Since its founding more than 150 years ago, in 1872, the United States National Park system has grown into one of the largest such services in the world. The are currently 423 official units in the National Park system, of which 63 are designated as a National Park.
With these areas containing some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States, it is understandable that they are incredibly popular destinations for outdoor recreation. You even have many adventurous minded people, myself included, who make it their mission to visit them all.
For many, that can beg the question “where do you start?” While there is no single answer that will work for everyone, those wanting to see as many national parks as possible will want to start in the areas with the greatest number of options, like the 14 states that have more than one National Park.
With that in mind, we will now take a look at the states with the most national parks in the U.S. This should help you to determine the best areas to visit to start exploring and making the most of the natural landscape of this beautiful nation.
California – 9 National Parks
As the 3rd largest state in the nation and 2nd largest in the contiguous United States, it shouldn’t be too surprising that California is home to the highest number of national parks.
California has 8 national parks that are located entirely within the state, as well as one, Death Valley, which has roughly 96.75% of its area in California and the remaining 3.25% in neighbouring Nevada. There perhaps isn’t a state that features more diversity in its national parks either.
You have deserts in Death Valley and Joshua Tree, forests in Redwood and Sequoia, ocean vistas in Channel Islands, rock formations and mountains in Lassen Volcanic and Pinnacles, and rivers and waterfalls in Kings Canyon and Yosemite.
National Parks In California
Alaska – 8 National Parks
Alaska is the largest state in the United States and ranks 2nd in number of national parks, as well as joint 1st in national parks located entirely within the state, both with 8.
The isolated location of Alaska, combined with its virtually untouched natural beauty, make it the perfect destination for those who want a real adventure out in the elements.
Boasting various unique features like fjords, glaciers, mountains, volcanoes, and expansive wilderness areas, it is truly a sight to behold. Yet with many of the parks being hard to access, they receive very few visitors, with all 8 ranking in the 22 least visited national parks in the nation.
National Parks In Alaska
· Denali National Park
· Gates Of The Arctic National Park
· Glacier Bay National Park
· Katmai National Park
· Kenai Fjords National Park
· Kobuk Valley National Park
· Lake Clark National Park
· Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Utah – 5 National Parks
Often mentioned in the discussion of the most beautiful states in the nation, Utah is a state that is surrounded by mountain ranges to the north and east and deserts and salt plains to the south and the west.
Utah is home to 5 national parks, all of which are known for their stunning rock formations. That said, with each park known for a specific geological formation, such as arches, buttes, hoodoos, mesas, and pinnacles, there is still plenty of diversity from one to the next.
This makes the state a dream destination for those interested in geology. Even if you just want to take a relaxing road trip through the Utah national parks and enjoy the sights, you are sure to have a great time, and Zion is even the 2nd most popular national park in the nation.
National Parks In Utah
· Arches National Park
· Bryce Canyon National Park
· Canyonlands National Park
· Capitol Reef National Park
· Zion National Park
Colorado – 4 National Parks
Much like neighbouring Utah, Colorado has a very split landscape, which is dominated by the Rocky Mountains in the west half of the state and desert plains in the east. It is also a state known for equally diverse weather, with cold, snowy winters and blisteringly hot summers.
The 4 national parks in Colorado help to display its iconic geological features perfectly. In Rocky Mountain you will see the iconic mountains and their abundance of wildlife, while the deserts of Great Sand Dunes are home to the tallest sand dunes in North America.
Throw in the archaeological sites of Mesa Verde and the canyons and rivers of Black Canyon Of The Gunnison and Colorado has a little bit of everything you could ask for.
National Parks In Colorado
· Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
· Great Sand Dunes National Park
· Mesa Verde National Park
· Rocky Mountain National Park
Arizona – 3 National Parks
Arizona is home to 3 national parks but is dominated by 1, as it is home to arguably the most famous National Park in the world, Grand Canyon National Park. With its breathtaking views, wildlife, and rock formations, it is a destination that truly has to be seen to be appreciated.
While often overlooked, the other 2 national parks in Arizona have plenty to offer in their own right too though, making it a great choice for combining both famous and lesser known parks.
Petrified Forest National Park features some of the largest collections of petrified wood, painted desert, dinosaur fossils, and Native American archaeological sites on the planet.
Meanwhile, Saguaro National Park boasts sprawling mountains and deserts that play home to iconic wildlife and one of Earth’s largest collections of the giant saguaro cactus, after which the park was named.
National Parks In Arizona
· Petrified Forest National Park
· Saguaro National Park
Florida – 3 National Parks
Florida is a unique entry on this list as, while it technically features 3 national parks, 2 of them are located on islands in its waters, rather than on its land.
The Dry Tortugas islands are located roughly 75 miles (120 km) to the west of Key West, which is the most southern point in the contiguous United States. Home to a Civil War fort surrounded by reefs and shipwrecks, it is a history lesson and a pirate movie all wrapped up in one.
