There’s something special about a national park—the fresh air, the wide-open landscapes, and that undeniable sense of adventure. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls in Yosemite, hiking through the otherworldly landscapes of Arches, or spotting wildlife in Yellowstone, every park has its own story.

With 63 national parks across the U.S., from rugged coastlines to towering mountain ranges, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start. That’s where this ultimate National Parks Checklist comes in. Whether you're road-tripping, planning a weekend getaway, or aiming to visit them all, this guide will help you keep track of your adventures.

Below, you’ll find checklists, plus easy ways to sort the parks by state and region so you can plan your next trip efficiently. But if you’re looking for interesting ways to organize your National Parks bucket list, I have added some fun and unique ways to categorize them.

A Brief Overview of U.S. National Parks

Why National Parks Are Important

National parks play a crucial role in preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the United States. These protected areas safeguard diverse ecosystems, provide habitats for wildlife, and ensure that future generations can experience the beauty of untouched nature. Beyond conservation, national parks offer recreational opportunities, promote environmental education, and contribute to local economies through tourism. They serve as outdoor classrooms, adventure hubs, and places of reflection, inspiring millions of visitors every year.

Tips & Rules for Visiting Any National Park

To make the most of your national park visit while helping preserve these incredible places, keep these key guidelines in mind:

Follow Leave No Trace Principles – Pack out all trash, stay on designated trails, and respect wildlife to minimize your impact on the environment.
Plan Ahead – Some parks require reservations, permits, or timed entry. Check the National Park Service website before your visit.
Respect Wildlife – Observe animals from a safe distance and never feed them; human food can be harmful to wildlife.
Be Prepared – Weather and terrain conditions can change quickly. Bring appropriate gear, plenty of water, and a map if cell service is limited.
Know the Rules – Each park has unique regulations regarding pets, camping, and fires. Research before you go to avoid fines or safety issues.
Leave What You Find – Don’t take rocks, plants, or historical artifacts—leave nature as you found it for others to enjoy.

The United States is home to 63 designated national parks, each protecting unique landscapes, ecosystems, and wildlife. Managed by the National Park Service, these parks offer visitors a chance to explore breathtaking natural wonders, from towering mountains and lush forests to vast deserts and rugged coastlines. Some parks, like Yellowstone and Yosemite, are world-famous, while others, like Kobuk Valley and Isle Royale, remain remote and rarely visited. Whether you’re seeking thrilling hikes, scenic drives, or serene moments in nature, the national parks provide an incredible way to experience the country’s diverse beauty.

Fun Facts About U.S. National Parks

The First National Park – Yellowstone became the world's first national park in 1872, setting the stage for conservation efforts worldwide.

The Largest National Park – Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska is the biggest U.S. national park, covering over 13.2 million acres—larger than Switzerland!
The Smallest National Park – Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri is only 91 acres, but it holds deep historical significance.
Most Visited National Park – Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomes over 12 million visitors each year, making it the most visited national park in the U.S.
Least Visited National Park – Gates of the Arctic in Alaska receives fewer than 10,000 visitors annually due to its extreme remoteness (no roads or trails!).
Home to the Tallest Tree – Redwood National Park in California is home to Hyperion, the tallest known tree in the world at 379 feet.
Hottest National Park – Death Valley holds the record for the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth at 134°F (56.7°C) in 1913.
The Only Tropical Rainforest in the U.S. National Parks System – Olympic National Park in Washington features Hoh Rainforest, one of the lushest places in North America.
Volcanoes You Can Visit – Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park lets visitors witness active lava flows from Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
A Park You Need a Passport For – The National Park of American Samoa is the only U.S. national park located south of the equator!

U.S. National Parks in Alphabetical Order

Acadia National Park
Arches National Park
Badlands National Park
Big Bend National Park
Biscayne National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Channel Islands National Park
Congaree National Park
Crater Lake National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park
Denali National Park and Preserve
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Gateway Arch National Park
Glacier Bay National Park
Glacier National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Great Basin National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Haleakalā National Park
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Hot Springs National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park
Isle Royale National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Katmai National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Kobuk Valley National Park
Lake Clark National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
National Park of American Samoa
New River Gorge National Park
North Cascades National Park
Olympic National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Pinnacles National Park
Redwood National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Saguaro National Park
Sequoia National Park
Shenandoah National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Virgin Islands National Park
Voyageurs National Park
White Sands National Park
Wind Cave National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Yosemite National Park
Zion National Park

