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.
five-mile round-trip climb to the summit
21 things in this story
- Lassen PeakSightone of the world's largest plug dome volcanoes
- Lake HelenSightLassen Peak looms over it
- Cinder Cone TrailTrailfour-mile hike to the volcano's rim
- Lassen Peak TrailTrailfive-mile round-trip climb to the summit
- Sulphur WorksSightroadside attraction with bubbling mud pools
- Bumpass HellSightlargest hydrothermal area in the park
- Highlands Ranch ResortHoteloffers five luxury cottages
- Drakesbad Guest RanchHotelsecluded ranch with lodge, cabin, and bungalow units
- 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
- Grand TetonSightGrand Teton National Park, United Statessolitude amongst the craggy peaks
- 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