From as far back as 1872 to as recently as 2020, the US has had national parks, which has resulted in the 63 parks that exist today. Age is just a number, but the process and rationale behind a park’s designation as a national park provide significant insights into its ecological and cultural significance.
Prepare to immerse yourself in nature and history with this list of the top 10 oldest national parks in the US, which includes Yellowstone, the first national park in the world and well-known for its hot springs, breathtaking caves, and other natural attractions, and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, which is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Top 10 Oldest National Parks In The US:
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Sequoia National Park, California
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
- Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i
Top 10 Oldest National Parks In The US in detail:
10.Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i
- Established in 1916
- 520 square miles in size
- Top Attractions: Volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kīlauea
- Kīlauea Iki and the Crater Rim Trail are popular hiking routes.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, home to Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world’s most active volcanoes, offers visitors unique experiences like hiking across a lava field. The largest volcano in the world is called Mauna Loa, and the youngest and most active volcano in the world is called Kīlauea. One of the oldest national parks in the US, it was created to preserve Native Hawaiian culture and the land formed by the volcanoes.
9.Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Established in 1916
- 520 square miles in size
- Top Attractions: Volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kīlauea
- Kīlauea Iki and the Crater Rim Trail are popular hiking routes.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, home to Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world’s most active volcanoes, offers visitors unique experiences like hiking across a lava field. The largest volcano in the world is called Mauna Loa, and the youngest and most active volcano in the world is called Kīlauea. Tenth-oldest national park in the nation, it was created to preserve Native Hawaiian culture and the land formed by the volcanoes.
8.Glacier National Park, Montana
- Established in 1910
- Area: 1,583 square miles
- Entry Fee: $20 per person or $35 per vehicle
- Grinnell Glacier and Going-to-the-Sun Road are the two main attractions.
- Well-liked Path for Hiking: Avalanche Lake
As the first international peace park in history, Glacier National Park is frequently combined with Waterton Lakes, Canada’s fourth national park. More than a century ago, the lynx and grizzly bear habitats, among other rare and endangered species, were safeguarded by the creation of the national park. It’s interesting to note that, as of 2015, there were only 26 glaciers in Glacier National Park, making it rather difficult to get up close and personal with one.
7.Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
- Established in 1906
- 82 square miles in size
- Balcony House and Cliff Palace are the main attractions.
- Popular Path for Hiking: Petroglyph Point Path
Despite having nearly 30 miles of hiking trails, Mesa Verde is best known for its more than 4,700 preserved archaeological sites, including the cliff dwellings constructed by the Ancestral Pueblo people. President Theodore Roosevelt created the unusual national park, which is situated in southwest Colorado, in 1906 with the goal of protecting these ancient man-made buildings. Be aware that many of the park’s cultural sites require a ticket for tours led by park rangers.
6.Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
- Established in 1903
- 44 square miles in size
- Entry Fee: None
- Garden of Eden and Natural Entrance tours are the top attractions.
- Rankin Ridge Interpretive Trail is a well-known hiking trail.
The seventh-longest cave in the world, with 150 miles of surveyed passageways, is located beneath the prairie that covers the top of Wind Cave National Park. The caverns of Wind Cave are distinguished by their perfectly formed instances of boxwork, an enigmatic cavern formation resembling honeycomb. This cave was found in 1881, and in 1903 it was declared a national park. Although there is no charge to enter the park, tours of the underground caves cost between $7 and $50.
5.Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
- Established in 1902
- Dimensions: 286 square miles
- Crater Lake and Rim Drive are the main attractions.
- Trail Popular for Hiking: Garfield Peak Trail
The massive, deep blue freshwater lake in Crater Lake National Park was created thousands of years ago by volcanic eruptions. With a maximum width of 6 miles and a maximum depth of 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and is among the world’s deepest lakes. William Gladstone Steel, a strong supporter and admirer of the lake who assisted in mapping it in the 1880s, worked to get the site officially recognized in 1902, making it widely regarded as the most stunning national park in the entire nation.
4.Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Established in 1899
- 369 square miles in size
- Mount Rainier and Paradise Valley are the main attractions.
- Popular Path for Hiking: Skyline Loop
Mount Rainier, the volcano that bears the park’s name, is well-known. Standing at a height of more than 14,400 feet, the peak is home to 28 glaciers and is the source of five major rivers. It can even be seen from Seattle, which is not far away. But one of Washington’s most stunning national parks offers a wide range of experiences and viewpoints, from the picturesque Myrtle Falls to the tranquil Reflection Lakes. President McKinley created the park in 1899 as a result of lobbying efforts centered on the park’s recreational opportunities, scientific significance, and other factors.
3.Yosemite National Park, California
- Established in 1890; 1,200 square miles
- Entry Fee: $20 per person or $35 per vehicle
- The Half Dome, Tunnel View, and Glacier Point are the main attractions.
- Popular Hiking Path: Mist Trail between Vernal and Nevada Falls
Tucked away in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is the third oldest national parks in the US and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded just one calendar month after Sequoia National Park, the second-oldest park and neighbor to the south. Yosemite, which is well-known for its strenuous treks and climbs and for its jaw-dropping vistas of El Capitan and Half Dome, was declared a national park in order to protect the natural and cultural treasures that lie within its borders.
2.Sequoia National Park, California
- 631 square miles in size
- Major Attractions: Giant Forrest and the General Sherman Tree
- Well-liked Path for Hiking: Tokopah Falls
- Established in 1890
Despite the fact that Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have different topographies, they are frequently combined. Established in 1940, Sequoia is the second oldest national parks in the US and is home to over 8,000 of its enormous namesake trees. Meanwhile, Kings Canyon is known for its canyons and waterfalls.
Some of the magnificent trees, which reach heights of 250 to 300 feet, are over 3,000 years old. The foundation of Sequoia’s designation as a national park is these trees. President Benjamin Harrison created the park in 1890 to protect the long-lived and aesthetically pleasing sequoias from logging.
1.Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Established in 1872
- 3,472 square miles in size
- Entry Fee: $20 per person or $35 per vehicle
- Top Attractions: Lamar Valley and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
- Well-liked Path for Hiking: Grand Prismatic Hot Spring
Known for its profusion of wildlife, which includes bears, bison, elk, and more, Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national parks in the US and one of the biggest national parks in the United States. Numerous thermal formations, including the Old Faithful geyser and the Crested Pool hot springs, can be found within the expansive park. Along with hiking the more than 900 miles of trails, visitors can go boating, fishing, biking, and camping. After the Hayden Expedition returned from the region in 1971, Congress established Yellowstone as the nation’s first national park.