U.S. National Parks Organized by State

Below is a list of all 63 national parks, organized by state:

Alaska (8):

Denali National Park and Preserve
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

American Samoa (1):

National Park of American Samoa

Arizona (3):

Grand Canyon National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Saguaro National Park

Arkansas (1):

Hot Springs National Park

California (9):

Channel Islands National Park
Death Valley National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Pinnacles National Park
Redwood National Park
Sequoia National Park
Yosemite National Park

Colorado (4):

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park

Florida (3):

Biscayne National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park

Hawaii (2):

Haleakalā National Park
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Indiana (1):

Indiana Dunes National Park

Kentucky (1):

Mammoth Cave National Park

Maine (1):

Acadia National Park

Michigan (1):

Isle Royale National Park

Minnesota (1):

Voyageurs National Park

Missouri (1):

Gateway Arch National Park

Montana (2):

Glacier National Park
Yellowstone National Park (also in Wyoming and Idaho)

Nevada (2):

Great Basin National Park
Death Valley National Park (also in California)

New Mexico (2):

Carlsbad Caverns National Park
White Sands National Park

North Carolina (1):

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (also in Tennessee)

North Dakota (1):

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ohio (1):

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Oregon (1):

Crater Lake National Park

South Carolina (1):

Congaree National Park

South Dakota (2):

Badlands National Park
Wind Cave National Park

Tennessee (1):

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (also in North Carolina)

Texas (2):

Big Bend National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

U.S. Virgin Islands (1):

Virgin Islands National Park

Utah (5):

Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Zion National Park

Virginia (1):

Shenandoah National Park

Washington (3):

Mount Rainier National Park
North Cascades National Park
Olympic National Park

West Virginia (1):

New River Gorge National Park

Wyoming (2):

Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park (also in Montana and Idaho)

U.S. National Parks Organized by Region

For regional exploration, here's a breakdown of the national parks by region:

Northeast:

Acadia National Park (Maine)
Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)

Midwest:

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri)
Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana)
Isle Royale National Park (Michigan)
Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota)
Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota)
Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

Southeast:

Biscayne National Park (Florida)
Congaree National Park (South Carolina)
Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida)
Everglades National Park (Florida)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina)
Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)
Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)
Virgin Islands National Park (U.S. Virgin Islands)
New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia)

Southwest:

Big Bend National Park (Texas)
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)
Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas)
Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)
Saguaro National Park (Arizona)
White Sands National Park (New Mexico)

Rocky Mountains:

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)
Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado)
Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming/Montana/Idaho)
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
Glacier National Park (Montana)

Pacific Northwest:

Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)
Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
North Cascades National Park (Washington)
Olympic National Park (Washington)

California & Nevada:

Channel Islands National Park (California)
Death Valley National Park (California/Nevada)
Joshua Tree National Park (California)
Kings Canyon National Park (California)
Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)
Pinnacles National Park (California)
Redwood National Park (California)
Sequoia National Park (California)
Yosemite National Park (California)
Great Basin National Park (Nevada)

Alaska:

Denali National Park and Preserve
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

Hawaii & Pacific Islands:

Haleakalā National Park (Hawaii)
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii)
National Park of American Samoa (American Samoa)

Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park

Organizing the US National Parks in a Fun Way

By Landscape

If you’re drawn to specific types of environments, grouping the parks this way can help you decide where to go next.

Mountains & Peaks – Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Denali, Mount Rainier
Deserts & Canyons – Grand Canyon, Arches, Joshua Tree, Saguaro, Death Valley
Lakes & Waterfalls – Crater Lake, Voyageurs, Glacier, Great Smoky Mountains
Forests & Wilderness – Olympic, Sequoia, Redwood, Shenandoah

By Best Time to Visit

If you are planning your trip at a certain time of year, here is what to consider.

Best in Spring – Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, Arches
Best in Summer – Glacier, Yellowstone, Acadia
Best in Fall – Great Sand Dunes, New River Gorge, Grand Teton
Best in Winter – Yosemite, Bryce Canyon, Rocky Mountain

By Level of Adventure

Perfect if you're looking for an easy escape or a serious challenge.

Beginner-Friendly & Scenic Drives – Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, Yellowstone
Hiking Enthusiast – Zion, Grand Canyon, Acadia, Yosemite
Backcountry & Remote – Gates of the Arctic, Isle Royale, Wrangell-St. Elias