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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

Great Smoky MountainsPlaceThey are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains and form part of the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province.
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.
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.
Cuyahoga ValleyNature reserveBrecksville, United StatesPeaceful and waterfall-filled urban oasis.
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.

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OutsideJun 29

National Parks Out West Get All the Hype, but I Prefer Our Eastern Ones. Here’s Why.

Sure, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are impressive, but our national parks columnist argues national parks in the East rival their popular counterparts out West when it comes to biodiversity, accessibility, and more.

21 things in this story

Great Smoky MountainsPlaceThey are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains and form part of the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province.
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlacebiodiverse regions, black bears and massive elk
GSMNPPlacesynchronous fireflies coordinate their light show
Appalachian TrailTrailmost famous footpath in the world
Elsewhere
YellowstoneSightYellowstone National Park, United Stateswater is boiling and tie-dyed
Grand CanyonSightGrand Canyon Village, United Statescontemplated the insignificance of humankind
Angels LandingTrailSpringdale, United Stateshit by vertigo
Half DomeSightYosemite Valley, United Statesawestruck at the sheer size of the rock
Denali National ParkPlaceDenali, United Statestallest mountain in the U.S.
El CapSightYosemite Valley, United Statestallest vertical rock face in the world
Crater Lake National ParkPlaceCrater Lake, United Statesdeepest lake in the U.S.
Sequoia National ParkPlaceThree Rivers, United Statessheer volume of the trees is awesome
Shenandoah National ParkPlaceLuray, United Stateshardwood forest painted red, yellow, and orange
Blue Ridge ParkwaySightAsheville, United Stateslongest linear park in the country
AcadiaPlaceBar Harbor, United States
ShenandoahPlaceLuray, United States
New River GorgePlaceOak Hill, United States
CongareePlaceHardeeville, United States
EvergladesPlaceHomestead, United States
BiscaynePlaceHomestead, United States
Dry TortugasPlaceKey West, United States

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OutsideMay 15

Go Here, Not There: 5 Less-Crowded Alternatives to the Most Popular National Parks

Looking to avoid the crowds at Zion or the Smokies? Our national parks columnist shares the intel on overlooked parks that rival the most popular spots.

22 things in this story

Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlaceMost visited park, most biodiverse in America
Appalachian TrailTrailCruises through high-elevation spruce-fir forest
Elsewhere
Rocky Mountain National ParkSightEstes Park, United StatesProtects high-elevation peaks, glaciers, and backcountry lakes
Congaree National ParkSightHopkins, United StatesHome to oldest and tallest tree canopies east of Mississippi
Fork Swamp TrailTrailHopkins, United StatesHike follows oxbow lake formed by hurricane
Cedar Creek Canoe TrailTrailHopkins, United StatesPaddle between stands of 500-year-old bald cypress trees
Congaree RiverSightHopkins, United StatesForms the border of the park
Palmetto OutdoorPlaceHopkins, United StatesOffers guided day trips
Bluff CampgroundHotelHopkins, United StatesRequires mile-long hike, sits above floodplain
North CascadesSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesSteep and rugged Cascade Range with many glaciers
Mount BakerSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesHighest peak in the park
Lake DiabloSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesMassive lake with glaciated peaks on the horizon
Thunder Knob TrailTrailSedro-Woolley, United StatesTraces edge of Thunder Arm of Lake Diablo
Colonial Creek CampgroundHotelSedro-Woolley, United StatesMultiple day hikes begin from campground
Sourdough MountainSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesRocky peak with a historic lookout cabin
Diablo LakeSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesLarge lake flanked by Pyramid and Colonial peaks
Colonial Creek North CampgroundHotelSedro-Woolley, United States38 sites tucked into a pine forest
Capitol Reef National ParkSightTorrey, United StatesDesert landscape with rock towers, slot canyons, cliffs, arches
Grand Wash TrailTrailTorrey, United StatesWanders through a canyon with 200-foot-tall walls
Temple of the SunSightCapitol Reef National Park, United States
Temple of the MoonSightCapitol Reef National Park, United States
Cathedral ValleySightCapitol Reef National Park, United States

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OutsideMay 7

Is There a Good Way to Visit Our National Parks in 2026? It's Complicated.

The same record-breaking crowds that are ruining the experience at places like Yellowstone and Yosemite may be the only thing keeping them protected from budget cuts and development.

4 things in this story

Yosemite Falls TrailTrailYosemite National Park, United StatesPopular trail with a steady stream of hikers.
YellowstoneSightYellowstone National Park, United StatesPark on track to spend $1.5 billion to update wastewater systems.
Sarah LeonardPlaceEstes Park, United StatesCEO of Visit Estes Park.
Cassidy JonesPlaceYellowstone National Park, United States

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Condé Nast TravelerDec 14, 2025

14 National Parks That Are Even More Beautiful in Winter

Summer may be high season, but these parks are at their best in the colder months.

16 things in this story

Delicate ArchSightArches National Park, United StatesThe arch is the most widely recognized landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on Utah license plates and a…
Ocean DriveTrailAcadia National Park, United StatesScenic drive, plowed during snowy months.
Phantom RanchHotelGrand Canyon National Park, United StatesVintage cabins and restaurant at the canyon bottom.
Santa Elena CanyonSightBig Bend National Park, United StatesSunset turns this canyon into shades of amber.
Zabriskie PointSightDeath Valley National Park, United StatesTake in the rosy glow of sunrise from here.
Golden CanyonTrailDeath Valley National Park, United StatesHike through the mustard-hued walls of this canyon.
Inn at Death ValleyHotelDeath Valley National Park, United StatesLounge poolside at this freshly updated historic hotel.
Circle of Fire helicopter tourPlaceHawai'i Volcanoes National Park, United StatesSoar over the national park on this tour.
Chisos Mountains LodgeHotelBig Bend National Park, United StatesStay here and marvel at high-elevation vistas.
Bright Angel CampgroundPlaceGrand Canyon National Park, United StatesNab last-minute permits to camp near the river.
Rim TrailTrailGrand Canyon National Park, United StatesFamily-friendly trail with panoramic views.
Window FormationSightBig Bend National Park, United StatesMarvel at vistas of this formation.
Hermits RestSightGrand Canyon National Park, United StatesStone ruins at the end of the Rim Trail.
Alpine Visitor CenterSightRocky Mountain National Park, United StatesHighest visitor center in the National Park System.
Trunk BaySightUS Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin IslandsIslet in Virgin Islands National Park.
Keys ViewSightJoshua Tree National Park, United States

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →