Lonely PlanetJul 15, 2026
12 of the newest national parks in the US
You might already know the most popular US national parks, but maybe not the newer ones. Here
19 things in this story
- Cuyahoga ValleyNature reservePeaceful and waterfall-filled urban oasis.
- Elsewhere
- YellowstoneSightYellowstone National Park, United StatesIt was established by the 42nd U.S.
- Grand CanyonSightGrand Canyon Village, United StatesThe Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile.
- Great Smoky MountainsPlaceGatlinburg, United StatesThey are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains and form part of the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province.
- White SandsAirportAlamogordo, United StatesSled New Mexico's gypsum dunes, otherworldly hues at sunrise/sunset.
- New River Gorge National Park and PreserveNature reserveOak Hill, United StatesWest Virginia's first national park, great for white water rafting.
- SaguaroSightTucson, United StatesHome to towering Arizona cacti, some tallest in the world.
- CongareeSightGaston, United StatesSouthern swamp with strange root sculptures from giant cypress trees.
- YosemiteSightYosemite Valley, United StatesIt is bordered on the southeast by the Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest.
- Indiana DunesNature reservePorter, United StatesUrban park with incredible biodiversity, rivals Hawaiʻi.
- Gateway ArchParkSt. Louis, United StatesUtterly moving monument honoring westward migration.
- PinnaclesSightSoledad, United StatesKnown for eroded spires, extinct volcano, and talus caves.
- Great Sand DunesSightMosca, United StatesTallest dunes in North America, great for sandboarding.
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkNature reserveMontrose, United StatesNamesake rock walls drop a dizzying 2600ft below.
- IntegratronSightJoshua Tree, United StatesCuriosity built by a UFOlogist, used for sound baths.
- Crochet MuseumMuseumJoshua Tree, United StatesA teeny tiny museum.
- Noah Purifoy outdoor museum and sculpture parkMuseumJoshua Tree, United StatesOutdoor museum and sculpture park.
- Krblin Jihn KabinSightJoshua Tree, United StatesArt installation dedicated to an alternate reality.
- Signal Hill Petroglyph TrailTrailTucson, United StatesBeginner-friendly trail to hundreds of examples of rock art.