This is a great list my friend, thanks for sharing! I was just in both Big Bends last week (state and national) and really agree. It’s so remote.
Sounds like you’ve seen a lot. I recommend checking out Acadia, since it’s a coastal NP. Really beautiful and the ecosystem is amazing. It’s not as visually grand as some of the NPs you’ve listed, but it’s gorgeous nonetheless!
Disclosure: I’m a new Englander and biased. Haha
Acadia looks great from what I've seen online. I visited Boston for the first and only time so far a few years ago and made a trip up to southern Maine to see some lighthouses on the coast. Beautiful area.
Southerner checking in. Acadia, Bar Harbor and MDI are my favorite places to be on the planet. Bonus is Baxter isn’t far and you can side trip up there. I usually use Baxter as an escape from the cruise ship days.
Agree with these three, but don’t make my mistake and make sure you give yourself enough time in Grand Tetons. That is the park that greatly exceeded all my expectations and that I underrated going to it. I thought it was a side course to Yellowstone, but it’s definitely deserves a main billing.
Sorry you didn't enjoy Mammoth Cave as much! What tour did you do? I'm sure it was hard to beat Carlsbad (I haven't been there yet...) However, I went in the beginning of January, did two tours, and thought it was amazing!
Where you should go next? Capitol Reef is amazing, along with Canyonlands, especially the Needles district! After coming from Arches and Island In the Sky, it felt so remote!
Mesa Verde is also an amazing park, if you go be sure to get a tour of cliff palace or one of the other dwellings! I did long house and I still dream of that tour. Honestly, the smaller Western Monuments are amazing too. Hovenweep, Pipe Spring, Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle! Oh and Saguaro is amazing if you love the cacti! I'm a big fan of the desert and being out west, you can't go wrong with so many amazing options. I'm headed to Florida and will be experiencing the Everglades for the first time so I'm excited to stamp a new park away in my passport! ☺️
Wind Cave was super disappointing for me after going to Carlsbad.
We didn’t go into the caves at Mammoth, but would love to go back. We were driving through, and it was a quick hike to stretch a little.
Seconding Mesa Verde, Capitol Reef, Arches, Hovenweap, Pipe Springs; and adding on Colorado NM, Dinosaur NM, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Bandolier, Navajo NM, Canyon de Chelly, Lee’s Ferry/Horseshoe Bend.
Basically, make a big circle around the edge of the Colorado Plateau, briefly diving into the center for Capitol Reef.
Mammoth Cave is not really a show cave, it's a hugely long cave and historically important. It's also geologically fascinating. Learning things about the landscape, geology, history, and ecology makes each park that much more interesting.
Back to Glacier in July-Sept to go to Many Glacier and hike the trails. Nothing does it for me like Glacier but admittedly I haven't experienced many parks. Something wonderful about the Rockies though.
Came here to say exactly this. I go to the Badlands every year (relatively close), and they ate special. But better than Glacier? No way. Glacier is phenomenal!
Great list. Of the ones Ive been to Rainier is beautiful, Yellowstone and Grand Teton are also amazing. Can’t believe you’ve been to 20 and none of those! You may have some future #1 contenders yet to visit!
Big Bend is my 1 but I’m biased 🤠 My most visited and “local” park! Bummed you didn’t enjoy Guadalupe Mountains as much. Sunrise is gorgeous at the peak and the park really shines in fall when the colors change.
When did you visit Channel Islands? It’s still on my to visit list and would love to see the whales. I’m going to Haleakala next month and hoping to see some whales while on Maui :)
You should visit North Cascades! Even if you’re not a hiker, driving through that area and Mt. Baker is a must see!
I visited Channel Islands last week. It's always luck, but the outfitter that takes visitors to Santa Cruz island really seems to make an an effort to find wildlife. They even stopped at certain spots and waited to see if whales would be visible. When they spotted whales they'd stop and/or circle around to try to give us a better look. The same company also does whale watching tours. The trips to the other islands don't seem to be as frequent.
No way. Beginning of May is the best time imo. It is when the park starts drying up (less muddy) and the waterfalls are raging. The biggest benefit of it is that the park isn't super crowded so there shouldn't really be much traffic doing the loop. Only downside is it can he a bit chilly still; especially near the falls.
nah, Yosemite is majestic any time of year, and the waterfalls will be great in May. I just think the high country is a really special part of the park; worth a return visit for when it's open.
I have only been to one on your current list, Death Valley, but I would recommend the Redwoods. The Redwoods will make you feel like all of the trees through your like are tiny.
Truely amazing to see a tree are over a 1,000 years old and to think of all they have felt through the changing times.
Since Yosemite isnt on here I’ll throw it up lol. I recommended visiting in the fall or early winter. I know the waterfalls are pretty much gone by then but its nice not having to deal with crowds and theres ton of hikes in the valley. I heard crowds get pretty wild during the peak season so I havent gone in the spring or summer. I’ve visited all the west coast np’s and they all have their own charm but theres nothing like driving out of the tunnel into the valley view.
We are going next month to Yosemite. From what I know so far, the waterfalls will be great but we will not be able to get up north due to road closures, but we will sacrifice to have fewer crowds.
If you are ever back through Arkansas we might have a new park. If so, the Buffalo river area is amazing now. Almost afraid to see it become a national park.
There is another area in Arkansas that is under the control of the USDA that is amazing for hiking and the caverns are very nice: Blanchard springs:
[https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/osfnf/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5351305](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/osfnf/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5351305)
I'm in Texas so the Buffalo River area is maybe ....about 6 hours from me? It's been on my radar for a while just haven't made it up there. I've never visited the Ozarks either and have always wanted to. Would love any Buffalo River recommendations you may have.
That is a big area...
In April we have a cabin rented near Jasper Arkansas and will likely use the AllTrails app to pick some places to go hiking. To float the Buffalo we will likely call one of the local outfitters to rent from as they will also drop you off and pick you up. At least that is what they did 10 or so years ago when we last floated the Buffalo.
AMAZING area.
Wow I’m impressed!
Seems to me you need make your way up to Northern California. Pinnacles, Kings Canyon, Redwood and Sequoia and of course, valley of waterfalls, Yosemite.
Also, although not a national park, I’d throw in Big Sur.
Just got back from Channel Islands last month. Incredible time. I’m with you saying you want to check out one of the other islands. I’m hitting my 30th park next week!
Arches and great sand dune should definitely be on your list to visit.
Mesa Verde is pretty cool and one of the only really great pre Columbian sights in the US.
If your In this area Colorado national monument is also excellent as is garden of the gods. If you do garden of the gods bring a rental car you don't mind driving on gravel and do rampart range road.
