US National Parks: A Guide for Visitors
Last reviewed: October 31, 2026
The United States has 64 national parks, part of a wider system of 434 sites run by the National Park Service (NPS). The newest is Chiricahua in Arizona, redesignated from a national monument in October 2026. This guide explains how the system works, which parks are the best known, and what international visitors need to know, because the rules changed substantially in 2026: non-US residents now pay much more at the most popular parks.
Fees, reservations and opening dates change often. Figures here are for 2026; check nps.gov before you travel.
What counts as a national park?
The National Park Service, created in 1916, manages 434 units covering more than 85 million acres. Americans often call all of them "parks," but only 64 carry the title National Park. The others include national monuments, historic sites, battlefields, seashores, parkways and recreation areas. Congress creates a national park by law; a president can create a national monument without Congress, which is why several parks started as monuments.
Yellowstone, established in 1872, is generally considered the first national park in the world, and the idea of preserving land for the public spread from there. Other public lands are run by different agencies: national forests by the Forest Service, and state parks by the individual states. Your NPS ticket does not cover state parks.
Well-known national parks
| Park | State(s) | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowstone | Wyoming, Montana, Idaho | Geysers (Old Faithful), hot springs, bison, wolves |
| Grand Canyon | Arizona | Canyon about 277 miles (446 km) long, carved by the Colorado River |
| Yosemite | California | Granite walls (El Capitan, Half Dome), waterfalls, giant sequoias |
| Zion | Utah | Red sandstone canyons, dramatic hikes |
| Bryce Canyon | Utah | Rock spires called hoodoos |
| Arches | Utah | More than 2,000 natural sandstone arches |
| Rocky Mountain | Colorado | High peaks and a high-altitude road |
| Glacier | Montana | Glacial lakes, Going-to-the-Sun Road |
| Grand Teton | Wyoming | Abrupt mountain range and lakes, next to Yellowstone |
| Great Smoky Mountains | Tennessee, North Carolina | Misty forests; the most visited national park |
| Acadia | Maine | Rocky Atlantic coast and forests |
| Everglades | Florida | Subtropical wetlands, alligators, manatees |
Parks are not evenly spread. Most of the largest are in the West and Alaska, for reasons explained in our guide to the regions of the United States. In 2025 the park system recorded about 323 million recreation visits. Great Smoky Mountains led the true national parks with about 11.5 million, helped by its location near big eastern populations and by having no entrance fee.
Entrance fees in 2026: residents vs international visitors
Since January 1, 2026, the price of entry depends on whether you live in the United States.
| Item | US citizens and residents | Non-residents |
|---|---|---|
| Standard entry at a paying park | Commonly $20-$35 per vehicle | Same fee |
| Extra fee at 11 busy parks | None | $100 per person aged 16+, on top of standard entry |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | $80 | $250 |
| Fee-free days | Yes, several per year | No |
The $100 fee applies at Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion.
For a foreign couple visiting two of those parks, the surcharge alone would be $400, so the $250 pass, which reports indicate waives it, is usually the better buy. It also covers standard entry at federal fee sites for the passholder and passengers in one vehicle. The $80 pass requires proof of US residency, such as a state ID or green card. Reduced or free passes for seniors, military members, people with disabilities and US fourth graders are also limited to eligible Americans and residents.
Many parks charge nothing to enter. These include Great Smoky Mountains, although it charges for parking, so "free" does not always mean no cost.
Do you need a reservation?
Reservation rules change almost every year, and 2026 brought a clear rollback. Yosemite, Arches and Mount Rainier dropped timed entry, and Glacier no longer requires one for private cars. Some controls remain:
- Rocky Mountain: timed entry during the main season, booked on Recreation.gov.
- Acadia: vehicle reservation for Cadillac Summit Road in season.
- Haleakalā (Hawaii): reservation to drive up for sunrise.
- Glacier: a ticketed shuttle pilot and parking limits at Logan Pass.
- Zion: a permit for the Angels Landing hike.
Without timed entry, expect lines. Parks may hold traffic when parking lots fill, so arriving early still matters.
When to go
- Summer (June-August): peak season for mountain parks such as Yellowstone, Glacier and Rocky Mountain, with all roads open but heavy crowds.
- Spring and fall: often the best overall, with mild weather and fewer visitors. Fall color is excellent in Great Smoky Mountains and Acadia.
- Winter: high roads close, but southern parks and the deserts are at their most comfortable. Everglades is best in the dry winter months.
- Desert summer: avoid Utah and Arizona canyons at midday; temperatures can exceed 104 °F (40 °C), and Death Valley goes far beyond that.
Practical tips
- Book lodging early: lodges and campgrounds inside popular parks can fill months ahead. Gateway towns are the fallback.
- Rent a car: most western parks have little or no public transit access. Check the rules in our guide to driving in the US.
- Plan for distance: Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon is a drive of well over ten hours. Use the miles to km converter if you think in kilometers.
- Download maps: cell coverage is often absent. The official NPS app offers offline content.
- Carry water and watch the heat: visitors underestimate this in the desert, especially on canyon trails where the climb comes last.
- Keep your distance from wildlife: bison injure more visitors at Yellowstone than bears do. Never feed animals, and follow food-storage rules.
- Check travel insurance: a rescue or hospital stay can be expensive for visitors; see how US healthcare works.
Many trips combine parks with cities. Las Vegas, Denver and Salt Lake City are common starting points; see our list of the largest US cities.
Conservation under pressure
The NPS mandate is to let people enjoy these places while leaving them "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Those goals conflict: crowds wear down trails and stress wildlife, while wildfires, drought and melting glaciers are changing some landscapes. The Leave No Trace principles sum up what is expected of visitors: stay on trails, take your trash with you, and leave plants and animals alone.
Frequently asked questions
How many national parks are there in the US?
There are 64. Chiricahua in Arizona became the 64th in October 2026. The National Park Service manages 434 sites in all, counting monuments, historic sites and other categories.
Do foreign tourists pay more at US national parks?
Yes, since January 2026. Non-residents aged 16 and over pay an extra $100 per person at 11 popular parks, and the annual pass costs them $250 instead of $80. Other parks charge everyone the same fee.
What was the first national park?
Yellowstone, created in 1872. It lies mostly in Wyoming and extends into Montana and Idaho.
What is the most visited national park?
Great Smoky Mountains, with about 11.5 million visits in 2025. It straddles Tennessee and North Carolina.
Are there free days at national parks?
Yes, but since 2026 they apply only to US citizens and residents. Non-residents pay the regular fee and any extra fee on those days.
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