Angels landing in Zion National Park

National Parks

With more than 60 national parks, plus hundreds of national monuments, seashores, preserves, battlefields, and more, our National Park System offers visitors more than 85 million acres of beautiful, protected public land. History buffs, nature enthusiasts, extreme sportspeople, and laid-back campers alike can find fun, tranquility, and unbelievable scenery, from Yellowstone's geysers and springs to the Everglades' gator-filled swamps. Iconic outdoor destinations like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Grand Canyon are justifiably popular, but there are many lesser-known sites to discover, both in the U.S. and abroad.

Latest Stories
A woman stands on a rock with her back to the camera, looking over the water to trees in the distance
These Islands Are the Perfect Nature Escape — and You Don't Need a Passport to Visit
Aerial view of people at the Ediacara Fossil Site Nilpena
Australia's Newest National Park Is Home to Dramatic Scenery, Incredible Wildlife, and the Oldest Fossils in the World — How to Visit
Explore More In

Trip Ideas

Bull Moose at Sprague Lake in the early morning light.
This National Park Is Known for Its High Elevation — and Offers Stunning Hikes, Diverse Wildlife, and More
View from the rugged cliff rocks to Bass Harbor Head Light. The lighthouse was built in 1858 and is located on the coast of the US state of Maine within Acadia National Park in Mount Desert Island.
This National Park Is One of the First Places to See the Sunrise in the U.S. — How to Visit
elephant on a grassy field with mount kilimanjaro
This Lesser-known National Park in Kenya Is the Ultimate Spot for Elephant Sightings — Here's Where to Stay and How to See Them
Grand Canyon at sunset
Everything to Know Before Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
A sunset view of the great Smokey mountains with colorful skies
The Country's Most-visited National Park Has Year-round Wildflowers, Stunning Mountain Views, and Diverse Wildlife
Aerial of a boat going through the Everglades
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Everglades National Park
Going to the Sun Road leads you through the stunning landscape of Glacier National Park in Montana.
These National Parks Will Require Reservations in 2024
Scenic Tomichi Point Landscape of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Pa'rus trail autumn colors rustic fence Zion National Park Utah
10 Wheelchair-friendly Trails Through the Country's Best National Parks
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve with mountains in distance at sunset, Alamosa, Colorado
This Lesser-known Colorado National Park Is Home to the Tallest Sand Dunes in North America
oh-Ahh Point on the South Kaibab Trail
The Most Breathtaking Views of the Grand Canyon
Exterior of the Smithy from 1750-1761 and the Tannery from 1762 in Historic Moravian Bethlehem
The Latest UNESCO World Heritage Site Nominee Is a U.S. Destination You Might Not Expect
Yosemite National Park and Chateau du Sureau
How I Fell in Love With This Popular U.S. National Park During a Surprise Snowstorm
A road running through the Sequoia Trees in Redwood National Park, California
This National Park Has the World’s Tallest Trees — Plus Beaches, Fern-lined Canyons, and Great Camping
Havasu Falls in Arizona falling into blue green waters below
Everything You Need to Know to Visit Havasu Falls — Including How to Get a Permit, What to See, and How to Be a Good Visitor
An elderly man photographing while standing with wife at the Grand Canyon
Everything to Know About the National Park Pass for Seniors
View of woman relaxing in a hammock in San Isabel National Forest in the Angel of Shavano campground
12 Best Places to Go Camping in Colorado for an Incredible Outdoor Adventure in the Centennial State
Yosemite winter at the gates
Your Guide to Visiting Yosemite in Winter — Skiing, Snowshoeing, and the Epic 'Firefall' Included
Exterior of hotel inn Blue Rock in Washington, Virginia
This Charming Virginia Inn Sits on 80 Acres Near Shenandoah National Park — and Feels Like the English Countryside
Spring time view of waterfall in canyon of Yellowstone
This Is the Best National Park in the U.S.
First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden introduces the National Geographic Series “America’s National Parks” from the Grand Canyon.
Dr. Jill Biden's Intro for New National Geographic Series Is a Love Letter to Our National Parks
Grand Tetons behind water and trees
This 13-day Train Trip Will Take You to 5 National Parks Across the U.S.
A man takes a picture at the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park, as he waits to gain entry for the first time in more than a week, on June 22, 2022 in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Where to Go in Yellowstone National Park This Year — Following the Park's Closures
Maswik Lodge South renovated interiors with room balconies, located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park Has a Newly Renovated Lodge — and It's Just a 10-minute Walk to the South Rim
