Every National Park I've Visited, Ranked
August 25 is the anniversary of the National Parks Service! It was established to protect parks and “leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Our national parks mean a lot to me and remind me of the very best of our country. They’re called “America’s Best Idea” for a reason!
In celebration, I thought it was high time to share my ranking of the 25 parks I’ve visited so far. These are all personal choices of course. For the record, my favorite landscapes are mountains and forests (I often feel like I belong in the Pacific Northwest!) and least favorite are deserts, and that is definitely reflected in my ranking. I also value diversity, so parks that had many different ecosystems or points of interest ranked high. But even the ones last on the list are still gorgeous and worth going to if you get the opportunity. You honestly can’t go wrong with our national parks!
25. Gateway Arch National Park
This is a fine park for a stroll and panoramic view of St. Louis… but it shouldn’t be a national park in my opinion. National Parks to me are about natural beauty and/or historical significance, and this is neither of those things. Let’s move on.
24. Pinnacles National Park
I visited here one dry and dusty Labor Day weekend, so you can imagine how enjoyable that was. However, there are some pretty neat rock formations and hikes with spectacular vistas. It is also a really important habitat for California Condors.
Don’t miss:
High Peaks Trail
Balconies Trail
Bear Gulch Reservoir
23. Saguaro National Park
This was the first US national park established for the purpose of protecting a plant species. The Saguaro cacti are pretty neat to observe—look for the rare crested Saguaro, which is a genetic mutation. The trails here were good for a stroll and there are some decent views and Native American petroglyphs, but generally I didn’t feel there was much to do at this park. But it’s really accessible from Tucson if you’re ever in town.
Don’t miss:
Cactus Forest Drive
Gates Pass
Signal Hill
22. Joshua Tree National Park
This park is similar to Saguaro in that the main attraction is the plant life. Joshua Trees are unique to the area and are threatened by climate change, so it’s really important that this park exists to protect them. The boulder formations are another big attraction as are the dark skies (it is listed as an International Dark Sky Park!).
Don’t miss:
Hidden Valley Nature Trail
Key’s View
Jumbo Rocks Campground
Stargazing
21. Haleakala National Park
I visited here as a kid, and I can still remember the red Martian landscape and inversion cloud layer. Definitely major points for being unique. I’m sorry that I don’t remember much else, but if I go to Hawaii again, I’d love to visit a second time.
Don’t miss:
Haleakala Crater
20. Shenandoah National Park
This park has historical significance as the Appalachian Trail runs through it, and there are many homestead structures preserved that give the park a quaint feel. To me this park is on the mild side, better suited for a relaxing drive rather than a strenuous hike with rewarding views. I’d love to come back in the fall for a road trip and some leaf peeping!
Don’t miss:
Skyline Drive
19. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Similar feel to Shenandoah, and we visited in fall to see some colors. Renting bikes and riding along the Towpath Trail is the way to go. Lots of little waterfalls to explore as well. This is one of the more developed parks, right off the highway and surrounded by civilization nearby. So it doesn’t have the spectacular vistas of the West, but it is a pleasant, mellow park to enjoy at a slow and easy pace.
Don’t miss:
Brandywine Falls
Blue Hen Falls
Towpath Trail
Everett Covered Bridge
18. Death Valley National Park
The largest park in the lower 48, Death Valley has so much to offer. From sweeping mountain vistas to the lowest elevation—Badwater Basin—in North America, from towering sand dunes to sailing rocks, this is truly a unique place that I didn’t expect to enjoy so much (desert averse as I am). But there is so much to see here that you can easily pack a long weekend with spectacular views.
Don’t miss:
Zabrinske Point
Dante’s View
Badwater Basin
Mesquite Sand Dunes
Artists Drive
Golden Canyon
17. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Another really diverse park, but a little more mountainous. You can climb Lassen Peak for a solid workout, and explore Sulphur springs and forest trails. The Cinder Cone is a really unique must-see, basically a big pile of ash with a crater in the middle and panoramic views of Lassen Peak and the Painted Dunes below. There are also some mirror-smooth lakes around the peak for a great photo. This is one of the least visited parks because it is pretty out of the way from any major city, but that means you can have the park all to yourself.
