New River Gorge National Park

Upgraded from its status as a national river at the tail end of 2020, America’s newest national park, New River Gorge, immediately vaulted itself into the top 20 with 1 million visitors last year. Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, the park is a veritable Grand Canyon of the east, with a roaring whitewater river that zigzags through a gorge so green and lush it almost appears to glow. Here, you can embark on a mountain hike where panoramic views lie at every turn; defeat your fear of heights atop the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, the third-highest bridge in the US; or try an adrenaline-pumping rafting trip along the 53 miles of river accessible by raft and kayak. Just be prepared for super-soaked rapids as high as Class V.