Dinogo Readers’ Top 25 National Parks for 2024

If national parks are designed to protect and provide access to extraordinary places, then the most remarkable spots in our country are undoubtedly located in the western U.S. From geysers and alpine lakes to red rock arches and towering pinnacles, Dinogo readers enthusiastically praised national parks in states like Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and Alaska, with only five parks selected from non-Western states.

How the Voting Process Works

Each year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences worldwide — offering their insights on the finest hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers participated in the 2024 survey, casting a total of more than 700,000 votes across over 8,700 properties (including hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

U.S. national parks were specifically evaluated based on the criteria listed below:

• Natural features
• Recreational activities
• Accommodations
• Wildlife viewing
• Accessibility options
• Cleanliness standards

For each attribute, participants could select a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores represent averages of these ratings.

What Readers Enjoyed

This year's 2024 World’s Best Awards survey was dominated by the West — with all but five of the highest-rated national parks situated in the western U.S. (The results mirrored those of 2023 and 2022.)

T+L readers described the scenery of Montana’s Glacier National Park (No. 4) as “easily the most stunning,” calling it “one of the most breathtaking locations on the planet.” One reader remarked, “Driving through the park entrance felt like stepping into another country or world. We were only there for a day, but it’s a day I will always cherish.”

However, travelers understand that the Western landscape is incredibly diverse. The glacier-formed peaks of Glacier National Park stand in stark contrast to the steep red cliffs surrounding Zion Canyon in Zion National Park (No. 7), or the river hike through The Narrows, a gorge with towering walls reaching thousands of feet. One reader highlighted the park’s “almost dreamlike scenery,” while another noted, “the views from the canyons are absolutely breathtaking. The Narrows offered the best hike I’ve ever experienced, filled with variety and stunning vistas.”

Beyond the West, readers expressed a preference for parks in Tennessee, Maine, Virginia, and Texas, along with Virgin Islands National Park located on St. John.

The Champion

Yellowstone National Park: Wyoming, Idaho, Montana

The United States' first national park also holds the title of the best — at least according to the World’s Best Awards results from the past three years. Over 150 years after its establishment as the nation’s inaugural national park, Yellowstone remains a beloved destination. Spanning 2.2 million acres, it offers a vast array of sights, including “geysers, mudpots, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, waterfalls, and the rock formations at Mammoth Hot Springs,” noted one visitor.

The park stretches across the borders of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, with the majority situated in Wyoming. Given its immense size, a multiday visit is essential, and guests can choose from nine lodges or 12 campgrounds available within the park.

No discussion of Yellowstone’s marvels is complete without mentioning its rich wildlife. The park hosts hundreds of species, such as bison, bears, wolves, elk, and antelope. One winter visitor shared, “I saw wolves, elk, buffalo, foxes, coyotes, and moose. ... It was free of traffic, clean, quiet, and pristine.” Summer can bring crowds, so be prepared, but many readers insisted the experience is worthwhile. One commented, “Everyone should visit Yellowstone at least once in their lifetime,” while another declared, “Yellowstone is a natural wonder! It’s a must-see for everyone in the world.”

The Complete List

1. Yellowstone: Wyoming, Idaho, Montana

Reader Score: 90.79

2. Grand Teton: Wyoming

Reader Score: 88.94

3. Yosemite: California

Reader Score: 88.34

4. Glacier: Montana

Reader Score: 87.20

5. Kenai Fjords: Alaska

Reader Score: 86.73

6. Rocky Mountain: Colorado

Reader Score: 86.21

7. Zion: Utah

Reader Score: 85.62

8. Great Smoky Mountains: North Carolina and Tennessee

Reader Score: 85.41

9. Katmai: Alaska

Reader Score: 85.10

10. Denali: Alaska

Reader Score: 85.00

11. Mount Rainier: Washington

Reader Score: 84.62

12. Virgin Islands: St. John's, U.S.V.I.

Reader Score: 84.33

13. Grand Canyon: Arizona

Reader Score: 84.30

14. Olympic: Washington

Reader Score: 83.99

15. Redwood: California

Reader Score: 83.30

16. Sequoia: California

Reader Score: 83.18

17. (tie) North Cascades: Washington

Reader Score: 82.10

17. (tie) Glacier Bay: Alaska

Reader Score: 82.10

19. Hawai’i Volcanoes: Hawaii

Reader Score: 81.95

20. Acadia: Maine

Reader Score: 81.87

21. Bryce Canyon: Utah

Reader Score: 81.00

22. Shenandoah: Virginia

Reader Score: 80.48

23. Arches: Utah

Reader Score: 80.17

24. Big Bend: Texas

Reader Score: 79.88

25. Haleakalā: Hawaii

Reader Score: 79.83