There are 10 U.S. National Parks that start with G, running alphabetically from “Gates of the Arctic” to “Guadalupe Mountains”. They cover a wide range of landscapes, from Arctic wilderness and glacier-carved peaks to desert dunes and a famous canyon. People visit them to hike, camp, paddle, watch wildlife, and enjoy some of the best scenery in the country.
U.S. National Parks are protected areas managed by the National Park Service to preserve natural and historic places for everyone. “Gateway Arch” in Missouri is the smallest of them all, yet it ranks as a national park because it honors the story of westward expansion.
Below you’ll find the table with the park name, state, type, and a short description for each entry.
Park: The official name of each national park, listed in alphabetical order so you can quickly find the one you want to visit.
State: The state or states where the park is located, which helps you plan your route and see which parks are near you.
Type: The official designation of each site, so you know how the National Park Service classifies it and what kind of protection it has.
Description: A short summary of what makes each park special, including its main landscapes, wildlife, and activities, so you can decide which ones to explore.
U.S. National Parks
Park
State
Type
Gates of the Arctic
Alaska
National Park
Gateway Arch
Missouri
National Park
Glacier
Montana
National Park
Glacier Bay
Alaska
National Park
Grand Canyon
Arizona
National Park
Grand Teton
Wyoming
National Park
Great Basin
Nevada
National Park
Great Sand Dunes
Colorado
National Park
Great Smoky Mountains
Tennessee, North Carolina
National Park
Guadalupe Mountains
Texas
National Park
Descriptions
Gates of the Arctic
A remote wilderness north of the Arctic Circle with no roads or trails. It is known for jagged peaks, wild rivers, and caribou migrations, and draws backcountry hikers and paddlers.
Gateway Arch
The smallest national park, in St. Louis, built around the 630-foot stainless steel Arch beside the Mississippi River. It commemorates westward expansion, and visitors can ride a tram to the top.
Glacier
A Rocky Mountain park of glacier-carved valleys, alpine lakes, and high peaks near the Canadian border. The Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses it, and it is a favorite for hiking and wildlife viewing.
Glacier Bay
A coastal park in Southeast Alaska where tidewater glaciers calve into fjords. Most visitors arrive by boat to see whales, sea otters, and brown bears.
Grand Canyon
A mile-deep canyon carved by the Colorado River over millions of years. Layers of colorful rock and sweeping rim views make it one of the most visited parks in the country.
Grand Teton
A park of steep, jagged peaks rising above Jackson Hole and its lakes. It offers climbing, hiking, and wildlife such as moose and elk, just south of Yellowstone.
Great Basin
A quiet park in the Nevada desert with ancient bristlecone pines, Lehman Caves, and Wheeler Peak. It is known for very dark night skies and stargazing.
Great Sand Dunes
Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, backed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Visitors sandboard, hike the dunes, and splash in seasonal Medano Creek.
Great Smoky Mountains
The most visited national park in the country, covering forested ridges along the Appalachians. It is famous for misty views, wildflowers, black bears, and its many hiking trails.
Guadalupe Mountains
A rugged West Texas park with the state’s highest peak, Guadalupe Peak. It protects an ancient fossil reef, desert canyons, and fall colors in McKittrick Canyon.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.
