The United States national park system is one of the great gifts of American conservation. Sixty-three parks encompass some of the most spectacular terrain on earth, and hiking is the best way to experience almost all of them. Here are the 12 we'd recommend to any hiker looking to build a national park hiking list.

1. Zion National Park, Utah

Slot canyons, sandstone towers, and the Virgin River Narrows — a wade through a canyon so narrow you touch both walls. Angels Landing provides the thrill hike; the Narrows provides the unforgettable experience. Spring and fall are best; summer is brutally hot and overcrowded.

2. Yosemite National Park, California

Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, the Valley floor loop — Yosemite's hits are genuinely world-class. Beyond the Valley, Tuolumne Meadows offers high-alpine hiking with far fewer crowds. Permits and advance planning are required for most summer visits.

3. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The Tetons offer the dramatic alpine scenery of the Rockies without the permit chaos of some more popular parks. The Cascade Canyon trail, Paintbrush-Cascade loop, and Lake Solitude are all accessible, beautiful, and don't require advance lotteries.

4. Olympic National Park, Washington

Three distinct ecosystems in one park: temperate rainforest, alpine mountains, and wild Pacific coastline. The Hoh Rainforest trail and Hurricane Ridge offer contrasting experiences within the same park. Year-round hiking, though the high trails require summer timing.

5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

The most visited national park in the US, and for good reason: accessible from the East Coast, 800 miles of trails, stunning fall color (mid-October), and no entrance fee. Alum Cave Trail and Charlies Bunion are the standout hikes.

6. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Alpine tundra, elk herds, and the continental divide — RMNP packs extraordinary scenery into a manageable park. Timed entry permits are required in summer. The Longs Peak summit (14,259 ft) is the most demanding objective; Bear Lake to Emerald Lake is the most accessible.

7. Glacier National Park, Montana

Going-to-the-Sun Road and the trails it accesses offer some of the most dramatic alpine hiking in North America. Grinnell Glacier, Highline Trail, and Hidden Lake are all exceptional. The park is changing fast — glaciers that existed a generation ago are gone. Go soon.

8. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

The hoodoos of Bryce Canyon are unlike anything else in the park system. The Navajo Loop drops into the canyon floor among spires of orange and white limestone; the Fairyland Loop offers a longer immersion. Small park, dense scenery, easy to spend a full day hiking.

9. Joshua Tree National Park, California

Desert hiking at its most alien. The Skull Rock Nature Trail and Hidden Valley loop give accessible tastes; the more remote Ryan Mountain and Lost Palms Oasis satisfy longer itineraries. Best in fall and spring — summer heat is punishing.

10. North Cascades National Park, Washington

The least-visited park on this list and one of the most spectacular. Jagged peaks, glaciers, and alpine lakes accessible via trails that start from remote trailheads. Maple Pass Loop and Chain Lakes Loop are accessible; the backcountry is vast and less-traveled.

11. Acadia National Park, Maine

The only national park in New England, and excellent hiking despite the modest elevations. Cadillac Mountain, the Beehive (a scramble up iron rungs), and the Precipice Trail are memorable. The carriage roads provide miles of paved multi-use trails. Best in fall.

12. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

An underrated park within driving distance of 25% of the US population. Old Rag Mountain is the signature hike — a rock scramble with distinctive summit views. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park's length. Peak fall color typically mid-to-late October.

Planning Tips for Any National Park