The globe has various natural wonders, beautiful landscapes, and exciting wildlife. With many scattered across different continents, knowing which ones to see and explore can be challenging. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of some of the world’s best national parks. 

Banff National Park, (Canada)

Banff National Park in southwestern Alberta, Canada, is one of the region’s oldest and most scenic parks. Nestled between towering mountains, it features sapphire lakes, lush forests, hot springs, and diverse wildlife. The park also offers 1,000 miles of hiking trails, picturesque views, and sights. 

Visitors can explore restaurants, historic centres, and a European-style tea house along various trails. They can also enjoy a scenic and unforgettable Gondola tour to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. In winter, the park is covered in snow and offers skiing, ice climbing, and cosy festivals.  

2. Torres Del Paine National Park (Chile)

Torres Del Paine National Park is known for its expansive geographical landscape and challenging hiking trails. Located in Chilean Patagonia, the park is a popular destination for adventurers and thrill seekers. It is also one of the most picturesque, featuring glacial emerald lakes, endless pine forests, and beautiful mountain peaks. 

Some famous landmarks include Cuernos del Paine, incredible granite peaks, and Grey Glacier. But the most popular attraction is the park’s four-day “W hike”. The trail spans 74 km over diverse and scenic terrain and is best done with an experienced guide. Shorter trails are also available for those who want a less challenging hike.

3. Grand Canyon National Park (United States)

Grand Canyon National Park is one of the world’s most famous for many reasons. It spans over 400 km and offers breathtaking views of natural rock formations behind iridescent skies. 

Travellers can see the canyon on many popular trails, but the North Rim hikes are excellent options if they want an experience away from crowds. These hikes offer backwoods camping, challenging hikes, and serene viewing points. But for some of the best views of the canyon, book a helicopter tour.

4. Asia Khao Sok (Thailand)

Khao Sok is an enchanting national park in the Surat Thani province of southern Thailand. It has lush rainforests, emerald waters, caves, and waterfalls. The park also features various exotic wildlife and over 200 plant species. 

Travellers can choose from exciting tours and activities, including canoeing and boat experiences along the Sok River. They can also enjoy a close-up of Asian elephants. The park is accessible from Phuket and Krabi via bus, ferry, and taxi services.

5. Serengeti National Park, (Tanzania)

The Serengeti National Park is one of the world’s most famous wildlife parks. It offers beautiful, endless plains and diverse animals. One of the most famous attractions is the Great Migration — a natural event in which nearly 2 million wildebeest and other wildlife cross the park for food, water, and a new breeding ground. 

The annual occurrence offers a marvellous experience for wildlife enthusiasts and tourists alike. But predicting when the migration will occur is tricky and requires some flexibility. You can also book a safari tour of the park at other times of the year, during which you can see wildebeest, zebras, hyenas, and the Big Five. 

6. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the world. It offers a surreal experience, where the ground is constantly shifting and alive with flowing lava and gas plumes — the aftereffects of the 2023 Kilauea volcano eruption. 

Tours at the park are situated along various viewpoints and hiking trails, which are open depending on air quality and park conditions. Check the website before planning your trip for the best up-to-date times to visit. 

7. Yellowstone National Park (United States)

Yellowstone National Park is one of the first in the world and has been drawing millions of visitors since 1872. Why? 

The protected area is 22 million acres and spans three American states, including Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. It features impressive geothermal geysers, numerous hot springs, waterfalls, forests, and wildlife. 

Yellowstone is one of the earth’s masterpieces and a must on your list of the best national parks. 

8. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (Australia) 

Located in Australia’s Northern Territory, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is famous for its Uluru monument — a massive and sacred redstone monolith of the Indigenous Aboriginal people. 

The site also has an insightful history of European explorers and settlers. Tourists can see and learn its origins on guided ranger tours. They can also explore the area while staying at various nearby camping spots. 

9. Kruger National Park (South Africa)

The Kruger National Park, located northeast of Johannesburg, is one of Africa’s most protected wildlife parks. Spanning nearly 500 acres with over 800 species of wildlife, it is a must for wildlife and adventurous tourists. The park offers numerous on-site and surrounding lodges with unobstructed views of nature. 

Travellers can typically see wildlife from their accommodations or go on a guided safari drive for an up-close view. On a tour, you can spot Africa’s Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, buffalo, and many other animals and indigenous plant species. The park also features historical sights and fun activities for varying groups.    

10. Guilin and Lijiang River National Park (China)

Guilin and Lijiang River National Park, located in southern China, attracts tourists with its stunning landscape and scenic river. The park features impressive scenery, which you can see on various walking trails along the Li Jiang river bank. But for the best view, book the river cruise, which offers a tranquil 83 km tour from Guilin to Yangshuo. 

11. Fiordland National Park (New Zealand)

Located in New Zealand’s South Island, Fiordland National Park is one of the country’s largest parks. It’s most famous for its glacier fjords, which are said to be some of the best in the world. 

Apart from these impressive carvings, the park offers abundant mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife. It also houses some of New Zealand’s rare and endangered birds, like the Takahe and Tawaki penguins. On guided and self-guided tours, travellers can see the fjords from various viewing points and the rest of the island’s wildlife and nature. 

12. Yosemite National Park (United States)

Yosemite National Park is one of California’s most famous, attracting millions of tourists annually. Some attractions include breathtaking viewing points like Tunnel View and Valley View outlooks and landmarks like Half Dome and El Capitan. 

The park also features towering forests, mountains and countless waterfalls. Yosemite is typically crowded all year round, and visiting at quieter periods requires planning and an early morning start. Checking the website for up-to-date visiting times is recommended, as they may change.

13. Jasper National Park (Canada)

Jasper National Park is another famous site in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. It is also the country’s largest national park, covering over 11,000 square km. This mammoth site features vast glaciers, canyons, waterfalls, lakes, forests, and wildlife. It also offers many activities, such as skiing, snowshoeing, biking, and boating. 

One of the most alluring features is its dark sky preserve, which offers spectacular stargazing and sightings of the northern lights. 

14. Masai Mara National Reserve (Kenya)

Another impressive wildlife park is Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. Located north of the Serengeti, the reserve is excellent for witnessing the wildebeest migration, which usually occurs between July and October but can vary. 

On guided safaris, visitors can see animals like hyenas, cheetahs, lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes. They can also book an early morning hot air balloon ride for the best view of the reserve’s stunning plains and wildlife.

Start Your Adventure With Park On King 

Now that you have a plethora of the world’s best national parks to choose from, it’s time to plan your journey. If you need quality and affordable airport parking, we can help.

Airport parking is vital to a long-distance trip. It offers space to pack more and to bring home more souvenirs. Plus, you have peace of mind that your car is secure and ready for you when you return. 

Park On King is a leading and trusted Sydney Airport parking provider. Many great journeys start with us, and yours can, too.

Book your parking online.