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Best mountain destinations in North America

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Banff National Park
Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes
9.2
The Banff Gondola carries visitors to the summit of Sulphur Mountain at 2,281 metres. A boardwalk along the ridge leads to a historic weather station. Rocky Mountain peaks stretch in every direction over the Bow Valley. The Banff Upper Hot Springs sit near the base and soothe tired legs.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Explore the scenic Johnston Canyon waterfalls trail
  • 🏞️ Hike to Lake Louise and admire turquoise waters
  • 🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for spectacular mountain views
Grand Teton National Park
Stunning Peaks and Wildlife Wonders
8.6
The Grand Teton rises 4,199 metres above the valley of Jackson Hole. The range has no foothills so the peaks jump straight up from the valley floor. Visitors can paddle on Jenny Lake or ride a shuttle boat across it. The Hidden Falls trail starts on the far shore.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Trek through Cascade Canyon for breathtaking views
  • 💧 Explore Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point nearby
  • 🚶‍♂️ Hike the scenic Jenny Lake Loop Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park
Majestic Peaks and Untamed Wilderness
8.7
Trail Ridge Road climbs to 3,713 metres across the Continental Divide. It ranks among the highest paved roads in the United States. Drivers and cyclists can stop at several overlooks above the tree line with sweeping views. Elk gather in the meadows near Estes Park in autumn.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Explore Alberta Falls, a short and beautiful hiking route
  • 🏞️ Climb to Sky Pond for dramatic mountain and waterfall views
  • 🥾 Hike to Emerald Lake via scenic Bear Lake Trail
Whistler
Alpine Adventure, Epic Views, Year-Round Fun
8.8
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola links Whistler and Blackcomb mountains across a span of 4.4 kilometres. The cabins hang about 436 metres above the valley floor. Riders cross in roughly 11 minutes with views of glaciers and peaks. Mountain bike trails open on the slopes in summer.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike to Garibaldi Lake’s turquoise waters
  • 🚠 Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for alpine views
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard the legendary Whistler Blackcomb slopes
Jasper National Park
Untamed Wilderness and Starry Skies
8.8
Spirit Island sits in Maligne Lake surrounded by glacier peaks. A boat cruise across the lake takes about 90 minutes. Visitors can stop at the island for photos of the ring of mountains. The park is a designated Dark Sky Preserve with clear views of the stars.
Highlights:
  • 🧊 Walk on the Athabasca Glacier with a guided tour
  • 🐻 Spot elk, moose, and bears along Icefields Parkway
  • 🛶 Cruise Maligne Lake and marvel at Spirit Island
Denali National Park
Wild Alaska’s peaks and wildlife
8.8
At 6,190 metres the summit of Denali is the tallest in North America. It towers over a park that spans about six million acres. Park buses travel a single gravel road with views of grizzlies and caribou. Wonder Lake offers classic reflection views on clear days.
Highlights:
  • 🛩️ Take a flightseeing tour above Denali’s snowy peak
  • 🥾 Hike the Savage River Trail for rugged alpine views
  • 🐻 Spot grizzly bears and moose in their wild habitat
Lake Louise
Turquoise Gem of the Canadian Rockies
8.9
Meltwater from Victoria Glacier gives Lake Louise its milky turquoise colour. Fine rock flour carried in the water reflects blue and green light. Visitors can hire a canoe on the lake in summer. The trail to the Lake Agnes Tea House climbs about 400 metres through forest.
Highlights:
  • 🚡 Ride the Lake Louise Gondola for panoramic alpine scenery
  • 🥾 Hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House for stunning mountain views
  • 🛶 Canoe on the iconic turquoise waters of Lake Louise
Aspen
Rocky Mountain Glam Meets Outdoor Thrills
8.8
The twin Maroon Bells peaks reflect in Maroon Lake near Aspen. Both summits stand above 4,200 metres and rise steeply above the lake. Shuttle buses carry visitors to the lake from the town in summer and early autumn. Aspen trees along the trails turn gold in late September.
Highlights:
  • 🗻 Explore the scenic Maroon Bells and capture the perfect photo
  • 🚡 Ride the Silver Queen Gondola for breathtaking alpine views
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard the iconic Aspen Mountain slopes
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
Where two nations preserve wilderness
8.9
The two parks became the world's first international peace park in 1932, according to Parks Canada. Upper Waterton Lake stretches across the border between Canada and the United States. Boat tours cross the border and give views of the surrounding peaks. The Prince of Wales Hotel sits on a bluff above the lake.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Canoe or kayak on serene Waterton Lake
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic Red Rock Canyon Road
  • 🥾 Hike the challenging Crypt Lake Trail with stunning views
Mount Rainier National Park
A Majestic Volcano and Wild Beauty
8.2
Glaciers cover the flanks of Mount Rainier, which reaches 4,392 metres. The active volcano is visible from Seattle on clear days. Paradise meadows bloom with colourful wildflowers through much of July and August. The Skyline Trail loops above the meadows with close views of the glaciers.
Highlights:
  • 🌼 Explore Spray Park’s wildflower meadows and Spray Falls
  • 🌊 Visit scenic Reflection Lakes and admire Rainier’s reflection
  • 🌄 Hike the Skyline Trail for iconic Mount Rainier views
Glacier National Park
Crown of the Continent
8.9
Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass at 2,026 metres. The 80 kilometre road opened in 1933. Drivers stop at pullouts while hikers walk the Highline Trail along the cliffs of the divide. Mountain goats often graze near the Logan Pass visitor centre.
Highlights:
  • 🌲 Explore Avalanche Lake’s serene hiking trails
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road for views
  • 🥾 Hike to Grinnell Glacier and stunning turquoise lakes
Glacier Bay National Park
Majestic glaciers and pristine wilderness
9.3
Tidewater glaciers calve icebergs into the fjords beneath the Fairweather Range. Mount Fairweather rises 4,671 metres close to the coast. Cruise ships and small tour boats carry visitors up the bay. Margerie Glacier is a favourite stop where huge blocks of ice crash into the water.
Highlights:
  • 🚣‍♂️ Kayak among tidewater glaciers in coves
  • 🏔️ Hike to Columbia Glacier viewpoint
  • 🐋 Cruise Inside Passage, spot humpback whales
Yosemite National Park
Nature's Grand Cathedral
8.5
El Capitan rises about 900 metres from the floor of Yosemite Valley. Climbers spend days scaling its granite face. Tunnel View gives a wide look at El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome. Giant sequoias grow in the Mariposa Grove in the south of the park.
Highlights:
  • 💦 Marvel at Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest in North America
  • 🏞️ Hike to Glacier Point for one of Yosemite’s best views
  • 🧗‍♂️ Stand before the towering granite face of El Capitan
Half Dome
Iconic Granite Challenge Peak
Steel cables bolted to the granite help hikers up the last 120 metres of Half Dome. The round trip covers about 25 kilometres and takes most hikers 10 to 14 hours. Hikers need a permit for the cables. The summit at 2,693 metres looks over Yosemite Valley and Tenaya Canyon.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Catch sunrise views from the top of Half Dome
  • 🧗‍♀️ Use cables to climb the steep rock face safely
  • 🥾 Hike the challenging trail to Half Dome summit
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