Top 70 Most Beautiful National Parks in the World

Luis Mendoza, 23 Jan 2025

Have you ever thought “How many national parks are there in the world?” Well, there are actually more than 4,000 national parks in the world we live in. Ecuador, New Zealand, Indonesia, South Korea, Uganda, United States, China and many more countries have national parks. 

However, deciding on which national park is the most beautiful national park in the world can be a little difficult and we may need to bring a broad perspective into this by getting into details. Here, we will take a look at the largest national park in the world, oldest national park in the world, and best national parks in the world.

1. Grand Canyon National Park

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona, United States. Grand Canyon National Park is a very popular park and it receives millions of visitors every year. Here, there are lots of services that will be provided for the visitors. You can go hiking, you can ride your bike on Hermit Road, you can benefit from the gorgeous view and take some photos to add to your catalogue, and you can enjoy delicious food at restaurants. You can visit the North Rim, which has lots of restaurants and shops. 

🏕️   Camping is also an available opportunity here. You can stay at the lodges. In 2021, Grand Canyon National Park received 4.53 million visitors. Individual pass costs $20 for each person but if you have your car or motorcycle with you it can cost more. Also, do not forget that on some special days, such as National Park Week or Veterans Day, the entrance is free.

The closest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 228 miles by car.

2. Yellowstone National Park

Photo by Lukas Kloeppel on Pexels

Photo by Lukas Kloeppel on Pexels

Yellowstone National Park is located in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming in the United States. Yellowstone National Park has a historical importance because it is the first national park in the world. Individual pass costs $20 for each person. If you have a private car with you, it will cost $35. Here, you can watch wildlife, go hiking, take photos, eat delicious food from restaurants, and have a picnic. Yellowstone National Park received 4.86 million visitors in 2021. 

The nearest airport is West Yellowstone Airport. The distance between the two locations is 3 miles by transfer.

3. Yosemite National Park

Photo by Rakshith Hatwar on Unsplash

Photo by Rakshith Hatwar on Unsplash

Yosemite National Park is in California, United States. Yosemite National Park is a feast for the eyes because it has magnificent waterfalls and valleys. For people who are 16 and older than 16, the entrance fee is $20 if they arrive individually without a private car. In 2021, Yosemite National Park received 3.34 million visitors. You can take amazing photos here and make sure that the memories stay with you in the long run. 

🏕️  Camping and lodging are two great options for accommodation. You can visit Mariposa Grove, the Yosemite History Center, and you can join guided tours. Birdwatching, stargazing, and climbing are other great options to think of when you are visiting Yosemite National Park. 

The closest airport is Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The distance between the two locations is 65 miles by transfer.

4. Zion National Park

Photo by Danika Perkinson on Unsplash

Photo by Danika Perkinson on Unsplash

Zion National Park is in Utah, United States. Zion Canyon makes Zion National Park a great place to go hiking. Here, as well as going hiking, you can take great photos of the mesmerizing scenery, you can go swimming in the permitted lakes, and you can visit museums. For children under 15, the entrance is free. For other individual passes, the entrance fee is $20. Zion National Park is actually very popular. Zion National Park received more than 5 million visitors in 2021. 

The nearest airport is St. George Regional Airport. You can visit the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and see the Weeping Rock.

The closest airport is George Regional (SGU) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 48 miles by transfer.

5. Glacier National Park

Photo by Cole Allen on Unsplash

Photo by Cole Allen on Unsplash

Glacier National Park is in Montana, United States. Entrance fee is $20 for people who are 16 and older than 16. If you have a car with you, the fee will change accordingly. Glacier National Park in Montana received almost 3 million visitors in 2021. You can visit Lake McDonald, the North Fork, and Logan Pass. You can join a boat tour while you visit Lake McDonald and enjoy the whole scenery.

The nearest airport is Glacier Park International Airport. The distance between the two locations is 25 miles by transfer.

6. Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is in California, United States. Entrance fee is $15 for individuals without private cars. In 2021, more than 3 million people visited Joshua Tree National Park. You can also go camping. But visiting Cholla Cactus Garden is a must!

The nearest airports are Los Angeles International Airport or Palm Springs International Airport. The distance between LAX and Joshua Tree National Park is 148 miles and The distance between Palm Springs Airport and Joshua Tree National Park is 45 miles by transfer.