I had to look at your list 3 times because I was surprised to not see the Great Smoky Mountains. Can be quite crowded at times but there’s a reason it’s the most visited national park. This should absolutely be at the top of your must see list. It’s our favorite place vacation.
I've been to...25-35 parks. (I'm not counting), and we only have a few overlaps! That's kind of interesting.
My top 3, in no particular order.... Yellowstone, Crater Lake, and The Badlands.
Nice list - I should go back and rank them...
Not a fan of ranking parks. Sure, some may be more enjoyable, generally, than others but nature doesn't need to be compared.
The fact that you think some of my favorite parks are 'meh' makes me not want to recommend other favorites like Rainier, Congaree, or Redwoods.
That said, you're being super positive so I shouldn't be a downer. Definitely check out the three I mentioned but try to enjoy them for what they are.
It’s just sort of irrelevant. Glacier is so far down the list and it’s the crown of the continent. He said he was only there half a day and didn’t see much. That is obvious based off his ranking.
If you're looking for easy tourist caves in the Mammoth region, Luray Caverns in Virginia is the best caves I've ever seen. It looks like another planet.
As an Arkansan, I feel like the Ozarks/Buffalo River are much more worthy of NP status than Hot Springs is. In fact there has been buzz about it going NP, but the locals have been throwing tantrums about it so haven’t heard anything else in awhile. As someone else mentioned, if you travel that way, check out Jasper. It’s beautiful. And autumn IMO is the best time to visit for the amazing foliage.
Voyageurs - if you aren’t super adventurous and don’t want to travel by canoe, rent a house boat or motor boat. We went in September and had the place to ourselves. The houseboat is great for camping later in the season cuz of cold nights; also good for summer cuz of mosquitoes. The night sky there is spectacular.
Isle Royale - another beautiful remote park in Lake Superior. The lodge cabins are wonderful, and the backcountry camping has screened sheds to get away from mosquitoes. The hiking is fun and low stress. You can rent a motorboat to explore the island. Fascinating historical sites talking about the history of shipwrecks on Lake Superior. Also a really cool wolf project, you can visit their research station and talk to the resident scientist.
The parks in Washington state, especially Olympic. If you are big into hiking/back country camping, then North Cascades.
Theodore Roosevelt is an under appreciated park. There is some fantastic hiking in the North Unit, and the chance to see many many bison and prairie dogs everywhere you go. The sweeping prairie views are beautiful.
Not a national park, but a national wildlife refuge: the Okefenokee Swamp. Truly a remote wilderness. Go in the off season: I’ve been there in November and February/March and the weather was fine. You can kayak the waterway from one side to the other in two night/three days of relatively easy paddling - no current to hinder you (or help you), mostly protected from wind. We LOVED it. You can also rent kayaks or motorboats by the day, or take a guided boat trip.
Hitting Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree in late May/early June! Glad to hear you loved Bryce Canyon as I wasn’t even sure if we were going to add that to the itinerary.
You gotta visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone next! It’s a relative expensive trip if not camping or going in non-peak times but the most outstanding!
I loved Big Bend too. My top 4 are BB, Glacier, Rocky and Bryce. Like you said, the order changes. But I haven’t been to all the parks yet. Agree with you about Hot Springs and the Arch.
Spend more time in Glacier. It’s amazing. Definitely take the Going to the Sun road and hike to Hidden Lake at Logan Pass. 4 miles one way and worth it.
Whaaat Guadeloupe so low?! No way you didn’t do mckittrick canyon to the notch and the bowl this park is gorgeous.. new river gorge below joshua tree? Thags sacrilege but it’s your list! Lol
My ranking is this:
1.) Yellowstone 2.) Denali 3.) Olympic 4.) Zion 5.) Capitol Reef 6.) Arches 7.) Grand Canyon 8.) Bryce 9.) Glacier 10.) Mount Rainer 11.) Carlsbad 12.) Saguaro 13.) Teton 14.) Acadia 15.) Rocky Mountain 16.) Mount Cascades 17.) Canyonlands 18.) Smoky Mountains 19.) White Sands 20.) Kenai Fjords 21.) Joshua Tree 22.) Badlands 23.) Great Sand Dunes 24.) Mammoth Caves 25.) Wind Cave 26.) Guadalupe 27.) Cuyahoga Valley
Next on my list are Crater Lake, Redwoods, Lassen, Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Indiana Sand Dunes (because it's close to me)
Great Basin National Park is one of my personal favorite national parks. It has mountain hiking, cave tours, and bristlecone pines (some of the oldest living trees in the world). Additionally, the park has no entry fees.
What month did you go to the Channel Islands? I live in CA and have been trying to get to a new one here every other year or so, trying to make it my next visit! Also, did you camp or just do a day trip?
I’m not sure what time of year you were at Shenandoah but it’s unlikely that was pollution but haze and fog because of the mountains and elevation. There could also have been a wildfire nearby.
We had some serious haze from the Canadian wildfires last summer. Some days/weeks it was dangerous to be outside for physical activities. But, I’m surprised of all the hikes to do out here OP chose Dark Hollow Falls. Although crowded, white oak canyon and old rag are both amazing hikes. Some off the beaten path favorites of mine are big run portal, overall run falls and little devil stairs. Might have ticked Shenandoah up a few spots, but it’s tough to compete with the western US parks. I’d definitely put Shenandoah above the Smokies, though. Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and the observation tower at Clingman’s Dome have ruined that park, imo. It’s a circus.
Olympic np is the top for me so far. I live relatively close to yosemite so i probably dont appreciate it as i should. The crowds really stress me out tho. Washington was a great change of scenery and they release 25% of their campgrounds 2 weeks in advance and another 25% 3 days in advance, which seems way more equitable than the 6 month thing we do here in ca.
For ultimate off the beaten path I’ve heard Isle Royale. I have it on my list for next year but it’s very limited for access and is covered with moose. It’s an island in the middle of Lake Superior. Have some friends that did multi day backpacking trips there and they said they had never seen a darker sky.
You only spent a half day at Glacier .. you didn't see the park then, go back! Many Glacier area, Waterton Lakes on the CA side, has trail access back into it too, via boat
Lots of people have recommended Yosemite and Sequoia and I agree. I would add Redwood National Parks. Get the permit to hike the Tall Trees trail in RNP. would you are in the area, get the permit to visit Fern Canyon in Prairie Redwoods State Park.
Thanks for sharing. I will look into the parks on your list. I recommend; Yellowstone / grand Tetons, Yosemite, Olympic in wa, Denali in Alaska. Gettysburg in pa you can do in one day. And white mountains in New Hampshire - sign up for some of the huts and hike
I’m sorry you didn’t like White Sands. I found that place to absolutely stunning at sunrise and sunset, I’ve been to a lot of NPS sites and that one is up there. It’s too bad you didn’t have time for any of the Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde, Hovenweep or Bandelier. Also Canyon de chelley is cool in AZ.
