FR
FR
FR
Best offersBecome a memberBest offers
← Explore all experiences

THE MILESOPEDIA COLLECTION

US National Parks Guide

Plan your national park adventure. Best months to visit, entry fees, highlights, and tips.
Find your next experience

LET THE CALENDAR INSPIRE YOU

When will you go?

A month. A season. Somewhere new.

15 parks

Region

The experiences

  • WY

Yellowstone

Entry fee
35 USD
Best months
Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Annual pass
Yes
  • Old Faithful geyser
  • Grand Prismatic Spring
  • Wildlife (bison, elk, bears)
  • AZ

Grand Canyon

Entry fee
35 USD
Best months
Mar · Apr · May · Sep · Oct
Annual pass
Yes
  • South Rim views
  • Bright Angel Trail
  • Colorado River rafting
  • UT

Zion

Entry fee
35 USD
Best months
Mar · Apr · May · Sep · Oct · Nov
Annual pass
Yes
  • Angels Landing
  • The Narrows
  • Red sandstone cliffs
  • CA

Yosemite

Entry fee
35 USD
Best months
May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Annual pass
Yes
  • El Capitan
  • Half Dome
  • Yosemite Falls
  • MT

Glacier

Entry fee
35 USD
Best months
Jul · Aug · Sep
Annual pass
Yes
  • Going-to-the-Sun Road
  • Grinnell Glacier
  • Pristine alpine lakes
  • ME

Acadia

Entry fee
35 USD
Best months
Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct
Annual pass
Yes
  • Cadillac Mountain sunrise
  • Jordan Pond House
  • Carriage roads
  • CO

Rocky Mountain

Entry fee
30 USD
Best months
Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Annual pass
Yes
  • Trail Ridge Road
  • Alpine tundra
  • Elk viewing
  • CA

Joshua Tree

Entry fee
30 USD
Best months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · Oct · Nov · Dec
Annual pass
Yes
  • Unique Joshua trees
  • Rock climbing
  • Dark sky stargazing
  • UT

Arches

Entry fee
30 USD
Best months
Mar · Apr · May · Sep · Oct
Annual pass
Yes
  • Delicate Arch
  • 2,000+ natural arches
  • Landscape Arch
  • TN/NC

Great Smoky Mountains

Entry fee
0 USD
Best months
Apr · May · Jun · Oct
Annual pass
No
  • Most visited US national park
  • Cades Cove
  • Fall foliage
  • WA

Olympic

Entry fee
30 USD
Best months
Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Annual pass
Yes
  • Rainforest to mountains
  • Hoh Rain Forest
  • Ruby Beach
  • UT

Bryce Canyon

Entry fee
35 USD
Best months
Apr · May · Jun · Sep · Oct
Annual pass
Yes
  • Hoodoo formations
  • Navajo Loop Trail
  • Dark sky park
  • AK

Denali

Entry fee
15 USD
Best months
Jun · Jul · Aug
Annual pass
Yes
  • North America's tallest peak
  • Grizzly bears
  • Midnight sun
  • HI

Hawaii Volcanoes

Entry fee
30 USD
Best months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
Annual pass
Yes
  • Active Kilauea volcano
  • Thurston Lava Tube
  • Chain of Craters Road
  • CA/NV

Death Valley

Entry fee
30 USD
Best months
Jan · Feb · Mar · Nov · Dec
Annual pass
Yes
  • Lowest point in North America
  • Badwater Basin
  • Zabriskie Point

Money-Saving Tips

  • Buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80 -- covers all national parks for a year.
  • Free entrance days: MLK Day, first day of National Park Week (April), National Public Lands Day (Sept), Veterans Day.
  • Book lodges inside parks 6-12 months in advance. Use Hyatt points for nearby properties.

A CLOSER LOOK

A little planning. A better experience.

The context and practical tips to plan your next trip.

