Top 25 National Parks to Visit in 2025 According to GoTravelDaily Readers

Summary

1. National Park Adventure
2. How Voting Works
3. What Readers Loved
4. The Winner
5. The Full List

A National Park Adventure

A national park adventure is a classic all-American vacation that every traveler should experience at least once in their lifetime. Spending time amid towering forests, majestic mountain peaks, white sand dunes, and active volcanoes reminds us of the unique beauty right in our own backyard. According to GoTravelDaily readers, the best national parks in the United States are distinguished by their tantalizing natural attractions and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

How Voting Works

Every year, for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe, sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 readers completed the 2023 survey, marking a 25 percent increase over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties.

U.S. national parks were specifically rated on the following criteria:

Natural attractions
Activities
Lodging
Wildlife
Accessibility
Cleanliness

For each characteristic, respondents selected a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

What Readers Loved

Consistent with previous years, national parks in the West dominated the list of favorites, capturing more than half of the 25 spots. Denali National Park (No. 8) in Alaska is home to the highest peak in North America, standing at an impressive 20,310 feet above sea level. Meanwhile, Yosemite National Park (No. 3) in California draws visitors with its breathtaking waterfalls, ancient sequoias, and world-renowned vistas like Tunnel View and Glacier Point. One reader expressed, “Yosemite is one of my favorite places on Earth. The stunning park’s views never cease to amaze me, and there’s truly something for everyone.”

Voters also praised national parks on the East Coast, in the South, and the Midwest. According to one reader, Acadia National Park in Maine (No. 17) is “one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Northeastern U.S., perfect for hiking and taking in the spectacular scenery, especially at sunrise.” Great Smoky Mountain National Park (No. 7), straddling the North Carolina/Tennessee border, continues to be a favorite, being the most-visited national park for over a decade. Readers appreciated its abundant wildlife and family-friendly atmosphere. One voter remarked, “Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a very family-oriented destination that embodies the real spirit of America. People are friendly, the air is pure, and the breathtaking views of the mountains and nature are unforgettable.”

Continue reading to discover which other U.S. national parks made the list, as well as what sets this year’s No. 1 pick, Yellowstone National Park, apart.

The Winner

Yellowstone National Park: Wyoming, Idaho, Montana

Although Yellowstone spans three states, Wyoming encompasses 96 percent of the park’s 2.2 million acres. Home to fewer than 600,000 residents, it is the least populated state in the U.S., which allows nature’s wonders to shine. With abundant wildlife and access to over half of the world’s active geysers—approximately 500—visitors have been drawn to this first national park for over 150 years. GoTravelDaily readers particularly praised the park for its wildlife, natural attractions, hiking opportunities, and accessibility. One reader exclaimed, “Yellowstone is so majestic, so beautiful, and so glorious. We have spent hundreds of hours in this park and still have so much to explore.”