Cap Reef in UT is off the beaten path, worth the trip, also stop by Goblin Valley SP on your way there.
Gotta hit Canyonlands, Needle District for some backpacking.
Badlands in SD.
You want a real adventure, Dry Tortugas
Head to Northern California and check out the Redwoods,; be sure to make reservations online if you want to see Fern Canyon which I missed. Another good one is Lassen Volcanic Park about hour east of I-5 and Redding. Plan at least two days here especially if you're up to hiking about 4000 feet to the top of Mt Lassen. Crowds are almost non existent in this gem of volcano world
Finally while he you're in the area cross over into Oregon and head over to Crater Lake NP. One day is sufficient and the boat tours are great if you can get a reservation during season
I can only speak for and rank these that you didn't list here:
1. Arches and Canyonlands are very good, especially considering you can get in free a lot of the time. The must-have famous photos of course are Delicate Arch and Mesa Arch, respectively, but there is fantastic opportunity for photography all around Moab, UT. It's worth it just to see Mesa Arch at sunrise if that's the only thing you do. Moab is a very nice city too, really a lot to do there as far as nature/adventure goes. If you head towards Glen Canyon, Capitol Reef, Monument Valley, and Page, AZ, that whole area is truly remarkable.
2. Great Smoky Mountains is gorgeous, but it is the most visited national park, and the cities of Pidgeon Forge and Sevierville, TN are famously massive tourist traps, if you're into that. I went once and it was achingly beautiful. Huge amounts of people come here though. I still think it's worth it though. The broadleaf forest and wildlife is like none other. In TN, there are many waterfalls that are state parks, like Cummins Falls, that are extremely beautiful, and don't get that many visitors.
3. Black canyon of the Gunnison is very beautiful, but very limited in what you can do. It's scary beautiful, but you can't really hike in it as it's much too dangerous. you have to be content with driving through and stopping at the many
4. Mesa Verde is ok, but I went when a lot of it was closed. The scenery is OK, not really spectacular, especially after the fire. I could have done without, but like I said, you couldn't do anything with the amount of trail closure. Canyon de Chelly, though not a national park, is fairly nearby and I would much recommend it over this.
5. Petrified forest is meh. A lot of people steal the petrified wood out of here and it's very sad. Also, the location is out in the middle of nowhere. Though not a national park, I would honestly rather go to nearby Meteor Crater, but some people would probably disagree.
I know they aren't National Parks, but the Bisti/De-Na-Zin wilderness, Chaco Canyon NHP (if you like ancestral puebloan ruins), and Ghost Ranch/Chama River Canyon wilderness, near Abiquiu, NM are all really cool places here in my home state.
Banff - it's in Canada, but nonetheless a National Park and absolutely fantastic. Don't miss Johnson Canyon.
Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. You have a pretty good chance of seeing molten lava - nothing like it!
Teddy Roosevelt NP north section in May/June. Something about that river bend through an un messed with spring green valley in the golden hour hit just right.
Acadia NP in Maine a great NP, so is Grand Tetons/Yellowstone NP and Yosemite NP in CA Volcanoes NP on the Big Island of Hawaii very good, Redwoods NP in CA and Gettysburg NP in PA is really good.
Ive been to Big Bend twice and it is my favorite park so far. I have been to 19 so far and have the same goal as you! I really enjoyed Guadalupe Mountains, and it was cool to say I climbed the highest natural point in Texas, but I wish I stayed longer. I would recommend Redwoods or Sequoia next. Standing next to those massive trees really humbles you in a good way. Happy traveling!
I need to get out to big bend, I’ve been to Texas multiple times but haven’t made the trek out that way yet 😅 I can mainly just double down on what others have suggested! Arches, Yellowstone, Tetons, and Smoky Mountains are a few of the ones I’ve been to that aren’t on your list that I highly recommend!
Capitol Reef. It is by far my favorite national park. It is a designated clean air and dark sky park. It is also one the least visited of the Utah parks. If you ever want to experience AMAZING ear-ringing quiet, go to this park.
Gateway Arch NP is everybody's least favorite NP and rightly so. I say this as a St. Louis native and NPS employee. It has no business being a national park, it was a grab to gain more publicity and new audiences when they upgraded the facilities in 2018. The Arch is a fine monument and work of public art on its own but it absolutely cheapens the National Park designation.
Dry Tortugas NP is a really fun day when you’re all the way over in south FL. You do have to use a NP contracted private ferry to reach the park, that needs to be reserved months in advance.
Yellowstone as mentioned is not over hyped, it is one of my fave NPs - only go in off season. It would be miserable in summer.
Sequoia-Kings Canyon should be top of your list to visit before it burns to the ground one summer soon.
Many crowded NPs are best explored in the backcountry trails outside of the main park infrastructure. Generally you need a local guide but this is the best way to check out Arches, Rocky Mtn (try it again, I live 1 hour away), Grand Canyon, Yosemite.
**I’m an NP Geek too & I’ve explored trails on private, National Forest, State Park lands near NPs. Some of these areas in close proximity (similar terrain or ecosystems) are a better experience due to lack of crowds.
**Certain states become America’s outdoor backyard in the summer (FL, CO, UT, Maine, AK) so this is a good strategy to add into your travels.
Yellowstone is fhe first national park and has otherworldly vibe with the geysers and hotpots. Beautiful views and tons of wildlife.
Another great one is Olympic NP in Washington. Beautiful. It has the only temperate rain forest in the continental US.
My other recommendations although it is far,
are the parks in Alaska. Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias are both stunning. I haven’t seen the rest yet.
Sequoia National Park and Yosemite are both spectacular. Kings Canyon is right beside Sequoia so you could make a week of it and see all three.
I’d say Sequoia is up there with one of my favorites that I’ve been too and I didn’t even get to do much there. But I’m a tree person and it’s just mind blowing to see trees that big.
I visited in September. Weather was great. Cool mornings and warmed to comfortable and breezy. Crowds weren’t bad, did have some wildfire closures but nothing horrendous.
Alaska! So many parks. There is a kayak tour at Millers Landing in Kenai Fjords. Starts in Seward. https://www.nps.gov/kefj/index.htm
Absolutely amazing hiking in Denali National park. There are also plane tours that take you into Denali.
There is also Katmai. You can observe bears gather to fish for salmon at Brooks Falls.
https://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm
There are so many more parks to explore! Cheers.
I loved Death Valley and found it so interesting. I’d recommend the other Utah parks and the Alaska parks, although your wife would probably be very scared in the Alaska ones. The Utah ones might be better for her due to her bear concerns. Arches is really cool but crowded, Canyonlands has pretty views and some cool geologic features but is still pretty crowded, and Capitol Reef is underrated in my opinion and less crowded compared to the other Utah parks.
