20 US National Parks to Visit at Least Once, Including Yellowstone, Yosemite and Glacier, After 2025 Visitation Dipped but Records Still Fell
NEW YORK, NY — America’s national parks offer some of the country’s most varied scenery, from desert dunes and red-rock canyons to coastal forests and glacier-carved mountains. A recent travel roundup from The Points Guy singled out 20 parks that stand out for first-time visitors and repeat trips alike.
The list comes as the National Park Service said visits in 2025 slipped to 323 million from 331.9 million the year before, even as 26 parks set all-time attendance records. Big names such as Redwood and Sequoia were among the record-setters, along with Dry Tortugas and Gates of the Arctic.
Western parks anchor the roundup with geysers, granite and alpine peaks
Several of the featured parks are in the West, where dramatic landscapes draw hikers, campers and road-trippers. Yellowstone spans Wyoming, Montana and Idaho and is known for geysers, hot springs and wildlife including bison, elk and mountain goats.
Yosemite in California remains one of the most recognizable parks in the country, with Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. Nearby, Redwood National and State Parks showcases towering trees, while Glacier National Park in Montana is known for its alpine lakes and the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Desert and canyon parks highlight Utah, Arizona and New Mexico
Other selections focus on the Southwest’s dry, otherworldly terrain. Joshua Tree features massive boulders and the park’s namesake trees, while Arches offers thousands of sandstone formations and a scenic drive through a Marslike landscape.
White Sands in New Mexico stands out for its bright gypsum dunes, and Zion in Utah is praised for red cliffs, slot canyons and Angels Landing. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado rounds out the region with snowcapped peaks, high-country trails and Trail Ridge Road.
East Coast and southern parks include coasts, wetlands and firefly displays
Closer to the Atlantic, Acadia in Maine combines granite cliffs, beaches and the climb to Cadillac Mountain. Shenandoah in Virginia offers Skyline Drive and strong fall color, while Great Smoky Mountains spans Tennessee and North Carolina and remains one of the most visited parks in the system.
In the South, Everglades protects the nation’s largest subtropical wetland, and Dry Tortugas sits offshore from Key West with water access only by ferry or seaplane. New River Gorge in West Virginia adds white-water rafting, climbing and the Bridge Walk.
Remote parks in Alaska, Hawaii and West Texas reward longer trips
The list also includes destinations that require more planning but offer especially remote experiences. Denali in Alaska features North America’s tallest peak and abundant wildlife, while Hawaii Volcanoes highlights active volcanoes on the Big Island.
Big Bend in West Texas earned recognition for its dark skies, desert and river landscapes. Olympic National Park in Washington brings together rainforest, coastline and mountains, giving the roundup a mix of classic bucket-list parks and less-crowded alternatives.
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