The 25 Best National Parks in the US For Jaw-Dropping Nature, With Fewer Crowds
From classics that can’t be missed to the totally underrated.
When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant Act on June 30, 1864, the wheels were set in motion for a government-run conservation system that would eventually become the National Park System . Today, there are 63 national parks across 31 states and two territories, each with its own unique cultural, geological, and natural significance. And these parks are popular, they attracted over 93 million visitors cumulatively in 2025 alone.
Of course, there are the classics like Yellowstone , which draws over four million people annually who hope to catch a glimpse of the erupting Old Faithful Geyser, or the Grand Canyon , one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. But there are plenty of lesser-known and uncrowded parks like Lassen Volcanic, home to impressive geothermal features similar to Yellowstone, with far fewer visitors to share space with.
Regardless of whether you’re hoping to find solitude amongst the craggy peaks of the Grand Teton or learn about Lakota history in the Badlands , the national parks have a range of experiences to offer. While it's no easy task to name the best national parks in the US, the below 25 are some of the lesser-known and less-crowded parks we feel deserve the same play time.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