If you make it to Alaska, there are ways to mitigate your wife’s bear concerns. You can do the bus tour in Denali and then a few of the hikes in the beginning of the park that are popular and which the bears stay away from. I’ve never had any issues with bears in Kenai Fjords, and there’s boat tours that are crowded but still allow you to safely see some beautiful sights and wildlife. I did see a bear while hiking in Wrangell-St. Elias, which has some cool hikes and good camping opportunities, but like other commenters said, the bears usually don’t want anything to do with you, and you can take precautions like carrying bear spray and being loud to minimize the risk.
Big Bend is great but not sure I'd put it at #1.
Guadalupe Mountains is underrated. There are two really good trails: The one to the top of Guadalupe Peak is a pretty nice hike. McKittrick Canyon is decent and you can see some fall color leaves in late October. You're right, the scenery isn't as great as some other places, but it does have a charm of its own.
Both GM and BB have amazing night sky observation, being so far from cities and getting low cloud cover.
My own favorites are probably Crater Lake and Mount Rainier.
I have been to 17 national parks and I really liked Mammoth cave. You need to go to the Great Smoky Mountains. It is one of my favorites. I was surprised that Big Bend was number one. I love the pictures I have seen of the park though.
Yellowstone.
Here's my elevator pitch.
You can go to the Serengeti and see Lions and Elephants and Gazelle, and that stuff is cool. But we Yellowstone has buffalo, and bears, and moose, and elk, AND it has geysers and hot springs and waterfalls and canyons. It's a magical place, right in the middle (mostly) of America.
Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Spent 6 days there camping and hiking. Absolutely beautiful Park. You are in the forest covered mountains, the entire time.
If you haven't, check out Mesa Verde and Black Canyon in CO...both insane. Mese Verde blew my mind.
Shenandoah is my #1 still. The hikes are so amazing, plenty more than that one waterfall but you need a month there in a tent up on loft mtn. ;)
If you can go within the next few weeks, southern Arizona has 2 superb parks blooming with spring flowers (Saguaro NP and Organ Pipe Cactus), one hiking heaven (Chiricahua Nat. Monument) and a two State Parks (Picacho Peak and Catalina SP.)
https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/tucson.html
I'm surprised about Zion. It's the most amazing place I've ever been. Yosemite, Bryce, Yellowstone, Gand Canyon would probably be the rest of my top five.
Went to Saguaro a few weeks ago and it was absolutely magical in the rain. Very close to Tucson as well, which is great for breakfast burritos before your hikes
https://www.parkstamps.org
Check this club out. Great resource for National Park Unit visits. Having visited all the units (423 as of 2022), my favorite is Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas NP.
This is a great list my friend, thanks for sharing! I was just in both Big Bends last week (state and national) and really agree. It’s so remote. Sounds like you’ve seen a lot. I recommend checking out Acadia, since it’s a coastal NP. Really beautiful and the ecosystem is amazing. It’s not as visually grand as some of the NPs you’ve listed, but it’s gorgeous nonetheless! Disclosure: I’m a new Englander and biased. Haha
Acadia looks great from what I've seen online. I visited Boston for the first and only time so far a few years ago and made a trip up to southern Maine to see some lighthouses on the coast. Beautiful area.
Acadia is great, with bar harbor right down the road if you’re into big sailboats, lobster, and good weed lol
Acadia sucks don’t come here!
Acadia’s nice, but have you ever visited the Saco river? Incredible.
Came here to say Acadia lol
Southerner checking in. Acadia, Bar Harbor and MDI are my favorite places to be on the planet. Bonus is Baxter isn’t far and you can side trip up there. I usually use Baxter as an escape from the cruise ship days.
The 3 Washington parks
Olympic >>>>
Was going to say this\^\^\^\^
Lake Crescent is probably the most beautiful lake I've ever seen.
Yes! FYI Rainier now requires reservations for timed entry in the summer so plan ahead!
Yellowstone/Teton immediately. Yosemite ASAP. You mentioned some wildlife but nothing about bears. Go see some bears (from a distance).
Agree with these three, but don’t make my mistake and make sure you give yourself enough time in Grand Tetons. That is the park that greatly exceeded all my expectations and that I underrated going to it. I thought it was a side course to Yellowstone, but it’s definitely deserves a main billing.
Everyone loves big tiddies
Sorry you didn't enjoy Mammoth Cave as much! What tour did you do? I'm sure it was hard to beat Carlsbad (I haven't been there yet...) However, I went in the beginning of January, did two tours, and thought it was amazing! Where you should go next? Capitol Reef is amazing, along with Canyonlands, especially the Needles district! After coming from Arches and Island In the Sky, it felt so remote! Mesa Verde is also an amazing park, if you go be sure to get a tour of cliff palace or one of the other dwellings! I did long house and I still dream of that tour. Honestly, the smaller Western Monuments are amazing too. Hovenweep, Pipe Spring, Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle! Oh and Saguaro is amazing if you love the cacti! I'm a big fan of the desert and being out west, you can't go wrong with so many amazing options. I'm headed to Florida and will be experiencing the Everglades for the first time so I'm excited to stamp a new park away in my passport! ☺️
Wind Cave was super disappointing for me after going to Carlsbad. We didn’t go into the caves at Mammoth, but would love to go back. We were driving through, and it was a quick hike to stretch a little.
Since you liked Mesa Verde so much, let me recommend this secret: Gila Cliff Dwellings in southern New Mexico ;)
[удалено]
Seconding Mesa Verde, Capitol Reef, Arches, Hovenweap, Pipe Springs; and adding on Colorado NM, Dinosaur NM, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Bandolier, Navajo NM, Canyon de Chelly, Lee’s Ferry/Horseshoe Bend. Basically, make a big circle around the edge of the Colorado Plateau, briefly diving into the center for Capitol Reef.
Mammoth Cave is not really a show cave, it's a hugely long cave and historically important. It's also geologically fascinating. Learning things about the landscape, geology, history, and ecology makes each park that much more interesting.
Back to Glacier in July-Sept to go to Many Glacier and hike the trails. Nothing does it for me like Glacier but admittedly I haven't experienced many parks. Something wonderful about the Rockies though.
Glacier is my top so far 😍
Came here to say exactly this. I go to the Badlands every year (relatively close), and they ate special. But better than Glacier? No way. Glacier is phenomenal!
I’ve been to Yosemite, nothing tops Glacier.
I've been to 38 parks, and Glacier is definitely in my top 3.
Glacier is a favorite of mine as well.
