12 Stunning National Parks as Beautiful as Yosemite

There’s a reason Yosemite is synonymous with the words “national park.” Spanning a total of 759,620 acres across California’s lush mountains and sprawling wilderness, Yosemite ranks as the premium vacation destination for millions of travel enthusiasts across the globe.

As undeniably beautiful as Yosemite is, it’s also worth highlighting the countless other U.S. national parks that are as gorgeous as their sister property in Yosemite (if not more so).

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

If there’s any sight on American soil capable of rivaling Yosemite, it’s the gaping maw of the Grand Canyon.

One of the foremost natural wonders of the known world, the Grand Canyon is a must-see for anyone traveling in the Southwestern U.S. Whether you choose to raft down the Colorado River or bravely stroll across the Skywalk deck, there’s no shortage of things to do and see at the Grand Canyon National Park.

Zion National Park, Utah

If there’s one thing Utah specializes in, it’s wondrous national parks, which illustrate the Beehive State’s diverse topography and natural landscapes—something best seen with Zion National Park.

A rugged park filled with careening canyons, lush woodlands, and gently flowing rivers and streams, Zion National Park offers an exciting array of hiking trails most people will never forget.

Glacier National Park, Montana

You don’t have to consider yourself outdoorsy to enjoy Glacier National Park. Standing atop any of the park’s hills and gazing out at the natural splendor of Glacier, almost every park visitor is moved to tears by the beautiful sights before them.

Neighboring the Canadian border and featuring over 700 lakes on its grounds, Glacier National Park feels like you’re literally stepping back in time, bringing you face-to-face with glaciers that have existed since the Ice Age.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

Few parks in the U.S. demonstrate the luscious landscape of the South quite like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee.

One of the few national parks in the U.S. that’s completely free to visit, the Great Smoky Mountains’ 187,000 acres of forests are home to many amazing plant and animal species, including black bears, elk, and the endangered northern flying squirrels.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

With its breathtaking 93-mile Wonderland Trail, Mount Rainier offers one of the largest known hiking paths in the U.S.

While an ideal destination for diehard hikers hoping to prove their mettle, Mount Rainier is also a fantastic vacation spot for its gaping meadows, mountainous peaks, and idyllic rivers.

Haleakala National Park, Hawaii

Yes, getting there might be a bit of a hassle, but visiting Hawaii offers guests all sorts of unique features they won’t find anywhere else — like the famous Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui.

Covering roughly 75% of the island, Haleakala National Park is home to one of the largest volcanoes in the world, making it an even more harrowing sight in person.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Though New England has only one major national park, Acadia’s gorgeous scenery more than makes up for the region’s meager assortment of parks.

Nestled along Maine’s briny coastline, Acadia offers the best of land and sea, including plenty of scenic hikes through the park’s vibrant forests and cliff-side views of the turbid Atlantic Ocean.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

Next to Yosemite, most people instantly conjure up images of Yellowstone whenever they’re encouraged to think about America’s national parks.

Among the largest parks in the entire country, Yellowstone has an assortment of flora and fauna that will hold visitors’ attention for hours, from the famous Old Faithful geyser to wandering buffalo and curious elk.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Few pleasures in life are as satisfying as sitting beneath a clear night sky and gazing up at the plethora of stars dotting the galaxy above you.

While hiking is certainly encouraged at Joshua Tree, the main reason to visit this iconic California destination is simply to enjoy the clear night skies, perhaps bringing a telescope to take in the sights.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Anyone who has experienced the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World likely has some grasp of Bryce Canyon National Park’s physical layout.

Known today for its distinct rock formations and towering hoodoos, Bryce Canyon can literally take your breath away the minute you see it.

Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada

In contrast to most national parks’ diverse environments, Death Valley’s beauty lies in its sparse natural settings and unique geographic location.

Famously located in the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, Death Valley’s temperatures typically rank as some of the hottest in the country. (For this reason, we recommend avoiding any trips to Death Valley until later in the year, as temperatures in the region can climb as high as 120 degrees in the peak of July and August.)

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Like Death Valley National Park, South Dakota’s Badlands might not offer as many diverse sights as Yellowstone or Yosemite.

However, between its barren plains and rugged mountains, there’s a subtle simplicity to the Badlands’ desolate beauty, allowing for plenty of rapturous sights across the park’s lofty grounds.