Ready to experience America’s wildest wonders? From cascading waterfalls to endless desert vistas, our comprehensive guide to the top 10 national parks of 2025 equips you with everything you need: detailed fees, seasonal deep-dives, multi-day itineraries, accessibility info, safety tips, lodging recommendations, and official resources. Lace up, pack smart, and get ready to make memories in the great outdoors! (Fees and services may change—always verify before you go.)
1. Yosemite National Park, California
Why Visit: Iconic granite cliffs, giant sequoias, and thunderous waterfalls make Yosemite the poster child of national parks.
- 2025 Entrance Fees:
- Private Vehicle (up to 2 adults): $35 (3-day pass)
- Individual (hiker/biker): $20
- Annual Pass: $70
- Free for ages 15 and under
- Private Vehicle (up to 2 adults): $35 (3-day pass)
- Best Seasons: May–June (peak waterfall flow), September–October (mild temps & thinner crowds).
- Multi-Day Itinerary:
- Day 1: Tunnel View sunrise → Mist Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls → Dinner at Curry Village.
- Day 2: Half Dome hike (permit required) or Valley floor bike tour → Mariposa Grove sequoias.
- Day 3: Glacier Point sunrise → Taft Point for cliff-edge views → Drive Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows.
- Day 1: Tunnel View sunrise → Mist Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls → Dinner at Curry Village.
- Lodging & Camping:
- Yosemite Valley Campgrounds: $26–$36/night (reserve 6+ months out). (Book on Booking.com)
- Lodge Room Options: The Ahwahnee ($500+/night), Yosemite Valley Lodge ($150–$300/night).
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible trails along Valley Loop; shuttle bus service to major viewpoints.
- Safety & Tips: Bear-safe food storage mandatory; bring layered clothing—temps can swing 30°F in one day.
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If you’re flying into California for the first time, consider reading this San Francisco travel blog for helpful tips on nearby urban exploration.
2. Zion National Park, Utah
Why Visit: Dramatic sandstone walls, narrow slot canyons, and the Virgin River carve a high-desert paradise.
- 2025 Entrance Fees:
- Private Vehicle: $35 (7-day pass)
- Individual (hiker/bike): $20
- Annual Pass: $70
- Private Vehicle: $35 (7-day pass)
- Peak Times: March–May & Sept–Nov for mild weather and wildflower blooms.
- 3-Day Suggested Plan:
- Day 1: Scenic Zion Canyon Shuttle → Riverside Walk → Canyon Overlook Trail at dusk.
- Day 2: The Narrows full-day hike (water shoes & poles recommended).
- Day 3: Angels Landing (permit & early start) → Checkerboard Mesa drive.
- Day 1: Scenic Zion Canyon Shuttle → Riverside Walk → Canyon Overlook Trail at dusk.
- Lodging: Watchman Campground ($20/night); Zion Lodge ($200–$350/night).
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible shuttle; Lower Emerald Pools Trail is paved and flat.
- Safety: Flash floods can occur—check weather in advance and avoid slot canyons during rain.
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3. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Why Visit: Immense canyon vistas spanning 277 miles offer bucket-list panoramas and backcountry adventures.
- 2025 Entrance Fees:
- Private Vehicle: $25 (7-day pass)
- Walk-in/Bike: $12
- America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80
- Private Vehicle: $25 (7-day pass)
- Ideal Months: March–May & Sept–Nov to dodge summer heat and winter closures.
- 4-Day Backpacking Itinerary (South Rim to North Rim):
- Day 1: South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point.
- Day 2: Hike Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden Camp.
- Day 3: Phantom Ranch stay (reserve one year ahead).
- Day 4: North Kaibab Trail ascent to North Rim.
- Day 1: South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point.
- Lodging: Mather Campground ($18/night); historic El Tovar Hotel ($150–$300/night).
Find more options via Booking.com
- Accessibility: Shuttle buses serve main viewpoints; Rim Trail is paved and wheelchair-friendly.
- Safety: Altitude sickness and heatstroke are real—carry 3+ liters of water per person.
4. Yellowstone National Park (WY/MT/ID)
Why Visit: Home to half the world’s geysers, Yellowstone offers geothermal marvels and unparalleled wildlife viewing.
- 2025 Entrance Fees: $35 per vehicle (7-day access) or $70 annual.
- Optimal Visits: April–June (baby wildlife) & September (elk rutting calls).
- 5-Day Exploration Blueprint:
- Geyser Basin Tour: Old Faithful, Morning Glory.
- Grand Canyon of Yellowstone: Artist Point & Uncle Tom’s Trail.
- Lamar Valley safari for wolves & bison.
- Mammoth Hot Springs terraces.
- West Thumb Geyser Basin & Yellowstone Lake paddle.
- Geyser Basin Tour: Old Faithful, Morning Glory.
- Camping & Lodging: Canyon Campground ($20/night); Old Faithful Inn ($100–$250/night).
- Accessibility: Boardwalks at major thermal areas; accessible shuttles seasonally available.
- Safety: Keep 100 yards from bears/wolves; 25 yards from other wildlife.
Yellowstone Visitor Resources »
Heading further abroad after Yellowstone? Explore the best train rides in Switzerland for breathtaking alpine views.
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5. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Why Visit: The deepest lake in America, nestled in a volcanic crater, dazzles with azure depths and stark cliffs.
