The Ultimate List of National Parks: America’s Crown Jewels

Dreaming of a vacation to one of America’s iconic national parks? With 63 incredible parks to choose from, picking just one is no easy task. But Nook Experiences is here to help. We’ve narrowed it down to the top five national parks in the country. Our list of US national parks has a little something for everyone, from forest fans to mountain maniacs and more. So, join us on a tour of these iconic natural treasures, learn what to see and where to stay nearby, and discover the ultimate list of national parks!

An Introduction to the National Park Service

The National Park Service was created in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. However, the first area to be declared a national park was Yellowstone, with the signing of the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act in 1872. During the intervening four decades, America’s parks were overseen at various times by the departments of Agriculture, the Interior, and War. The creation of the National Park Service has led to the preservation of more than 85 million acres of American wilderness. It is largely considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of US government.

Today, there are 63 national parks spread across all 50 states, Washington D.C., and the US territories. Some famous national parks include Grand Canyon National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, Zion National Park, Death Valley National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, River Gorge National Park, Arctic National Park, White Sands National Park, Lake Clark National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, and Indiana Dunes National Park.

The national parks range in size from just 193 acres to over eight million and encompass a wide array of biomes. They come in 28 designations, including monuments, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, and historic sites. But with so much variety, how do you pick which one to visit for your first national park vacation? You’ve come to the right place! Let’s take a look at the top five US national parks, and the unique accommodations that make your lodging experience part of the adventure.

Yellowstone National Park

Kicking off our ultimate list of national parks is the national park that started it all. Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park predates the National Park Service by 44 years. In fact, it is widely considered the first national park in the world.

The majority of Yellowstone is located in Wyoming, though portions of the park extend into Idaho and Montana. Yellowstone is perhaps most famous for its geothermal features, including the Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring. However, the park is also famous for its wildlife. A wide variety of biomes are represented within the park, providing habitats for a diverse array of species. Among the animals that live in Yellowstone are grizzlies, wolves, mountain lions, and America’s largest public bison herd.

In addition to its many natural attractions, Yellowstone National Park is rich in historical significance. Native Americans occupied the land for at least 11,000 years. Today, the park is home to more than 1,000 indigenous archeological sites.

The Virginian Lodge

Located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, just an hour and a half south of Yellowstone National Park, The Virginian Lodge is a boutique hotel where small details meet expansive wilderness. On your days off from Yellowstone, explore Jackson Hole, home to world-class skiing in the winter, hiking trails and whitewater rafting in the warmer months, and an historic town square with excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment.

You can also spend a free day at the hotel. On site, a wealth of amenities ensures there’s never a dull moment. Go line dancing at The Virginian Saloon, grab a bite to eat at Billy’s Burgers or the Virginian Restaurant, and round out the day with s’mores and good company around the communal fire pits. Finally, The Virginian Lodge invites you to retire to a well-appointed room or suite to recharge for another day of adventure. Every unit at The Virginian Lodge comes equipped with mid-century modern furniture, a spa rain shower, and Pendleton wool blankets.

Book your stay at The Virginian Lodge now!

Yosemite National Park

Next on our list of US national parks is Yosemite. Comprising 759,620 acres of mostly unbroken central California wilderness, Yosemite is one of the largest non-fragmented habitats in the Sierra Nevada range. A World Heritage Site, it is also is one of the most visited national parks on earth. Yosemite tempts travelers from around the globe with its giant sequoia, granite cliffs, glaciers, mountains, and waterfalls. In addition to the natural beauty of the landscape, Yosemite boasts a diverse array of wildlife. Visitors can expect to see iconic local animals such as the black bear, mule deer, and ground squirrel.

Popular sites at Yosemite include the granite cliff, El Capitan, granite domes Sentinel and Half Dome, and the largest glacier in the park, the Lyell Glacier. But the park’s most famous feature is probably its giant sequoias. Yosemite boasts three sequoia groves: the Mariposa Grove, the Tuolumne Grove, and the Merced Grove.

Outbound Mammoth

This all-season mountain getaway offers an array of accommodations and amenities just 45 minutes from Yosemite National Park. Choose from a lodge room, chalet, apartment or studio cabin, with room for between two and six guests. Depending on the layout, the accommodations at Outbound Mammoth may feature fireplaces, rustic mountain furnishings, sleeper sofas, well-equipped kitchens, spectacular views, and more.

Outbound Mammoth is located in Mammoth Lakes, in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. The town is a popular vacation destination with a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Popular pastimes in Mammoth Lakes include skiing at Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, Rainbow Falls, and Devil’s Postpile National Monument, a unique formation of basalt columns. When you aren’t exploring Mammoth Lakes or day-tripping to Yosemite, you can enjoy on-site amenities such as an outdoor pool, fitness center, fire pits, a dry sauna, steam room, and dining options.

