Thirty states and two U.S. territories are home to a total of 63 National Parks. Knowing where to go and what to see when it comes to US National Parks is difficult. Here’s a list of National Parks list by state and the travel guides that will allow you to plan your dream National Park vacation!

United States National Parks by State
Alaska
Denali National Park, Alaska
Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Katmai National Park, Alaska
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska
American Samoa
National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa
Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Arkansas
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
California
Channel Islands National Park, California
Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Kings Canyon National Park, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Pinnacles National Park, California
Redwood National Park, California
Sequoia National Park, California
Yosemite National Park, California
Ultimate 2 Day Itinerary Yosemite National Park: The Perfect Weekend Trip
Things to Do in Kings Canyon – Best Visit Guide
Yosemite National Park Viewpoints: See and Do Famous Things
Colorado
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Florida
Biscayne National Park, Florida
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Everglades National Park, Florida
Visiting Everglades National Park: How to Plan the Ultimate Visit
11 Best Everglades Boat Tours – Unique Landscapes and Wildlife
Hawaii
Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Idaho
Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
Kentucky
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Indiana
Indiana Dunes National Park
Maine
Acadia National Park, Maine
7 Best Hiking Trails in Acadia: Plan your Trip
Best Trails in Acadia National Park- Hiking for All Levels
Michigan
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Minnesota
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Missouri
Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri
Montana
Glacier National Park, Montana
Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
Nevada
Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
Ohio
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Oregon
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
South Carolina
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
South Dakota
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
Texas
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Utah
Arches National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Zion National Park, Utah
5 Ways to Ditch the Crowds in Arches National Park
Best Capitol Reef National Park RV Parks: Complete Camping Guide
Incredible Hikes: The Best Views in Zion National Park
10 Best Hikes in Capitol Reef – Experience Beautiful Desert
The Ultimate Guide for Visiting Bryce Canyon National Park
Discover Arches National Park Hikes: The Best Trail Guide
Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands
Virginia
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Washington
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park, Washington
West Virginia
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
15 Best Short Hikes in Yellowstone: Easy Trails, Big Views
25 Best Places to Stay at Yellowstone National Park
21 Best Hikes in Tetons – Trails in the National Park
10 Easy Ways to Avoid Yellowstone’s Crowds
Yellowstone’s Must-See Hydrothermal Features – Tallest Geyser In The World
10 Best Biking Trails In Yellowstone – Bike the National Parks
How to Spend One Day in the Grand Tetons
National Park Fun Facts/trivia!
California has the most National Parks, with 9. Alaska follows close behind with 8.
The newest national park is New River Gorge National Park established on Dec. 27, 2020.
Alaska has the most National Park Acreage.
Yellowstone is the oldest National Park, founded in 1872.
Three of the ten highest waterfalls in the world can be found in Yosemite National Park.
The Grand Canyon, in Grand Canyon National Park, is known as one of the seven wonders of the world.
Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is the smallest National Park in the U.S.
Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina is the most visited with over 4 million visitors per year!
Denali National Park in Alaska has the widest range of elevations, from 200 feet in Yentna River to 20,302 feet at the summit of Mount McKinley.
Kobuk Valley National Park receives the least number of visitors at just 3,000 per year.
All of Alaska’s 8 National Parks are among the least visited in the Country.
Delaware is the only State without any National Monuments, Parks, or National Historic Site.
Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is the first cave to be named a national park in the world.
California is home to the lowest point and the highest point in the contiguous United States. Both points can be found in U.S. National Parks.
Isle Royale National Park is the only major national park to close entirely for the winter because of the difficultly of travel and hazards of wilderness survival during Michigan’s winters.
New York is not home to any National Parks, but it does have a state park with more acreage than any National Park in the Contiguous United States, the Adirondack Park.

Which National Park is the Best?
I can only speak on behalf of my personal experience, but I do have favorites when it comes to the National Parks!
Most Family Friendly National Park
Yellowstone National Park is amazing for families. There is something to do for everyone! There are short board walk hikes to gorgeous hydrothermal features, road pull offs with stunning views, and longer, full-day hikes for your family to experience.
Additionally, you can paddle, horse back ride, swim, and participate in wildlife viewing during your stay. You can’t get bored at Yellowstone. It’s an outdoor playground fit for all types of outdoor enthusiasts.

Best National Park for Dog Owners
Acadia National Park is one of the few National Parks that allows dogs on trail. Dogs in Acadia must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times. Additionally, dogs are not allowed on any ladder trails or in public water supplies. As always, service animals are an exception to these rules!
The National Park with the Most “Wow” Factor
Grand Tetons National Park has the most “Wow” factor of any park I’ve been to. The Grand Tetons tower over Jackson Hole with such prominence and they are absolutely breathtaking.

Best National Park in Utah
Canyonlands National Park is definitely the best National Park in Utah when you take into consideration views versus number of visitors. Once you take a look around you can’t help but wonder why it’s the least visited National Park in Utah. The views are breathtaking!
Best National Park to Visit in Winter
Everglades National Park is a perfect park to visit in winter. Florida’s winter weather is much more tolerable than the summer sunshine and you’re most likely to see wildlife wildlife from early December to April.

Best National Park for Backpacking
Although there are a few great options, Yosemite takes the cake as the best National Park for Backpacking. Almost 95% of Yosemite National Park is designated wilderness, meaning there are ample opportunities for adventure and solitude within the park.
It’s important to mention the JMT, or the John Muir Trail, and the PCT, Pacific Crest Trail, both travel through Yosemite National Park. Over 2,000 people attemp these famous thru hikes each year.
Best National Park for Stargazing
Bryce Canyon National Park is among the best for stargazing. At just over 7,600 feet and far from the light pollution of civilization, camping at Bryce Canyon means you’ll be counting stars instead of sheep. This sanctuary for natural darkness has to be on your list if you love staring up at the night sky.
Thank you The National Park Service, List of US National Parks, Austin Adventures, and Time Magazine for these fun facts!
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