30 Most Photogenic National Parks in America

U.S. national parks attract millions of visitors every year as Americans and visitors from abroad are regularly drawn to the country's most coveted preserved nature, wildlife and culture. If you're planning a visit during 2019 National Park Week (April 20-28) to take advantage of waived entrance fees on April 20 and participate in special programs and events or still seeking inspiration, consider one of these 30 picturesque national parks. Dreamstime-the world's largest stock photo community-has captured each in all of their respective glory.

The highlight of Texas' Big Bend National Park are the Chisos Mountains, which boast the distinction of being the only mountain range totally contained within one national park. Among the highlights are the limestone cliffs of Santa Elena Canyon.

Home to one of the world's richest fossil beds, Badlands National Park in South Dakota spans over 240,000 rugged acres, providing visitors with plenty of opportunities to capture stunning shots of bison and other wildlife in addition to eye-popping natural formations such as Vampire Peak.

Stunning landscapes await visitors to Maine's Acadia National Park, which encompasses the highest rocky headlands along the U.S.'s Atlantic coastline. The summer months from June to September are peak season so consider arriving early or later in the day to avoid huge crowds and congestion.

Everglades National Park in South Florida will reward photographers with amazing opportunities to capture wild animals, including a slew of fascinating birds. National Park Week is the ideal time to visit as the mild and pleasant dry season runs through April.

Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the country's most-visited, drawing well over 11 million visitors last year. The park is a popular stop for fall foliage but offers fantastic photo-ops year-round, whether you're seeking landscapes, wildlife or even a seminal selfie.

Arches National Park in eastern Utah is nothing short of mesmerizing as the more than 2,000 red, natural stone arches contrast beautifully with the blue sky background. You'll have a hard time taking a bad photo here.

Touring the Grand Canyon doesn't get any better than the Toroweap Overlook. The dramatic viewpoint 3,000 feet above the Colorado River is the perfect setting for photographers looking to capture otherworldly shots of the famous natural wonder. The less-traveled Yaki Point is equally rewarding.

Death Valley National Park spans two states and has the distinction of being the country's hottest, driest and lowest national park. Nonetheless, the remarkable diversity makes it one of the most thrilling to photograph, especially during a coveted wildflower bloom.

While Mount Rainier-an active volcano and the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.-is the star attraction of this national park outside of Seattle, visitors will encounter colorful wildflower meadows, rivers and countless wildlife as well.

Home to North America's tallest peak, Denali National Park and Preserve offers a whopping six million acres of photo possibilities. Summertime visitors can drive the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road following the Alaska Range and capture some exhilarating shots along the way.

The nation's first national park reaches across three states and is home to the largest hot spring in the U.S. in the Grand Prismatic Spring. Meanwhile, park visitors will also want to make plans to see the iconic Old Faithful, which is guaranteed to provide some excellent photos thanks to its consistent eruptions.

Easily one of the country's most picturesque national parks, Yosemite is highlighted by ancient giant sequoias and dramatic granite cliffs. Iconic Tunnel View is perhaps the most coveted photo-op in the entire park as it showcases El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from Yosemite Valley.

There's no shortage of beauty to capture in Washington's Olympic National Park, from the spellbinding Hoh Rainforest inland to Ruby Beach on the coastline. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore this expansive and diverse park.

Another massive national park and preserve in Alaska, Glacier Bay is chock-full of photogenic sites, including awe-inspiring glaciers, dramatic mountains and fascinating wildlife.

Visitors to Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park will spend a lot of their time photographing the park's hoodoos-the astonishing spire-shaped rock formations. While they exist all over the world, Bryce Canyon boasts the largest concentration anywhere on Earth.

Spanning the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain National Park is among the easiest to navigate and photograph thanks to Trail Ridge Road, a no-brainer for summer road trippers. The highest paved through road in Colorado provides visitors with uninterrupted views of mountains, forests, wildlife and much more.

Located just a few miles south of Yellowstone and just north of Jackson, Grand Teton National Park is about as camera-ready as destinations come. Capture stunning summer wildflowers or point and shoot as you float down the Snake River.

Not to be confused with Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park, this protected land in Montana features more than 700 miles of hiking trails as well as the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road. The screensaver-worthy Hidden Lake is also a must-see.

There might not be a prettier landscape than the view of Zion Canyon at sunset from Angels Landing and there's only one place you'll find it, Zion National Park. Located in southwestern Utah near the charming small town of Springdale, this park is oozing with color and texture certain to stand out in your photos.

Formed thousands of years ago, Crater Lake is the deepest in the U.S. and also one of the purest as its fed by rain and snow. It's beautiful blue color jumps out like no other natural attraction so take your time and find an excellent viewpoint like Watchman Overlook to get the ideal photo.

Sequoia National Park is side by side with Kings Canyon National Park so you might as well experience them both in one trip. Visitors will find the General Sherman tree-the largest known living single stem tree on Earth-in Sequoia's Giant Forest while the equally-impressive General Grant tree resides in the General Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon.

Florida's Dry Tortugas National Park is comprised of seven small islands and mostly water. In addition to Fort Jefferson, visitors will have ample opportunities to photograph turtles, birds and stunning coral reefs.

Photographing Mammoth Cave National Park can be challenging as the world's longest known cave system can be quite gloomy. However, its uniqueness is unparalleled and it won't take long before you're asking yourself if you're still on planet Earth.

Southern California's Joshua Tree National Park is known for attention-grabbing trees as well as its breathtaking night sky. Encompassing parts of two deserts, this national park's size rivals that of Rhode Island.

Saguaro National Park is named for the tree-like cactus species and boasts more than 160 miles of trails so you're guaranteed to get the perfect picture. Although not as popular as some other national parks on this list, Saguaro hosted nearly one million visitors in 2018.

A beloved destination for hikers, birders and autumn leaf peepers, Virginia's Shenandoah National Park is definitely worthy of a visit if you ever find yourself in and around the nation's capital (Washington, D.C. is just 75 miles away). Take your time cruising Skyline Drive and capture some awesome shots in the process.

Hawaii is renowned for its natural beauty and plenty can be found at Haleakala National Park in southeastern Maui, including otherworldly volcanic landscapes that are certain to jump off of your screen.

Alaska's expansive Kenai Fjords National Park is most popular during the summer months when access to Exit Glacier and other attractions is easier. Visitors can also enjoy boat tours of the park from Seward.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located just outside of Cleveland so it's an easy day trip from the city. Be sure to snap some shots of the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal via the Towpath Trail. Visitors can also look forward to special activities throughout the year commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Cuyahoga River Fire.

Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota is more than 40 percent water so the best way to photograph it is by watercraft such as a kayak or canoe. Tour boat reservations are also available starting April 15.