There are 50 National parks in the lower 48 states (omitting Gateway Arch National Park which is not a typical NP and omitting Alaska, Hawaii and US territories NP), and once a region is declared a national park, rarely is the decision wrong. Indeed, some of the following parks are among the most beautiful travel destinations on the planet. Most national parks are in the western US, and 12 are in the east. Owing to their great number , one can ask how to plan and choose which parks to visit and which to pass? Well, after years of travelling all over, I can proudly declare to have visited 45 national parks. I have constructed this list to help you plan the best trip possible.

The list bellow ranks the parks on a scale of one to five stars, where a five-star ranking means the park is a ‘must see’ and a one-star ranking means the park is very much passable. There is no Importance to the order in which the parks are listed – just their ranking.

For your convenience , take a look at this collection of national park maps.

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Seven parks have earned a five star ranking (four of them are in Utah, on the high Colorado Plateau):

1. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Idaho, Montana): The world’s first national park, Yellowstone has it all – wide rivers, deep canyons, snow capped peaks, bears, wolves, bison herds, and of course volcanic geysers, bubbling mud, and the smell of sulphur in the air. Yellowstone is the most awe-inspiring park in the US, and one of the best travel destinations in the world.
2. Yosemite National Park (California): An astonishing national park in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Tremendous granite cliffs rise high above the vast Yosemite Valley, into which flow towering water falls hundreds of feet in height. Yosemite is one of the most beautiful and most visited national parks in the US.
3. Zion National Park (Utah): Massive red sandstone formations and towering cliffs formed by erosion due to running water are what makes Zion so unique. Zion is where dessert and water meet and is one of the most impressive parks in the US.
   
4. Bryce National Park (Utah): In Bryce canyon lies one of the most unique and interesting rock formations in the US (and possibly the world). Thousands of colorful spire-like sand structures rise from the canyon bed forming a beautiful red, yellow, and orange view, all while the scenic Colorado Plateau stretches into the distance.
5. Arches National Park (Utah): As its name implies, there are thousands of sandstone arches in Arches National Park, as well as great red cliffs, crisp sand dunes and a red desert landscape. On all these preside the 12,700 feet high La Sal mountains.
6. Canyonlands National Park: Vast open spaces, deep canyons forged by the Colorado and Green rivers, needle-like sand structures, and gigantic table mountains rising high are some of what can be found at Canyonlands National Park – the wildest park in Utah.
7. Glacier National Park (Montana): At the northmost tip of the United States, and in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park holds majestic, glacier-forged mountain peaks rising high over lake spotted prairies.
   

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   Four-star parks are unique and beautiful, and many times the difference between four and five stars is subtle. This title is awarded to eight national parks (three of which are in California):

8. Everglades National Park (Florida): The only high ranking park in the eastern United States, Everglades National Park is an extremely biodiverse region, with the Alligator being the most famous wildlife sighting. Dense mangrove forests grow in the sea water between tens of thousands of islands, which sailing between offers a chance to view dolphins and manatees.
9. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona): The world’s most famous canyon, at the heart of which flows the Colorado River. The views from the canyon’s great cliffs are truly breath taking. As much as the park’s scenery is amazing, for most tourists, travelling options in the park are rather limited, hence Grand Canyons achieves ‘just’ 4 stars in our ranking (and actually, despite the beauty, if this was not the ‘Grand Canyon’ I might have even downgraded it to a high place in the 3 star parks – for travelers that do not embark on long hiking trips).
10. Mount Rainier National Park (Washington): Mount Rainier towers above the surrounding Cascade mountains at 14,417 ft. Its peaks are glacier clad and its lower slopes adorn a dense pine forest covering. An active volcano, Mount Rainier last erupted 150 years ago, and any future eruption can cause mass flooding and landslides which can endanger millions in the greater Seattle area.
11. Rocky Mountain National Park: A 14,000ft high barrier between east and west, the Rocky Mountains cross the United States and Canada from south to north. Although not as famous as their Canadian counterparts, the American Rockies still have much to offer when it comes to turquoise lakes, glaciers, and wonderful day hikes.
12. Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico): At an astonishing 1000ft bellow ground level, and a main room large enough to host five football fields, Carlsbad Caverns and its networks of karst caves are truly astonishing. The caverns’ many stalactites and stalagmites form an otherworldly environment, and each evening roughly 400,000 cave bats emerge from the caves main entrance at once, offering a chance to witness an unforgettable sight.
13. Redwood National Park (California): When talking about National Parks in the states, Redwoods is usually one of the first that comes to mind. The park offers a glimpse into a vanishing world of dense redwood-tree forests. The Redwood, an evergreen pine tree now considered threatened, can reach a staggering 380 feet of height, making it the tallest, and largest, tree species in the world. The park also has great beaches and wild rivers.
14. Sequoia National Park (California)
15. Kings Canyon National Park (California
    These two adjacent National Parks, located on the Sierra Nevada mountain range, are very scenic and in have especially wild and remote regions. Home to giant Sequoia trees, close relatives of the Redwood, Sequoia NP is also home to Mount Whitney, which is, at 14,505 ft the highest peak in the lower 48. Kings Canyon National Park is home to, as its name implies, Kings Canyon – the deepest canyon in the United States.
    

