Since 2023 our Australian family has logged 40,000 mi (64,000 km) across the United States and Canada — often on a working visa, always as digital nomads — hauling our camper‑trailer across country, our toddler, and our very adventurous beagle named Sniffy.
We’ve camped through blizzards in Colorado, baked in desert summers in Las Vegas and earned more Junior & Bark Ranger badges than we can count. From those lived‑in miles we built a simple scoring matrix:
| Consideration | What We Think About | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Attractions | Iconic hikes, viewpoints, ranger programs, cultural sites | Maximises limited vacation days |
| Wildlife | Likelihood of safe, memorable encounters | Adds magic for kids & photographers |
| Accessibility | Drive time from a major airport/city, transit options | Perfect for fly‑drive itineraries |
| Scenic variety | Distinct ecosystems or landforms in one park | Keeps every day fresh |
The ten parks below scored highest overall. We list them west‑to‑east, not by rank—each park excels for different reasons.
1. Yosemite National Park │ California
- 2023 visitation: 3.90 million visitors
- Size: 748,436 ac (302,687 ha)
- Elevation range: 2,000 ft / 610 m (El Portal) to 13,114 ft / 3,997 m (Mount Lyell)
Yosemite’s glacier‑carved valley, 2,425 ft Yosemite Falls, and the 3,000 ft monolith of El Capitan are geological showstoppers. Spring brings roaring waterfalls; autumn paints the dogwoods crimson. Pets are limited to paved areas, but we’ve still clocked plenty of Sniffy‑approved miles—see our full guide to visiting with dogs. Considering summer congestion? Here’s why we often avoid mid‑June to mid‑August.
2. Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim) │ Arizona
- 2023 visitation: 4.73 million visitors
- Depth: 6,000 ft / 1,829 m at its deepest
- Age of exposed rock: nearly 2 billion years
Peer one mile down to the Colorado River, hike a portion of Bright Angel Trail, or ride the historic Grand Canyon Railway from Williams. We love the South Rim in shoulder seasons when elk wander through Mather Campground at dawn. Dogs can stroll 13 mi / 21 km of rim‑side pavement — our canine trail notes.
3. Yellowstone National Park │ Wyoming • Montana • Idaho
- 2023 visitation: 4.50 million visitors
- World’s largest concentration of geysers—over 500
- Super‑volcano caldera: 45 mi × 30 mi (72 km × 48 km)
Old Faithful still erupts ~20 times daily, but don’t miss Grand Prismatic Spring’s 160 °F technicolor pool. Wildlife viewing is unrivalled: we’ve seen wolves hunt in Lamar Valley and grizzly bear sightings cause kilometre‑long traffic jams. Planning a dog‑friendly loop? Start here.
4. Zion National Park │ Utah
- 2023 visitation: 4.62 million visitors
- Size: 146,597 ac; canyon walls rise 2,000 ft / 610 m
Towering Navajo‑sandstone cliffs glow rose‑gold at dawn. Brave hikers tackle Angels Landing’s chained ridge (permit lottery), while families wade the Narrows between 1,000 ft sheer walls. The free shuttle keeps peak‑season traffic sane. Pets? Stroll the Pa’rus Trail and read our dog logistics guide.
5. Olympic National Park │ Washington
- 2023 visitation: 2.95 million visitors
- Three distinct ecosystems in one park: glacier‑capped peaks, temperate rainforest, wild coast
- Annual rainfall in Hoh Rain Forest: up to 140 in / 3,556 mm
Morning can start with snowshoeing Hurricane Ridge and end watching Pacific sunset at Ruby Beach. Our toddler loved tide‑pooling among purple sea stars; Sniffy earned a Bark Ranger tag at South Beach Campground.
6. Rocky Mountain National Park │ Colorado
- 2023 visitation: 4.15 million visitors
- 77 peaks exceed 12,000 ft / 3,658 m
- Trail Ridge Road: highest continuous paved highway in North America (12,183 ft / 3,713 m)
Come in late September to hear bull elk bugling across Moraine Park or in May for lingering snow on alpine tundra — we chased the season’s first flakes. Timed‑entry permits (late‑May → mid‑Oct) keep crowding manageable.
7. Arches National Park │ Utah
- 2023 visitation: 1.48 million visitors
- 2,000+ catalogued arches; Delicate Arch span: 46 ft high
- Dark‑sky park status since 2019
Beat summer heat with a dawn hike to Delicate Arch, then refuel in Moab for afternoon rafting on the Colorado River. Planning a weekend base? Our Moab playbook pairs Arches with Canyonlands.
8. Bryce Canyon National Park │ Utah
- 2023 visitation: 2.46 million visitors
- Highest concentration of hoodoos on Earth
- Elevation: 8,000–9,100 ft (2,400–2,770 m)
Bryce Amphitheater’s labyrinth of orange limestone spires is best explored on the 2.9‑mi Navajo–Queen’s Garden loop. Stay after dark—the park hosts 100+ ranger‑led astronomy programs annually. Dogs can stroll paved viewpoints; full details in our canine guide.
9. Glacier National Park │ Montana
- 2023 visitation: 2.93 million visitors
- 25 active glaciers (down from 150 + in 1850)
- Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road climbs 3,500 ft in 50 mi
We watched black‑bear cubs rough‑and‑tumble near Lake McDonald in May—see the footage in this post. Vehicle reservations (May–Sept) now regulate traffic; book early for sunrise drives over Logan Pass.
10. Acadia National Park │ Maine
- 2023 visitation: 3.88 million visitors
- First place in the continental U.S. to see sunrise (Oct → early Mar) from Cadillac Mountain
- 45 mi / 72 km of historic carriage roads perfect for cycling
Granite peaks meet Atlantic surf—hike ocean‑view trails by morning, paddle Jordan Pond by afternoon, then feast on popovers at the historic Jordan House. The fare‑free Island Explorer bus (late June → mid‑Oct) slashes parking stress.
Trip‑planning tips from the road
- Time‑entry systems are spreading—Yosemite, Rocky, Glacier, and Arches all require advance reservations in 2025.
- Shoulder seasons (Apr‑May & Sep‑Oct) deliver thinner crowds and cooler temps; we scored last‑minute campsites at Zion in early May.
- Dog rules vary. Most parks restrict pets to paved areas—our running list of work‑arounds lives in Why does the US NPS hate my dog and drone?
- Junior & Bark Ranger programs keep toddlers (and beagles) engaged; badge counts are the new souvenir.
- Digital‑nomad hacks: Verizon coverage is solid in gateway towns, but we carry an eSIM fallback—see our roaming guide.
- Crypto on the road? Many gateway towns host Bitcoin ATMs — here’s how to vet fees before you go.
Whether you crave granite cathedrals, desert hoodoos, or tide‑pool starfish, these ten parks deliver unforgettable mileage for every traveller — solo, family, or furry‑footed. Bookmark this hub; we’ll keep adding first‑hand gear tests, route ideas, and campsite reviews as our American odyssey continues.
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