The world's great national parks protect landscapes so extraordinary they can reshape how you see the planet. From the geothermal violence of Yellowstone to the ancient silence of Namibia's Skeleton Coast, from the vertical granite of Patagonia to the underwater kingdoms of Indonesia's Raja Ampat, these are places where nature operates at a scale that humbles anyone who visits.

This guide covers 25 national parks across every continent, each one worth building an entire trip around. For every park, you will find the best time to visit, difficulty level, entry costs, and the specific highlights that make it unforgettable.

North America

1. Yellowstone National Park, USA

The world's first national park remains one of its most remarkable — a volcanic landscape where the earth's crust is thin enough to boil water, launch geysers, and paint entire hillsides in thermophilic oranges and blues.

Highlights: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Lamar Valley wildlife (wolves, bison, grizzly bears), Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs
Best time: September (fewer crowds, fall colors, active wildlife). May-June for baby animals.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Most major features are accessible from boardwalks and short trails. Backcountry requires permits and bear canisters.
Entry: USD 35 per vehicle (7-day pass). Annual America the Beautiful Pass (USD 80) covers all US national parks.
Tip: Lamar Valley at dawn is the best place in the lower 48 states to see wolves in the wild. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope.

2. Banff National Park, Canada

The Canadian Rockies at their most iconic — turquoise glacial lakes, towering peaks, and some of North America's finest hiking and skiing.

Highlights: Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Icefields Parkway (one of the world's greatest drives), Johnston Canyon, Sunshine Meadows
Best time: Late June to mid-September for hiking. January-March for skiing. September-October for larch season (golden larch trees against turquoise lakes).
Difficulty: Range from easy lakeside walks to strenuous multi-day backcountry treks. The Icefields Parkway is driveable.
Entry: CAD 10.50/adult/day (2024 rates). Discovery Pass (CAD 72.25) covers all Parks Canada sites for a year.
Tip: Moraine Lake road opens in late May or June depending on snow. Arrive before 6 AM in peak summer to guarantee parking, or take the Parks Canada shuttle.

3. Yosemite National Park, USA

John Muir called it "the grandest of all the special temples of Nature." Yosemite Valley's granite walls, giant sequoias, and waterfalls have inspired conservationists and adventurers for over 150 years.

Highlights: El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Glacier Point, Tunnel View
Best time: May-June for peak waterfalls. September-October for fewer crowds and fall color. Winter is magical and uncrowded.
Difficulty: Yosemite Valley is easy. Half Dome cables route is strenuous and requires a permit (lottery). The Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls is moderately demanding.
Entry: USD 35 per vehicle (7-day pass).
Tip: Reservations are required to drive into Yosemite Valley during peak season (roughly April-October). Book months in advance or enter before 5 AM.

South America

4. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

Patagonia's crown jewel. Granite towers rising from glacial lakes, massive ice fields, and some of the most dramatic trekking on Earth.

Highlights: The Torres (towers) viewpoint, Grey Glacier, the French Valley, Lago Pehoe, guanaco herds
Best time: November to March (Southern Hemisphere summer). December-February is warmest but windiest. March offers autumn colors and fewer trekkers.
Difficulty: The W Trek (5 days) is strenuous but achievable for fit hikers. The O Circuit (8-10 days) is challenging. Day hikes are available for non-trekkers.
Entry: CLP 32,000 (about USD 35) for foreigners in peak season.
Tip: Book refugio (mountain hut) reservations months in advance — they sell out for peak season by March or April. Campsite reservations are also required.

5. Galapagos National Park, Ecuador

The islands where Darwin's theory of evolution took shape. Wildlife here has no fear of humans — you will step over marine iguanas, swim alongside sea lions, and stand meters from blue-footed boobies performing mating dances.

Highlights: Giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, hammerhead shark diving, volcanic landscapes, snorkeling with sea lions and penguins
Best time: Year-round, each season with trade-offs. January-May is warmer with calmer seas (better snorkeling). June-November is cooler with more marine life activity.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Most experiences are boat-based with short guided walks. Snorkeling is the main physical activity.
Entry: USD 100 national park fee plus USD 20 transit card.
Tip: A multi-day cruise is the best way to see the islands — it covers more territory and reduces transit time between sites. Budget 5-8 days minimum.

6. Iguazu National Park, Argentina/Brazil

The most powerful waterfall system on Earth — 275 individual falls stretching nearly 3 km along the Argentina-Brazil border. The spray creates permanent rainbows and supports lush subtropical rainforest.

