Top 10 Largest National Parks

When it comes to the largest national parks in the world, there are numerous stunning and expansive protected areas that showcase the natural beauty and biodiversity of our planet. These parks are often established to preserve unique ecosystems, endangered species, and cultural heritage sites, while also providing opportunities for recreation, education, and scientific research. Here, we’ll explore the top 10 largest national parks in the world, each offering its own distinct landscapes and experiences:

1. Greenland National Park, Greenland: Sitting at the top of the list as the largest national park in the world, Greenland National Park spans over 972,000 square kilometers (375,000 square miles). This vast Arctic wilderness is renowned for its pristine ice landscapes, rugged mountains, and diverse wildlife, including polar bears, musk oxen, and Arctic foxes. Visitors to Greenland National Park can experience the raw beauty of the Arctic environment through activities such as hiking, wildlife watching, and guided tours.

2. Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland: Another immense protected area in Greenland, Northeast Greenland National Park covers approximately 972,000 square kilometers (375,000 square miles), making it the second-largest national park globally. Similar to Greenland National Park, it boasts stunning glaciers, fjords, and tundra landscapes, providing habitat for a variety of Arctic wildlife species. Visitors can explore this remote wilderness by boat, on foot, or by joining specialized expeditions.

3. Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand: Moving to the other side of the world, Kahurangi National Park is New Zealand’s largest national park, covering an area of 4,520 square kilometers (1,746 square miles). Located on the South Island, this diverse park encompasses pristine forests, rugged coastlines, and alpine meadows. It is home to unique flora and fauna, including the endangered kiwi bird and ancient rock formations. Visitors can enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

4. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, United States: As the largest national park in the United States, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve spans over 53,320 square kilometers (20,587 square miles) in Alaska. This vast wilderness area encompasses towering mountains, expansive glaciers, and pristine rivers, offering unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventure. Visitors can explore remote backcountry areas, go mountaineering, or take scenic drives to marvel at the park’s breathtaking landscapes.

5. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, United States: While not a traditional terrestrial national park, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is one of the largest protected areas in the world, covering an immense expanse of ocean and islands in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Encompassing over 1.5 million square kilometers (582,578 square miles), this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its rich marine biodiversity, including vibrant coral reefs, endangered species such as Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles, and cultural heritage sites. Visitors can explore the monument’s pristine waters through guided snorkeling, diving, and research expeditions.

6. Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada: Canada’s largest national park, Wood Buffalo National Park, spans over 44,802 square kilometers (17,300 square miles) across the provinces of Alberta and the Northwest Territories. This expansive park protects a diverse range of ecosystems, including boreal forests, wetlands, and grasslands, as well as the critically endangered wood bison and the world’s largest free-roaming herd of plains bison. Visitors can enjoy camping, canoeing, and wildlife viewing in this remote northern wilderness.

7. Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, United States: Located in Alaska, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve covers an area of 10,325 square kilometers (3,995 square miles), making it one of the largest national preserves in the United States. This pristine wilderness area is characterized by its rugged mountains, wild rivers, and rich cultural history, including remnants of the Klondike Gold Rush. Visitors can explore the preserve’s remote backcountry by hiking, boating, and fishing, while also learning about its unique natural and cultural heritage.

8. Tsavo National Parks, Kenya: Tsavo National Park is actually comprised of two separate parks, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, together covering an area of approximately 22,000 square kilometers (8,494 square miles) in Kenya. These expansive parks are known for their diverse landscapes, including savannahs, volcanic hills, and acacia woodlands, as well as iconic wildlife such as elephants, lions, and giraffes. Visitors to Tsavo can enjoy game drives, guided walks, and cultural experiences with local communities.

9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States: Straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses 2,114 square kilometers (814 square miles) of protected wilderness in the Appalachian Mountains. As the most visited national park in the United States, it offers a wealth of natural beauty, including old-growth forests, cascading waterfalls, and diverse wildlife habitats. Visitors can explore the park’s extensive trail system, go wildlife watching, and learn about the region’s cultural history through historic sites and interpretive programs.

10. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana: Rounding out the list is the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, which covers an area of over 52,800 square kilometers (20,445 square miles) in Botswana, making it one of the largest protected areas in Africa. This vast desert wilderness is home to a variety of desert-adapted wildlife species, including lions, cheetahs, and meerkats, as well as indigenous San Bushmen communities. Visitors to the reserve can embark on guided safaris, camping expeditions, and cultural tours to experience the stark beauty and rich biodiversity of the Kalahari Desert.