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    The following 3-star parks are especially hard to rate, as some of them are endowed with much beauty. The following parks, though definitely worth visiting, are nevertheless not the “top” America has to offer. The-3 star title has been given to 13 national parks, of which the most impressive are Acadia, Smokie Mountains, Great Sand Dunes. Olympic and Crater Lake.

16. Crater Lake National Park (Oregon): 7700 years ago, Mount Mazama erupted and colapsed into itself, creating a vast crater at what remained of its peak. In it, rainfall and melted snow created the deepest lake in the United States (1,950ft). The lake is one of the clearest, cleanest and most beautiful bodies of water in the world.
17. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming): The Teton Mountains rise high above Jackson Hole Valley, and the Snake River spirals at their foothold. The prairies to the mountains’ east are spotted with lakes, making this park an oasis for canoe and kayak enthusiasts, as well as a prominent climbing destination. Grand Teton is also a great destination for wildlife lovers, as countless bears, elks, moose, and coyotes call this park their home. Grand Teton is ranked high in our three star section, and is possibly ‘eligible’ for an upgrade to our four star ranking.
18. Olympic National Park (Washington): A peninsula west of Seattle, Olympic NP is one of the rainiest areas in the United States (4,000 mm a year). The park is best known for its temperate rainforests, its cove-clad seashores, its many islands, and its high mountain range at its center. Olympic is ranked high in our three star section, and like Grand Teton National Park, is possibly suitable for a promotion to our 4 star ranking (I must say I was debating quite a lot about the ranking of these two parks, especially regarding Olympic NP so if you feel this park deserves a higher ranking you might be right).
19. Acadia National Park (Maine): The only National Park in the Atlantic Northeast, Acadia NP lies primarily on Mount Dessert Island off the Atlantic coast, with narrow strips of water running across it. The park’s seashores are mostly coved and rocky, aside from some gold-colored beaches. At the island’s interior stands a high mountain range, as well as
20. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee & North Carolina): Given their name due to the smoky mist constantly enveloping them, the Smokies offer a round, forest-covered view, with an abundance of gentle flowing rivers and streams. The park is one of the largest natural open spaces in the United States, and was conceived in order to protect the hundreds of fauna and flora species that call these mountains home. The Smokies are a great place to view bears, as the park holds one of densest black bear population in the United States.
21. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota): Located at the conjunction of the Great Plains and the rugged Badlands, on the banks of the Missouri River, Theodore Roosevelt NP is an especially wild and isolated destination to visit. The park holds an abundance of wildlife, most notably Bison, elk, and prairie dogs. The park is composed of several disjoint areas, with the north part being the most impressive.
22. Badlands National Park (South Dakota): Resembling a Central Asian steppe, Badlands National Park, like the neighbouring Theodore Roosevelt National Park, are a great place to witness an extraordinary abundance of wildlife, offering a safari-like experience and a paradise for wildlife watching enthusiasts.
23. Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado): At a peak height of 750 feet, the Great Sand Dunes are the highest in North America. At the summer’s beginning, melted snow water form a flowing stream that traverses the park, offering a unique experience of rolling through sand and jumping in for refreshment.
24. Joshua Tree National Park (California): The park’s uniqueness lies in the massive round stone heaps spread across the red landscape. The iconic Joshua Trees form otherworldly forests in the heart of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.
25. Big Bend National Park (Texas):Located the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, on the banks of the Rio Grande River and adjacent to the Mexican border, Big Bend National Park offers a truly wild adventure. The park is home to thorny Cacti, elusive Mountain Lions and the Chisos Mountain, which form a rugged yet green oasis amidst the arid desert landscape.
26. Saguaro National Park (Arizona): A wondrous park located in the Sonora Desert near the city of Tucson. The park’s main highlight is the Saguaro Cactus, who can reach a colossal 35 feet of height and is widespread throughout the area. Another attraction the park can offer are its many snakes and desert animals which inhabit its dry ecosystem. It’s worth noting that of the two disjoint parts forming the park, the western one is the more impressing one.
27. Lassen Volcanic National Park (California): Located at the southern tip of the Cascade Mountains, Lassen Peak last erupted in 1915. Today the park offers turquoise blue lakes and snowy mountain peaks, as well as bubbling mud lakes and smoky geysers, earning Lassen NP the title ‘mini Yellowstone’.
28. North Cascades National Park (Washington): Although the region possesses much natural beauty, North Cascades NP has mostly multi day hikes to offer (the PCT crosses through the park), thus most family vacationers might find the relatively nearby Canadian Rockies and Mount Rainier to be more suitable destinations.
29. White Sands National Park (New Mexico): Stunning white dunes made of calcium-based pebbles called Gypsum are the highlight of this small desert park. While offering only a limited number of hiking and camping options, White Sands is nevertheless a surprising and one-of-a-kind destination.
    