You then have Biscayne National Park, which is located in the waters between Miami and the Florida Keys. Known for its extensive reefs and varied marine ecosystems, it is a perfect destination for a spot of swimming, diving, or boating.
That’s all without mentioning Florida’s most iconic national park, which is the Everglades. Head out into the Florida wilds, hop on an airboat, and get an up close and personal introduction to the Florida wildlife and landscape.
National Parks In Florida
· Biscayne National Park
· Dry Tortugas National Park
· Everglades National Park
Washington – 3 National Parks
Washington state is home to 3 national parks, all of which are located within a 2 hour drive from the state’s most populous city, Seattle. This makes Washington a great choice for those who want to combine both urban and rural environments on their vacation.
All three parks are known for their mountains, which are among the largest in the northwest United States. Mount Rainier and North Cascades both lie in the Cascade Mountains and boast features like glaciers, volcanoes, and an abundance of the region’s iconic wildlife.
Olympic National Park can then be found on the Olympic Peninsula and offers breathtaking views of the North Pacific Ocean and the region’s incredible marine wildlife.
National Parks In Washington
· Mount Rainier National Park
· North Cascades National Park
· Olympic National Park
Hawaii – 2 National Parks
Hawaii is home to the most southern national parks in the United States (excluding those found in American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands), both of which are well known for their volcanoes.
Surrounded by the iconic wildlife and plants that are native to Hawaii, it is a fabulous option for those who want to explore and learn about geology, while getting to enjoy a tropical environment and the wonderful Hawaiian culture.
National Parks In Hawaii
· Haleakalā National Park
· Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
New Mexico – 2 National Parks
Located in the south of the state, New Mexico’s national parks are extremely contrasting destinations that both offer truly unique qualities to enjoy.
Carlsbad Caverns is one of the largest cave systems in the world and is home to huge colonies of bats, giving you the opportunity to explore the darkness and depths of the Earth.
Meanwhile, White Sands features sprawling sand dunes in the world’s largest gypsum dune field, which you can explore in bright sunshine and blistering temperatures.
National Parks In New Mexico
· White Sands National Park
South Dakota – 2 National Parks
Located in the southwest corner of the state, the South Dakota national parks are a perfect example of the state’s rock formations, both above and below ground.
Wind Cave National Park is home to one of the longest caves on Earth and is well-known for its rare boxwork and frostwork formations. Badlands National Park then offers a wide range of rock formations above ground, such as buttes, pinnacles, and spires.
With both surrounded by prairies, wildlife, and natural locations like Black Hills National Forest, all of which are synonymous with the region, they are must visit attractions on any trip to South Dakota.
National Parks In South Dakota
· Badlands National Park
· Wind Cave National Park
Texas – 2 National Parks
Despite being the 2nd largest state in the nation and largest in the contiguous U.S., both of Texas’ national parks are located in its eastern corner.
Between them they encompass the highest point in Texas and the largest bend in the Ro Grande river that separates the United States from Mexico, plus deserts, canyons, and rivers. They make for a perfect way to explore and appreciate the iconic landscape of the southern United States.
National Parks In Texas
Wyoming – 2 National Parks
Wyoming is home to 2 national parks which are located immediately adjacent to each other. Located in the very northwest corner of the state, the region is believed to account for around 50% of all tourism in Wyoming.
The most famous of the two national parks in Wyoming is Yellowstone National Park, which has 96% of its area in the state. The oldest National Park in the world, as well as one of the largest and most famous, it is legendary for its geothermal features, such as hot springs and geysers.
Neighbouring Grand Teton National Park is then synonymous for the mountains after which it is named. Home to an abundance of wildlife and historical attractions, the two parks make a perfect tandem when visited on the same trip.
National Parks In Wyoming
Montana – 2 National Parks
Montana is technically home to two national parks, although both are shared with other regions. The first is just the northernmost sliver of Yellowstone National Park, which makes up just 3% of its total area (the remaining 1% is in Idaho).
The other National Park in Montana is Glacier National Park. The southern half of the larger Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (the north half being Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada), its boundaries finish right on the Canadian border.
Known for its glaciers, lakes, mountains, and stunning views, it offers visitors a unique experience and some of the most stunning views in the entire nation.
National Parks In Montana
· Glacier National Park
Nevada – 2 National Parks
Like Montana, one of Nevada’s 2 national parks is just the northeast 3.25% of Death Valley National Park. The only National Park located solely in Nevada is Great Basin National Park.
Great Basin features a collection of caves, forests, glaciers, and rivers that surround the base of Nevada’s 2nd tallest mountain and are abundant with unique wildlife. Its isolated location also creates a truly natural experience, which is perfect for those seeking a real escape.
National Parks In Nevada
· Great Basin National Park
