Each year, Travel + Leisure asks its readers to share their favorite destinations around the world—from cities and islands to cruise lines and national parks. In the 2025 World’s Best Awards, voters once again weighed in on which U.S. national parks delivered the most memorable and meaningful experiences. The results span rugged mountains, remote glaciers, tropical shorelines, and iconic wilderness—all celebrated for their natural beauty, accessibility, and the lasting impression they leave on visitors.
July 8, 2024
This year, Yellowstone National Park once again claimed the top spot. Covering parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, Yellowstone continues to captivate travelers with its geysers, colorful hot springs, expansive valleys, and incredible wildlife, like bison, moose, grizzly bears, and bighorn sheep. “I was completely taken aback by the sheer beauty,” said one survey respondent; another noted that the wildlife-spotting “felt like we were on an African safari.”
In a strong second place is Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, known for its dramatic coastal glaciers and abundant marine life. Travelers praised its remoteness and pristine beauty, calling it a “bucket-list experience worth the journey.”
Rounding out the top three is Grand Teton National Park, also in Wyoming, with its sharp mountain peaks, reflective lakes, and abundant hiking trails. Readers consistently mentioned its breathtaking scenery and well-maintained facilities.
Here’s the full Top 10 list from the 2025 World’s Best Awards:
1. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Idaho, Montana)
Reader Score: 91.03
Famous for: Geysers, hot springs, bison herds, and grizzly bears.
2. Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska)
Reader Score: 89.82
Famous for: Tidewater glaciers, fjords, and abundant marine wildlife.
3. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
Reader Score: 89.51
Famous for: Towering mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and scenic drives.
4. Yosemite National Park (California)
Reader Score: 89.03
Famous for: Iconic granite cliffs like El Capitan and Half Dome, waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoias.
5. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Reader Score: 88.36
Famous for: High-altitude hiking, elk herds, and the scenic Trail Ridge Road.
6. Glacier National Park (Montana)
Reader Score: 87.25
Famous for: Pristine alpine lakes, rugged peaks, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
7. Zion National Park (Utah)
Reader Score: 86.05
Famous for: Towering red rock cliffs, Angels Landing hike, and The Narrows.
8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina)
Reader Score: 86.00
Famous for: Mist-covered mountains, diverse wildlife, and historic Appalachian cabins.
9. Virgin Islands National Park (St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands)
Reader Score: 85.92
Famous for: Coral reefs, tropical hiking trails, and turquoise Caribbean beaches.
10. Katmai National Park & Preserve (Alaska)
Reader Score: 85.75
Famous for: Brown bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls and volcanic landscapes.
Travelers rated the parks based on their scenery, accessibility, cleanliness, crowd management, and overall experience. Notably, this year’s top 10 features parks from diverse regions, including two in Alaska and one in the Caribbean—showcasing just how varied the U.S. national park system truly is.
Whether you’re drawn to volcanic landscapes, glacier-carved coastlines, dense forests, or towering mountains, this year’s winners reflect the enduring power of wild places to move and inspire.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for edutainment purposes only and may not be entirely accurate.
