20 USA National Parks You Should Visit Instead of Yellowstone
Have you ever wondered about the hidden marvels of USA’s National Parks beyond the famous Yellowstone? Get set for a journey through the top parks where nature’s artistry is on full display.
Ready to explore these natural wonders? Let’s uncover the secrets of America’s lesser-known but equally stunning national treasures!
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
You’ll find a haven of biodiversity at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s home to over 19,000 species! Stroll through ancient forests, spot wildflowers, and maybe even see a black bear or two.
Explore remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture with historic cabins and gristmills. You’re not just visiting a park; you’re stepping through history.
2. Glacier National Park, MT
Glacier National Park offers an adventure through stunning landscapes where you can witness nature’s grandeur. With over a million acres of forests, alpine meadows, and lakes, it’s a paradise for those who love the outdoors.
Grasp the beauty of Glacier’s majestic peaks which frame the horizon, while its gleaming glaciers remind you of the Ice Age. Admire the fantastic views along Going-to-the-Sun Road – a scenic drive that cuts through the park’s wild interior.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife; from graceful deer to powerful bears, nature’s residents thrive here.
3. Joshua Tree National Park, CA
If you’re seeking an adventure away from the well-trodden paths of Yellowstone, Joshua Tree National Park beckons with its otherworldly landscapes. Just over two hours from Los Angeles, this park offers nearly 800,000 acres of rugged rock formations and the unique Joshua Trees after which the park is named.
These spiny trees aren’t really trees at all, but a type of succulent that’s exclusive to the Mojave Desert. Travelers enjoy hiking the Arch Rock Trail, where in just 1.8 miles you’ll encounter the famous Arch Rock formation, making for splendid photo opportunities.
4. Olympic National Park, WA
If you haven’t visited Olympic National Park in Washington, you’re in for a real treat! In this expansive park, you get to explore nearly a million acres of protected wilderness. From towering glacier-capped peaks to ancient rainforests drenched in shades of green, the park is a masterpiece of nature.
Meander through lush valleys as majestic Roosevelt elk roam nearby, in a land so vibrant and full of life it feels like walking through a living painting.
5. Arches National Park, UT
In southeastern Utah, Arches National Park is a marvel with over 2,000 natural stone arches. Your adventure awaits among the towering pinnacles and grand rock fins that dot the landscape.
Warm up for an active day of hiking by exploring the park’s well-known Delicate Arch early in the morning to beat the heat and crowds. You’ll be amazed as the sun paints the rocks with vibrant colors, perfect for those photo moments.
6. Haleakalā National Park, HI
Haleakalā National Park is where adventure calls in Hawaii! Wake up early for a breathtaking sunrise at the summit, where you’ll watch the sky explode in colors. Thinking about a hike? Hit the Sliding Sands Trail and feel like you’re exploring another planet, walking among the crater’s unique landscape.
Your love for nature will grow as you explore from volcanic peaks to lush rainforests. If wildlife spotting is your jam, keep your eyes peeled for some of the rarest species around.
7. Canyonlands National Park, UT
Canyonlands National Park is a breathtaking spectacle of nature’s artwork in Utah. As you gaze upon the colorful canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado River, your sense of adventure sparks.
Covering over 337,000 acres, this park offers a vast expanse of rugged landscape to explore. Whether you’re cruising the scenic drives or venturing on a hike, the raw beauty around every corner is awe-inspiring.
8. Acadia National Park, ME
Acadia National Park is where you find the rugged beauty of Maine’s coastline and the charm of forest trails. Your mornings can start with the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the U.S. to greet the dawn. Spend your days exploring the park’s scenic drives or hiking easy trails for panoramic views.
9. Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
If you’re seeking a jaw-dropping display of natural beauty, the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is calling your name. This massive gorge, carved by the Colorado River, showcases millions of years of history in its layered bands of red rock.
Visiting the Grand Canyon offers an array of activities. You can take part in guided tours to learn about the geology and history, or hike along the Rim Trail for panoramic views. The park is also home to the famous Skywalk, a glass bridge suspending you 4,000 feet above the canyon floor.
10. Sequoia National Park, CA
If you crave towering trees and stunning vistas, Sequoia National Park beckons. Home to the largest trees by volume on Earth, the mighty sequoias, this park offers a grand adventure.
