{"id":104776,"date":"2026-07-17T17:04:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T17:04:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/104776\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T17:04:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T17:04:30","slug":"closest-national-parks-to-new-bern-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/104776\/","title":{"rendered":"Closest national parks to New Bern | Features"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/pixel.gif\" alt=\"\" height=\"1\" width=\"1\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0;\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/editedMammothpng04LAVYLE8O.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Wangkun Jia \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>Closest national parks to New Bern<\/p>\n<p>Approximately <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/subjects\/socialscience\/visitor-use-statistics-dashboard.htm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">323 million people<\/a> visited American national parks in 2025, a 2.7% year-over-year decrease and the first annual decline since 2020.<\/p>\n<p>President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons &#8220;unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.&#8221; Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the country has to offer and showcase the country&#8217;s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Today, the country&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/aboutus\/national-park-system.htm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">63 national parks<\/a> contain at least 247 species of <a href=\"https:\/\/thestacker.com\/stories\/223\/25-species-you-might-not-know-are-endangered\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">endangered or threatened plants and animals<\/a>, more than 75,000 archaeological sites, and 18,000 miles of trails.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stacker.com\/north-carolina\/new-bern\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stacker<\/a> compiled a list of the closest national parks to New Bern. National parks are ranked by closest straight line distance, measured from representative points in New Bern, NC Metro Area and each national park. Estimated driving times are from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.here.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Here<\/a> and are only available within the lower 48 states. All featured distances and driving times are estimated using representative locations from the center of each metro and national park\u2014for some places within the metro area, the actual distance may be slightly shorter or longer to reach the closest entryway to a park.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/02ConWKHP.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Zack Frank \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#1. Congaree National Park (South Carolina)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 5.3 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: November 10, 2003<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 287,833 (#49 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 26,476.47 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051219340png9KWU46N8Y3.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Jon Bilous \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#2. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 5.5 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 26, 1935<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,682,152 (#19 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 199,223.77 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited33newrivergorgewv5N4Mjpg6DQHKXAU5P.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Steve Heap \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#3. New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 6.3 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 27, 2020<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,958,440 (#17 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1747D8.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>ZakZeinert \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#4. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina, Tennessee)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 7.6 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: June 15, 1934<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 11,527,939 (#1 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 522,426.88 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited45cuyogavalleyohio0SURjpg7XPATF1T3M.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Zack Frank \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#5. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 10.3 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 11, 2000<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 3,025,325 (#11 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 32,571.88 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/editedMammothpng04LAVYLE8O.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Wangkun Jia \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#6. Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 11.2 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: July 1, 1941<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 660,734 (#34 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 54,011.91 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/00BisRAHR.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Claudia G Cooper \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#7. Biscayne National Park (Florida)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 13.3 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: June 28, 1980<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 486,567 (#41 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 172,971.11 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited41indianadunesR4N3jpgP7RJ08XLPY.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Delmas Lehman \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#8. Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 14.6 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: February 15, 2019<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 2,629,497 (#13 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 15,349.08 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited27evergladesFGWWjpgEGXNMJMAPJ.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Simon Dannhauer \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#9. Everglades National Park (Florida)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 14.3 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: May 30, 1934<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 778,198 (#31 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 1,508,938.57 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited21gatewayarchEBGHjpgVBCRLKJPL1.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Paul Brady Photography \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#10. Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 14.2 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: February 22, 2018[47]<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 2,209,028 (#15 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 192.83 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited44acadiaQTRNjpgWD4U6DO9NJ.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Romiana Lee \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#11. Acadia National Park (Maine)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 17.5 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: February 26, 1919<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 4,079,318 (#7 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 49,076.63 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/828DTFAEB.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Varina C \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#12. Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 16.3 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 26, 1992<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 89,355 (#56 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 64,701.22 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051219430pngC93GJKP7IR.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Zack Frank \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#13. Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 16.2 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: March 4, 1921<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 2,494,611 (#14 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 5,554.15 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/00IREZZR.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>SveKo \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#14. Isle Royale National Park (Michigan)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 22.6 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: April 3, 1940<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 29,091 (#60 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 571,790.30 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited08mnvoy1N8OjpgXB1OQY7Q47.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>BlueBarronPhoto \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#15. Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 24.8 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: April 8, 1975<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 206,326 (#53 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 218,222.35 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited06USVIC4MUjpg0OXDC4FHTS.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Sean Pavone \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#16. Virgin Islands National Park (U.S. Virgin Islands)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: August 2, 1956<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 471,074 (#42 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 15,052.53 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited31badlands7X33jpg9OH9LY5EW8.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Matt Ragen \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#17. Badlands National Park (South Dakota)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 27.3 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: November 10, 1978<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,139,361 (#26 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 242,755.94 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited19windcaveP8BHjpgX2S9SLIH5P.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Zack Frank \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#18. Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 28.9 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: January 9, 1903<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 606,258 (#37 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 33,970.84 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/editedBig20BendpngJLK6UMZM8N.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Eric Foltz \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#19. Big Bend National Park (Texas)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 29.6 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: June 12, 1944<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 568,104 (#38 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 801,163.21 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051213400png8216JTXR4D.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Doug Meek \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#20. Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 26.8 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: May 14, 1930<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 410,778 (#46 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 46,766.45 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited20greatsanddunescoloradoU7SOjpg4LPAADAD9I.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Kris Wiktor \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#21. Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 29.1 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: September 24, 2004<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 432,498 (#44 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 107,341.87 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited24theodoreroosevelt5M94jpgCWUAIML2B0.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Laurens Hoddenbagh \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#22. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 29.4 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: November 10, 1978<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 729,893 (#33 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 70,446.89 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited48rockymountainUATDjpgSDPKA8YZRX.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Anna Krivitskaya \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#23. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 27.6 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: January 26, 1915<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 4,171,431 (#6 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 265,807.25 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited03guadalupe22KQjpgQ34WHFEP3S.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>ShuPhoto \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#24. Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 27.9 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 15, 1966<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 206,423 (#52 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 86,367.10 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited18whitesandsFA8Pjpg2MNRO4IJ3O.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Galyna Andrushko \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#25. White Sands National Park (New Mexico)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 29.1 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 20, 2019[111]<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 659,742 (#35 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 146,344.31 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited13gunnisonoloradoLUANjpgUZUQTYRGF9.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>SL-Photography \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#26. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 31.0 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 21, 1999<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 250,086 (#50 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 30,779.83 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited10mesaverdeS4N2jpgFOMFMU6DDA.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Sopotnicki \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#27. Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 32.2 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: June 29, 1906<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 463,130 (#43 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 52,485.17 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051211340pngIJFLVYJAMN.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Manamana \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#28. Arches National Park (Utah)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 31.7 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: November 12, 1971<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,511,740 (#21 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 76,678.98 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051218280png0D36IONKSX.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Manamana \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#29. Canyonlands National Park (Utah)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 38.7 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: September 12, 1964<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 796,057 (#29 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 337,597.83 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051218070pngDFC3V4DHBT.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Felix Lipov \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#30. Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 30.5 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 9, 1962<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 315,951 (#48 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 221,390.21 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051211430pngBIZAS5UGLE.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Lane V. Erickson \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#31. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 34.5 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: March 1, 1872<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 4,762,988 (#3 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 2,219,790.71 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited47grandteton3OOIjpgDIZLBV712V.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Zack Frank \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#32. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 33.5 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: February 26, 1929<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 3,800,648 (#8 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 310,044.36 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited32capitolreefYBR0jpg6IT2L64IRI.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Layne V. Naylor \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#33. Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 33.2 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 18, 1971<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,388,476 (#22 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 241,904.50 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited28saguaroM73YjpgDPV8Y2XQIK.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>kojihirano \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#34. Saguaro National Park (Arizona)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 32.8 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 14, 1994<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 847,749 (#28 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 92,867.42 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/editedBryce20Canyonpng1CWSW5VQ7X.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>ronnybas frimages \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#35. Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 35.2 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: February 25, 1928<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,967,367 (#16 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 35,835.08 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited47grandcanyonME0WjpgXZ3AZIWIKQ.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Josemaria Toscano \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#36. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 34.0 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: February 26, 1919<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 4,430,653 (#4 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 1,201,647.03 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/editedZionpngWL387V36SA.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Galyna Andrushko \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#37. Zion National Park (Utah)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 35.7 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: November 19, 1919<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 4,984,525 (#2 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 147,242.66 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051210490pngI07P02155I.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Arlene Waller \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#38. Great Basin National Park (Nevada)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 35.8 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 27, 1986<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 161,210 (#54 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 77,180.00 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051219550pngRE0CON2O34.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Pung \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#39. Glacier National Park (Montana)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: May 11, 1910<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 3,136,557 (#10 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 1,013,125.99 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited42joshuatreeC4YIjpgAFU1CBM1DQ.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Dennis Silvas \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#40. Joshua Tree National Park (California)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 37.7 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 31, 1994<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 2,932,644 (#12 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 795,155.85 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited30deathvalleyIBDZjpgTTBUHHEOK8.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Bryan Brazil \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#41. Death Valley National Park (California, Nevada)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 38.2 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 31, 1994<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,320,134 (#24 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 3,408,406.73 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051218160pngLMGTJDPTDN.