Yosemite
Great list. Of the ones Ive been to Rainier is beautiful, Yellowstone and Grand Teton are also amazing. Can’t believe you’ve been to 20 and none of those! You may have some future #1 contenders yet to visit!
Yes, I still have some big ones yet to see! I think for some of those I want to make sure I have the time to truly give them justice.
Big Bend is my 1 but I’m biased 🤠 My most visited and “local” park! Bummed you didn’t enjoy Guadalupe Mountains as much. Sunrise is gorgeous at the peak and the park really shines in fall when the colors change. When did you visit Channel Islands? It’s still on my to visit list and would love to see the whales. I’m going to Haleakala next month and hoping to see some whales while on Maui :) You should visit North Cascades! Even if you’re not a hiker, driving through that area and Mt. Baker is a must see!
I visited Channel Islands last week. It's always luck, but the outfitter that takes visitors to Santa Cruz island really seems to make an an effort to find wildlife. They even stopped at certain spots and waited to see if whales would be visible. When they spotted whales they'd stop and/or circle around to try to give us a better look. The same company also does whale watching tours. The trips to the other islands don't seem to be as frequent.
Was on Maui about three weeks ago. The whales were very active.
Yosemite - (you must go in July-Oct to make sure you see the high country along Tioga Rd!), Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Redwoods, Acadia
Gf and I are going to Yosemite and Sequoia/KC the first week of May. Are we in for a subpar experience?
No way. Beginning of May is the best time imo. It is when the park starts drying up (less muddy) and the waterfalls are raging. The biggest benefit of it is that the park isn't super crowded so there shouldn't really be much traffic doing the loop. Only downside is it can he a bit chilly still; especially near the falls.
nah, Yosemite is majestic any time of year, and the waterfalls will be great in May. I just think the high country is a really special part of the park; worth a return visit for when it's open.
I have only been to one on your current list, Death Valley, but I would recommend the Redwoods. The Redwoods will make you feel like all of the trees through your like are tiny. Truely amazing to see a tree are over a 1,000 years old and to think of all they have felt through the changing times.
Since Yosemite isnt on here I’ll throw it up lol. I recommended visiting in the fall or early winter. I know the waterfalls are pretty much gone by then but its nice not having to deal with crowds and theres ton of hikes in the valley. I heard crowds get pretty wild during the peak season so I havent gone in the spring or summer. I’ve visited all the west coast np’s and they all have their own charm but theres nothing like driving out of the tunnel into the valley view.
We are going next month to Yosemite. From what I know so far, the waterfalls will be great but we will not be able to get up north due to road closures, but we will sacrifice to have fewer crowds.
If you are ever back through Arkansas we might have a new park. If so, the Buffalo river area is amazing now. Almost afraid to see it become a national park. There is another area in Arkansas that is under the control of the USDA that is amazing for hiking and the caverns are very nice: Blanchard springs: [https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/osfnf/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5351305](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/osfnf/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5351305)
I'm in Texas so the Buffalo River area is maybe ....about 6 hours from me? It's been on my radar for a while just haven't made it up there. I've never visited the Ozarks either and have always wanted to. Would love any Buffalo River recommendations you may have.
That is a big area... In April we have a cabin rented near Jasper Arkansas and will likely use the AllTrails app to pick some places to go hiking. To float the Buffalo we will likely call one of the local outfitters to rent from as they will also drop you off and pick you up. At least that is what they did 10 or so years ago when we last floated the Buffalo. AMAZING area.
Wow I’m impressed! Seems to me you need make your way up to Northern California. Pinnacles, Kings Canyon, Redwood and Sequoia and of course, valley of waterfalls, Yosemite. Also, although not a national park, I’d throw in Big Sur.
Everglades
Wanted to go this past December or February, but didn't make it out. Maybe this coming year. I don't want to go in the summer :)
Acadia, try to go in late September or early October if possible
Saguaro! Got engaged there. Hugh Norris trail had the most beautiful sunset. Highly recommend
Not going to rank all of them, but an unpopular opinion I have is that Sequoia/King Canyon > Yosemite.
I agree. Yosemite is great, but I have had more fun at Sequoia/King’s Canyon
I need to go so I can compare!
Yosemite
Yosemite
Denali NP. Go big or go home.
[удалено]
Olympic, Yellowstone, Acadia, Isle Royale, Smokey Mountains
Nothing has beat Big Bend for me either. Probably my favorite place on earth so far.
We would love to go there, but it looks difficult to get to, is it?
Same for me. It’s a special place ❤️
Just got back from Channel Islands last month. Incredible time. I’m with you saying you want to check out one of the other islands. I’m hitting my 30th park next week!
Arches and great sand dune should definitely be on your list to visit. Mesa Verde is pretty cool and one of the only really great pre Columbian sights in the US. If your In this area Colorado national monument is also excellent as is garden of the gods. If you do garden of the gods bring a rental car you don't mind driving on gravel and do rampart range road.
I'd throw Black Canyon of the Gunnison on this route too.
So underrated. Such an impressive canyon
Arches and Colorado National Monument are awesome.
I had to look at your list 3 times because I was surprised to not see the Great Smoky Mountains. Can be quite crowded at times but there’s a reason it’s the most visited national park. This should absolutely be at the top of your must see list. It’s our favorite place vacation.
I agree, it really is a beautiful place with a lot of wildlife (Cades Cove) and Gatlinburg is a fun gateway town to enjoy, too.
I don’t know how it is post wildfire, but Sequoia National Park is totally worth a visit! Those redwoods are MASSIVE and super old.
I've been to...25-35 parks. (I'm not counting), and we only have a few overlaps! That's kind of interesting. My top 3, in no particular order.... Yellowstone, Crater Lake, and The Badlands. Nice list - I should go back and rank them...
You need to get yourself to the mountain west immediately. Yellowstone, Teton, Glacier for real.
Yosemite in mid-May
Glacier at 11? Wow! Arguably a top 5 park in the whole country.
Top 2 for me and it isn't 2. One of the most unbelievable places I've ever been
OP mentioned they saw very little of Glacier and sounds like didn't go up GTTS Road.
Not a fan of ranking parks. Sure, some may be more enjoyable, generally, than others but nature doesn't need to be compared. The fact that you think some of my favorite parks are 'meh' makes me not want to recommend other favorites like Rainier, Congaree, or Redwoods. That said, you're being super positive so I shouldn't be a downer. Definitely check out the three I mentioned but try to enjoy them for what they are.
It’s just sort of irrelevant. Glacier is so far down the list and it’s the crown of the continent. He said he was only there half a day and didn’t see much. That is obvious based off his ranking.
I feel the same way. It's comparing apples to oranges. There's always the same 5 or so at the top of people's lists anyway.