You can marvel at the General Sherman Tree, the park’s star, standing tall at about 275 feet. The park isn’t just a tree haven; it’s also a haven for wildlife with black bears and mule deer calling it home.
11. Denali National Park and Preserve, AK
If you’re seeking a remarkable adventure away from Yellowstone’s familiar paths, Denali National Park is the place for you. Here, the wilds of Alaska invite you to witness nature on a grand scale.
In this striking expanse, you can enjoy clear days marveling at Denali’s sheer magnitude or spot grizzlies, caribou, and wolves in their natural habitat. With a mix of lush forests and crystal-clear glacial rivers, each view is more striking than the last.
12. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
If you’ve been dreaming of epic mountain views and clear, starry nights, Rocky Mountain National Park is the place you’ve been searching for.
With a landscape brimming with towering peaks and wildflower-dotted meadows, it’s a paradise for hikers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone eager to breathe in that crisp, clean mountain air.
Driving through Trail Ridge Road is an adventure on its own. You’re on the top of the world here, with vast expanses of alpine tundra stretching out to the horizon. Each curve in the road offers a new, breathtaking vista.
13. Grand Teton National Park, WY
Ever craved epic mountain scenery that leaves you awestruck? Grand Teton National Park is your answer, with the majestic Teton Range soaring skyward. Grab your adventure hat; over 310,000 acres of wilderness await you. Picture yourself gazing up at Grand Teton, towering at 13,775 feet—what a sight!
In this park, wildlife sightings are daily highlights. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, elk, and maybe even a bear in their natural habitat. If you love to fish or paddle, the alpine lakes here are a dream.
14. Everglades National Park, FL
Discover the wild beauty of Everglades National Park, a mesmerizing landscape brimming with life. You’ll be in awe of the 1.5 million acres of wetlands, home to alligators, turtles, and an impressive array of birds.
Paddle through tranquil waters, spotting manatees gently gliding below. Your adventure might even include the thrill of catching sight of a panther among the mangroves.
15. Shenandoah National Park, VA
If you’re looking for lush forests and rippling mountains, Shenandoah National Park is your ideal destination. Just a short drive from Washington, D.C., this natural haven offers over 200,000 acres of protected land, featuring the scenic Skyline Drive.
In the mood for a hike? Embrace the peacefulness on more than 500 miles of trails, including a section of the famous Appalachian Trail. Want to capture the view from above? Hawksbill Summit rises to an impressive 4,051 feet, offering a panoramic spectacle you won’t easily forget.
16. Yosemite National Park, CA
If Yellowstone is packed, you’ll love the towering waterfalls and giant sequoias at Yosemite National Park. Your love for adventure will skyrocket as you explore over 800 miles of trails. Stand beneath El Capitan, or weave through the tranquility of Tuolumne Meadows.
Yosemite’s allure is seeing nature’s masterpieces up close, from the mighty granite cliffs to the mist of Bridalveil Fall.
17. Big Bend National Park, TX
Big Bend National Park offers you the vast skies and dramatic landscapes you’ve been longing to see. You’re in for an adventure among some of the clearest night skies in the country, perfect for stargazing.
With fewer visitors than many national parks, you’ll enjoy the peacefulness and serenity of the Chisos Mountains. Prepare to be amazed by the diverse wildlife, from over 450 bird species to the remarkable sight of blooming cacti.
18. Death Valley National Park, CA/NV
If you’re seeking an adventure away from the well-trodden paths of Yellowstone, Death Valley National Park is a natural wonder you can’t miss. Situated on the California-Nevada border, Death Valley is known as the hottest place on Earth.
The park is a stunning display of nature’s contrasts, from its salt flats at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, to the snow-capped peaks of the Panamint Range.
19. Zion National Park, UT
Zion National Park is known for its massive red cliffs that soar into the sky. You’ll be surrounded by nature’s majesty on every trail.
Are you up for a hike? Tackle trails like Angels Landing, with views that make your early start worth it, or wade through the river in The Narrows, where towering walls make you feel like you’re in another world.
20. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
If you’re after a park that’ll light up your sense of wonder, Bryce Canyon National Park is a must-see. It’s famous for its colorful and towering rock formations called hoodoos, and it offers views that are simply out of this world.
Think crisp air and trails that lead to panoramic vistas you’ll talk about for years. Hiking here feels like wandering through a forest of stone, with each turn presenting a new, awe-inspiring scene.
