National Park Power Rankings

Well, it's the last blogpost of 2018. Tara and I visited 6 new national parks this year (Big Bend, Wind Cave, Pinnacles, Glacier Bay, Isle Royale, and Voyageurs). Our total is now at 41 of 60 National Parks. We also re-visited a couple of parks this year: Yosemite, Yellowstone, Theodore Roosevelt (the North Unit), and Zion. Since we've been to so many new parks, it's time to update my National Parks rankings. I'm going to do this ESPN-style by noting which Parks moved up (or down) in the rankings.

Here is my last list: https://paulnationalparks.blogspot.com/2017/09/pauls-ranking-of-national-parks-updated.html

So, without further adieu, Paul's National Parks Power Rankings!

#1: Zion National Park, Utah

Previous Ranking: #1 of 35

Zion stayed in the top spot. And it's not budging any time soon, especially after our revisit in November. We confronted our fears and tackled Angels Landing...WOW! What a great hike, easily one of the best hikes in the country. Outstanding views and a hair-raising adventure. But honestly, not as scary as it looks. The Narrows is also an amazing hike. When it comes to beautiful national parks, it's hard to beat Zion.

#2: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

Previous Ranking: #2 of 35

The granddaddy of our National Parks deserves to be near the top. Home of Grand Prismatic Spring, drop-dead gorgeous Yellowstone Canyon, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful (one of the most iconic sights in America), and when it comes to wildlife viewing, Yellowstone is unmatched.

#3: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Previous Ranking: #3 of 35

I entered the lottery a couple of times this year to win a reservation at Phantom Ranch (at the bottom of the canyon) to do the rim-to-rim hike in 2019...and I struck out every time. Dang it! We're going to keep trying because I really want to do rim-to-rim soon. Maybe if we never win the lottery we can just do it all in one day...that's not too crazy right? 😀

#4: Yosemite National Park, California

Previous Ranking: #4 of 35

We drove through Yosemite earlier this year and stayed for a couple of hours. Even with the short visit, this Park is incredible. We can't wait to come and stay for a couple of days and truly experience this Park.

#5: Acadia National Park, Maine

Previous Ranking: #6 of 35

Upon further review, I'm moving Acadia up into the Top 5. It's just an incredible park, amazing ocean and mountain views, Beehive hike, sunset schooner sail, Cranberry Island Tour, lighthouses, and lob-stah! Can't wait to go back.

#6: Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

Previous Ranking: #5 of 35

So yes, Mt. Rainier dropped out of Top 5 with the promotion of Acadia. I hate to do it, because Mt. Rainier might be the most jaw-dropping beautiful mountain peak in the entire United States.

#7: Arches National Park, Utah

Previous Ranking: #7 of 35

I really enjoy the compact nature of Arches, so many great things to see and since they are all close, you can easily visit in a day. There's a lot more to Arches than the famous Delicate Arch, make sure to spend time at the Windows Region and also Landscape Arch.

#8: Glacier National Park, Montana

Previous Ranking: #8 of 35

Glacier is near the top of the list of Parks we want to re-visit. In recent years, bad forest fires have taken their toll on the Park, and the glaciers continue to disappear. We better visit again soon!

#9: Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Previous Ranking: #9 of 35

The archaeological wonderland of Mesa Verde makes for a great family adventure. Take a tour of Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, and if you're feeling brave, a tour of Balcony House as well.

#10: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

Previous Ranking: #10 of 35

Rounding out the Top 10 is Carlsbad Caverns, the Natural Entrance/Big Room Hike has been one of my favorite experiences in our National Parks.

#11: Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Previous Ranking: #11 of 35

These mighty peaks offer some of the best mountain views in the country.

#12: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, North Carolina

Previous Ranking: #12 of 35

Hiking around on Top of Old Smokey (which could be any one of these peaks, the song doesn't specify) is a great way to experience the beauty of Appalachia.

#13: Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Previous Ranking: (N/A)

We absolutely loved our Alaskan cruise this year. Glacier Bay National Park was incredible. Johns Hopkins Glacier (pictured above) was very impressive. We also saw calving at Margerie Glacier.

#14: Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Previous Ranking: #13 of 35

The contrast of the red rock and snow in Bryce Canyon was incredible. 

#15: Olympic National Park, Washington

Previous Ranking: #15 of 35

The unique and varied ecosystems of the Olympic peninsula make for one of the most diverse National Parks in the country.