Certainly, let’s delve deeper into each of these remarkable national parks, exploring their unique features, biodiversity, and visitor experiences:

1. Greenland National Park, Greenland: Established in 1974, Greenland National Park is the world’s largest national park, covering an area larger than many countries. It is located in northeastern Greenland and is characterized by its vast ice sheet, glaciers, and rugged mountains. The park is home to a variety of Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and migratory birds. Visitors can access the park via specialized expeditions, which offer opportunities for hiking, dog sledding, and wildlife observation amidst the stunning Arctic scenery.

2. Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland: Adjacent to Greenland National Park, Northeast Greenland National Park is similarly vast and remote, encompassing rugged coastlines, fjords, and icebergs. The park’s landscapes range from coastal lowlands to towering peaks, providing habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, including seals, walruses, and beluga whales. Visitors to Northeast Greenland National Park can embark on guided cruises, kayak expeditions, and wilderness hikes to explore its pristine wilderness and learn about its geological and cultural significance.

3. Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand: Located on the northwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island, Kahurangi National Park is renowned for its diverse landscapes and ecosystems. It encompasses ancient forests, limestone caves, and high alpine terrain, providing habitat for endemic bird species such as the kiwi and the takahe. The park is popular among outdoor enthusiasts for its extensive network of hiking trails, including the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, which traverses diverse landscapes from coast to mountains.

4. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, United States: Situated in the rugged wilderness of southeastern Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest national park in the United States. It is characterized by its towering peaks, vast glaciers, and remote backcountry, offering unparalleled opportunities for wilderness exploration and adventure. The park’s diverse ecosystems support a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and Dall sheep. Visitors can access the park via road, air, or guided expeditions, and enjoy activities such as hiking, backpacking, and wildlife viewing.

5. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, United States: Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is a vast protected area in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, encompassing pristine coral reefs, atolls, and seamounts. It is home to over 7,000 marine species, including endangered Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, and rare corals. The monument also has significant cultural importance to Native Hawaiian communities, with numerous archaeological sites and cultural heritage sites scattered throughout the islands. Visitors can explore the monument’s waters through guided snorkeling and diving tours, as well as research expeditions focused on marine conservation and biodiversity.

6. Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada: Established in 1922, Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans the boreal forests of northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories, encompassing diverse ecosystems such as wetlands, grasslands, and salt plains. The park is home to the world’s largest free-roaming herd of wood bison, as well as populations of gray wolves, black bears, and migratory birds. Visitors to Wood Buffalo can experience its wilderness through camping, canoeing, and guided tours focused on wildlife viewing and Indigenous culture.

7. Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, United States: Located in eastern Alaska along the Yukon River, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve protects over 200 miles of wild and scenic rivers, as well as historic sites associated with the Klondike Gold Rush. The preserve’s diverse landscapes range from boreal forests to alpine tundra, providing habitat for wildlife such as moose, bears, and salmon. Visitors can explore the preserve’s backcountry via river rafting, backpacking, and interpretive hikes, while also learning about its cultural history through ranger-led programs and historic cabins.

8. Tsavo National Parks, Kenya: Tsavo National Park is divided into two separate parks, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, both of which are renowned for their diverse landscapes and wildlife. Tsavo East is characterized by its vast open plains, volcanic hills, and iconic red elephants, while Tsavo West features rugged terrain, lava flows, and the dramatic Mzima Springs. Together, the parks are home to the “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros), as well as hundreds of bird species and other wildlife. Visitors to Tsavo can enjoy game drives, guided walks, and cultural experiences with local Maasai communities.

9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States: Straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its biodiversity, scenic beauty, and cultural heritage. It is home to over 19,000 documented species, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and synchronous fireflies, making it one of the most biodiverse areas in North America. The park also preserves the rich cultural history of the Appalachian region, with historic structures, museums, and interpretive programs showcasing the lives of early settlers and indigenous peoples. Visitors to Great Smoky Mountains can explore its numerous hiking trails, scenic drives, and cultural attractions, as well as participate in ranger-led programs and educational workshops.

10. Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana: Established in 1961, the Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the largest protected area in Botswana and one of the largest game reserves in the world. It encompasses vast stretches of desert plains, salt pans, and acacia savannahs, providing habitat for a variety of desert-adapted wildlife species, including lions, cheetahs, and springboks. The reserve is also home to indigenous San Bushmen communities, who have lived in the Kalahari for thousands of years and continue to practice traditional hunting and gathering techniques. Visitors to the Central Kalahari can experience guided safaris, camping expeditions, and cultural tours to learn about the unique ecology and cultural heritage of this remote desert wilderness.