BERLIN, August 2026 – GetYourGuide bookings to the United States’ national parks are up 40% year on year among domestic travelers. As the States mark National Park week, GetYourGuide Insider Kate Semenova names the underrated parks and public lands visitors are overlooking. Spoiler: Yogi Bear and Jellystone are nowhere in sight.
Once dubbed “America’s best idea,” the U.S. National Parks are having a moment at GetYourGuide.
- GetYourGuide bookings to national parks this year are up 40 percent among domestic visitors and 18 percent globally compared to last year.
- U.S. travelers make up 60 percent of bookings so far this year.
- Among international markets, the U.K. is growing fastest, with bookings up 22 percent year on year.
For most European travelers, U.S. national & state parks rarely make the final cut of first-trip itineraries, with travelers opting for the “iconic cities,” Kate says. Outside of the top two or three national parks, the parks, not to mention the road trips that connect them, tend to feature on later trips.
“America’s parks are arguably one of the most American things the U.S. has to offer, and beyond the stunning nature, they can be a door into the country’s history, including the stories and cultures of Indigenous peoples,” Kate says.
“Mesa Verde National Park, for example, preserves the homes and archaeological sites of the Ancestral Pueblo people. A lot of travelers come because they want to see these incredible cliff dwellings and the beautiful, unique landscape around them. ”
"Through the entire tour, guests learn a lot of information about who lived here, why this place is important, and the cultures and traditions connected to this land. In that sense, the experience is often, ‘I'll come for the incredible scenery and the pictures, but I'll leave with a lot more: education, knowledge, and hopefully curiosity to go learn more."
- Kate Semenova, GetYourGuide’s market expert for the U.S. West Coast and National Parks
As the U.S. celebrates the 110th birthday of the National Park Service this month, the parks have never had more to celebrate – or more competition for space. But with more than 400 sites to choose from, spanning national parks, lakeshores, and monuments, GetYourGuide Insider Kate, says there’s no need to make do with crowded trails.
Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon might be the first national parks that spring to mind, but Kate keeps a list of underrated parks for domestic and international travelers alike.
Kate’s five most underrated National Parks and Public Lands:
- North Cascades National Park, Washington: A rising-star destination with jagged peaks, turquoise alpine lakes, and glaciers. “It feels closer to Switzerland or the Canadian Rockies than a typical U.S. park,” Kate said. It’s still one of the least visited national parks, despite its incredible scenery.
- Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado: “This one is very unique and not visited enough in my opinion,” Kate said. “The tallest sand dunes in North America set against snow-capped mountains, create one of the most surreal landscapes in the country.”
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado: Kate calls it “the darker Grand Canyon. Very dramatic, and very similar to the Grand Canyon, but narrower, deeper, darker in color and much less crowded.”
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin: “Even many domestic travelers don’t realize the U.S. has this kind of coastal scenery in Wisconsin. The place offers very unique things to do, from hiking to kayaking and sea caves, but the place gets very few visitors,” said Kate.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan: “While famous locally in the Midwest, it flies under the national radar compared to premier US national parks, but it has a lot to offer,” said Kate. Think massive dunes, turquoise Lake Michigan views, beaches, forests and scenic drives.
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About the data
- GetYourGuide booking data analyzed performance from January 1 to August 13 across 2025 and 2026.
Global: +18%
UK: +22.3%
United States: +40%
About GetYourGuide
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