7. Acadia National Park

Photo by Wei Zeng on Unsplash

Photo by Wei Zeng on Unsplash

Acadia National Park is in Maine, United States. For individual passes, the entrance fee is $15. If you have a car with you, it will be $30. Acadia National Park welcomed more than 4 million visitors in 2021. When you are visiting Acadia National Park, do not forget to take lots of photos because you will want to remember everything! You can visit Cadillac Mountain, the Jordan Pond, and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

The nearest airport is Bangor International (BGR) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 47 miles by transfer.

8. Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is in Colorado, United States. Per person, the entrance fee is $15. If you have a car with you, it will be $25. Rocky Mountain National Park received more than 4 million visitors last year in 2021. You can enjoy the beautiful lakes and go hiking. You should visit Holzwarth Historic Site and Old Fall River Road & Chasm Falls.

The nearest airport is Denver International (DEN) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 72 miles by transfer.

9. Denali National Park

Denali National Park is in Alaska, United States. The entrance fee is $15 for individuals and this entrance will permit you to visit the park for a week. Denali National Park is not that popular but it received 229,521 more visitors in 2021 than the previous year. Hiking, camping, taking photos, having picnics, and visiting the Front Country can all be great options.

The nearest airport is Fairbanks International Airport. The distance between the two locations is 121 miles by transfer.

10. Bryce Canyon National Park

Photo by Philip Graves on Unsplash

Photo by Philip Graves on Unsplash

Bryce Canyon National Park is in Utah, United States. Per person, the entrance fee is $20 for individuals without private cars. More than 2 million people visited Bryce Canyon National Park in 2021. You should visit Rainbow Point and go hiking. Also, do not forget to take great photos!

The nearest airport is Cedar City Regional Airport. The distance between the two locations is 80 miles by transfer.

11. Arches National Park

Arches National Park is in Utah, United States. Per person, the entrance fee is $15 for individuals who do not have a private car. Almost 2 million people visited Arches National Park in 2021. Here, you should visit Arches Scenic Drive, La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, and go hiking. Do not forget to bring your camera!

The nearest airport is Grand Junction Regional (GJT) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 110 miles by transfer.

12. Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is located in Wyoming, United States. The entrance fee is $20 per person for individual passes without private cars. More than 3 million people visited Grand Teton National Park in 2021. Here, you can take a boat ride and see Jenny Lake. You will be able to take great photos. You can also visit Signal Mountain.

The nearest airport is Jackson Hole (JAC) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 4.5 miles by transfer.

13. Crater Lake National Park

Photo by KAL VISUALS on Unsplash

Photo by KAL VISUALS on Unsplash

Crater Lake National Park is in Oregon, United States. The entrance fee is $15 per individual. Crater Lake National Park was visited by 647,651 people in 2021. Here, you should definitely visit Toketee Falls and the Wizard Island!

The nearest airport is Eugene (EUG) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 136 miles by transfer.

14.Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is a national park in Uttarkand, India. Per visitor, the entrance fee is Rs 200. Jim Corbett National Park was visited by more than 200,000 tourists in 2021. Camping, climbing, hiking, rock climbing, and river rafting are among the activities you can do in Jim Corbett National Park.

The nearest airport is Pantnagar (PGH) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 83 km by transfer.

15. Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is a national park in Texas, United States. For individuals, the entrance fee is $15. However, people with vehicles are subjected to higher entrance fees. Big Bend National Park welcomed more than 500,000 visitors last year in 2021. Visiting Big Bend National Park will be a great experience for you because you will get the chance to explore all the beauties of nature presented here. If you want to go hiking, we have the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. If you are the curious type, there we have the Fossil Discovery Exhibit.

The nearest airport is Midland/Odessa (MAF) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 233 miles by transfer.

16. Olympic National Park

Photo by Zetong Li on Unsplash

Photo by Zetong Li on Unsplash

Olympic National Park is a national park that is located in Washington, United States. The entrance fee is $15 for individuals without private cars. Almost 2.5 million people visited Olympic National Park in 2021. Here, you can view the wildlife, go hiking, and join boat tours to enjoy everything to the fullest.

The nearest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 100 miles by transfer.

17. Peak District National Park

Peak District National Park is located in the United Kingdom. The entrance fee for secondary and higher education students is £14. Peak District National Park is a very popular park and it receives more than 13 million visitors every year. Peak District National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. You should definitely visit Alton Towers, Haddon Hall, and Chatsworth House.

