11 Most Beautiful National Parks in the United States

The results are in, and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado has been voted by the team at Bounce as the nation’s most beautiful national park after reviewing Google searches, TikTok views, online reviews, and Instagram posts.

Rocky Mountain National Park got the highest overall average of 8.63 after racking up more than 2.8 million Google searches, an average Google review score of 4.9, and more than 90 million views on TikTok.

But before we get more into why the Rocky Mountains are so attractive, let’s look at the other beautiful national parks that made the top 10 list, starting with a tie.

10. Badlands National Park | South Dakota

Located less than two hours from Mt. Rushmore, Badlands National Park in South Dakota holds both cultural and historical significance, and visitors can learn about the Native American history of the area through exhibits and interpretive programs.

Badlands is an International Dark Sky Park, which makes it perfect for stargazing. Visitors can also participate in fossil digs and take at least a few minutes to view the park’s stunning rock formations.

Also, the park is home to a variety of wildlife, and visitors can keep their eyes peeled for various bird species, bighorn sheep, and bison.

10. Mount Rainier National Park | Washington

The majestic Mount Rainier is the centerpiece of this park, its snow-covered summit serving as a welcome and familiar sight for visitors.

The park is renowned for its variety of natural features, including old-growth forests, glaciers, and diverse landscapes. Visitors can hike through serene forests, keeping an eye out for diverse wildlife, and even snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.

Mount Rainier is well known for its glaciers, which cover more than 30 miles of the mountain. The glaciers play a crucial role in the local ecosystem, and of course, contribute to the park’s stunning landscape.

9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Tennessee, North Carolina

As one of the nation’s most visited national parks — including more than 12 million visitors in 2022 — Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular tourism driver in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina.

The park straddles the ridgeline of the Smokies and is home to some of the nation’s highest mountains, including Clingman’s Dome. The park is spacious, spanning more than half a million acres, and is known for its magnificent fall foliage, scenic nature trails, dazzling waterfalls, and towering mountains.

Visitors of all ages can find something new to explore every time they visit, making this a perfect place for numerous family adventures.

8. Grand Canyon National Park | Arizona

As the home of its world-famous namesake and one of the Natural Wonders of the World, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona covers more than 1 million acres and is visited by millions of people each year.

The park is also the nation’s most beautiful park on Instagram, according to Bounce, with more than 4 million Instagram posts and on TikTok with more than 690 million views.

The park offers stunning views, and its awesome vastness has to be seen in person to be fully appreciated. The majesty of the Grand Canyon can be enjoyed by visitors in many ways, including white-water rafting, hiking, and scenic photography.

The Grand Canyon is a popular spot for family vacations, and the park includes museums, monuments, and other attractions to offer anyone who makes the journey a memorable experience.

7. Glacier National Park | Montana

As its name might suggest, Glacier National Park in Big Sky country is home to more than two dozen glaciers — remnants of the last ice age that have carved a scenic, rugged landscape.

The park is especially scenic in the summer when its vibrant meadows burst with color into a gorgeous kaleidoscope of wildflowers and other colorful blooms.

Additionally, the park is home to a wide range of ecosystems — from dazzling alpine meadows to pristine lakes and dense forests, which all support a rich array of plants and wildlife.

6. Zion National Park | Utah

One of the most unique parks in the U.S. National Park System is nestled in Utah. Its spectrum of life zones allows a unique array of animals and plants to live there, and the park’s unique geography allows for some incredibly scenic views.

Nature lovers and animal enthusiasts alike can keep an eye out for one of the nearly 300 bird species and dozens of reptiles and mammals that reside in the Zion National Park woodlands, desert, and coniferous forests.

Visitors who love photography can admire canyons, mountains, and arches through their lenses, getting an up-close view of the park’s magnificent scenery.

5. Yosemite National Park | California

Nestled in California, Yosemite stakes a claim as one of the nation’s most beautiful national parks. Nearly the entire park (95%) is designated wilderness, and it’s known far and wide around the world for its scenic sequoia groves, cliffs, glaciers, and waterfalls.

Park visitors may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of bison or elk as they hike along a scenic park trail. They can also take time to stop at Yosemite Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls.

With breathtaking views, a diverse collection of animals, and opportunities for outdoor recreation, Yosemite remains one of the nation’s most popular parks.

4. Yellowstone National Park | Idaho, Montana, Wyoming

The nation’s first national park spans across parts of three states and is still beloved by millions of annual visitors for its natural features and wildlife.

It’s also the nation’s most searched national park on Google with more than 9.6 million searches.

Yellowstone stretches across 3,400 square miles and includes canyons, rivers, mountain ranges, its famous Old Faithful geyser, and even a super volcano — the Yellowstone Caldera.

Hundreds of animal species reside in Yellowstone, including bison, moose, elk, and bear, and the park is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and camping too.

3. Acadia National Park | Maine

Maine’s massive coastline features more than 4,000 islands, but Acadia National Park, the state’s only national park, stands out as the North Atlantic Coast’s crown jewel.

Acadia, a name that means “Heaven on Earth,” easily captures the hearts of the millions of visitors who come to enjoy summit hikes, scenic drives, scenic views, fishing, camping, and strolls on coastal trails.

Plus, the park is a popular spot for lighthouse enthusiasts because it’s home to three Maine lighthouses — The famous Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse with its red light, Baker Island Lighthouse, and the Bear Island Lighthouse.

2. Grand Teton National Park | Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is, perhaps, best known for the Teton Range, a famed mountain range that’s known for its rugged peaks. The range includes the Grand Teton, which towers more than 13,000 feet above sea level.

In addition to marveling at the park’s jagged peaks, visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing and boating, hiking, and photographing the park’s pristine glacial lakes.

Outdoor recreation enthusiasts can traverse the Snake River, taking in scenic views and enjoying fishing, rafting, and kayaking. As a captivating destination for outdoor enthusiasts, Grand Teton Park is the perfect place to see the majesty of the American West.

1. Rocky Mountain National Park | Colorado

Unique features make Rock Mountain National Park a captivating destination for those looking to experience the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Visitors looking for a scenic drive can take Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the nation. The road reaches elevations of more than 12,000 feet and offers panoramic views of rugged peaks, diverse landscapes, and more.

The park has vibrant natural scenery, including lakes and glacial valleys and one of the largest expanses of alpine tundra. The glacial valleys provide perfect spots for photography and wildlife viewing, and the tundra supports a diverse collection of plant life and wildlife.

Visit a Beautiful U.S. National Park Today

From coast to coast, the most beautiful national parks in the United States are home to scenic geographic features, countless outdoor recreation opportunities, and decades of rich U.S. history.

Each park has numerous unique opportunities for exploring and leaves visitors in awe and wonder as they hike, walk, and photograph their way through some of the most incredible scenery the United States can offer.