Looking for the best national parks to visit? These 15 protected areas preserve some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, from Yellowstone’s geysers and Banff’s turquoise lakes to Patagonia’s granite towers and the Serengeti’s Great Migration. Each entry gives the park’s size, why it is worth the trip, the best time to go and any permits you need to book ahead, making this an easy starting point for adventurers and conservation lovers.
Why Visit National Parks?
Top 15 National Parks to Visit in the World
1. Yellowstone National Park (USA) 8,983 km²
Established in 1872 as the world’s first national park, Yellowstone sits atop a volcanic hotspot. It protects more than 10,000 hydrothermal features, including about half of the world’s active geysers, Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, alongside free-roaming bison herds and grizzly bears.
2. Banff National Park (Canada) 6,641 km²
Canada’s oldest national park (founded in 1885) encompasses the breathtaking jagged peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Famous for the vivid turquoise waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake fed by glacier silt, Banff offers world-class alpine hiking and winter skiing.
3. Torres del Paine (Chile) 1,814 km²
Renowned as one of South America’s premier wilderness destinations, Torres del Paine features three granite spires rising above alpine lakes, icebergs breaking off Grey Glacier, and golden pampas roamed by wild guanacos.
4. Kruger National Park (South Africa) 19,485 km²
One of Africa’s largest game reserves, Kruger provides an unparalleled wildlife safari experience. It shelters all of the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) alongside hundreds of bird species and bushveld camps.
5. Serengeti National Park (Tanzania) 14,763 km²
Famous worldwide for hosting the annual Great Migration, where over 1.5 million wildebeest and zebra traverse endless grasslands pursued by predators. The Serengeti represents one of the oldest and most intact ecosystems on Earth.
6. Yosemite National Park (USA) 3,081 km²
Nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite is globally famed for its towering granite monoliths El Capitan and Half Dome, cascading waterfalls like Yosemite Falls, and ancient groves of giant sequoia trees.
7. Fiordland National Park (New Zealand) 12,607 km²
Covering the southwestern corner of New Zealand’s South Island, Fiordland encompasses dramatic carved fjords like Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, dense temperate rainforests, and towering sheer rock faces with plunging waterfalls.
8. Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia) 296 km²
Croatia’s oldest national park features 16 terraced lakes joined by a series of cascading waterfalls and limestone canyons. Wooden boardwalks wind directly over crystal-clear emerald and azure waters through lush woodland.
9. Grand Canyon National Park (USA) 4,926 km²
Carved over millions of years by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon stretches 277 miles long and over a mile deep. Its layered bands of red rock reveal billions of years of geological history under radiant desert sunsets.
10. Jiuzhaigou Valley (China) 720 km²
Located at the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, Jiuzhaigou (“Nine Village Valley”) is famed for its multi-tiered colorful turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks, and dramatic autumn foliage reflecting off glass-like water. The valley was damaged by the August 2017 earthquake and has since reopened to visitors.
11. Fuji-Hakone-Izu (Japan) 1,227 km²
Japan’s most visited national park surrounds iconic Mount Fuji. It encompasses natural volcanic hot springs (onsen), the Five Fuji Lakes, geothermal valleys in Hakone, and lush volcanic coastlines along the Izu Peninsula.
12. Lake District National Park (UK) 2,362 km²
England’s largest national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017, is celebrated for its picturesque lakes, rugged fell mountains, and literary connections to Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. Scafell Pike, England’s highest peak, sits at its heart.
13. Iguazú National Park (Argentina / Brazil) 677 km² (Argentine side)
Protecting one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, Iguazú contains over 275 individual waterfall cascades spanning nearly 2.7 kilometers. Surrounded by subtropical rainforest, it hosts colorful toucans, butterflies, and coatis. Brazil’s larger Iguaçu National Park protects the opposite bank and offers the best panoramic views.