The nearest airport is Manchester (MAN) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 15 miles by transfer.

18. Snowdonia National Park

Snowdonia National Park is in Wales, United Kingdom. Snowdonia National Park welcomed more than 600,000 visitors in the past year, 2021. Here, you can visit the National State Museum, see Dolgoch Falls, and visit Hafod Eryri.

The nearest airport is Cardiff (CWL) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 122 miles by transfer.

19. Shenandoah National Park

Photo by  oAndrew Neeln Unsplash

Photo by  oAndrew Neeln Unsplash

Shenandoah National Park is a national park located in Virginia, United States. For individual passes, the entrance fee is $15. Shenandoah National Park welcomed more than 1 million people as visitors in 2021. Something interesting you can do is eating blackberries! They are edible and you can enjoy them when you visit this national park.

The nearest airport is Charlottesville (CHO) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 50 miles by transfer.

20. Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park is in Kentucky, United States. Entrance to Mammoth Cave National Park is free of charge. However, the activities that you can do here are all separately charged. You can enjoy cave tours, historic tours, camping, and Violet City Lantern Tour when you are visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. The park received more than 500,000 visitors in 2021. 

The nearest airport is Owensboro (OWB) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 75 miles by transfer.

 

21. Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park is in India. Thousands of tourists visit Kaziranga National Park every year. The entrance fee is Rs 50. You should definitely visit the Kaziranga National Orchid Park. 

Rowriah Airport is the nearest airport to Kaziranga National Park.

22. Kruger National Park

Photo by Andrew Liu on Unsplash

Photo by Andrew Liu on Unsplash

Kruger National Park is in South Africa. The entrance fee is R110 for adults and R55 for children. Almost 1 million people visit Kruger National Park each year. Here, after all the things you will see, you can go to Tshokwane Picnic Site and enjoy your time.

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport can be the easiest way to reach Kruger National Airport. 

23. White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is in New Mexico. For individuals, the entrance fee is $20.  White Sands National Park received more than 700,000 visitors in 2021.  You can have a picnic at the sites, go hiking and camp here.

El Paso Airport is the closest airport to White Sands National Park.

24. Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park is in Colorado, United States. Per individual, the entrance fee is $7. If you have a private vehicle with you, it will be $15. 

Cortez Airport is the nearest airport to Mesa Verde National Park.

25. Redwood Forest National Park

Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash

Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash

It is located in California, United States. Here, you can see the tallest trees in the world. Entrance is free but additional activities are charged. Enjoy nature and Scenic Drives when you are here!

San Francisco Airport is the nearest airport. 

26. Everglades National Park

It is in Florida, United States. Per individual, the entrance fee is $15. There are guided tours here and you can also ride your bike. Do not forget to go hiking!

Miami International Airport is the nearest airport to Everglades National Park. 

27. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It is between North Carolina and Tennessee in the United States. You can join bus tours and guided tours to enjoy the park. The entrance is free. 

McGee-Tyson Airport is the nearest airport that can take you to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

28. Galapagos National Park

It is in Ecuador and it is the first national park in Ecuador. The entrance is $100 per person. Yes, Galapagos National Park is a lot more expensive than other national parks. 

Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport is the nearest airport to use.

29. Banff National Park

It is in Canada. Here, you can visit villages, see lakes, and discover the whole town in general. For adults, the entrance fee is $10.50. 

Calgary Airport is the nearest airport to Banff National Park.

30. Jiuzhaigou National Park

Photo by  on Rosalind Chang on Unsplash

Photo by  on Rosalind Chang on Unsplash

It is a national park in China. The entrance fee is CNY 169. Some of the best attractions here are Pearl Shoal Waterfalls, Mirror Lake, and amusement parks. 

The nearest airport is Sichuan Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport.

31. Kidepo Valley National Park

It is located in Uganda. Per individual, the entrance fee is $40. Lonely Mountain, Narus Valley, and Lomei Hills are some of the top attractions here. 

The nearest airport is Kidepo Airport.

32. Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park is in New Zealand. Visiting the Chasm, Doubtful Sound, and Milford Track, as well as joining a guided boat tour are some of the best things you can do here. The entrance fee is NZ$27. 

Te Anau-Manapouri Airport can be the nearest airport.