- 2025 Fee: $30/vehicle for 7 days.
- Best Season: July–September (full Rim Drive access, boat tours operational).
- 2-Day Deep Dive:
- Day 1: Rim Drive scenic stops → Wizard Island boat cruise.
- Day 2: Cleetwood Cove hike & cold-water dip → Watchman Peak sunset.
- Day 1: Rim Drive scenic stops → Wizard Island boat cruise.
- Lodging: Crater Lake Lodge ($180–$300/night); Mazama Village Campground ($25/night).
- Accessibility: Rim Visitor Center and Rim Drive viewpoints wheelchair-accessible.
- Safety: Lake temps below 55°F—wear wetsuits for extended swims.
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6. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Why Visit: The continent’s largest park spans 13 million acres of remote mountains, glaciers, and historic mining towns.
- 2025 Fee: Free entry.
- Ideal Window: June–August (road access and glacier trekking conditions).
- Essential Itinerary:
- Kennecott ghost town & mining museum.
- Root Glacier guided ice hike.
- Flightseeing over Mt. Sanford and Malaspina Glacier.
- Kennecott ghost town & mining museum.
- Accommodation: McCarthy lodging ($150–$350/night); backcountry camping free.
- Accessibility: Limited—expect rugged terrain; small airlines provide airstrip service.
- Safety: Bear deterrents mandatory; pack bear spray and travel in groups.
7. Arches National Park, Utah
Why Visit: A red-rock playground with over 2,000 arches, balancing rocks, and petrified dunes.
- 2025 Fees: $30/vehicle or $15 per person walk-in.
- Peak Times: April–May & September–October to avoid 100°F summer days.
- Single-Day Flash Tour:
- Morning: Delicate Arch sunrise shuttle.
- Midday: Devil’s Garden Trail to Landscape Arch.
- Afternoon: Windows Loop & Double Arch exploration.
- Morning: Delicate Arch sunrise shuttle.
- Camping: Devils Garden Campground ($25/night, reserve in advance).
- Accessibility: Windows viewpoint paved; Broken Arch trail partially accessible.
- Safety: Heat exhaustion hazard—start hikes before sunrise and carry 2+ liters of water.
8. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Why Visit: Four districts (Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, Rivers) offer surreal canyons and arches.
- 2025 Fees: $30 per vehicle (7-day pass); $15 person.
- Recommended Stay: 3–4 days to cover two districts.
- Itinerary Sample:
- Day 1: Mesa Arch sunrise & Grand View.
- Day 2: White Rim Road scenic drive (4WD needed).
- Day 3: Needles District hikes (Chesler Park).
- Day 1: Mesa Arch sunrise & Grand View.
- Camping: Willow Flat (free) & Needles Campground ($15–$20/night).
- Accessibility: Mesa Arch easy 0.3-mile paved trail.
- Safety: Remote areas have no cell service—carry GPS locator.
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (TN/NC)
Why Visit: Mist-shrouded peaks, historic homesteads, and unmatched biodiversity define America’s most-visited park.
- 2025 Fee: No entrance fee.
- Peak Seasons: May (wildflowers), October (fall colors).
- 2-Day Nature & History Loop:
- Day 1: Cades Cove 11-mile loop → John Oliver Cabin → rabbit Creek Falls.
- Day 2: Clingmans Dome drive & tower walk → Mingus Mill → Laurel Falls hike.
- Day 1: Cades Cove 11-mile loop → John Oliver Cabin → rabbit Creek Falls.
- Camping & Lodging: Front-country campgrounds $20/night; nearby Gatlinburg cabins $100–$200/night.
- Accessibility: Sugarlands Visitor Center exhibits; Cades Cove bike path.
- Safety: Watch for wildlife on roads; black bears are common.
Great Smoky Visitor Resources »
10. Glacier National Park, Montana
Why Visit: The Crown of the Continent showcases alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road.
- 2025 Fees: $35/vehicle (7-day pass); America the Beautiful accepted.
- Best Window: Mid-July to early September for full road access.
- 3-Day Adventure Loop:
- Day 1: Going-to-the-Sun Road drive → Logan Pass hike.
- Day 2: Grinnell Glacier trek from Many Glacier.
- Day 3: Boat shuttle on Lake McDonald → Apgar Village stroll.
- Day 1: Going-to-the-Sun Road drive → Logan Pass hike.
- Lodging: Campgrounds $20/night; park lodges $100–$250/night (book early).
- Accessibility: Logan Pass Visitor Center accessible; shuttle buses available.
- Safety: Sudden weather changes—carry rain gear and layered clothing.
National Park Pass & Pro Tips
- America the Beautiful Pass: $80/year—best value if visiting 2+ parks.
- Free Entrance Days: Look for National Park Week and Veterans Day fee waivers.
- Permits & Reservations: Required for Half Dome, Angels Landing, backpacking in many parks.
- Crowd Hacks: Visit midweek, arrive at dawn, explore less-traveled districts.
- Gear Essentials: Layered clothing, sturdy boots, hydration pack, emergency beacon for remote areas.
🧳 Plan smarter, travel farther:
- 🌍 Trip.com for bundles
- 🧭 Viator for local tours & activities
- 🏨 Booking.com for hotel deals
Disclaimer: Fees, services, and road conditions can change—always consult official NPS sources before finalizing plans.
Adventure awaits! Which park will you conquer first in 2025?
