The Best National Parks to Visit

Every national park is worth visiting. Some are extraordinary.

Yellowstone. Geysers, bison, and otherworldly landscapes. Crowded, but for good reason.

Yosemite. Granite walls that look impossible. Half Dome and El Capitan belong on a bucket list.

Grand Canyon. It does not photograph well because it is too big. You have to see it in person.

Zion. Slot canyons and the Narrows. The most beautiful park in the Southwest.

Olympic. Rainforest, mountains, and coastline in one park. Three ecosystems in one place.

Visit in shoulder season. May and September. Fewer crowds, better weather. Book campsites months ahead.