Travelling to any of the United States’ 63 national parks is a must have experience, but navigating these wild places is no easy feat.
If you’re looking for an adventure among natural wonders, diverse landscapes, the pursuit of personal growth and physical rewards that make you feel small in this big, beautiful world, then it’s time for you to visit one of the United States national parks.
Driving into the parks, requiring the right passes and permits, navigating the wilderness, arm wrestling with service, understanding the proper safety measures and planning the right activities can add a challenging layer to these types of trips. Are you not exhausted just from reading that list?
Why not let Intrepid handle the nitty-gritty – permits, passes and all the tricky bits – so all you need to do is show up for the adventure? Ready to discover the best parks with a local leader, hassle-free? Let’s dive in.
Best national parks for hiking
Odds are that if you’re looking to visit a national park, you’re probably hoping to get some good hiking in. Hundreds of miles of trails, mind-blowing views and a variety of terrain have put these parks on the list.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Beginners and seasoned hikers will find plenty to love exploring Wyoming’s alpine scenery and the Teton mountain range, there’s definitely something for everyone. The park has more than 250 miles of trails that wind through mountains and around lakes and you’ll come across waterfalls and dramatic views of canyons and craggy peaks shaped by billions of years of natural forces.
When it’s time to give your legs a break, kayak through Snake River. Then, lace the boots back up for a moderate hike to Inspiration Point for sweeping views of Jenny Lake, Jackson Hole and the Teton mountain range.
Step into the wild
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion has a strict permit process to limit those who can access some of the trails, so you aren’t stuck in human foot traffic. The park’s iconic scenery along If you don’t want to miss out on a specific Zion hike, it’s better to travel on a small group trip alongside a local who can handle those logistics for you.
It’s not just the sheer amount of hiking that Zion offers; it’s the varied landscapes that allow you to see something new with every step. One minute you’ll be walking by red canyon and then next beside a teal-coloured rock pool below towering walls. Hike through moving water through the Virgin River in The Narrows, take in the panoramic views of Scout Lookout and brave the narrow ridges of Angel’s Landing, one of the most legendary trails in the USA .
Since it is such a busy park for hiking, your local leader will use their expertise to ensure you see the best views while taking on less-travelled tracks, so you see more canyons with fewer crowds.
Read more: How America’s National Parks give this wilderness guide a reason to be hopeful
Yosemite National Park, California
A designated World Heritage Site since 1984, Yosemite is famous for granite cliffs, giant sequoia groves and waterwalls that are thousands of feet. Yosemite Valley is the main part of the park and that’s where you’ll find easy walking paths and strenuous trails that climb up cliffs. You can also go see the iconic Half Dome and El Capitan (sought out rock formations for climbing and free soloing).
Intrepid will take you along Yosemite’s signature hike through the Mist Trail, with memorable views of Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls, before hitting Sentinel Dome. With flexible itineraries, your local leader will provide hikes at your comfort level with alternative routes based on preferences and abilities.
Glacier National Park, Montana
When it comes down to the most beautiful parks, Glacier is a no-brainer. Glistening glaciers, turquoise alpine lakes, ice-carved valleys and majestic mountain peaks are sure to make you ooh and awe your way through the park.Whether you’re rafting down the Flathead River, taking in the Gates of the Mountains, or traversing the two mountain ranges with views of some of its 700 lakes, you will be rewarded with wildly impressive sights that will take your breath away.
See the views for yourself
Least crowded national parks
Don’t just these paths by their least visited label. It’s tempting to stick with the spots that show up on everyone’s feed, but there’s a big pay off for straying off that path.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Although it’s home to the tallest mountain in North America, it may be surprising to hear that this park is one of the least visited in the country. That might be because people are intimidated by the Denali’s unmarked trails through extensive backcountry wilderness. Because there there isn’t an abundance of marked paths in Denali, it’s top spot for adventurers and who love to figure it out for themselves, so there are more safety measures to take into consideration than other parks. You always have the option of travelling with a local leader, that way you can explore trails that really do feel like they are off the hidden path while while relying on their expert knowledge of the area and expertise.
Read more: Incredible hikes in Denali National Park
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Hidden in South Dakota is a national park with dramatic, eroded formations, sharp pinnacles, deep gorges and rugged beauty in the middle of the prairie. These hiking trails offer a distinctive experience in a spot known for its geology and rock formations. Plus, it’s one of the world’s richest fossil beds, which is pretty cool.
You can take in vibrant sunsets against the stark. If you enjoy travelling with a camera, the colourful layers of sediment are a photographer’s dream and buffalo at Custer State Park, bighorn sheep, antelope, bison and adorable prairie dogs make it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.
Sequoia National Park, California
Sequoia National Park is one of those places you visit and immediately feel humbled and small. The drastic scale of the trees is incredible and you’ll find some of the tallest trees in the world. It is, in fact, there’s a tree here called General Sherman and it’s the largest living single-stem tree. When you’ve had your fill of sequoias, you can explore caves and hit hiking trails through rugged mountain terrain that take you to sweeping vistas, alpine meadows, rivers and waterfalls.