See available dates at Outbound Mammoth!

San Antonio Missions National Historic Park

Coming in at number 3 on our list, this national historic park is home to four of San Antonio’s five Spanish frontier missions. Built by Catholic missionaries, the missions were part of Spain’s efforts to convert natives in the 17th-19th centuries. The missions include Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan, Mission San Jose, and Mission Espada. The fifth mission, the famous Alamo, is not part of San Antonio Missions National Historic Park.

A 15-mile system of hiking, biking, and paddling trails was added to the San Antonio Missions in October 2013, as part of the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation project. Through the project, Mission Concepcion, Mission Espada, Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose were connected to the San Antonio Riverwalk via several park portals. Moreover, it made the Missions more accessible, giving guests new, more convenient ways to explore the park.

Camp Comfort

Camp Comfort started life as an athletic club and bowling alley in the early 1860s. Now, this bed-and-breakfast offers guests the perfect getaway in the Texas Hill Country. At Camp Comfort, the splendor of nature meets the personalized service of a boutique hotel. Choose from a variety of accommodations ranging from glamping RVs to a whole house with space for 10 guests. Meanwhile, amenities like fire pits, private creek frontage, and community grills offer a variety of ways to enjoy nature.

In addition to the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park, Camp Comfort boasts convenience to several other premier area attractions. Use the hotel as your jumping off point for a tour of the Texas Hill Country wineries. Or, spend the day strolling the Riverwalk as you enjoy duty-free shopping, delicious dining, live entertainment, museums, and more.

View availability at Camp Comfort!

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Everglades National Park

Next on our list of national parks is Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park protects the lower 20% of the Florida Everglades, the largest tropical wilderness in the US. The park is significant for a number of reasons. It is the foremost breeding grounds for tropical wading birds in North America, home to the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere, and hosts 36 threatened or endangered species.

There are many ways to explore the park. If you’re feeling brave, strap on some waders for a guided slog through the swamps. Or, for a more efficient, less harrowing way of getting around the Everglades, book an airboat tour and glide across water and land alike with ease. Other attractions in Everglades National Park include hiking and biking, museums, as well as the Shark Valley Observation Tower.

Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo

River Ranch is a real dude ranch and western-themed resort where you can live your wildest wild west fantasies. From the saloon with line dancing and mechanical bull to America’s longest-running Saturday rodeo, River Ranch offers a fully immersive western-style experience. However, when you’re done playing cowboy, the resort’s Central Florida location means you’re just a short day trip from the state’s best attractions. In addition to the Everglades, River Ranch is convenient to Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Cocoa Beach.

Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo offers a wide range of accommodations to suit a wide range of needs. Rustic cabins let you start and end the day like a real frontiersman. Or, for an even more unique lodging experience, you can book a luxury tent, teepee, or covered wagon. Of course, if you’re looking for accommodations that feel a little more 21st-century, lodge rooms are available as well.

Book your wild west adventure at River Ranch!

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Rounding out our list of US national parks is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in America, and it’s easy to see why. Part of the oldest mountain range in North America, the Great Smoky Mountains are famous for their lush green foliage (and multicolored fall foliage), scenic drives with dramatic overlooks, and of course, the famous blue haze that gives the Smoky Mountains their name. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also home to many spectacular waterfalls, including Mingo Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the southern Appalachians.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Auto touring is the most popular way to experience the park, with 384 miles of roads to choose from. If you want to take things a little slower, however, you’ll also find plenty of hiking trails and horseback riding trails. These trails are ideal if you want to see wildlife, which is abundant and includes everything from black bears to elk to a rainbow of bird species.

Huffman Creek Retreat

Huffman Creek Retreat comprises seven distinct cabins, offering the perfect base camp for your Great Smoky Mountain adventure. The retreat lies just 45 minutes from the national park, however, you’ll find tons of closer attractions, too. Take a drive on the famous Tail of the Dragon, featuring 318 hairpin curves in 11 miles. Or, for a more casual driving experience, take in the dramatic views along the Cherohala Skyway.

When you aren’t out sightseeing, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied right on site at Huffman Creek Retreat. Amenities include private creek frontage with hammocks, a communal fire pit, as well as miles of hiking trails. And at the end of the day, you’ll relish the privacy of your own cozy cabin. These cabins sleep between 4 and 14 guests. They feature rustic mountain decor and furnishings, and come equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

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Your National Park Adventure Starts With Nook Experiences

At Nook Experiences, we believe in making the great outdoors accessible to everyone. Thus, we’ve found the country’s best boutique hotels and glamping sites and assembled them in one convenient online location. So, whether you’re planning an excursion to one of the US national parks on our list, or you have another destination in mind, browse our collection of accommodations and book your adventure today!