A Countdown of the Top 10 US National Parks
An Ohio grandmother–grandson duo visited all 63 US national parks. Here are their 10 favorites
The story of AAA members and Ohioans, Brad Ryan, and his grandmother, Joy Ryan, is touching, thrilling and epic. At a time when both needed emotional and physical healing, Brad convinced Grandma Joy, as she is affectionately known, to join him on a camping trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. She was 85 at the time. After that trip, the pair made history together.
They set out to visit all 63 US national parks, a journey that would take them to 31 states and two US territories. In May 2023, they reached their goal when they visited the National Park of American Samoa. Grandma Joy was 93, making her the oldest person to visit every US national park.
Here, Brad and Grandma Joy share a countdown of their 10 favorite national parks.
The sun sets on the dunes at White Sands National Park. Photo by Mlenny/iStock.com
10. WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK, NEW MEXICO
The dunefield of white gypsum sand found in New Mexico is one of the most unique and inspiring landscapes on earth. It feels like stepping into a fairytale world.
View from Inspiration Point on Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Park. Photo by Benedek/iStock.com
9. CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
The five islands that make up the park off the coast of Ventura are teeming with endemic wildlife, which is why some people call it North America's Galápagos.
Acadia National Park in all its fall-foliage glory. Photo by Paola Giannoni/iStock.com
8. ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, MAINE
New England's only national park offers breathtaking scenery along its rocky headlands along the Atlantic Coast. People of all ages and abilities can soak up wonderful views during a drive along the 27-mile Park Loop Road.
Volcanoes punctuate the landscape in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Ken McCurdy
7. HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, HAWAII
The Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road are among the most stunning drives within the US national park system.
Zion National Park, with the iconic Watchman mountain in the distance. Photo by benedek/iStock.com
6. ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
The state’s "Mighty Five" national parks (Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion) are all worth visiting. And they are located within a reasonable driving distance for road trippers who want to spend at least a week in Utah. The iconic red rock landscape of Zion National Park is akin to a journey to Mars.
Redwood National Park is home to the tallest trees on the planet. Photo by Benedek/iStock.com
5. REDWOOD NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS, CALIFORNIA
This park’s scenic drives take you along the coast, through prairies and—our favorites—into old-growth forests to see towering redwoods that are both awe-inspiring and humbling.
Joshua trees and boulders form an otherworldly landscape at Joshua Tree National Park. Photo by laking images/stock.adobe.com
4. JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
Joshua Tree has a spiritual quality to it. From its gargantuan boulders to the Cholla Cactus Garden and a horizon of Dr. Seuss-like Joshua trees, this park ignites the imagination.
The Iceberg Lake Trail at Glacier National Park. Photo By Dfikar/Stock.Adobe.Com
3. GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA
Wildlife lovers come to Glacier to see grizzlies, moose, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. And driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a white-knuckle experience that delivers endless views.
The Window in the Chisos Basin at Big Bend National Park. Photo by Patrick/Stock.adobe.com
2. BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS
One of America’s best-kept secrets, this less-visited park possesses all the grandeur of Yellowstone plus the added beauty of kaleidoscopic desert mountains.
Alaskan grizzly bears gather at Katmai National Park & Preserve.. Photo by Iain Tall/iStock.com
1. KATMAI NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE, ALASKA
Hiking to Brooks Falls during the salmon run offers one of the most exhilarating and entertaining wildlife spectacles on the planet. We witnessed more than 30 brown bears fishing—simultaneously!
Visiting every national park is an unattainable goal for most, but remember, Brad and Grandma Joy’s epic adventure was set in motion only after visiting their first in the Smokies. So, go visit any of America’s magnificent national parks. Who knows how it will inspire you and how far your travels will take you?