10 Must See National Parks in USA
By: Patricia

By Kristin Eagle

As there are just under 60 National Parks to choose from, it is no easy task to pick 10 "must visit" parks. Each park has so much to offer and have distinct and unique characteristics that make them each a treasure and a place worth visiting. We've been asked countless times what we would consider to be a "Top 10" list and in the last 10 years, we have avoided answering this question for this reason - How do you pick 10 out of so many amazing parks?

If you have traveled to many parks, you know what I am talking about. Although you might have a few favorites, you can likely explain reasons why so many other parks are a “must see”. So how do you pick? You could take our approach and hide whenever someone asks this question or you can take on this difficult task and do your best to pick 10. While I am sure some will disagree with the 10 I am going to discuss because I left out their favorite park, keep in mind that I too, am struggling to narrow this down. It’s not an easy task and no doubt I will be thinking, wait, but what about this park…

These ten are in no order of most important to least. It’s a list of parks that touched me very closely one way or another and so I have chosen them as my “Must See” list.

The List

Rocky Mountain National Park

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Rocky Mountain has been recognized internationally as one of the world’s most outstanding natural treasures. This park offers everything from an abundance of wildlife, meadows, alpine peaks, tundras, forests and so much more.

I visit regularly as I live about 45 minutes away from this park. Each visit, the park seems different to me. There is always something to take my breath away, always some sort of wildlife to entertain me and the weather always shows how dramatic this landscape is. I feel honored to live near such an amazing park.

Death Valley National Park

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Hottest, Driest, Lowest: Death Valley is a land of extremes. It is one of the hottest places on the surface of the Earth with summer temperatures averaging well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. At 282 feet below the level of the sea, it is the driest place in North America with an average rainfall of only 1.96 inches a year.

The first time I visited Death Valley National Park, the bottom of my shoes melted to the tarmac it was so hot. I returned during winter to go camping and during the evening, my Orange Juice froze. During the day, we experienced record highs for January. Why would I love this park? Where else can you experience something like this? From deserts, sand dunes, awesome reptiles and the desperate feeling that you are truly at the mercy of this park, Death Valley is one of the most remarkable parks that everyone should try to visit.

Glacier National Park

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The spectacular glaciated landscape is a hikers paradise containing 700 miles of maintained trails that lead deep into one of the largest intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states.

If you are a fan of valleys covered in beautiful wildflowers, Glacier is your place. If you miss wildflower season, don’t fret, Glacier will impress you with its gorgeous mountains, stunning valleys and of course its beautiful glaciers.

Yellowstone National Park

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Yellowstone is famous for hosting more than 10,000-plus hot springs and geysers, the majority of the planet's total. Yellowstone's geothermal wonders are created by one of the world's largest active volcanoes; its last eruption caused a crater or caldera that spans almost half of the parks size.

Joshua Tree National Park

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Joshua Tree National Park is made up of two deserts, two large ecosystems primarily determined by elevation. This desert is immense and infinitely variable and yet also delicately fragile. The land here may seem to appear defeated and dead, but within its parched environment are intricate living systems, each fragment performing a slightly different function.

Bryce Canyon National Park

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Bryce is famous for its worldly unique geology, consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah.

Standing at any overlook where you can take in the dizzying number of “hoodoos” is all you need to see why Bryce is a must see. No where else in the world will you experience such an amazing sight.

Arches National Park

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Arches National Park lies atop an underground salt bed called the "Paradox Formation" which is responsible for the arches, spires, balanced rocks, fins and eroded monoliths common throughout the park.

Arches holds a special place in my heart. It’s my first National Park when I was a child and every visit reminds me of why I love it so much. From the beautiful arches, the red sand stone rocks, gorgeous hikes and the cryptobiotic soil, I just can’t get enough of this park.

Canyonlands National Park

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Canyonlands National Park, a unique destination full of spires, buttes, arches, rivers and most spectacular of all, vast canyons. This park is home to The Needles, Maze and Island of the Sky districts.

When asked why I often mention Canyonlands over Grand Canyon, I can’t seem to give a reason that makes sense. I love Grand Canyon and am taken by it just as everyone else is. However, Canyonlands seems a little more accessible to me. I have enjoyed more hikes at Canyonlands and the ability to avoid crowds is important to me when visiting National Parks. I enjoy immersing myself in the vastness of a park and I feel I get that ability just a little more in Canyonlands over Grand Canyon. However, if I were allowed 11 “Must See” parks, I would include Grand Canyon!

Yosemite National Park

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The classic beauty and fascinating ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada mountain range are well represented in the wilderness of this gorgeous National Park. Almost 95% of the Park is designated Wilderness.

Awe-inspiring rock formations, wildlife, sequoias, mountains, valleys, waterfalls… The list seems endless at this park and although it can be very crowded, there are areas you can hike that will take you into the vastness and solitude of Yosemite National Park.

Everglades National Park

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Everglades National Park is the only subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments.

If you are a bird watcher, Everglades is your paradise! Never seen an alligator or crocodile? Then a trip to Everglades National Park is your place. Everglades has so much to offer as regards bird watching and reptile viewing.

Everglades National Park is the third largest park in the lower 48 states, covering 2400 square miles! There is no shortage of activities for individuals, couples, or families to enjoy outdoors.

The diverse habitats allow for enjoyable activities ranging from hiking, canoe and kayaking, biking, fresh and saltwater fishing, and camping in the ultimate wilderness.

About the Author:

US-Parks.com was established in August 2000 with the hopes to inspire travel to National Parks and Monuments within the United States. Over the years, we have expanded our destinations to BLM, Forest Service and other government lands. We don't intend to stop there, we want to encourage travelers to experience everything that is beautiful about the United States.

When US-Parks.com started in 2000, we had only a couple of Road Trips, basic coverage of the top National Parks and a few National Monuments. Now, we have thousands of pages of information regarding thousands of parks from highlights, planning, geology, camping, lodging, wildlife and more.

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