There is perhaps no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than to take a trip to a national park. Often considered our greatest national treasures, national parks in the United States and Canada are federally protected from development, meaning their natural beauty will be there for future generations to enjoy. Between the U.S. and Canada, there are more than 100 national parks just waiting to be explored. To be recognized as a national park is to already be among the most impressive places in the country, so beautiful scenery comes with the territory. Still, a few stand out as the cream of the crop. Here are 10 of the most scenic national parks in the U.S. and Canada, along with the closest KOA campground to serve as a base camp for your adventure.
1. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is known as the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast,” and one look at its 47,000 acres will show you exactly why. Most of Acadia is situated on Mount Desert Island, where you’ll find unparalleled paddling and rock climbing. It’s also a perfect spot to go tidepooling and see what’s just beneath the ocean’s surface. This park is beautiful year-round, but it’s truly at its peak during leaf-peeping season in the fall.
Where to stay: Bar Harbor / Oceanside KOA Holiday
2. Arches National Park, Utah
The park where Edward Abbey worked as a ranger (and where his iconic book Desert Solitaire takes place) is practically synonymous with the American Southwest. High atop the Colorado Plateau, Arches National Park gets you up-close and personal with otherworldly arches and enticing slot canyons. As a bonus, Arches is a short drive from Canyonlands National Park, so you can check out another of the most stunning vistas in Utah as part of your trip.
Where to stay: Moab KOA Holiday
3. Bruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario
Situated at the very tip of its namesake peninsula in Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, Bruce Peninsula National Park is home to the famous Grotto, which practically begs to be explored. (You’ll need to reserve a parking permit to see the incredibly blue pool in the Grotto during the busy season.) The park also features top-notch bouldering at Halfway Log Dump and hiking through the dunes at Singing Sands.
Where to stay: Owen Sound KOA Journey
4. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
It’s impossible to overstate the beauty of the Grand Canyon—it’s truly one of those sights you can’t comprehend until you’ve seen it in person. Grand Canyon National Park is one of America’s most beloved parks, and it’s filled with opportunities for adventure. Whether you’re riding the mules down to Phantom Ranch, hiking the Bright Angel Trail, or learning history and geology at the South Rim, you’ll find any trip to the Grand Canyon is an unforgettable one.
Where to stay: Grand Canyon / Williams KOA Journey
5. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The Teton skyline is symbolic of the Rocky Mountains. The imposing and aptly named Grand Teton, resembling a mini Matterhorn, is the site of a great deal of mountaineering history, and the rest of Grand Teton National Park lives up to the hype, too. Those so inclined can do some technical rock climbing, but the park is just as thrilling for those who prefer to hike the trails (like the Garnet Canyon Trail) or paddle around Jenny Lake, which has arguably one of the best views in the Lower 48. The park is also justly famous for its wildlife spotting, as it’s home to bears, bison, moose, elk, and pronghorn.
Where to stay: Dubois / White River KOA Holiday
6. Jasper National Park, Alberta
Ready to get away from it all? Jasper National Park is the place to be—it’s so far from the light pollution of the big city that it’s an International Dark Sky Preserve (the second-largest on the planet), so there’s ample stargazing to be had. There’s plenty to do while the sun is up, too, like hiking on the shores of Maligne Lake or to the toe of the Athabasca Glacier. Jasper is less than four hours from Banff National Park, so you can check out two of Canada’s best parks in one trip.
Where to stay: Hinton / Jasper KOA Holiday
7. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
There’s more than meets the eye in the tiny fishing town of Seward. This little gem on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula is surrounded by jagged peaks and calving glaciers, and there’s no better place to see both than by exploring Kenai Fjords National Park. The park is accessible by car—it’s a four-mile hike up to get a view of the 700-square-mile Harding Icefield, or take a shorter hike to the toe of the Exit Glacier. Feeling adventurous? Take a boat tour out to see some of the park’s other glaciers as they break into the sea.
Where to stay:
Seward KOA Journey
Homer / Baycrest KOA Holiday
8. Olympic National Park, Washington
There’s something awe-inspiring about seeing biomes come together, and Olympic National Park has plenty of them—from rugged peaks to the Hoh Rainforest to the 70 miles of coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Located on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula (across the sound from Seattle), the park features more than a million acres of wild country to explore. Hikers will never run out of rivers to tromp alongside, like the scenic Elwha River Trail. Explore the 7,965-foot tall Mount Olympus or other high-altitude adventures. You’ll never run out of places to see here.
Where to stay: Olympic Peninsula / Port Angeles KOA Journey
9. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Home to 14,259-foot Longs Peak—not to mention countless other named peaks, more than 300 miles of hiking trails, and dozens of alpine lakes, Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect introduction to what makes Colorado special. Take a drive over Trail Ridge Road (which crests at over 12,000 feet above sea level) to check out the fragile alpine ecosystem, or visit in the fall, when you can catch the elk rut at its peak.
Where to stay: Estes Park KOA Holiday
10. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and Montana
America’s first national park is also one of its most scenic. The boundaries of Yellowstone National Park encompass around 3,500 square miles in Wyoming and Montana. The park is filled with natural geysers like the famous Old Faithful, colorful hot springs like Mammoth and Grand Prismatic, and, of course, bison galore. Whether you’re up for a paddle around Yellowstone Lake, or a hike in the Lamar Valley, you’ll have a quintessential national park experience at Yellowstone.
Where to stay:
Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday
Yellowstone Park / Mountainside KOA Journey
Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA Holiday
Red Lodge KOA Journey
Cody KOA Holiday
Dubois / White River KOA Holiday
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
