S. National Park, I would argue that there are some places where beauty is undeniable.
I found all 59 national parks I visited to be beautiful, but some were simply breathtakingly beautiful regardless of my personal preferences.
Whether it’s their towering mountains, cerulean blue lakes, striking wildlife or surreal, other-worldly landscapes, some parks stand out more than others.
Here are seven of the most beautiful American national parks I’ve visited.
Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is home to beautiful lakes and rugged mountains.
Grand Teton National Park’s many lakes are great for swimming and kayaking. Emily Hart
Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park regularly tops lists of America’s most beautiful landscapes.
The towering, rugged mountains are just one aspect of the park’s incredible beauty: a large lake where you can swim, kayak or boat, challenging hiking trails and some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets I’ve ever seen.
There’s no place quite like Yosemite National Park in California.
The mountains of Yosemite National Park are breathtaking. Emily Hart
In my opinion, there is no other place quite like Yosemite National Park, where the famous towering granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome rise thousands of feet above the valley floor.
The park is home to some of the tallest waterfalls in the country, plus the giant sequoia forests and vast wilderness of the park create some of the most striking contrasts I’ve ever experienced.
Maine’s Acadia National Park features stunning coastal, mountain and forest scenery.
Acadia is one of America’s most visited national parks. Emily Hart
One of the most visited U.S. national parks, Acadia is definitely not a hidden gem.
But this sometimes-crowded Maine park is also one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in the USA, where coastal, mountain and forest landscapes collide for a truly spectacular sight.
Spend the day watching the waves crash on the rugged Ocean Pass Trail, or relax on the beach before heading out on a strenuous hike.
Take a drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast.
There’s a reason Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park is on many people’s bucket lists.
I am always in awe of the vastness of the valley. Emily Hart
There’s a reason the Grand Canyon is a bucket list park: It’s hard to visit for the first time (or sixth time) and not be awed by the sheer magnitude of the canyon.
Its sheer size makes it a special place that has to be seen to be believed: spanning 277 miles, the canyon offers views you won’t find anywhere else.
North Cascades National Park in Washington state is home to beautiful turquoise waters.
The turquoise waters are just like the Caribbean. Emily Hart
North Cascades National Park is less than three hours from Seattle, yet the park remains relatively unknown. Covering more than half a million acres, the park is spectacular, rugged and boasts natural beauty rarely found in the lower 48 states.
North Cascades is home to turquoise lakes that look like they’ve been pulled straight from the Caribbean, and a visit to this national park allows you to fully immerse yourself in nature.
The beauty of Montana’s Glacier National Park blows my mind.
The park features clear glacial lakes, beautiful wildflowers, and challenging hiking trails. Emily Hart
I’ve driven the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park nearly 10 times, and each time I’ve had to pull over at least once because of the emotions.
A spectacular and dramatic glacially carved landscape with towering mountains on all sides, the park is home to clear glacial lakes, beautiful wildflowers, challenging hiking trails and abundant wildlife.
You could spend a lifetime exploring Glacier National Park and never forget the thrill of seeing it for the first time.
Olympic National Park is a stunning combination of coastal beaches, rainforests and mountain ranges.
I recommend taking the time to hike through the native forest. Emily Hart
Olympic National Park is an astonishingly diverse mix of coastal beaches, tropical rainforests and majestic mountain ranges.
There’s plenty to do in the park, from climbing snow-capped mountain peaks to exploring the mystical Hoh Rain Forest, said to be one of the most tranquil places in America.
We recommend taking the time to hike through the old-growth forest before watching a spectacular sunset over the park’s rugged coastline.