Best national parks during winter
A national park in winter?! Absolutely! The low season is a prime time to see the parks from a new perspective while avoiding the chaotic crowds.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Avoid the large crowds and scorching heat and enjoy the desert cactus gardens, striking rock formations and mountain ranges in the comfortable cooler days of winter. With 300 miles of hiking trails, there’s plenty of ground to cover in a trip to Joshua Tree, appropriately named for its funky, you guessed it, Joshua trees. With mild days and the sun still shining high in the desert climate, it’s the perfect time for scenic hikes around the park, exploring the diversity of plants and animals, and having a peaceful and immersive experience without the crowds.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
This park may be more photogenic in the winter than during its peak season. While you will need to pack some extra layers, the nip in the air will be worth the enchanting view. The stark white contrast of the snow against the red rocks, with the blue skies and evergreen trees sprinkled along the landscape, is magical.
Many of the hikes throughout the Bryce Canyon are open year-round, even in the snow, and winter provides the optimal time to get lost in the hoodoos without the foot traffic.
There can occasionally be road closures, but the park remains open. You can check in on the National Park Services website to stay up to date on forecasts, roads, trails and other park operations if you’re curious, but your local leader will worry about those details for you.
Capital Reef National Park, Utah
Ever wondered what it would look like if it snowed on Mars? Maybe not, but now you’re trying to picture it. Experience the otherworldly landscape for yourself with a trip to Capital Reef in the winter. You’ll still get stunning high desert views and see a supernatural landscape, just with a chill in the air and fewer crowds to wrangle through. Hike to the impressive Hickman Bridge, a natural sandstone bridge surrounded by rock formations and rare desert plants.
Even just driving through the park is like teleporting to outer space.
Your winter wonders await
Best national parks for wildlife
You may want to avoid crowds on the trails, but seeing some wildlife is probably high on your list. These next parks offer more than stunning scenery – they’re also alive with alluring animals that make every hike a bit more interesting.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
I don’t know about you, but when I think about Yellowstone, I think about wildlife. America’s first national park is home to buffalo, elk, grizzlies and various animals scurrying around the park. The Lamar Valley is even dubbed ‘America’s Serengeti’, where wolves, bison and bears congregate. Hop on a trip with Intrepid and you can join a naturalist wildlife guide on a wolf-tracking adventure in a remote section of the park. How cool is that?
Read more: What to expect on a wolf-tracking tour in Yellowstone National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Towering peaks, rocky outcrops and pristine glaciers await in Kenai Fjords National Park, nestled along the Gulf of Alaska. It’s also home to some of the world’s most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. If you’re lucky, you could spot orcas, humpback whales, sea lions, puffins, otters, eagles, moose and more. The park also boasts the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the USA. If you’re keen on seeing wildlife, Alaska is a clear choice.
Glacier National Park, Montana
If I could trade places with an animal, Glacier National Park would be my top pick. This enchanting park is a wildlife hotspot where you might spot bears, beavers, bighorn sheep, elk, mountain goats, lynx, mountain lions and the utterly adorable pika. If you’ve never seen a pika before, do yourself a favour and look it up. You’ll be hard-pressed not to let out an involuntary ‘awe’.
Best national parks for camping
To really experience a park, you should stay overnight. These next spots are International Dark Sky Parks, ideal for stargazing and soaking up the night sky’s magic. Chatting by the campfire with like-minded travellers, counting shooting stars and beating the crowds to the trails – Sounds pretty good, right?
Zion National Park, Utah
Camping at Zion is available year-round and offers an unbelievable opportunity to see shooting stars, meteor showers and the night sky in full glory. Plus, the red rock canyons, mesas and gorgeous landscape make for a pretty epic camping trip. While campgrounds in the area fill up months in advance, Intrepid will take care of the arrangements and provide the equipment so you can just show up and reap the benefits.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon has so much to offer you should spend as much time there as you can squeeze in. What better way to get the most out of the park than to sleep right there? This park features some of the best campgrounds, offering remote spots and easy access to hiking trails. During the day, enjoy the striking contrast of red rocks against blue skies and marvel at the star-studded sky at night.
With flexible itineraries with Intrepid, free days allow you to sneak away from the group, explore the park on your own and choose activities based on your interests. With a local leader as your resource for advice and recommendations, you can take advantage of everything the park has to offer.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
With 446 km of river, an 29-kmwidth and a 1.6-km deep canyon, this park has a lot to explore. If you want to maximize your experience, a camping trip is the way to go. The Grand Canyon’s views and vast landscape make for a spectacular opportunity for an overnight stay. With camping options offered by Intrepid, your immersive experience awaits you and you don’t even have to worry about packing the camping gear.
Camp in the Canyons
Ready to explore? Check out Intrepid’s national parks trips in the USA
