The World’s Best National Parks to Visit in 2026

Quick, pop quiz: How many national parks are there in the world?

If you guessed fewer than 6,000, you’re thinking too small. Depending on the source, there are between 6,000 and 6,500 national parks worldwide. While the United States has an impressive 63 parks (plus another 400 sites managed by the National Park Service), Australia takes the cake with more than 600 national parks.

In the last five years or so, spending time on public lands has become more popular than ever. But many national parks, from the US to Tanzania, are facing serious overtourism issues. They’re also feeling the effects of climate change and encroaching development and pollution.

However, despite the challenges facing public lands around the world, there are many stories of success. Rwanda is both growing its mountain gorilla population in Volcanoes National Park and successfully reintroducing native species to Akagera National Park. Peru created an 8,900-square-mile marine reserve to protect endangered species and traditional fishing cultures. And in the US’s Yellowstone National Park, wolf populations are thriving — and spurring an economic boom for small towns around the park.

There’s a lot to celebrate about our shared public lands. A visit to any of these 15 parks around the world in 2026 is all the proof you need. Some have improved access, while others are home to natural wonders quickly disappearing. Others still are success stories about protecting endangered species and monitoring vital migration corridors.

For one reason or another, all 15 of the fantastic parks below are must-see destinations for anyone obsessed not just with the beauty of our natural world, but the critical need to protect it for our shared global good.

See you out there,

Suzie Dundas
Matador Network Commissioning Editor