Highlights: Devil's Throat (the largest fall), the walkway system on both sides, boat rides under the falls, toucans and coatis in the park
Best time: March-April and August-October (less humidity, good water flow). November-February is hot and humid. June-July can have reduced water flow but fewer tourists.
Difficulty: Easy. Well-maintained walkways and elevators. The Argentine side requires more walking (half to full day); the Brazilian side offers broader panoramas (2-3 hours).
Entry: About USD 30-40 per side (Argentina and Brazil charge separately).
Tip: Visit both sides. The Argentine side offers immersive close-up experiences and more trails. The Brazilian side provides the iconic panoramic views. Allow one full day for each.

Europe

7. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Sixteen terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, all in impossibly vivid shades of turquoise, emerald, and azure. The colors shift with mineral content, season, and angle of sunlight.

Highlights: The Great Waterfall (Veliki Slap, 78 m), boardwalk trails weaving between lakes, the Lower Lakes' intense color
Best time: May-June and September-October (warm, fewer crowds than July-August). Winter is stunning — partially frozen waterfalls — but cold and with limited trails open.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Well-maintained boardwalks and paths. Full circuit takes 4-6 hours.
Entry: EUR 10-40 depending on season and ticket type. Summer is most expensive.
Tip: Enter at Entrance 2 (lower lakes) for the best first impression. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid tour bus crowds.

8. Swiss National Park, Switzerland

Switzerland's only national park is a pristine alpine wilderness in the Engadin Valley — no infrastructure, no mountain huts in the core zone, just protected forests, meadows, and wildlife recovering after a century of protection.

Highlights: Ibex and chamois sightings, marmots, golden eagles, autumn larch forests, the Val Trupchun wildlife viewing trail
Best time: June to October. Late September for golden larch color. Early June for wildflowers.
Difficulty: Moderate. Mountain trails with significant elevation gain. Well-marked but no facilities within the park.
Entry: Free.
Tip: The strict protection rules mean you must stay on marked trails and cannot camp inside the park. This makes it a remarkably pristine experience.

9. Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland

Europe's largest national park covers 14% of Iceland, encompassing Vatnajokull glacier (the largest in Europe), volcanic landscapes, ice caves, and powerful waterfalls.

Highlights: Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, Svartifoss (columnar basalt waterfall), Skaftafell area, Dettifoss (Europe's most powerful waterfall), ice caves (winter only)
Best time: June-August for hiking and midnight sun. November-March for ice caves and northern lights.
Difficulty: Range from easy (Jokulsarlon lagoon walk) to extreme (glacier traverses requiring crampons and guides). Skaftafell trails are moderate.
Entry: Free. Guided glacier and ice cave tours cost ISK 15,000-30,000.
Tip: The park is enormous and split into distinct areas. Skaftafell (south) and Jokulsarlon are the most accessible. Askja (north) requires F-road access in summer only.

Africa

10. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

The Serengeti's annual wildebeest migration — over 1.5 million animals moving in a continuous circuit across the plains — is the greatest wildlife spectacle on Earth.

Highlights: The Great Migration, Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino), Ngorongoro Crater (adjacent), vast open plains, the Mara River crossing
Best time: June-July for the migration heading north. January-February for calving season on the southern plains. The Mara River crossings (July-September) are the most dramatic events.
Difficulty: Easy (vehicle-based safari). Walking safaris available in some areas with armed guides.
Entry: USD 70/adult/day (24-hour period).
Tip: The migration is a year-round cycle, not a single event. Research where the herds will be in your travel month. A good safari operator will position you correctly.

11. Kruger National Park, South Africa

South Africa's flagship park is one of the most accessible safari destinations in Africa — you can self-drive through the park, staying in affordable rest camps, making it possible to do a world-class safari on a moderate budget.

Highlights: Big Five viewing, self-drive safari routes, excellent rest camps, diverse ecosystems from savanna to riverine forest
Best time: May-October (dry season). Animals concentrate around water sources, vegetation is thinner, and wildlife viewing is easier. July-August is coolest and most comfortable.
Difficulty: Easy. Self-drive on paved and gravel roads. No hiking required.
Entry: ZAR 460/adult/day (about USD 25). Rest camp accommodation from ZAR 500-2,000/night.
Tip: The southern section (Lower Sabie, Skukuza) has the highest animal density and best infrastructure. Book rest camps 6-12 months ahead for dry season dates.

12. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

Home to roughly half the world's remaining mountain gorillas. Trekking through dense rainforest to sit with a gorilla family is one of the most profound wildlife experiences available anywhere.

Highlights: Mountain gorilla trekking, 120+ mammal species, 350+ bird species, ancient rainforest
Best time: June-August and December-February (dry seasons). Trails are muddy year-round but more manageable in dry months.
Difficulty: Strenuous. Gorilla treks involve 2-8 hours of hiking through steep, dense, muddy rainforest at altitude (1,200-2,600 m). Reasonable fitness is required.
Entry: Gorilla trekking permits cost USD 700 per person (Uganda rate). Book 6-12 months in advance — permits sell out.
Tip: The one-hour encounter with a gorilla family justifies the cost and effort. Hire a porter (USD 15-20) — they carry your bag and help on steep sections, and it directly supports the local community.

13. Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

The oldest desert in the world, with landscapes that feel alien — 300-meter-tall red sand dunes, the eerie white clay pan of Deadvlei with its 900-year-old dead trees, and the Skeleton Coast's shipwreck-strewn shores.

Highlights: Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, Dune 45 sunrise climb, Sesriem Canyon, the Skeleton Coast, desert-adapted elephants
Best time: May-October (winter). Cooler temperatures make desert exploration comfortable. March-April also works.
Difficulty: Moderate. Dune climbing is physically demanding (soft sand at altitude). Most attractions involve moderate walks in heat.
Entry: NAD 150/adult/day (about USD 8).
Tip: Enter the Sesriem gate at dawn to reach Deadvlei before the sun hits the pan floor. The interplay of light and shadow on the dunes and dead trees in early morning is one of Africa's most photographed scenes.

Asia

14. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China

The sandstone pillar landscape that inspired the floating mountains in the film Avatar. Over 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks rise from subtropical forest, creating a landscape unlike anything else on Earth.

Highlights: Avatar Hallelujah Mountain, Glass Bridge, Tianmen Mountain (with its 999-step staircase and cliff-side glass skywalk), the Bailong Elevator (world's tallest outdoor elevator)
Best time: April-May and September-November. Summer is hot and crowded. Winter offers snow-dusted pillars and far fewer tourists.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Cable cars and elevators reduce physical demands. Some trails are steep with many stairs.
Entry: CNY 225/person (about USD 32), valid for 4 days.
Tip: Arrive at park opening to beat Chinese domestic tour groups. The park is enormous — allow at least 2-3 full days.

15. Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Three volcanic islands where Komodo dragons — the world's largest lizards, up to 3 meters long — patrol the forests and beaches. The surrounding waters offer world-class diving with manta rays, reef sharks, and vibrant coral.

Highlights: Komodo dragon encounters, manta ray diving at Manta Point, Pink Beach, Padar Island viewpoint, exceptional coral reefs
Best time: April-June and September-November. July-August has the best diving visibility but rougher seas. December-February is wettest.
Difficulty: Easy for dragon viewing (guided walks). Diving ranges from beginner to advanced (strong currents in some sites). The Padar Island viewpoint hike is moderate.
Entry: IDR 350,000 on weekdays, IDR 500,000 on weekends (about USD 22-32). Additional fees for each activity.
Tip: Liveaboard dive trips (3-4 days) are the best way to combine dragon viewing with diving multiple sites. Book with a reputable operator — currents in Komodo are strong and require experienced guides.

16. Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park, China

A fairy-tale valley of multi-colored lakes, layered waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks in Sichuan province. The calcium carbonate and mineral deposits create lakes in impossible shades of blue, green, and turquoise.

Highlights: Five Flower Lake, Pearl Shoal Waterfall, Mirror Lake, Nuorilang Waterfall, Tibetan villages
Best time: September-November for autumn color — the combination of colored lakes and fall foliage is staggering. May-June for waterfalls at peak flow.
Difficulty: Easy. Boardwalks and shuttle buses connect all major sights. Walking the full park takes a full day.
Entry: CNY 169-250 depending on season (about USD 24-35).
Tip: Go on a weekday if possible. Chinese national holidays (especially October Golden Week) bring overwhelming crowds.

17. Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

One of the world's oldest evergreen rainforests, anchored by the surreal Cheow Lan Lake — a reservoir surrounded by dramatic karst limestone formations that pierce the canopy.