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    The following section of our list comprises one- and two-star national parks. Some of these parks are rather beautiful despite their low ranking and have been given this rank due to low accessibility for the ‘average’ traveller. Some, on the other hand, have been declared as national parks for reasons other than their natural beauty.

30. Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado): The park offers a glimpse into the life of the region’s original inhabitants, as its prominent features are 800 year old Native American settlements built into the canyon’s cliffs. Hanging between sky and earth, several small villages of such are to be found throughout the park. It should be noted that the park ranks relativley low between other three star parks.
31. Capitol Reef National Park (Utah): For millenniums natural forces have welded the area now known as Capitol Reef. The result is a wonderland of monoliths, canyons, and ridges. Capitol Reef ranks at the top of our two-star rating. I must say ranking this park was quite difficult for me, especially after my last trip to the area in which I discovered all the breathtaking off roads of this gorgeous region. So – If you plan just to drive through on the main roads, do some easy hikes etc. – this park is nice but not outstanding. But if you have a 4 wheel vehicle and plan to visit some of the remote areas of this park – then this park should be rated much higher for your trip.
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33. Death Valley National Park (California & Nevada):The largest National Park in the lower 48, Death Valley offers a vast arid landscape, with sand dunes, canyons, and cliffs. A temperate of 134 °F was recorded at the park in 1913, which till today still stands as the highest temperature ever recorded on the surface of the earth. While impressive, the park is not as worthwhile as other dessert parks in the western US.
34. Biscayne National Park (Florida): Not far from Miami, the park consists mainly of coral reefs located in the open ocean and accessible only via boat. It is worth noting that the reefs in Biscayne are not as colorful as other better know reefs around the world.
35. Isle Royale National Park (Michigan): Located in the heart of Lake Superior, Isle Royal is a large island which offers great hiking opportunities as well as chances to spot elks and wolves. Nevertheless, the island lacks great views as compared to other national parks. That said, Isle Royal is ranked high in our two-star section.
36. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia): Dense forests make up most of the Shenandoah’s landscape, located at the midst of the Appalachian Mountain range. While the forests are beautiful, especially during the fall, a lack of dramatic views leads to the park’s low ranking.
37. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado): A steep and narrow canyon, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s 2,600 feet of depth leads certain areas of it to never receive direct sunlight. While the view is impressive the park offers limited options apart from a couple of viewpoints and short hikes.
38. .Great Basin National Park (Nevada): Surrounded by Nevada’s vast deserts, a 13,000 feet high mountain range rises high into the sky, offering stunning views amidst a green scenery. At night, the park is one of the most popular destinations for astronomy enthusiasts in the USA. A large karstic cave is also to be found in the park.
39. Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas): The Guadalupe Mountains stand tall above seemingly endless desert plains, and at 8,751 feet, Guadalupe Peak is the parks main highlight. Most hikes in the park are strenuous, and the park is somewhat disappointing regarding scenic views.
40. Channel Islands National Park (California): Though adjacent to the busy beaches of southern California, the five Channel Islands seem like a parallel, quieter world. While the surounding waters are abundant in sea life, the islands are not that impressing, thus the relatively low ranking.
41. Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota): A system of swamps and lakes at the far north of the United States. While the park offers a unique experience for those embarking on multi-day canoe or kayak trips, the average tourist has relatively little to find here.
    

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42. Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida):A small park surrounding a 19th century fort at the heart of sea, 160 miles west of key west. Accessible by boat or floatplane, the parks main attractions are diving and snorkelling in the surrounding waters.
43. Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky): At roughly 370 miles long Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world. Entrance to the cave is only via guided tours, which are mediocre, hence the low ranking.
44. Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona):Colourful sand hills and fossilized trees are the main attraction the park has to offer. The park offers an interesting stop for those already travelling nearby but is not a worthwile trip on its own.
45. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio): Close to Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley NP preserves the green area around the Cuyahoga River, and part of the Ohio and Erie Canal, which was an important shipping route in the 19th century. While worth a visit, endowing the site with the title ‘national park’ is a rather questionable decision.
46. Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas): A small urban yet remote park with hot springs and historic bathhouses. Apart from bathing in the warm water, there is little to do here.
47. Congaree National Park (South Carolina):A small park with a swampy, fairy-tale like scenery. While impressive, the park does not offer enough much for more than a few hours visit.
48. Pinnacles National Park (California): Offering views of a volcanic landscape, due to an eruption millions of years ago, the park’s scenery is unique, yet does not justify the title of’ national park’
49. Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota): The parks main highlight, as its name implies is Wind Cave, the seventh longest cave system in the world. Difference in air pressure between the cave’s interior and the outside creates a wind that blows out of the cave’s entrance. The cave is accessible only via guided tours, which are mediocre, hence the park’s low ranking.
50. New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia): Offering several scenic hikes above the wide New River in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, the park offers an enjoyable yet un-iconic visit.
51. Indiana Dunes (Indiana): A small park with nice sand beaches on the shore of Lake Michigan overviewing the city of Chicago.