From Yosemite and Yellowstone to Acadia and Big Bend, these are the best national parks in the country.
No matter which bucket you fall into, the list below should help with your trip planning.
Want to get a glimpse of bison, elk, bear, or other wildlife?
Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park.Credit:Don Eim/Travel + Leisure
For starters, its extremely family-friendly.
There’s hiking for visitors of all ages, as well as dozens of waterfalls to enjoy.
Kids will enjoy playing in the numerous creeks throughout the park, he says.
Yellowstone National Park.Vince Fergus/Travel + Leisure
If hiking is your priority, Jackson recommends String Lake and Jenny Lake.
Dont Miss:In Big Bend, you could hike across the desert, mountains, and river.
Not sure where to start?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure
Try the Santa Elena Canyon or Balanced Rock Trails.
The views are stunning, especially at sunset.
Places such as Sable Pass and Teklanika River are hot spots for wildlife viewing, says Jackson.
Virgin Islands National Park.Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure
Dont Miss:The best thing about Zion National Park is the assortment of unique hikes, explains Powell.
The Narrows trail is through the Virgin River the whole hike is done wading through the water.
Angels Landing is a harrowing yet beautiful hike along a narrow trail leading to amazing views.
Main road in Grand Teton National Park.Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure
The Subway hike involves climbing down waterfalls and scrambling over boulders, he says.
Other popular spots include the white sandstone domes, Chimney Rock pillar, and the Hickman Bridge arch.
Haleakala National Park
Westend61/Getty Images
Haleakala National Parkis a place of contrasts, says Powell.
Rocky Mountain National Park.Griffin Ungar/Travel + Leisure
There are waterfalls to explore and trails to be hiked through volcanic craters or lush tropical forests.
Dont Miss:Watching the sunrise fromHaleakalais an extremely popular activity that requires areservation.
If you want close-up views of Mount Rainier and the Nisqually Glacier, hike the 5.5-mileSkyline Trail Loop.
Glacier National Park.Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure
Tunnel View, right outside the Wawona Tunnel, is another great spot for photos.
To see over 500 mature giant sequoias, youll want to head to Mariposa Grove.
Other spots to see include Hospital Rock, Crescent Meadow, and Moro Rock.
Large canyon in Big Bend National Park.Vince Fergus/Travel + Leisure
Its these spire-shaped rock columns, along with unparalleled stargazing conditions, that give the 56-square-mile park its notoriety.
If you want to get in some hiking, Jackson recommends theFairyland Loops Trail.
Small eruption in Hawaii Volcanos National Park.Laura La Monaca/Travel + Leisure
Icebergs in Kenai Fjords.Sage Dudick/Travel + Leisure
Shenandoah National Park.Nicholas Schmidt/Travel + Leisure
Rolling mountains in Denali National Park.Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
Zion National Park.Don Eim/Travel + Leisure
Fruita Barn in Capitol Reef National Park.jenifoto/Getty Images
Haleakala Crater National Park.Westend61/Getty Images
Grand Canyon National Park.Jyotsna Bhamidipati/Travel + Leisure
Mount Rainier Naitonal Park.Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure
El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure
Sequoia National Park.Ziga Plahutar/Getty Images
Sunset Overlook in Bryce Canyon National Park.Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
Rocky coastline of Acadia National Park.Ivey Redding/Travel + Leisure