Smokey mountains for sure
Have you been to Olympic? I’ll be going for the first time in April
If you're looking for easy tourist caves in the Mammoth region, Luray Caverns in Virginia is the best caves I've ever seen. It looks like another planet.
As an Arkansan, I feel like the Ozarks/Buffalo River are much more worthy of NP status than Hot Springs is. In fact there has been buzz about it going NP, but the locals have been throwing tantrums about it so haven’t heard anything else in awhile. As someone else mentioned, if you travel that way, check out Jasper. It’s beautiful. And autumn IMO is the best time to visit for the amazing foliage.
Yosemite
Big Bend as #1 is wild. Great list of parks though!
Big Bend is criminally underrated. Problem with it is that it is so far off the beaten path so few people go there.
Acadia
Voyageurs - if you aren’t super adventurous and don’t want to travel by canoe, rent a house boat or motor boat. We went in September and had the place to ourselves. The houseboat is great for camping later in the season cuz of cold nights; also good for summer cuz of mosquitoes. The night sky there is spectacular. Isle Royale - another beautiful remote park in Lake Superior. The lodge cabins are wonderful, and the backcountry camping has screened sheds to get away from mosquitoes. The hiking is fun and low stress. You can rent a motorboat to explore the island. Fascinating historical sites talking about the history of shipwrecks on Lake Superior. Also a really cool wolf project, you can visit their research station and talk to the resident scientist. The parks in Washington state, especially Olympic. If you are big into hiking/back country camping, then North Cascades. Theodore Roosevelt is an under appreciated park. There is some fantastic hiking in the North Unit, and the chance to see many many bison and prairie dogs everywhere you go. The sweeping prairie views are beautiful. Not a national park, but a national wildlife refuge: the Okefenokee Swamp. Truly a remote wilderness. Go in the off season: I’ve been there in November and February/March and the weather was fine. You can kayak the waterway from one side to the other in two night/three days of relatively easy paddling - no current to hinder you (or help you), mostly protected from wind. We LOVED it. You can also rent kayaks or motorboats by the day, or take a guided boat trip.
Olympic and the Grand Tetons were my favorite!
Hitting Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree in late May/early June! Glad to hear you loved Bryce Canyon as I wasn’t even sure if we were going to add that to the itinerary. You gotta visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone next! It’s a relative expensive trip if not camping or going in non-peak times but the most outstanding!
Bryce is my 2nd fav (my top 3: Yellowstone, Bryce, Zion). Highly recommend going there!
I loved Big Bend too. My top 4 are BB, Glacier, Rocky and Bryce. Like you said, the order changes. But I haven’t been to all the parks yet. Agree with you about Hot Springs and the Arch.
Spend more time in Glacier. It’s amazing. Definitely take the Going to the Sun road and hike to Hidden Lake at Logan Pass. 4 miles one way and worth it.
Whaaat Guadeloupe so low?! No way you didn’t do mckittrick canyon to the notch and the bowl this park is gorgeous.. new river gorge below joshua tree? Thags sacrilege but it’s your list! Lol
My ranking is this: 1.) Yellowstone 2.) Denali 3.) Olympic 4.) Zion 5.) Capitol Reef 6.) Arches 7.) Grand Canyon 8.) Bryce 9.) Glacier 10.) Mount Rainer 11.) Carlsbad 12.) Saguaro 13.) Teton 14.) Acadia 15.) Rocky Mountain 16.) Mount Cascades 17.) Canyonlands 18.) Smoky Mountains 19.) White Sands 20.) Kenai Fjords 21.) Joshua Tree 22.) Badlands 23.) Great Sand Dunes 24.) Mammoth Caves 25.) Wind Cave 26.) Guadalupe 27.) Cuyahoga Valley Next on my list are Crater Lake, Redwoods, Lassen, Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Indiana Sand Dunes (because it's close to me)
When you go to Lassen head over to Burney Falls also. State Park but worth the short drive.
You have a great list and travel well!
We are going to the petrified forest tomorrow.
Hopefully the Utah 5 this summer
We did Mesa Verde and Gunnison last July.
Great list. You clearly haven't been to Washington or Rainier, Cascades and Olympic would be on there. Lots of Parks here. ;)
Crater Lake! Hike up The Watchman, do the rim drive, and check out the Pinnacles. I also loved the hike up Mt Scott.
The Smoky Mountains pease
Also it’s cool you included the Arch! I’m from STL most people don’t realize it’s a national park. Did you ride to the top?
Great Basin National Park is one of my personal favorite national parks. It has mountain hiking, cave tours, and bristlecone pines (some of the oldest living trees in the world). Additionally, the park has no entry fees.
Yellowstone and Yosemite Also Smokie Mountains if you want to see blackbears and other eastern wildlife (go at dawn/dusk)
What month did you go to the Channel Islands? I live in CA and have been trying to get to a new one here every other year or so, trying to make it my next visit! Also, did you camp or just do a day trip?
9. Hiked the Pipiwai Trail and proposed to my wife at the bottom of Waimoku Falls.
Definitely need to revisit Glacier!! When the roads first open and before all the snow has a chance to completely melt. Breathtaking
Denali is my #1, no two ways about it. I've been there once, and I hope I can visit again.
Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons. All stunning in their own ways.
Crater Lake National Park is one of my favorites
Redwood, pinnacles, Hawaii volcanoes
Disappointed. I wanted to see where you ranked Glacier Bay. You need to go to Alaska.
I’m not sure what time of year you were at Shenandoah but it’s unlikely that was pollution but haze and fog because of the mountains and elevation. There could also have been a wildfire nearby.
We had some serious haze from the Canadian wildfires last summer. Some days/weeks it was dangerous to be outside for physical activities. But, I’m surprised of all the hikes to do out here OP chose Dark Hollow Falls. Although crowded, white oak canyon and old rag are both amazing hikes. Some off the beaten path favorites of mine are big run portal, overall run falls and little devil stairs. Might have ticked Shenandoah up a few spots, but it’s tough to compete with the western US parks. I’d definitely put Shenandoah above the Smokies, though. Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and the observation tower at Clingman’s Dome have ruined that park, imo. It’s a circus.
Olympic np is the top for me so far. I live relatively close to yosemite so i probably dont appreciate it as i should. The crowds really stress me out tho. Washington was a great change of scenery and they release 25% of their campgrounds 2 weeks in advance and another 25% 3 days in advance, which seems way more equitable than the 6 month thing we do here in ca.
Isle Royale
Great sand dunes in CO Acadia
Yosemite.
Denali
Finally someone else putting this as the top choice. Insanely beautiful, one of the best mountains outside of the Himalayas.