14. Zion National Park (USA) 590 km²
Utah’s first national park features massive cream, pink, and red Navajo sandstone cliffs carved by the Virgin River. Adventurers flock to tackle thrill-inducing ridge climbs like Angels Landing and wade through canyon rivers in The Narrows.
15. Galápagos National Park (Ecuador) 7,995 km²
Encompassing 97% of the Galápagos archipelago, this isolated volcanic park helped inspire Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Visitors encounter fearless endemic wildlife including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.
🛡️ Essential National Park Tourist & Hiker Guidance Advice
- Practice Leave No Trace (LNT): Pack out all trash, stay strictly on designated trails, and never remove natural objects or rocks.
- Respect Wildlife Distance: Stay at least 25 yards away from large mammals (bison, elk) and 100 yards away from predators (bears, wolves).
- Book Permits and Reservations Early: Some popular parks use timed-entry or peak-season reservation systems, and famous hikes such as Zion’s Angels Landing and Yosemite’s Half Dome need permits by lottery. Rules change every year, so check the official park website before you go.
- Carry Bear Spray & Safety Gear: When hiking in bear country, keep bear spray easily accessible on your chest or hip belt.
- Prepare for No Cell Service: Download offline maps (AllTrails, Google Maps) before entering park boundaries, as signal is often lost.
National Parks to Visit at a Glance: All 15 Compared
| # | National park | Country | Area | Famous for | Best time | Plan ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yellowstone | USA | 8,983 km² | Geysers, Grand Prismatic Spring, bison and wolves | Late May–June, September | Lodging books up about a year ahead |
| 2 | Banff | Canada | 6,641 km² | Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Icefields Parkway | Late June–September | Shuttle or bus to Moraine Lake |
| 3 | Torres del Paine | Chile | 1,814 km² | Granite towers, W Trek, Grey Glacier | November–April | Book campsites or refugios for the W/O treks |
| 4 | Kruger | South Africa | 19,485 km² | Big Five self-drive safaris | May–September | Book rest camps early for school holidays |
| 5 | Serengeti | Tanzania | 14,763 km² | Great Migration, big cats | Late Jan–Feb; July–October | Park fees usually paid through your safari operator |
| 6 | Yosemite | USA | 3,081 km² | El Capitan, Half Dome, waterfalls, sequoias | May–June; Sept–October | Half Dome permit by lottery |
| 7 | Fiordland | New Zealand | 12,607 km² | Milford Sound, Great Walks | November–April | Great Walk huts book out fast |
| 8 | Plitvice Lakes | Croatia | 296 km² | 16 terraced lakes, boardwalks, waterfalls | April–June, September | Buy tickets online in summer; no swimming |
| 9 | Grand Canyon | USA | 4,926 km² | South Rim views, Colorado River | March–May, Sept–November | Backcountry permit to camp below the rim |
| 10 | Jiuzhaigou Valley | China | 720 km² | Colorful lakes, waterfalls, autumn colours | October | Daily visitor cap; book ahead |
| 11 | Fuji-Hakone-Izu | Japan | 1,227 km² | Mount Fuji, onsen, Lake Ashi | July–early Sept (climb); April | Fuji climbing fee and online registration |
| 12 | Lake District | UK | 2,362 km² | Fells, lakes, Scafell Pike | May–September | No entry fee; paid car parks |
| 13 | Iguazú | Argentina / Brazil | 677 km² (AR) | Devil’s Throat, 2.7 km of falls | March–May, Sept–November | Separate tickets for each country’s park |
| 14 | Zion | USA | 590 km² | Angels Landing, The Narrows | Spring, autumn | Angels Landing permit by lottery |
| 15 | Galápagos | Ecuador | 7,995 km² | Tortoises, sea lions, snorkeling | Year-round | US$200 park fee for foreign adults |
National Park Travel Planning: Tickets, Permits and Reservations
The most popular national parks now manage crowds with permits, shuttles, daily caps and advance bookings. Fees and rules change every year, so confirm the details on the official website a few weeks before your trip and again just before you go. In the USA, park fees change regularly and non-US residents pay more at several of the busiest parks from 2026, so always check the current price on nps.gov.
- Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion: US National Park Service (fees, reservations, alerts)
- Banff: Parks Canada
- Torres del Paine: CONAF (Chile)
- Kruger: South African National Parks (SANParks)
- Fiordland Great Walks: New Zealand Department of Conservation
- Plitvice Lakes: Plitvice Lakes National Park (official site)
- Lake District: Lake District National Park
How to Choose the Best National Park for Your Trip
Frequently Asked Questions About National Parks to Visit
What are the best national parks to visit in the world?
Yellowstone and Yosemite in the USA, Banff in Canada, Torres del Paine in Chile, the Serengeti in Tanzania, Kruger in South Africa, Fiordland in New Zealand and Plitvice Lakes in Croatia regularly appear on lists of the world’s best national parks. The right choice depends on what you want: wildlife, hiking, easy scenery or photography.
What was the world’s first national park?
Yellowstone, established by the US Congress in 1872, is widely recognised as the world’s first national park. Banff, founded in 1885, is Canada’s oldest national park.
Which national park is best for seeing wildlife?
For big game, the Serengeti (Great Migration and big cats) and Kruger (all of the Big Five, easy self-drive safaris) are the top choices. Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley is the best place in North America to see bison, elk and wolves, and the Galápagos is unmatched for fearless endemic wildlife.
What are the most beautiful national parks in the world?
Banff’s Moraine Lake and Lake Louise, Plitvice’s terraced lakes, Jiuzhaigou’s colourful pools, Torres del Paine’s granite towers, Milford Sound in Fiordland and Yosemite Valley are often called the most beautiful national parks on Earth.
Do I need to book national park tickets or permits in advance?
Often, yes. Angels Landing in Zion and Half Dome in Yosemite need permits by lottery, Moraine Lake in Banff can only be reached by shuttle or bus, Torres del Paine campsites and Fiordland Great Walk huts must be reserved, Jiuzhaigou caps daily visitors, and climbing Mount Fuji requires online registration. Some busy US parks also use seasonal timed-entry systems.
How much does it cost to enter a national park?
Fees vary widely. Many US parks charge a per-vehicle fee valid for 7 days, and the America the Beautiful annual pass covers all US national parks; from 2026 non-US residents pay more at several of the busiest US parks, so check nps.gov. The Galápagos charges foreign adults US$200, African parks charge daily conservation fees, and UK national parks such as the Lake District are free to enter.
When is the best time to visit national parks?
Shoulder seasons are usually best: late spring and early autumn in North America, Europe and Japan; November to April in Patagonia and New Zealand; and the dry season (May to September) for Kruger. For the Serengeti, go in late January to February for calving or July to October for the river crossings.
How many days do you need in a national park?
Plan at least 3 days for large parks such as Yellowstone, Banff, Kruger and the Serengeti, 4 to 5 days for the full W Trek in Torres del Paine, and 1 to 2 days for smaller parks such as Plitvice Lakes, Zion or Jiuzhaigou.
Photo Credits
- Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone (card, sidebar and hero): photo by Seth Cottle on Unsplash
- Moraine Lake, Banff (card, sidebar and hero): photo by Kowshik Roy sagor on Unsplash
- Mirador Las Torres, Torres del Paine (card, sidebar and hero): photo by Carter Obasohan on Unsplash
- Elephant in Kruger National Park: photo by Mark Stoop on Unsplash
- El Capitan, Yosemite (card, sidebar and hero): photo by Adam Kool on Unsplash
- Milford Sound, Fiordland: photo by Peter Hammer on Unsplash
- Grand Canyon (card, sidebar and hero): photo by Gert Boers on Unsplash
- Mount Fuji: photo by JJ Ying on Unsplash
Last updated: September 2026. Park fees, permits and access rules change often; always confirm with the official park authority before you travel.