Highlights: Floating raft houses on Cheow Lan Lake, jungle trekking, wild elephant encounters, gibbons, hornbills, night safaris, cave exploration
Best time: December-April (dry season). June-November is wetter but the jungle is at its most lush.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Lake activities are gentle. Jungle treks vary from short walks to multi-day expeditions.
Entry: THB 300/adult (about USD 9).
Tip: Stay overnight on a floating raft house on Cheow Lan Lake. Waking up surrounded by mist-shrouded limestone karsts with gibbon calls echoing across the water is magical.

Oceania

18. Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

New Zealand's most remote and dramatic park — sheer cliffs rising from deep fiords, cascading waterfalls, ancient beech forest, and some of the best multi-day hikes on the planet.

Highlights: Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, the Milford Track (often called "the finest walk in the world"), the Routeburn Track, Sutherland Falls
Best time: November to April (New Zealand summer/autumn). The Milford Track booking opens in June for the following season and sells out fast.
Difficulty: The Milford Track (4 days, 53.5 km) is moderate to strenuous. The Routeburn Track (3 days) is similar. Milford Sound can be visited as a day cruise.
Entry: Free for the park. Milford Track hut bookings cost NZD 140/adult/night through DOC (Department of Conservation).
Tip: Milford Sound receives 8 meters of rain annually — one of the wettest places on Earth. Rain actually enhances the experience, creating hundreds of temporary waterfalls down the cliff faces. Bring waterproof everything.

19. Kakadu National Park, Australia

Australia's largest national park combines 65,000 years of Aboriginal rock art with monsoon wetlands, crocodile-filled rivers, and dramatic escarpment landscapes. It is simultaneously a natural wonder and one of the world's most important cultural landscapes.

Highlights: Ubirr and Nourlangie rock art sites, Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, Yellow Water Billabong (saltwater crocodile territory), Aboriginal cultural tours
Best time: May-October (dry season). Waterfalls are best in May-June after the wet season ends. July-September is driest with easiest access.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Most rock art sites involve short walks. Jim Jim Falls requires a 4WD and a moderate hike.
Entry: AUD 40/adult (valid for 7 days).
Tip: Yellow Water Billabong at sunrise is extraordinary — saltwater crocodiles basking as thousands of birds take flight. Book the first boat of the day.

20. Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

A dual UNESCO World Heritage Site (natural and cultural) with active volcanoes, emerald crater lakes, and the legendary one-day Tongariro Alpine Crossing — possibly the best day hike in the world.

Highlights: Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Emerald Lakes, Mount Ngauruhoe ("Mount Doom" from Lord of the Rings), Red Crater, Tama Lakes
Best time: December-March for the best weather on the Alpine Crossing. The crossing is weather-dependent year-round. Winter (June-August) brings snow and ice — full mountaineering equipment required.
Difficulty: The Alpine Crossing is strenuous (19.4 km, 7-8 hours, 800 m elevation gain). Exposed sections with no shelter. Not suitable in bad weather.
Entry: Free for the park. Shuttle buses to/from the crossing cost NZD 40-50.
Tip: Check the weather the morning of your crossing at the DOC visitor center. People have died on this route in bad conditions. If conditions are poor, postpone — it will be worth the wait.

Central America

21. Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Costa Rica's most visited park packs an extraordinary amount of biodiversity into just 20 square kilometers — white-faced capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, toucans, and some of the country's best beaches.

Highlights: White sand beaches within the park, three monkey species, sloths, toucans, excellent snorkeling, cathedral-like rainforest
Best time: December-April (dry season). September-November is less crowded with intermittent rain.
Difficulty: Easy. Well-maintained flat trails. Accessible for all fitness levels.
Entry: USD 18/adult.
Tip: Hire a local naturalist guide (USD 25-40/person) at the park entrance. They carry spotting scopes and know exactly where the sloths and monkeys are. You will see ten times more wildlife with a guide than without one.

Middle East and Central Asia

22. Goreme National Park, Turkey

The surreal landscape of Cappadocia — fairy chimneys, underground cities, and cave churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes — is one of the most otherworldly places on Earth.

