Visiting national parks is one of the biggest travel trends of 2026, with more travelers craving fresh air, wide-open space, and meaningful experiences over busy itineraries. From family-friendly mountain towns to remote desert skies exploding with stars, America’s national parks have a way of matching every travel style and every season of travelers’ lives. If you’ve been wondering which park should top your list next, consider this guide your starting point!
The Best Park for Family Vacations
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the top trending destinations for 2026, and it also might be the perfect vacation for your family! The Smokies draw visitors from near and far, looking for natural beauty as well as the hope to experience its distinct Southern Appalachian culture rooted in its music, folklore, and good old-fashioned mountain ways. The allure of staying in a cozy cabin just a short ride away from both this gorgeous national park and family-friendly towns and attractions like Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg allows families to rest easy in knowing that their vacation will be far from boring. Accessible by car, this national park is an hour’s drive away from the nearest airport, the McGhee Tyson Airport, located just 12 miles south of Knoxville’s downtown–which means traveling to this region (especially with kiddos) is simple, scenic, and dare we say fun!
Where Wildlife Steals the Show
If your idea of a bucket-list-worthy trip includes spotting a grizzly bear from a safe distance or catching a glimpse of a moose wandering through a river valley at golden hour, Denali National Park and Preserve might just be calling your name. Home to North America’s tallest peak, this vast Alaskan wilderness feels untamed in the best way possible. It’s here that the wildlife isn’t hidden behind the forests or in distant horizons–it’s the main character. Visitors can board the park’s shuttle buses to venture deep into the six-million-acre park, and while actually getting to the park requires more planning than hopping in a car for a weekend getaway, it’ll be totally worth it. Fly into Anchorage or Fairbanks, and you’ll be able to take the Denali Star Train for a beautiful journey to the park. Longer summer days will mean more time to explore, whether you’re hiking the alpine trails, rafting, or just soaking up all of Denali’s magic.
The Park You Can Build an Entire Road Trip Around
Stretching 277 miles across Northern Arizona, the Grand Canyon is an iconic landscape that isn’t just another stop on a road trip–it’s the centerpiece. Approach the Grand Canyon National Park from Sedona to the south, pair it with a journey through Utah’s Mighty Five, or even add on time to explore the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas. At the South Rim, you’ll find the classic views that make first-time visitors stand back in awe, and the North Rim will offer a more secluded and peaceful experience for travelers wanting the more scenic route. Hike below the rim, raft through the Colorado River, and whatever you do, make sure you catch a fiery sunrise or sunset. Start the drive from home or shorten your time on the road to maximize time at the park by starting at nearby airports in Phoenix, Flagstaff, or Las Vegas.
Where the Stars are the Main Event
Tucked along a remote stretch of the border between Texas and Mexico, Big Bend National Park has dramatic desert landscapes, winding river canyons, and the rugged Chisos Mountains. Beautiful during the day, the real show begins at nightfall. Big Bend is one of the largest International Dark Sky Parks in the world, and you’re sure to view the constellations as you’ve never seen before! As previously mentioned, this park is remote. So, if you’re needing to fly into the region, the closest major airports are Midland International Air & Space Port and the El Paso International Airport, that sit at around a 4-hour and 5-hour drive, respectively. Sure, it takes some extra planning to reach Big Bend National Park, but once you arrive and get to experience the wide-open stillness of the park, it’ll be oh, so worth it.
The Park That Slips Under Everyone’s Radar
Often overshadowed by the more well-known Mount Rainier, North Cascades National Park will steal your heart and have you recommending it to everyone you know! Often called the “American Alps,” this park in Washington State offers jagged peaks, more than 300 glaciers, and alpine lakes that are so turquoise, you’ll second-guess if they’re real. A comfortable ride from Seattle, you’ll feel worlds away from city life as soon as you arrive. Scenic roads will give you plenty of chances for spontaneous photo stops, and the park gives travelers the opportunity to hike, paddle, and enjoy the peaceful expanse as though you have the whole place to yourself!
