These are the 20 best national parks in the United States, according to visitors

Glacier National Park is located in Montana, known for its beautiful mountains and stunning water. It yields visitors throughout the entire year, with people gathering to play outdoor sports and bask in the unbelievable scenery. 

Zion National Park may just win the prize for being the most unique. Nestled in Utah, this national park is best known for its cliffs and canyons, but it’s also got waterfalls and its famous Emerald Pools, making it a diverse and beautiful piece of land. 

The national parks on the western side of the country are some of the most magnificent, including Yosemite National Park. One of California’s national parks, Yosemite, offers a different landscape than most associated with the state thanks to its big mountains and nearly as big trees. 

If you think there’s nothing in Wyoming, you’ve never been to Yellowstone National Park. The park, which straddles Montana just a bit, is best known for its geysers, most notably Old Faithful, but it’s also got diverse wildlife and other water features, all of which make it so special. 

You must cross the Pacific to get to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but it’s well worth the trip. Per its name, this national park boasts two active volcanoes, which is not something most parks in the United States can say. Even more, the volcanoes, Kīlauea, and Mauna Loa, are quite active, so they’re a lot of fun to see. 

Everglades National Park is certainly not for everyone, but it's a paradise for those who like wetlands. The park is rife with unique wildlife, and its landscape is different from any other national park on this list. 

California's landscape is diverse, and this is evident in the state’s national parks. Sequoia National Park’s defining feature is its eponymous trees, which cause all visitors to marvel at their size. 

The focal point of Alaska’s Denali National Park is certainly the titular mountain, but there’s so much more to love. The park has sprawling landscapes with water, valleys, trees, and more. It’s got wildlife and plenty of space to explore. Denali National Park is also a great place to see the Northern Lights. 

The United States has plenty of active volcanoes to see. Mount Rainier in Mount Rainier National Park is one of them, and it’s got snowcaps, rivers, greenery, evergreens, wildflowers, and more surrounding it, too.  

Big Bend National Park in Southwest Texas has gorgeous canyons and the quintessential Southwest landscape that so many people love. It’s one of the best places in the United States to see the night sky, and it’s an excellent place for a drive.

Acadia National Park in Maine proves that there are good national parks coast to coast in the United States. This national park is gorgeous all year round and has stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Another national park in Alaska, Kenai Fjords National Park, has a much different landscape than Denali National Park. The glaciers and fjords give it a more arctic feel. 

The United States is truly so diverse in landscape. Far, far away from Kenai Fjords National Park is Tennessee, home of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These expansive mountains are gorgeous and seem to go on forever. 

Olympic National Park in Washington is back on the West Coast. There are idyllic portions like the Enchanted Valley, but almost the entire park looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. 

Nestled in Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park has a color scheme similar to that of Zion National Park, but its rock formations are totally different. People love hiking, camping, stargazing, and riding horseback at Bryce Canyon. 

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is beautiful all the time. It’s one of those places that you can visit in every season and find something new about the view to love. There’s lots to do, but sitting and taking in the view is more than enough to keep you occupied. 

National parks aren’t often best known for their trees, but two in California are. The second is Redwood National Park, a park so famous it’s been mentioned in a song. It’s a national park that will undoubtedly leave you in awe. 

Grand Canyon National Park is a special place. It’s steeped in indigenous culture and is home to multiple people, including those in the Supai Village at the bottom of the canyon. 

Utah is full of national parks. One of them is Arches National Park, which, according to its name, has many arches. It might not sound cool, but it’s a unique sight you won’t find anywhere else in the United States. 

Rocky Mountain National Park is a classic. It’s got all the quintessential elements of a national park, and it has them tenfold. It’s massive, gorgeous, and fun throughout the entire year. Five stars, 10 out of 10, A+ — however you rate it, it earns top marks.