33. Torres del Paine National Park

It is in Chilean Patagonia. You can ride your bike, enjoy the scenery, join guided tours, and enjoy the Azur waters. The entrance fee is around $30. 

Punta Arenas Airport is the nearest airport.

34. Komodo National Park

Photo by  on Frans Daniels on Unsplash

Photo by  on Frans Daniels on Unsplash

It is a national park in Indonesia. The entrance fee is $10 on weekdays and $15 on weekends. When you are here, do not forget to pay a visit to Pink Beach! 

Komodo International Airport is the closest airport to the park.

35. Plitvice Lakes National Park

It is in Croatia. The entrance fee is around $12. You should visit the Great Waterfall when you are here. 

The nearest airport is Zadar Airport.

36. Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is in Canada. You should visit Maligne Lake, Maligne Canyon, and Sunwapta Falls here. The entrance fee is $10.50. 

Edmonton International Airport is the nearest airport to Jasper National Park.

37. Etosha National Park

Photo by katsuma tanaka on Unsplash

Photo by katsuma tanaka on Unsplash

It is located in Namibia. Entrance for children is free and for adults the entrance fee is between $4-6. You should visit Etosha Pan while you are here. 

The nearest airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport.

38. Goreme National Park

It is located in Nevsehir, Turkey. It is a very unique place to visit because it carries human history within. The entrance fee is about $7-10. You should visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum when you are here. 

The nearest airport is Nevsehir Airport.

39. Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park

It is a national park in Italy. Here you can enjoy scuba diving, hiking, enjoying the beautiful view, and joining guided tours. 

Olbia Airport is most likely the nearest airport to Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park.

40. Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park

It is in Italy. A ticket for entrance usually costs around €20. Cereda Pass, Duran Pass, and Primiero are the places to visit when you are here. 

Venice Treviso Airport can be the nearest airport.

41. Cat Ba National Park

Photo by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash

Photo by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash

It is a national park in Vietnam. You should visit Cat Co 1 Beach and also see the caves here. The entrance fee is around $3-5. 

Haiphong Airport can be the nearest airport to this park.

42. Victoria Falls National Park

It is a national park in Zimbabwe. Visiting Livingstone Island and taking long walks are some of the best things you can do here. The entrance fee is $20. 

Victoria Falls Airport is the nearest airport that can take you to the national park.

43. Zhangye National Park

Photo by Zhangye National Park on Unsplash

Photo by Zhangye National Park on Unsplash

It is in China. Wildlife areas, National Wetland Park, and Muta Temple are some of the attractions you should consider here. The entrance fee is approximately CNY 40. 

Zhangye Ganzhou Airport is the nearest airport.

44. Ao Phang Nga National Park

It is located in Thailand. You can enjoy many water sports here. For adults, the entrance fee is 200 Baht. 

Suvarnabhumi Airport is the closest airport to this national park.

45. Reunion National Park

It is in France. Volcano House, Forest Belouve, Trou de Fer, and Piton de la Fournaise are great attractions to see here. 

La Reunion Roland Garros Airport is the nearest airport to this park.

46. Ranthambore National Park

Photo by Lakshmi Narasimha on Unsplash

Photo by Lakshmi Narasimha on Unsplash

It is in India. The entrance fee is around Rs 600 per individual. When you are here, you should definitely visit Ranthambore Schools of Art. 

Sanganer Airport is the nearest airport to this national park.

47. Fuji Hakone Izu National Park

It is in Japan. The entrance is free but the additional activities are priced. The nearest airport to Fuji Hakone Izu National Park can be Tokyo Narita Airport. Do not forget to visit Fuji Mountain while you are here!

48. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

Photo by Wendy Winarno on Unsplash

Photo by Wendy Winarno on Unsplash

It is in Indonesia. Visiting Bromo Mountain is something you should definitely do when you are visiting this park. Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport can be the closest airport to this park.

49. Taman Negara National Park

It is in Malaysia. RM 1 per individual will cover your whole stay that day. However, additional activities will be priced. 

Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport can be counted as the nearest airport to this park.

50. Chitwan National Park

Photo by Yujesh Maleku on Unsplash

Photo by Yujesh Maleku on Unsplash

It is located in Nepal. The entrance fee is Rs 2000 per foreigner individual. Bharatpur Airport can be the closest airport to this park.

51. Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park 

It is in Spain. You will discover and experience the Galician islands here. Santiago de Compostela Airport is the nearest airport to this national park.

52. Yala National Park

Photo by Geoff Brooks on Unsplash

Photo by Geoff Brooks on Unsplash

Located in Sri Lanka, this national park holds the wildlife within. The entrance fee is $15. 

Colombo Airport is the closest airport to Yala National Park.

53. Calanques National Park

It is located in France. Entrance is free for this national park. So, you can enjoy the beauties it has to offer. 

The closest airport is Marseille Provence (MRS) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 40 km by private transfer. 

54. Bohemian Switzerland National Park

It is in Czech Republic. Entrance is only priced in order to let visitors see the ruins, the price is around €2. 

The closest airport is Dresden (DRS) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 71 km by private transfer. 

55. Oulanka National Park

Photo by Datingscout on Unsplash

Photo by Datingscout on Unsplash

It is in Finland. If you visit this park as a group, the entrance fee will be €50. 

Kuusamo Airport is the closest airport to the national park.

56. Hemis National Park

It is another national park of India. The entrance fee is INR 20 per individual. Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is the nearest airport to the park.

57. Gran Paradiso National Park

It is in Italy and it has a great scenery to offer. So, bring your cameras! 

The closest airport is Turin (TRN) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 47 km by private transfer. 

58. Addo Elephant National Park

Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash

Photo by Simon Hurry on Unsplash

It is in South Africa. R90 per adult is the entrance fee. 

The closest airport is Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport. The distance between the two locations is 45 km by private transfer. 

59. Sequoia National Park

It is in California, United States. For individuals without private cars the entrance fee is $20. 

The closest airport is Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT). The distance between the two locations is 64 miles by private transfer. 

60. Vanoise National Park

Photo by Philippe Toupet on Unsplash

Photo by Philippe Toupet on Unsplash

It is in France. 

Courchevel Altiport LFLJ is the nearest airport to this national park.

61. Jostedalsbreen National Park

It is in Norway. Rafting and learning a lot about history by visiting the historic sites are some of the greatest things you can do here. 

The closest airport is Sandane (SDN) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 82 km by private transfer. 

62. Serengeti National Park

It is in Tanzania. The entrance fee is around $20. 

The closest airport is Kilimanjaro International (JRO) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 295 km by private transfer. 

63. Berchtesgaden National Park

Photo by Jan Brennenstuhl on Unsplash

Photo by Jan Brennenstuhl on Unsplash

It is in Germany. It has a great view filled with peace and the beauties of nature. The entrance fee is €2. 

The closest airport is W. A. Mozart Salzburg (SZG) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 33 km by private transfer. 

64. Sierra Nevada National Park

It is in Spain. You will enjoy your time here a lot because it has so many beauties to discover. 

The closest airport is Granada Federico Garcia Lorca (GRX) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 52 km by private transfer. 

65. Abisko National Park

It is in Sweden. This place will give you lots of great memories with Aurora! 

66. Northeast Greenland National Park

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

It is in Greenland and it is the biggest national park in the whole world. 

The closest airport is Nerlerit Inaat Airport

67. Tulum National Park

It is in Mexico. The entrance fee is around 80 pesos. 

The closest airport is Cancun International (CUN) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 117 km by private transfer. 

68. Killarney National Park

Photo by Guillaume Cochard on Unsplash

Photo by Guillaume Cochard on Unsplash

This national park is located in Ireland. There is no entrance fee for admission here. 

The closest airport is Cork (ORK) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 87 km by car. 

69. Thingvellir National Park

It is in Iceland. Thingvellir National Park does not have an entrance fee. 

The closest airport is Reykjavík–Keflavík International (KEF) Airport. The distance between the two locations is 86 km by car.

70. Blue Mountains National Park

Photo by Joan You on Unsplash

Photo by Joan You on Unsplash

It is in New South Wales, Australia. If you have a vehicle with you, entrance is $8. 

The closest airport is Sydney Airport. The distance between the two locations is 65 km by car.

So, if you were wondering “How many national parks are there in the world 2024?” your answer is that more than 4,000 national parks exist in the whole world. And when you write “Best national parks in the world national geographic” on the Internet, you will see lots of opinions but the best thing you can do is to read about many of the national parks and decide for yourself which national park is the most beautiful national park in the world. 

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