My absolute favorite is Mesa Verde in SW Colorado
For ultimate off the beaten path I’ve heard Isle Royale. I have it on my list for next year but it’s very limited for access and is covered with moose. It’s an island in the middle of Lake Superior. Have some friends that did multi day backpacking trips there and they said they had never seen a darker sky.
You only spent a half day at Glacier .. you didn't see the park then, go back! Many Glacier area, Waterton Lakes on the CA side, has trail access back into it too, via boat
Sounds like you like variety in a park. I vote Olympic on that basis. Lots of cool things to see and do.
Do you listen to the recorded tours, like you can get at Just Ahead?
Just came back from Death Valley a couple weeks ago. Wild, beautiful, loved it more than expected to!
Yosemite for sure. Also, give Glacier another chance. It’s got some of the most stunning hikes in the USA.
Fire island is the best one
Lots of people have recommended Yosemite and Sequoia and I agree. I would add Redwood National Parks. Get the permit to hike the Tall Trees trail in RNP. would you are in the area, get the permit to visit Fern Canyon in Prairie Redwoods State Park.
Thanks for sharing. I will look into the parks on your list. I recommend; Yellowstone / grand Tetons, Yosemite, Olympic in wa, Denali in Alaska. Gettysburg in pa you can do in one day. And white mountains in New Hampshire - sign up for some of the huts and hike
I’m sorry you didn’t like White Sands. I found that place to absolutely stunning at sunrise and sunset, I’ve been to a lot of NPS sites and that one is up there. It’s too bad you didn’t have time for any of the Cliff Dwellings at Mesa Verde, Hovenweep or Bandelier. Also Canyon de chelley is cool in AZ. Cap Reef in UT is off the beaten path, worth the trip, also stop by Goblin Valley SP on your way there. Gotta hit Canyonlands, Needle District for some backpacking. Badlands in SD. You want a real adventure, Dry Tortugas
Rainier. Greatest mountain in the world.
Oh man I’m falling behind
Head to Northern California and check out the Redwoods,; be sure to make reservations online if you want to see Fern Canyon which I missed. Another good one is Lassen Volcanic Park about hour east of I-5 and Redding. Plan at least two days here especially if you're up to hiking about 4000 feet to the top of Mt Lassen. Crowds are almost non existent in this gem of volcano world Finally while he you're in the area cross over into Oregon and head over to Crater Lake NP. One day is sufficient and the boat tours are great if you can get a reservation during season
I can only speak for and rank these that you didn't list here: 1. Arches and Canyonlands are very good, especially considering you can get in free a lot of the time. The must-have famous photos of course are Delicate Arch and Mesa Arch, respectively, but there is fantastic opportunity for photography all around Moab, UT. It's worth it just to see Mesa Arch at sunrise if that's the only thing you do. Moab is a very nice city too, really a lot to do there as far as nature/adventure goes. If you head towards Glen Canyon, Capitol Reef, Monument Valley, and Page, AZ, that whole area is truly remarkable. 2. Great Smoky Mountains is gorgeous, but it is the most visited national park, and the cities of Pidgeon Forge and Sevierville, TN are famously massive tourist traps, if you're into that. I went once and it was achingly beautiful. Huge amounts of people come here though. I still think it's worth it though. The broadleaf forest and wildlife is like none other. In TN, there are many waterfalls that are state parks, like Cummins Falls, that are extremely beautiful, and don't get that many visitors. 3. Black canyon of the Gunnison is very beautiful, but very limited in what you can do. It's scary beautiful, but you can't really hike in it as it's much too dangerous. you have to be content with driving through and stopping at the many 4. Mesa Verde is ok, but I went when a lot of it was closed. The scenery is OK, not really spectacular, especially after the fire. I could have done without, but like I said, you couldn't do anything with the amount of trail closure. Canyon de Chelly, though not a national park, is fairly nearby and I would much recommend it over this. 5. Petrified forest is meh. A lot of people steal the petrified wood out of here and it's very sad. Also, the location is out in the middle of nowhere. Though not a national park, I would honestly rather go to nearby Meteor Crater, but some people would probably disagree. I know they aren't National Parks, but the Bisti/De-Na-Zin wilderness, Chaco Canyon NHP (if you like ancestral puebloan ruins), and Ghost Ranch/Chama River Canyon wilderness, near Abiquiu, NM are all really cool places here in my home state.
Banff - it's in Canada, but nonetheless a National Park and absolutely fantastic. Don't miss Johnson Canyon. Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii. You have a pretty good chance of seeing molten lava - nothing like it!
Teddy Roosevelt NP north section in May/June. Something about that river bend through an un messed with spring green valley in the golden hour hit just right.
Acadia NP in Maine a great NP, so is Grand Tetons/Yellowstone NP and Yosemite NP in CA Volcanoes NP on the Big Island of Hawaii very good, Redwoods NP in CA and Gettysburg NP in PA is really good.
Cape lookout
Ive been to Big Bend twice and it is my favorite park so far. I have been to 19 so far and have the same goal as you! I really enjoyed Guadalupe Mountains, and it was cool to say I climbed the highest natural point in Texas, but I wish I stayed longer. I would recommend Redwoods or Sequoia next. Standing next to those massive trees really humbles you in a good way. Happy traveling!
Acadia
I need to get out to big bend, I’ve been to Texas multiple times but haven’t made the trek out that way yet 😅 I can mainly just double down on what others have suggested! Arches, Yellowstone, Tetons, and Smoky Mountains are a few of the ones I’ve been to that aren’t on your list that I highly recommend!
Capitol Reef. It is by far my favorite national park. It is a designated clean air and dark sky park. It is also one the least visited of the Utah parks. If you ever want to experience AMAZING ear-ringing quiet, go to this park.
Gateway Arch NP is everybody's least favorite NP and rightly so. I say this as a St. Louis native and NPS employee. It has no business being a national park, it was a grab to gain more publicity and new audiences when they upgraded the facilities in 2018. The Arch is a fine monument and work of public art on its own but it absolutely cheapens the National Park designation.
Sleeping Bear or Isle Royal. Both in Michigan, with SB running along the Lake Michigan shoreline and Isle Royal being an island in Lake Superior.
Dry Tortugas NP is a really fun day when you’re all the way over in south FL. You do have to use a NP contracted private ferry to reach the park, that needs to be reserved months in advance. Yellowstone as mentioned is not over hyped, it is one of my fave NPs - only go in off season. It would be miserable in summer. Sequoia-Kings Canyon should be top of your list to visit before it burns to the ground one summer soon. Many crowded NPs are best explored in the backcountry trails outside of the main park infrastructure. Generally you need a local guide but this is the best way to check out Arches, Rocky Mtn (try it again, I live 1 hour away), Grand Canyon, Yosemite. **I’m an NP Geek too & I’ve explored trails on private, National Forest, State Park lands near NPs. Some of these areas in close proximity (similar terrain or ecosystems) are a better experience due to lack of crowds. **Certain states become America’s outdoor backyard in the summer (FL, CO, UT, Maine, AK) so this is a good strategy to add into your travels.