Highlights: Hot air balloon flights over the fairy chimneys, Goreme Open-Air Museum (cave churches with frescoes), underground cities (Derinkuyu, Kaymakli), Rose Valley and Red Valley hikes, cave hotels
Best time: April-June and September-October. Summers are hot (35C+). Winters are cold but atmospheric, with snow on the fairy chimneys.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Valley hikes are gentle. Underground cities involve tight spaces and stairs.
Entry: Museum entry TRY 650 (about USD 20). Balloon flights USD 150-300.
Tip: Book your balloon flight for your first full morning, with a backup date. Flights are weather-dependent and cancel frequently due to wind. Having multiple chances increases your odds of flying.

Antarctica and Arctic

23. Northeast Greenland National Park

The world's largest national park — 972,000 square kilometers of Arctic wilderness. It is inaccessible to casual tourists, but expedition cruises along its coastline offer encounters with musk oxen, polar bears, Arctic foxes, and some of the most remote landscapes on the planet.

Highlights: Musk oxen herds, polar bear sightings, massive fjords, the midnight sun, Arctic flora, icebergs, complete remoteness
Best time: July-August (the only time expedition ships can access the coast). The midnight sun provides 24-hour daylight.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (expedition cruise-based with Zodiac landings). Cold-weather gear required.
Entry: Access only via expedition cruise. Budget USD 8,000-15,000+ for a 10-14 day voyage.
Tip: This is genuinely one of the last wild places on Earth. Fewer people visit the interior of this park than summit Everest. The expedition cruise experience is the only realistic access.

Additional World-Class Parks

24. Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, Nepal

The park surrounding the world's highest peak offers the legendary Everest Base Camp trek — 130 km through Sherpa villages, Buddhist monasteries, and increasingly dramatic Himalayan scenery.

Highlights: Everest Base Camp trek, Kala Patthar viewpoint, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche Monastery, Sherpa culture
Best time: October-November (post-monsoon, clear skies, best views). March-May is the second season (spring flowers, warmer but hazier).
Difficulty: Strenuous. The Base Camp trek (12-14 days round trip) reaches 5,364 m. Altitude sickness is a real concern. No technical climbing skill required.
Entry: NPR 3,000 (about USD 23) plus TIMS permit. Teahouse lodges cost USD 3-10/night; meals are extra.
Tip: Acclimatization is not optional. The standard itinerary includes rest days at Namche Bazaar and Dingboche. Skipping them is dangerous. Diamox can help but is not a substitute for proper acclimatization.

25. Jasper National Park, Canada

Banff's less-visited neighbor to the north is a dark sky preserve — the second-largest in the world — with pristine lakes, powerful waterfalls, and the Columbia Icefield connecting the two parks.

Highlights: Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield, Jasper Dark Sky Festival (October), wildlife (elk, bears, bighorn sheep), Miette Hot Springs
Best time: June-September for hiking and summer activities. January-March for dark sky viewing and skiing at Marmot Basin. October for the Dark Sky Festival.
Difficulty: Range from easy lakeside walks to challenging backcountry routes like the Skyline Trail (44 km, 2-3 days).
Entry: CAD 10.50/adult/day (Parks Canada).
Tip: Stay for the stars. As one of the world's largest dark sky preserves, Jasper offers night sky viewing that rivals anywhere on Earth. The Milky Way is visible with the naked eye on clear nights.

Planning Tips for National Park Travel

Book Early

Popular parks increasingly require advance reservations — for campsites, hut systems, permits, or even park entry. The Milford Track, Everest Base Camp, and Galapagos all require months of advance planning.

Hire Guides When Recommended

In parks with dangerous wildlife (Komodo, Bwindi, Serengeti), challenging conditions (Tongariro, Nepal), or extraordinary biodiversity (Manuel Antonio, Galapagos), a knowledgeable guide transforms the experience from good to exceptional.

Leave No Trace

Every park on this list is under pressure from tourism. Pack out all waste, stay on marked trails, do not feed wildlife, and respect cultural sites. The principles are simple; following them ensures these parks survive for future visitors.

Respect Local Communities

Many national parks encompass indigenous and local community lands. In Kakadu, Bwindi, Sagarmatha, and others, cultural sensitivity is not optional — it is the foundation of responsible travel.

The Bottom Line

These 25 parks represent the full spectrum of what our planet has to offer — from underwater coral kingdoms to 8,000-meter peaks, from ancient deserts to glacial fjords. Each one rewards the effort of getting there with experiences that no city, resort, or theme park can replicate. Pick one that calls to you, plan thoroughly, and go. The natural world is the greatest show on Earth, and these are its best stages.

25 National Parks Worth Traveling Across the World For