Condé Nast TravelerSep 30
The 25 Best National Parks in the US For Jaw-Dropping Nature—With Fewer Crowds
From classics that can’t be missed to the totally underrated.
solitude amongst the craggy peaks
21 things in this story
- Grand TetonSightsolitude amongst the craggy peaks
- Elsewhere
- Half DomeSightYosemite National Park, United Statesdemands a 4,800 foot ascent over 14 miles
- El CapitanSightYosemite National Park, United Statestallest granite monolith at over 3,000 vertical feet
- Old Faithful GeyserSightYellowstone National Park, United Statesa classic that can't be missed
- YellowstoneSightYellowstone National Park, United Statesdraws over four million people annually for Old Faithful Geyser
- Grand CanyonSightGrand Canyon National Park, United Statesone of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
- Bridalveil Fall TrailTrailYosemite National Park, United Statesa half-mile hike
- BadlandsSightBadlands National Park, United Stateslearn about Lakota history
- Mirror Lake LoopTrailYosemite National Park, United Statesa five-mile loop hike
- Firefall RanchHotelYosemite National Park, United Statesluxury resort on 300 acres, opened spring 2024
- Rush Creek Lodge and SpaHotelYosemite National Park, United Statesluxury option near the park's west entrance
- Outbound YosemiteHotelYosemite National Park, United Statesdebuting cabins and guestrooms in 2026
- Under CanvasHotelYosemite National Park, United Statesglamping outpost opened near the park in April 2026
- Lassen PeakSightLassen Volcanic National Park, United Statesone of the world's largest plug dome volcanoes
- Lake HelenSightLassen Volcanic National Park, United StatesLassen Peak looms over it
- Cinder Cone TrailTrailLassen Volcanic National Park, United Statesfour-mile hike to the volcano's rim
- Lassen Peak TrailTrailLassen Volcanic National Park, United Statesfive-mile round-trip climb to the summit
- Sulphur WorksSightLassen Volcanic National Park, United Statesroadside attraction with bubbling mud pools
- Bumpass HellSightLassen Volcanic National Park, United Stateslargest hydrothermal area in the park
- Highlands Ranch ResortHotelLassen Volcanic National Park, United Statesoffers five luxury cottages
- Drakesbad Guest RanchHotelLassen Volcanic National Park, United Statessecluded ranch with lodge, cabin, and bungalow units