List of National Parks by State: Complete Travel Guides

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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Thank you The National Park Service, List of US National Parks, Austin Adventures, and Time Magazine for these fun facts!