Don’t miss:
Lassen Peak
Bumpass Hell
Manzanita Lake
Cinder Cone
Painted Dunes
16. Channel Islands National Park
The real attraction of Channel Islands is not the islands themselves but the surrounding sea life. At Santa Cruz Island, we took a kayaking tour through the sea caves, which are actually the mouths to the underwater volcano that formed the Channel Islands. The boat ride from the mainland also was a great opportunity to spot wildlife, including dolphins, whales, and sea lions. We hiked around the island too, which is pretty barren and dry but has small island foxes you can find especially around the visitor center.
Don’t miss:
Santa Cruz Island
Potato Harbor
15. Zion National Park
I know this is one of the most famous parks, and it is deserving, but it is so small and gets so many visitors that the crowds were really a downer. I recommend visiting in the off season. Red cliffs, a winding river, and wide vistas all make for a solid western park. We visited a little too early in the spring to do the Narrows, so I definitely hope to be back someday!
Don’t miss:
The Subway
Angels Landing
The Watchman
Observation Point
14. Grand Canyon National Park
Iconic. Breathtaking. Enormous. The Grand Canyon is just on another level of WOW. My favorite part about this park is the sense of time you get when you realize your life is just a tiny speck in the eons and eons that this canyon has existed. On this visit I just stayed around the South rim and did one hike down partway, but I’d love to visit again for a rafting trip and see the canyon from below someday. I’m also not a night owl and we stayed at an Airbnb pretty far from the park, so I regret not staying for stargazing. Another thing I’ll have to come back for!
Don’t Miss:
Kaibab Trail
Bright Angel Trail
Mather Point
Yavapai Point
Hopi Point
Hermits Rest
13. Denali National Park
Besides Yellowstone, Denali was the best for wildlife viewing! I finally got to see moose (three actually, plus some babies), grizzly bears, caribou, a beaver, and a bald eagle. We were really lucky and got to see Mount Denali, which was amazing. Just the sheer sense of space is something you can only get here in Alaska. The park has a unique approach to accessibility in that it only has one main road that is open to park buses and not private vehicles. That way, the park can stay wild and people can stay safe from wildlife and getting lost in the huge expanse. We got to see what we wanted to see, and the park still felt properly preserved and not overrun. The only caveat I have is that your enjoyment of this park depends so much on luck. Seeing the mountain is rare due to cloud cover, and you may only see wildlife from afar because animals won’t want to be near a road where loud buses pass through.
Don’t miss:
Eielson Visitor Center
Wonder Lake
Mount Healy Overlook Trail
Savage River Loop
12. Rocky Mountain National Park
I’m so glad I visited here in the fall! Colors were on fire and made the mountains look even more majestic. There are long, strenuous hikes, easy and flat strolls, and ridgeline drives depending on how you want to visit the park. This is a fantastic park for mountain lovers with iconic Longs Peak overlooking the valley. The nearby town of Estes Park is a fun base for exploring too.
Don’t miss:
Sky Pond
Bear Lake
Trail Ridge Road
11. Bryce Canyon National Park
I love this park for its uniqueness. The trails that descend into the amphitheater are jaw-dropping at every turn. You don’t have to work that hard to get spectacular views; you can even just stay at the rim if you want (but I recommend hiking!). It’s also another dark sky park, so pencil in some stargazing.
Don’t miss:
Sunset Point
Queen’s Garden Trail
Navajo Loop Trail
Fairview Point
Mossy Cave Trail
10. Capitol Reef National Park
I remember first driving into this park and just saying “Wow!” over and over again. The rock formations are so majestic, the desert colors are in their full glory, and the hiking trails are prime. It’s all pretty compact too, so easy to explore and hit all the highlights if you only have a day or two. The sense of scale is awesome because you can really get up close to the towering rocks. Renting a van and camping for free (and responsibly) on BLM land is the way to go!
Don’t miss:
Hickman Bridge
Sunset Point Trail
Chimney Rock Trail
Scenic Drive
9. North Cascades National Park
Snowcapped mountains, glacial blue lakes, and forested trails: everything I love! This is another lesser-visited park, so you won’t have to worry much about crowds. We visited in spring and had to turn back on the way up to Hidden Lake; I definitely want to come back later in the season for a second attempt!
Don’t miss:
Washington Pass
Diablo Lake
Ross Lake
8. Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier is the prettiest mountain I’ve ever seen. Again, we visited this park too early in the year and didn’t get to do all the trails we wanted, but it was still a gorgeous trip and we were lucky to see the mountain. I will definitely be back to see some fire lookouts, and I’d love to do the Wonderland Trail someday!