Smoke rises up through sequoia trees in Yosemite National Park
Firefighters Battle Latest Yosemite Wildfire to Protect Giant Sequoias
A bison walks across a road at Zapata Ranch near Great Sand Dunes National Park
8 Most Beautiful Lodges Just Outside U.S. National Parks
Hot Springs National Park
This Arkansas National Park Was America's Original Spa Town — and You Can Visit Its Century-old Bathhouses Today
Mountain Lupine Bloom in Redwood National Park
10 Best U.S. National Parks to Visit During Wildflower Season
Aurora Fatbike Tour with Terra Riders
Canada's 'Wilderness City' Has Gold Rush–era Saloons, National Park Adventures, and Spectacular Northern Lights Views
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
24 Most Scenic Places to Camp in the United States
View of the Grand Canyon at dusk
These are the Best Times to Visit the Grand Canyon
Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park, California, United States in late summer.
The Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park
Blue sky with clouds reflected in water at Everglades National Park
The Best National Parks in Florida
Grand Teton Mountains at dusk
Use This Complete List of All the U.S. National Parks to Plan Your Next Trip
Camping on a platform of rock in the Royal Arch drainage, running water nearby, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Everything You Need to Know About Camping at the Grand Canyon
Campsite with view of the Na Pali coast and Kalalau Beach, on Kauai, Hawaii
The 15 Best Beach Camping Spots in the US
Two girls enjoying the beautiful view of the turquoise lake in the mountains in Glacier National Park, Montana
The Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park
Exterior of cabin at sunset in the desert with a fire pit
You Can Sleep in a Cozy Bed Under the Stars at This Luxury Joshua Tree Airbnb
Camping Under the Stars in Canyon Country, Goblin Valley Campground Utah
12 of the Best Places to Camp in U.S. State Parks
Scott Studenberg, Baja East Designer, in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree Is a Creative Paradise — and Baja East Founder Scott Studenberg Wants You to Visit
Aerial, The Oasis at Death Valley
The Old West Meets Old Hollywood at This Quirky-cool Hotel Inside Death Valley National Park
A hiker in Kluane National Park, Canada
Canada's Kluane National Park Is a Remote Adventure Paradise With Glaciers, Hiking, and Rafting
Young woman cooking at the gas stove of a camping van, campervan, camping, RV, Mather Campground, Grand Canyon National Park, South Rim, near Tusayan, Arizona
The 10 Best Places for National Park Camping
Haleakala National Park
5 Ways to Make Your Dream Hawaiian Vacation Affordable, According to Travelers Who Have Done It
South Downs National Park
10 Amazing National Parks in the U.K. for Gorgeous Views, Wildlife, and Unforgettable Hikes
Black Rock Homestead in Joshua Tree, a modern black home with minimal warm interiors
Stargaze From Your Private Pool, Hot Tub, or Hammock at This Stunning Midcentury Modern Home in Joshua Tree
Canvas tent cabins at Half Dome Village in Yosemite National Park in autumn
6 of the Best Campgrounds in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
8 National Parks Where You Can Have an Unforgettable Summer Vacation
Hiking in San Francisco
12 Best Hikes in the San Francisco Bay Area for All Skill Levels
Story Lake fishing Emigrant Montana
Why You Should Take a Fly-fishing Trip With Your Dad — Even If You Don't Know How to Fish
Kenai Fjords, Alaska
5 National Parks Offering Virtual Tours You Can Take From the Comfort of Home
River rafting through the Grand Canyon during Winter
This Unique Way to Explore the Grand Canyon Offers Fewer Crowds and an Unforgettable Outdoor Adventure
Newlyweds are sitting on a rock above Grand Canyon.
The Ultimate Guide to Planning a National Park Wedding — Including Top Tips and Stunning Locations
Desert rocks in Trans-Pecos, Texas
You Can Go Hiking, Dune Sledding, and Stargazing in North America's Largest Desert
Track chair program at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
First-of-its-kind Wheelchair Finally Gives Visitors With Disabilities Access to Scenic Hiking Trails at National Parks
Aerial view of Great Bear Lodge in St. Mary Village
9 Best Glacier National Park Hotels — From Historic Chalets to Grand Lodges
Matt Kirouac and Bradley Setter
America's National Parks Through the Eyes of a Gay Couple on an RV Journey to See Them All
Craters of the moon national monument
Visit Outer Space Without Leaving the U.S. at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Red dunes at Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia
The 10 Most Incredible National Parks Outside the U.S., According to T+L's A-List Advisors
Sunrise at St. Mary Lake, the second largest lake in Glacier National Park
Everything You Need to Know About Camping in Glacier National Park