Of the nearly 400 national parks maintained by the United States, which should top your list of must-see parks this Thanksgiving?

The United States enjoys perhaps the best national parks system in the world. With some 394 parks, the National Parks system spreads from the Arctic Circle to the Caribbean and almost to the continent of Australia. With a total of over 84 million acres, the parks system has acreage in every state of the Union with the exception of Delaware. Nearly 286 million people visited a national park in 2022 keeping the park’s 20,500 employees and 145,000 volunteers very busy.

Few if any of us will have the privilege of visiting all 394 National Park properties. With time and budget limitations visiting all is unrealistic for most, but which ones should make the list of ‘must-see’ parks? If we were to make a “bucket list” of national parks to see before we leave this earth, which National Parks should be on the list? Of course, each list would be different for each individual, but these ten parks could easily find their way onto almost anyone’s list of must-see parks.

Must-See National Parks

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The most visited national park, welcoming close to 10 million visitors is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, the park offers 800 miles of hiking trails which cut through some of the most beautiful areas of the country. With its endless waterfalls, black bears, and 16 mountain peaks over 6,000 feet, the park is a true wonder of nature. While open year-round, the park is especially beautiful in the spring and fall when it is alive with vivid colours.

Grand Canyon National Park

Built around one of the true wonders of the natural world, the Grand Canyon National Park offers something no other park can. Pictures do not do this park justice as the awesome and huge display of nature stretches out mile upon mile. Most visitors only scan the canyon from the upper rim, which offers some of the best overall views, but for the more adventuresome, a donkey ride down into the canyon or a ride in a river raft offers a truly unique and up-close view of the canyon.

Portions of the park are closed in winter due to heavy snow so make your plans accordingly. If you can arrange it, sunrises and sunsets at the canyon offer some of the best picture opportunities.

The White House and President’s Park

History buffs will enjoy visiting the White House, which is one of the smallest parks in the national parks system. The grounds take up 18 acres and the White House itself has 132 rooms. Due to security you will not be permitted to wander the grounds and will see only a handful of the rooms, but the experience is still awe-inspiring. This building was the headquarters for some of the most powerful and influential men in history. Many of these men were also instrumental in the creation of the national parks system itself, so a visit here is almost a must.

Larger National Parks

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is perhaps the best known of any of the parks and to many people symbolizes the parks system. Old Faithful is one of the most recognized attractions in any national park. The geyser, as its name implies, spouts year-round. Unfortunately, the geyser is not accessible year-round due to snowfall, so plan your trip carefully. You will also enjoy seeing the bison and grizzlies the park is famous for, but please, never feed the wildlife.

Yosemite National Park

Welcoming 3.5 million visitors, Yosemite National Park takes in 1,200 square miles. The park is located in central California and has magnificent granite cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. The park is open and accessible year-round but spring runoff and rains make the waterfalls more vivid. Any nature lover will have no trouble finding something to love in this magnificent expanse of beauty.

Olympic National Park

Located in the great northwest, just west of Seattle, Olympic National Park offers a variety of attractions which can be found nowhere else in the world. Beaches of the Pacific Ocean, rain forests, glacier-capped peaks and a wide variety of wildlife await visitors to this park. Access to the outer regions of the park is made easy by a network of roads, but the inner areas of the park remain wilderness. Named a national park in 1938 Olympic is open year-round, but certain areas are inaccessible due to winter weather conditions.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Often called the backbone of the country, the Rocky Mountains are associated with rugged territory combined with beauty. Not just for mountain men, the Rocky Mountain National Park takes in over 400 square miles of land. Within its borders, you can visit the headwaters of the Colorado River, the continental divide, or any of the 690 mountain peaks topping out at over 12,000 feet. The park hosted nearly 3 million visitors in 2022 making it one of the most visited parks in the system. Like many national parks, it is open year-round but many areas are impassable or inaccessible due to winter snows.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park And Preserve

The largest park in the system is in Alaska. The Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve takes in over 13 million acres. The smallest national park is located in Pennsylvania. The Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial takes up only 0.02 acres. Some parks will have fewer than 1,000 visitors a year, while others will welcome nearly 10 million visitors. Some of the most famous parks include Yellowstone and the White House. While each park and location has something unique to offer its visitors, certain parks stand out among the rest.

Other National Parks To Visit

Several other parks could easily and should make your list of must-sees

Zion National Park – The Zion National Park in Utah is a wonder for bird lovers, hikers, and photographers.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the only national park in the state of Ohio, is home to the Brandywine Falls and the Erie Canal. This park welcomed 2.5 million visitors.

Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park -Thanksgiving marks the transition from fall to winter in Yosemite. Lower elevations display fall colours, while the higher terrains might be dusted in snow. With cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, it’s the perfect time to go on a scenic drive through this iconic valley.

South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park – One of the best views in North America, the South Rim offers fewer visitors and mild temperatures during late fall. Take an early morning drive along the main road to catch the sunrise casting warm hues over the red rocks.

Everglades National Park – For those who prefer warmer months, the Everglades in southern Florida is a great place to visit during Thanksgiving weekend. November marks the onset of the dry season, offering clear skies and comfortable daytime temperatures for outdoor activities like kayaking or bird-watching.

Joshua Tree National Park – Southern California’s high-desert jewel offers clear-day skies and cooler weather in late November. It’s an ideal time for hiking amidst the park’s iconic Joshua trees and giant boulders.

Death Valley National Park -Located a few hours from Las Vegas, Death Valley is a good time in the late fall, with daytime temperatures finally dipping to bearable levels. You’ll find it’s a great place to stargaze or take a scenic drive through one of the hottest places on Earth.

Arches National Park – With average high temperatures in the 50s during November, Arches in Southern Utah is a perfect place for hiking and photography. Witness spectacular views of the park’s famous red rock formations.

Acadia National Park – New England’s sole national park is a haven for fall foliage lovers. By early November, the fall colours are at their peak, making it the perfect month to drive along the Park Loop Road or take a hike up Cadillac Mountain.

Shenandoah National Park – Skyline Drive offers perhaps the best ways to view the fall foliage in Shenandoah. The drive provides overlooks of the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you can spot mule deer amidst the vibrant fall colours.

Glacier National Park – If you’re into colder climates, Glacier National Park is perfect for you. Although many areas at high elevations will be closed, the lower sections of the park offer opportunities for cross-country skiing and stunning winter landscapes.

Grand Teton National Park – The Grand Teton National Park includes Jackson Hole Monument and is home to beautiful grasslands as well as the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains. It would be difficult to go wrong by visiting any of these parks, or any of the other 384 national park sites located around the country, and indeed, the world.

Each of these parks offers a unique Thanksgiving experience. Whether you’re looking to escape cold weather or embrace it, take a scenic drive or explore by foot, there’s a national park for you. No matter where you decide to go, you’re sure to have a great time immersed in the natural beauty of North America.