With so much scenic beauty to behold, it's not easy to choose which natural wonders are best to travel to – but this list will help. Based on factors like accessibility, abundance of wildlife, camping opportunities and breathtaking natural landmarks, U.S. News compiled a ranking of the best national parks in the world by using reader votes and expert insights.
Grand Teton National Park
#1 in Best National Parks in the World
Why go: Often overlooked for its big name neighbor, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is a not-so-hidden gem. It offers skiing and snowshoeing in the winter and canoeing and horseback riding in the warmer months. Plus, evidence of Native American tribes dates back 11,000 years.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
#2 in Best National Parks in the World
Why go: Home to the southern end of the Appalachian Trail, this park spanning the North Carolina and Tennessee border sees an average of more than 10 million visitors each year. You're sure to spot unique wildflowers and maybe even a black bear or two on the hiking trails
Grand Canyon
#3 in Best National Parks in the World
Why go: You can't beat the views at this Arizona park. The Grand Canyon captivates visitors with shifting colors, incredible depth and unique rock formations. Whether you're in the air, on the Colorado River or on solid ground, you can photograph the stunning canyon from multiple vantage points
Serengeti National Park
#4 in Best National Parks in the World
Why go: During The Great Migration (one of the largest annual wildlife movements on the planet), more than a million wildebeests and other four-legged friends chase the horizon from one end of the park to the other. Plan to visit in the summer or fall to experience this epic event
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
#5 in Best National Parks in the World
Why go: Two reasons to visit this park on the Big Island: Kilauea and Mauna Loa – two of the world's most active volcanoes. You can easily catch a glimpse of the fluid lava flowing from Kilauea from the Jaggar Museum overlook