National Parks: America's Greatest Natural Treasures

The United States National Park System protects over 400 areas spanning 85 million acres, including 63 designated national parks. From Yellowstone's geothermal wonders to Yosemite's granite monoliths, from the Grand Canyon's billion-year geological history to Zion's towering red sandstone cliffs, these parks offer unparalleled outdoor experiences. Strategic planning and smart credit card usage make exploring America's national parks accessible and rewarding.

The Must-Visit Parks

Yellowstone, the world's first national park, features Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and abundant wildlife including bison, elk, and grizzly bears. Yosemite's Half Dome and El Capitan attract climbers worldwide, while the Grand Canyon's South Rim offers accessible views of one of Earth's most awe-inspiring landscapes. Zion National Park's Angel's Landing hike and the Narrows slot canyon provide world-class hiking. Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of America's most scenic drives.

Hidden Gems and Underrated Parks

While the top parks draw millions of visitors, lesser-known gems offer equally stunning experiences with far fewer crowds. North Cascades (Washington) provides Alpine wilderness rivaling the Swiss Alps. Big Bend (Texas) combines desert, mountains, and Rio Grande canyons. Lassen Volcanic (California) features hydrothermal activity without Yellowstone's crowds. Channel Islands (California) offers kayaking and hiking on islands accessible only by boat.

National Park Travel with Points

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x on travel, including flights to gateway cities like Jackson Hole (JAC), Las Vegas (LAS for Zion/Grand Canyon), and Bozeman (BZN for Yellowstone). Many parks have Xanterra or Aramark-operated lodges bookable directly. Transfer points to Hyatt or Marriott for hotels in gateway towns. The Capital One Venture X can offset any travel expense, including park entry fees and guided tours.

Park Planning Tips

Purchase the America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) for unlimited access to all national parks and federal recreation areas. Reserve campgrounds and popular permits (Half Dome, The Wave, Angel's Landing) months in advance through Recreation.gov. Visit during shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) for pleasant weather and smaller crowds. Download offline maps and pack layers, as weather in mountain parks changes rapidly.

YOUR QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions About National Parks

A few answers before you book.

What is the America the Beautiful Pass?

The America the Beautiful Annual Pass costs $80 and provides unlimited entrance to all 400+ national parks, national forests, BLM lands, and other federal recreation areas for one year. It covers entrance fees for a vehicle and all passengers. It pays for itself after visiting just 2-3 parks.

When is the best time to visit national parks?

Shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) offer the best balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds. Summer is peak season with longer hours but heavy visitation. Winter access is limited at many parks but offers solitude and unique experiences (snowshoeing in Yosemite, wolf watching in Yellowstone).

How do I get permits for popular hikes like Half Dome?

Popular permits are distributed through Recreation.gov lottery systems. Half Dome permits open in March for the summer season. Angel's Landing at Zion requires day-of-visit or advance lottery permits. The Wave at Vermilion Cliffs has an online lottery 4 months ahead and a daily walk-in lottery. Apply early and have backup plans.

Can I use credit card points for national park lodging?

Park lodges operated by Xanterra and Aramark are typically booked directly for cash. However, gateway towns near parks have Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt properties bookable with points. Jackson Hole (Yellowstone/Grand Teton), Springdale (Zion), and Tusayan (Grand Canyon) all have chain hotel options. Some Airbnb stays can be booked through credit card travel portals.

What are the most family-friendly national parks?

Grand Canyon (South Rim has easy rim walks), Yellowstone (geysers and wildlife from boardwalks and roads), Acadia (gentle coastal hikes and carriage roads), and Great Smoky Mountains (easy waterfalls and wildlife) are excellent for families. Rocky Mountain National Park offers accessible alpine scenery via Trail Ridge Road.

Do I need reservations to enter national parks?

Some of the busiest parks now require timed entry reservations during peak season. Rocky Mountain, Glacier, and Yosemite have implemented reservation systems in recent years. Check the individual park's website on Recreation.gov well before your visit. Reservations are separate from campground or backcountry permits.

WHERE TO NEXT?

Explore Other Categories

Another interest. A new place to go.