40 Best Nature Destinations – Waterfalls & National Parks

As part of our 40 for 40 anniversary blog series, we’re celebrating some of the world’s most breathtaking waterfalls and national parks. From dramatic cascades to protected landscapes, these natural wonders offer unforgettable moments of beauty, adventure, and discovery.

1–10: Iconic Natural Wonders

1. Grand Canyon, USA
This vast natural wonder is shaped by the Colorado River, offering dramatic viewpoints and unforgettable hiking experiences.

2. Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The world’s largest coral reef system is protected as a marine park and home to colourful underwater life.

3. Iguazu Falls, Argentina & Brazil
This spectacular network of waterfalls is set within lush national parkland on the border between Argentina and Brazil, known for its sheer power and scale.

4. Victoria Falls, Zambia & Zimbabwe
This spectacular waterfall lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, where the Zambezi River plunges into a dramatic gorge. It is one of the world’s largest and most famous waterfalls.

5. Yosemite National Park, USA
Yosemite is famous for its granite cliffs and iconic waterfalls, including the towering Yosemite Falls.

6. Banff National Park, Canada
This breathtaking alpine park is filled with turquoise lakes, forests, and snow-capped peaks.

7. Yellowstone National Park, USA
Yellowstone is a geothermal wonderland with geysers, hot springs, and diverse wildlife across a series of natural landscapes.

8. Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Admire cascading waterfalls and glistening lakes set within a lush, forested national park.

9. Angel Falls, Venezuela

This is the world’s tallest waterfall, plunging from a remote tabletop mountain deep in the rainforest.

10. Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Torres del Paine is a rugged landscape of glaciers, lakes, and dramatic mountain peaks in Patagonia.

11–20: Wildlife & Wilderness Escapes

11. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
One of Africa’s most iconic parks, the Serengeti is best known for its dramatic plains and incredible wildlife migration.

12. Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger is a premier safari destination offering close encounters with Africa’s Big Five.

13. Milford Sound, New Zealand
This New Zealand gem is a stunning fjord where waterfalls cascade down sheer cliffs into deep, calm waters.

14. Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
This off-the-beaten-path park is home to New Zealand’s highest peak and breathtaking alpine scenery.

15. Komodo National Park, Indonesia
This UNESCO-listed park is famous for its Komodo dragons and rich marine biodiversity.

16. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Ha Long Bay is a natural wonder of limestone islands rising from emerald waters, protected as a national park area.

17. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is known for its towering sandstone pillars, inspiring some of the world’s most surreal landscapes.

18. Wulingyuan Scenic Area, China
The Wulingyuan is a protected area of dramatic sandstone formations, forests, and deep ravines with pools, falls, caves, and streams. The area protects endangered animal and plant species. 

19. Amazon Rainforest, South America
The largest rainforest on Earth is preserved across multiple protected reserves and national parks. This is one for all bucket lists. 

20. Galápagos National Park, Ecuador

A unique ecosystem where wildlife thrives in one of the world’s most carefully protected environments.

21–30: Mountains, Forests & Scenic Landscapes

21. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania
Africa’s highest peak is located here, rising above diverse ecosystems from forest to alpine desert.

22. Blue Mountains National Park, Australia
This incredible park is famous for its dramatic cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and sweeping valley views.

23. Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
A vast wilderness of fjords, waterfalls, and untouched natural beauty await at Fiordland National Park. 

24. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
Discover mist-covered mountains, rich biodiversity, and scenic hiking trails at this must-see park.

25. Niagara Falls, USA/Canada
One of the world’s most famous waterfalls, renowned for its immense power and accessibility.

26. Jasper National Park, Canada
Jasper National Park is a peaceful alpine park offering glaciers, wildlife, and some of the darkest skies for stargazing.

27. Zion National Park, USA
A dramatic desert landscape of red cliffs, canyons, and scenic hiking routes.

28. Bryce Canyon National Park, USA
Bryce Canyon is known for its unique rock formations called hoodoos, creating an otherworldly landscape.

29. Mount Rainier National Park, USA
This park is dominated by a snow-capped volcano and surrounded by forests, waterfalls, and wildflower meadows.

30. Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Uganda
A remote and mystical mountain range known as the Mountains of the Moon.

31–40: Hidden Gems & Unique Natural Beauty

31. Jiuzhaigou National Park, China
Enjoy a colourful landscape of crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls, and forested valleys at this beautiful park in the Sichuan province of China.

32. Sarek National Park, Sweden
This is one of Europe’s last true wilderness areas, with glaciers, valleys, and no marked trails.

33. Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
This Icelandic hotspot is home to Europe’s largest glacier, along with ice caves, volcanoes, and waterfalls.

34. Thingvellir National Park, Iceland
This awe-inspiring UNESCO-listed site is where tectonic plates meet, surrounded by dramatic natural scenery.

35. Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysia
Discover vast cave systems, rainforest, and striking limestone formations at this incredible national park.

36. Kakadu National Park, Australia
A diverse landscape of wetlands, waterfalls, and ancient Aboriginal rock art are waiting to be explored at Kakadu National Park. 

37. Havasu Falls, USA
This breath-taking turquoise waterfall is set within the red rock canyons of Arizona.

38. Detian Falls, China & Vietnam
This picturesque waterfall straddles the border between China and Vietnam, surrounded by lush karst scenery.

39. Erawan National Park, Thailand
Erawan National Park is a beautiful even-tiered waterfall with emerald pools perfect for swimming.

40. Skógafoss, Iceland
A powerful and perfectly formed waterfall, often accompanied by rainbows on sunny days.

From powerful waterfalls to vast, wildlife-rich national parks, these natural wonders showcase the very best of our planet’s beauty. Each destination offers something unique, whether it’s the roar of cascading water, the stillness of untouched landscapes, or the thrill of exploring the wild.

As Brightsun Travel celebrates 40 years of creating unforgettable journeys, there’s no better time to discover these extraordinary places and start planning your next adventure.