10 Most Beautiful National Parks in the Southwest United States

Are you interested in nature? Want to feel the endless expanse, climb strange rock formations and hike the seemingly endless desert? Next, we arrived at the right place in the most beautiful national park in the Southwestern United States. 

It’s best to combine the most beautiful national parks in the Southwestern United States into one large expedition, but the distance between the parks is so long that it’s not advisable to continue all or visit for a very long time. It doesn’t matter if you travel to the Southwestern United States for weeks or months. In any case, you need to spend time in each national park rather than just running around as most tourists do. 

DISCOVER THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL PARKS ON FOOT

All of these national parks in the Southwestern United States offer stunning nature and sensational views. It is unfair to choose the most beautiful national parks, as they are all very different and very special in their way. Therefore, the numbers do not appear in the list below, but only one or the other. 

The most beautiful national parks in the American Southwest are all unique, but they all have one thing in common: their true beauty lies beyond the roads, away from the “scenic drives” that connect the marked viewpoints.

So, when visiting the most beautiful national parks in the American Southwest, take your time – get out of the car and walk a few steps. Take short, leisurely hikes; they don’t have to be particularly strenuous.

Not only that you can avoid the massive tourist crowds in national parks, but you also get a better perspective and see much more of the amazing wildlife in the most beautiful national parks. 

And here are the ten most beautiful national parks in the Southwest America.

Yosemite National Park 

 Undoubtedly, Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the Southwestern United States. Visiting the enchanting Yosemite Valley with its impressive peaks “El Capitan” and “Half Dome” and the huge waterfalls “Yosemite, Bridal Veil, Sentinel Falls” is a unique experience. 

The incredible number of tourists during the high season, and the nature of the national park can hardly be compensated for the major drawback of Yosemite National Park.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park 

The Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park is one of the most beautiful insider hints in the Southwestern United States. These are next to each other and perfect for hiking the backcountry through the impressive woods. 

 Sequoia National Park is impressive only in Redwood, especially the Sequoia trees around the “Four Guards”, “General Sherman Tree” and “Big Trees Trail”. 

Kings Canyon National Park has fewer visitors than other national parks in the Southwestern United States but offers stunning views of the “High Sierra” with the opportunity to hike the famous Pacific Crest Trail. 

Joshua Tree National Park 

One of the most beautiful national parks in the southwestern United States is the Joshua Tree National Park. Hiking in the weird “Wonderland of the Rocks” and surrounding campgrounds invites you to an unforgettable night in the desert. It’s especially interesting. 

Grand Canyon National Park 

An excellent national park in the Southwestern United States. In some places, the cliffs fall more than 6,000 feet into the Colorado River. And at the widest point, the canyon is 15 miles wide, unimaginable to the eye. 

 But if you want to experience all facets of the Grand Canyon National Park, you have to take your time. Hike the “Rim Trail” along the Grand Canyon for a day, maybe even down to the Colorado River but in any case, experience the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. 

Death Valley National Park

The “Valley of Death” has earned its name, because, with temperatures above 50°C. Death Valley is one of the driest areas on earth. Nevertheless, Death Valley National Park is without a doubt worth seeing. 

Whether the rugged rocky landscape at “Zabriskie Point”, the endless dunes “Mesquite Dunes” or the large salt lakes that stretch across the “Valley of Death” everywhere you as a visitor will be rewarded with incomparable views. 

Zion National Park 

 Zion National Park is an absolute highlight of the most beautiful national parks in the Southwestern United States. Reddish shimmering canyons, stunning hiking views, and striking wildlife make every visit to Zion National Park an unforgettable experience. 

Hiking to the “Emerald Pool” from the famous “Zion Narrows” and “Angels Landing Trails” to the “Angels Landing Site” is especially unique.

Bryce Canyon National Park 

The most spectacular national parks in the Southwestern United States is the Bryce Canyon National Park. In Bryce Canyon National Park, thousands of “hoodoos” (rock needles) (glittering red, brown, yellow) stretch into the sky. 

The fantastic play of the colors of the evening and morning when the sun is standing is an unforgettable experience. 

Capitol Reef National Park 

One of the most beautiful insider tips in the Southwestern United States is the Capitol Reef National Park. The washed-out canyons of the idyllic “Fremont River Valley”, “Grand Wash” and “Capitol Gorge” show their unique beauty, especially in the evening sun. In addition, Capitol Reef National Park has many interesting hikes and a wonderful campground, the “Fruta Campground”. 

Canyonlands National Park 

 Canyonlands National Park is Utah’s largest national park area and is referred to by many enthusiasts as the “real” Grand Canyon. The confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers divides Canyonlands National Park into three parts. The north is an empty island, the southeast is The Needles, and the west is a maze. 

The rugged landscape and magnificent perspective are as impressive as the Grand Canyon in my personal opinion. Canyonlands National Park is even more impressive. One of the most beautiful national parks in the Southwestern United States is the Canyonlands National Park. 

Arches National Park 

“Last but not least” on this list of the most beautiful national parks in the American Southwest – is Arches National Park with its fantastic “stone archways” (arches) that give it its name. Arches National Park is adjacent to Canyonlands National Park’s “Island of Heaven” and offers equally spectacular views. 

Of particular note are the fascinating short-term and day hikes around the “Delicate Arch”, “Courthouse Tower”, or “Double Arch”. Like all other Canyon Parks, the scenery is especially spectacular in the dim light of the setting sun.