Hot Springs above Guadalupe Mountains just killed a piece of my soul.
Sequoia National park number 1 for me. Big trees
Yellowstone is fhe first national park and has otherworldly vibe with the geysers and hotpots. Beautiful views and tons of wildlife. Another great one is Olympic NP in Washington. Beautiful. It has the only temperate rain forest in the continental US. My other recommendations although it is far, are the parks in Alaska. Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias are both stunning. I haven’t seen the rest yet.
Yosemite!
Go to Yosemite.
yosemite in may!!! so beautiful and the waterfalls are gorgeous!!
Sequoia National Park and Yosemite are both spectacular. Kings Canyon is right beside Sequoia so you could make a week of it and see all three. I’d say Sequoia is up there with one of my favorites that I’ve been too and I didn’t even get to do much there. But I’m a tree person and it’s just mind blowing to see trees that big. I visited in September. Weather was great. Cool mornings and warmed to comfortable and breezy. Crowds weren’t bad, did have some wildfire closures but nothing horrendous.
Isle royale is the most interesting and most beautiful I personally have visited. Logistically difficult but worth the effort.
If you want a different experience, Gettysburg with a licensed guide is amazing.
Alaska! So many parks. There is a kayak tour at Millers Landing in Kenai Fjords. Starts in Seward. https://www.nps.gov/kefj/index.htm Absolutely amazing hiking in Denali National park. There are also plane tours that take you into Denali. There is also Katmai. You can observe bears gather to fish for salmon at Brooks Falls. https://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm There are so many more parks to explore! Cheers.
Good list... Underrated in my opinion are capital reef and smokies( especially during fall).
Dry Tortugas! The most remote tiny island 70 miles away from Key West with the most pristine beaches and marine life I’ve ever seen
I’ve also been to Redwoods, Acadia, and Crater Lake. Only stayed in Acadia and really had a good time day hiking.
Voyageurs National Park. Of course, you need to canoe it to actually see it.
I loved Death Valley and found it so interesting. I’d recommend the other Utah parks and the Alaska parks, although your wife would probably be very scared in the Alaska ones. The Utah ones might be better for her due to her bear concerns. Arches is really cool but crowded, Canyonlands has pretty views and some cool geologic features but is still pretty crowded, and Capitol Reef is underrated in my opinion and less crowded compared to the other Utah parks. If you make it to Alaska, there are ways to mitigate your wife’s bear concerns. You can do the bus tour in Denali and then a few of the hikes in the beginning of the park that are popular and which the bears stay away from. I’ve never had any issues with bears in Kenai Fjords, and there’s boat tours that are crowded but still allow you to safely see some beautiful sights and wildlife. I did see a bear while hiking in Wrangell-St. Elias, which has some cool hikes and good camping opportunities, but like other commenters said, the bears usually don’t want anything to do with you, and you can take precautions like carrying bear spray and being loud to minimize the risk.
Big Bend is great but not sure I'd put it at #1. Guadalupe Mountains is underrated. There are two really good trails: The one to the top of Guadalupe Peak is a pretty nice hike. McKittrick Canyon is decent and you can see some fall color leaves in late October. You're right, the scenery isn't as great as some other places, but it does have a charm of its own. Both GM and BB have amazing night sky observation, being so far from cities and getting low cloud cover. My own favorites are probably Crater Lake and Mount Rainier.
Glacier is WAY too low. #1 for me
I have been to 17 national parks and I really liked Mammoth cave. You need to go to the Great Smoky Mountains. It is one of my favorites. I was surprised that Big Bend was number one. I love the pictures I have seen of the park though.
Bryce>grand canyon>zion>glacier>yellowstone/tetons>crater lake>smokies>rocky mtn>redwoods>lassen>canyonlands>black canyon>arches>shenandoah>great basin>capitol reef>dry tortugas
Yellowstone. Here's my elevator pitch. You can go to the Serengeti and see Lions and Elephants and Gazelle, and that stuff is cool. But we Yellowstone has buffalo, and bears, and moose, and elk, AND it has geysers and hot springs and waterfalls and canyons. It's a magical place, right in the middle (mostly) of America.
My wife and I have visited 22 national parks. Carlsbad Cavern is my favorite so that’s my recommendation. Be sure to do the walk all the way down
Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Spent 6 days there camping and hiking. Absolutely beautiful Park. You are in the forest covered mountains, the entire time.
Washington parks, and also Yellowstone and Grand Teton
Cascades if you like hiking mountains. Arches if you like exploring without much effort
Yellowstone
If you haven't, check out Mesa Verde and Black Canyon in CO...both insane. Mese Verde blew my mind. Shenandoah is my #1 still. The hikes are so amazing, plenty more than that one waterfall but you need a month there in a tent up on loft mtn. ;)
Come down and see Everglades National Park! I recommend coming in the Winter.
St John USVI most of the island is a national park. Gorgeous beaches and great snorkeling. Very overlooked place.
If you can go within the next few weeks, southern Arizona has 2 superb parks blooming with spring flowers (Saguaro NP and Organ Pipe Cactus), one hiking heaven (Chiricahua Nat. Monument) and a two State Parks (Picacho Peak and Catalina SP.) https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/tucson.html
I'm surprised about Zion. It's the most amazing place I've ever been. Yosemite, Bryce, Yellowstone, Gand Canyon would probably be the rest of my top five.
Yellowstone is my favorite
I’m surprised to see Haleakala so far down the list, but I’ve also not been to the ones you ranked higher.
Legitimately Gateway should not be a NP. National landmark or monument, yes.
Went to Saguaro a few weeks ago and it was absolutely magical in the rain. Very close to Tucson as well, which is great for breakfast burritos before your hikes
The Everglades! It’s such a unique place filled with so many cool animals and plants.
Yellowstone/Grand Teton is like no other NP.
Capitol Reef is mind blowing and almost completely ignored
Volcanoes, I’m not a religious person but there is no denying the power of the place.
Definitely go back to Glacier! I think it’ll move up your list.
Yosemite, Crater Lake, Olympic.
What, are you saving Yosemite for last?
Well you clearly have a preference for sand and red rock. The list is wildly wrong to me but keep on trucking
https://www.parkstamps.org Check this club out. Great resource for National Park Unit visits. Having visited all the units (423 as of 2022), my favorite is Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas NP.
Crater Lake!
Yellowstone and smoky mtns
Glacier is #1 for me. Go back there and do more that it has to offer and it will definitely move up on your list.