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Patrick Poendl \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#42. Kings Canyon National Park (California)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 44.7 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: March 4, 1940<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 779,791 (#30 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 461,901.20 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited09redwoodNC65jpg10V0LPKFEH.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Virrage Images \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#43. Sequoia National Park (California)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 43.7 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: September 25, 1890<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,378,337 (#23 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 404,062.63 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited40yosemitie82S2jpg7SOWEQFR7R.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Stephen Moehle \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#44. Yosemite National Park (California)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 43.9 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 1, 1890<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 4,278,413 (#5 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 761,747.50 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051212410pngQSTU0EIPXJ.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Ethan Daniels \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#45. Channel Islands National Park (California)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: March 5, 1980<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 227,186 (#51 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 249,561.00 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/835NCMABE.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Zack Frank \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#46. North Cascades National Park (Washington)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 46.8 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 2, 1968<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 46,925 (#57 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 504,780.94 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051213270pngECAN5G6P33.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Zack Frank \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#47. Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 43.4 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: August 9, 1916<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 504,777 (#40 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 106,589.02 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051219300pngW078GR7FUK.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Diane Fetzner \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#48. Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 44.9 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: March 2, 1899<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,635,342 (#20 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 236,381.64 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited26craterlakeEONXjpgU79NVWJAGR.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Hank Shiffman \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#49. Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 44.8 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: May 22, 1902<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 632,242 (#36 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 183,224.05 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051211140pngSITOBEP4RH.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Yhelfman \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#50. Pinnacles National Park (California)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 42.4 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: January 10, 2013<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 343,208 (#47 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 26,685.73 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited2019051220030pngPXEGJKTTKY.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>f11photo \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#51. Olympic National Park (Washington)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 48.1 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: June 29, 1938<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 3,584,187 (#9 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 922,649.41 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited09redwoodHYZ7jpgBQX6EQSDJZ.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Bob Pool \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#52. Redwood National Park (California)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Driving time: 48.2 hours<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 2, 1968<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,202,480 (#25 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 138,999.37 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/830GBP521.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Laurie Gronewold \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#53. Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 2, 1980<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 740,044 (#32 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 3,223,383.43 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/836WEV79C.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Martin Capek \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#54. Wrangell\u2013St. Elias National Park (Alaska)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 2, 1980<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 108,840 (#55 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 8,323,146.48 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/00KFJJF8.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Tomasz Wozniak \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#55. Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 2, 1980<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 425,369 (#45 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 669,650.05 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/00DenaliVARJ.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Marc Cappelletti \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#56. Denali National Park (Alaska)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: February 26, 1917<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 543,300 (#39 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 4,740,911.16 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/000GAO34C.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>BlueBarronPhoto \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#57. Gates of the Arctic National Park (Alaska)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 2, 1980<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 14,923 (#62 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 7,523,897.45 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/LakeClarkNationalParkOMN4.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Malachi Jacobs \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#58. Lake Clark National Park (Alaska)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 2, 1980<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 19,778 (#61 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 2,619,816.49 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/00KASVWZ.png\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Robert Harding Video \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#59. Katmai National Park (Alaska)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 2, 1980<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 34,479 (#59 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 3,674,529.33 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/KobukValleyNationalPark6VP4.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>BlueBarronPhoto \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#60. Kobuk Valley National Park (Alaska)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: December 2, 1980<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 7,786 (#63 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 1,750,716.16 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/editedHawaii20VolcanoespngHXAIX8DCB6.PNG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>jo Crebbin \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#61. Hawai\u02bbi Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: August 1, 1916<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 1,877,854 (#18 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 325,605.28 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/edited12haleakalaGYWBjpgUUFYIVN97W.JPEG\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>MH Anderson Photography \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#62. Haleakal\u0101 National Park (Hawaii)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: July 1, 1961<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 853,711 (#27 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 33,264.62 acres<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NationalParkofAmericanSamoaKC55.jpg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width: 100%\"\/>Lloyd Wallin Photography \/\/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n<p>#63. National Park of American Samoa (American Samoa)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Date founded: October 31, 1988<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; 2025 visitors: 43,258 (#58 highest among all national parks)<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Park area: 8,256.67 acres<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Wangkun Jia \/\/ Shutterstock Closest national parks to New Bern Approximately 323 million people visited American national parks&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":104777,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[10],"tags":[104,107,12407],"class_list":["post-104776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bern","tag-bern","tag-new-bern","tag-thestacker"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ch\/116936407312227220","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104776","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104776"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104776\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}