Don’t miss:
Tipsoo Lake
Grove of the Patriarchs
Shriner Peak Lookout Trail
Sunrise Visitor Center
7. Yellowstone National Park
Another park I visited as a kid and need to visit again! I definitely remember being amazed by the geothermal pools and bison everywhere. I recall even seeing a wolf! This is the Wild West, with huge open spaces and wildlife everywhere. It is also extremely crowded; “bison jams” are a regular occurrence, and you’ll have to dodge many other tourists on those boardwalks. Makes me want to visit in the winter…
Don’t miss:
Old Faithful
Grand Prismatic Spring
Morning Glory Pool
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
6. Grand Teton National Park
I visited here on the same trip as Yellowstone, and I have to say this mountain range is just iconic American beauty. I don’t even remember it that well, but I’m absolutely certain I loved it. On my trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, I asked a wildlife photographer where my best chance was to see a moose, and he said the Gros Ventre campground, so I’ll be heading there! Since this is another popular park, I look forward to visiting in the fall.
Don’t miss:
Jenny Lake
Jackson Lake
Moulton Barn
Schwabacher’s Landing
5. Sequoia National Park
The biggest trees on earth are a must-see. If you’ve never seen them, prepare to be amazed. There’s also something so beautiful about how clean the forest floor is, only covered in a soft blanket of pine needles. It’s a really photogenic park if you bring your wind angle lens! Also bordering Kings Canyon, this park has some incredible mountain trails as well.
Don’t miss:
General Sherman Tree
Tunnel Log
4. Kings Canyon National Park
I first visited here as a kid and hadn’t been back since this year when I hiked the Rae Lakes Loop. It definitely lives up to its reputation as the most popular backpacking trail in the Sierra. Along with Yosemite, Kings Canyon features the best of the Sierra. I think Kings Canyon is a backpacker’s park; the best scenery is more than a day’s hike away from any trailhead. Many highlights of the Pacific Crest Trail are in this park. I definitely need to plan more multiday trips here.
Don’t miss:
Rae Lakes Loop
Hume Lake
Generals Highway
3. Redwood National Park
This is such a unique network of state parks that combine into one national park all along the northern California coast. If I could always live among the Redwoods, I would. They just give me that “aaaahh” feeling. Fresh air, cool moisture, vivid greens and lush ferns, this park is forests at their best. You may not find any wide, sweeping vistas in this park, but you still get that awesome sense of scale when you look up at the tallest trees on earth. Plus, there is something magical about the light filtering in from the treetops. Take it slow here and just enjoy the fresh feeling of old growth forest. I recommend staying at Elk Prairie Campground to sleep among the trees.
Don’t miss:
Lady Bird Johnson Grove
Stout Grove
Fern Canyon
Avenue of the Giants
2. Olympic National Park
When I first realized I wanted to visit all the national parks, Olympic was the top of my list for where to go next. The temperate rainforest is such a unique ecosystem, and I love forests. This park is super diverse—mountains, beach and forest—so it was pretty fun to visit. We camped at Mora campground, and I have to say, it might be my favorite campground ever. At the Hall of Mosses, we even saw a black bear and her cubs!
Don’t miss:
Hall of Mosses
Hurricane Ridge
Mount Storm King
Ruby Beach
Sol Duc Falls
1. Yosemite National Park
When I first drive through the valley, it feels like coming home. I have so many childhood memories here. Yosemite is where my love for the parks—and the outdoors—began. The fact that Half Dome is even a thing… I mean, can you imagine being the first person to discover it? I wouldn’t believe my eyes. This park is truly for everyone; even if you never leave your car or only do very easy, paved trails, you will still see spectacular waterfalls and viewpoints. The valley is always crowded with visitors, but for good reason: there’s so much to see there. My favorite view is up at Glacier Point, and other good views are North Dome and Valley View. My favorite hike ever is Clouds Rest, which is a knife’s edge ridge with panoramic views that look down on Half Dome. Summiting Half Dome is one for the bucket list, and I’m happy to say I’ve checked it off twice! Every time I leave Yosemite, I feel like I have seen everything, but then the next trip I discover something new.
Don’t miss:
Glacier Point
Clouds Rest
Taft Point
Half Dome
North Dome
Nevada Fall
Tuolumne Meadows
Yosemite Falls
Cathedral Peak
Valley View
Tunnel View
So there you have it! I wouldn’t be surprised if this ranking changes when I visit some of these parks for a second time. I look forward to the day I’ve visited them all and can do a part 2!