#16: Pinnacles National Park, California

Previous Ranking: (N/A)

One of our newest National Parks may not be as well-known as some of the other parks here in the Top 20, but wow, it exceeded our expectations big time. The Bear Gulch Cave trail and the High Peaks Loop were both outstanding hikes. Plus, we got a rare treat and got to see these condors up close and personal. It was exhilarating. 

#17: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Previous Ranking: #14 of 35

The lake created by the eruption and collapse of ancient Mount Mazama might be one of the most breathtaking vistas in the country.

#18: Big Bend National Park, Texas

Previous Ranking: (N/A)

As the Rio Grande passes through this isolated corner of West Texas, it creates one of the most beautiful deserts in the country. This eccentric Park (home of Santa Elena Canyon, the Chisos Mountains, natural hot springs, the wild west town of Terlingua, and the international ferry (it's a rowboat) into Boquillas, Mexico) is one of the funnest National Parks in the country and my favorite desert National Park. The night skies were amazing.

#19: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Previous Ranking: #25 of 35

Our first visit to this Park was very brief, and we did not do it justice. Now that we have spent a couple days in the Park, it is making a big jump up in the rankings. Watching the sun put on a show at Sunset Point has been one of the highlights of accomplishing our goal of visiting all the National Parks. We also loved hiking here. This is Utah's Best Kept Secret.

#20: Rocky Mountains National Park, Colorado

Previous Ranking: #16 of 35

The thrilling views along the Trail Ridge Road, high in the Rockies, makes for one of the best scenic drives in our National Parks.

#21: Sequoia National Park, California

Previous Ranking: #17 of 35

Big, massive, awe-inspiring trees. Need I say more?

#22: Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Previous Ranking: (N/A)

We loved our stay at this gem in northern Minnesota. Make sure to get out on the water to truly experience this Park. The park offers many tours by boat or canoe.

#23: Death Valley National Park, California

Previous Ranking: #18 of 35

Experience the loneliness, isolation and the harsh beauty of Death Valley. A very nice winter getaway.

#24: Petrified Forest, Arizona

Previous Ranking: #19 of 35

Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert make for a fun and informative day trip in northern Arizona.

#25: Joshua Tree National Park, California

Previous Ranking: #20 of 35

Southern California offers some of the best desert landscapes in the country, and Joshua Tree is no exception.

#26: Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Previous Ranking: (N/A)

Isle Royale is a large beautiful island in the middle of Lake Superior. It's a tough park to get to, and most visitors will do extended stays on the island to backpack and really experience nature. Our day trip only gave us about 4 hours on the island, just enough time to a hike to Goose Creek overlook and explore the area around the visitors center. The ferry ride was a highlight, and we'd love to spend more time here.

#27: Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Previous Ranking: #21 of 35

Our first National Park visit as a married couple will always hold a special place in my heart. 

#28: Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Previous ranking: #22 of 35

Mammoth Cave has dropped quite a few spots. I don't know, Carlsbad Caverns is such a magnificent cave that all other caves I've been to since just don't compare. 😃Don't get me wrong, Mammoth Cave is still very impressive and beautiful.

#29: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado

Previous Ranking: #23 of 35

Even a quick visit to this incredibly deep and dramatic canyon will leave a lasting impression.

#30: Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Previous Ranking: #24 of 35

The desert paradise of the Guadalupe Mountains in West Texas make for a great stay.

#31: Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Previous Ranking: #26 of 35

Tara and I visited the North Unit of this Park for the first time earlier this summer. Both Units offer spectacular views of these beautiful badlands.

#32: Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Previous Ranking: #27 of 35

Utah is definitely spoiled when it comes to National Parks. It's kind of incredible that these fabulous canyonlands end up being the lowest ranked park out of Utah's five.

#33: North Cascades National Park, Washington

Previous Ranking: #28 of 35

Incredible lakes and mountain views abound in this area of extreme northern Washington.

#34: Channel Islands National Park, California

Previous Ranking: #29 of 35

Maybe you'll be lucky like us and see a humpback whale as you cruise around the Channel Islands off the coast of California.

#35: Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Previous Ranking: #30 of 35

Explore Wheeler Peak and Lehman Cave at Nevada's lone (and lonely) National Park.

#36: Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Previous Ranking: #34 of 35

This park isn't as close to the bottom as it was in my old rankings...I'm starting to appreciate more the uniqueness and historical interest of this National Park. Stroll the promenade and soak up the history (pun intended) of this soothing and relaxing park.

#37: Kings Canyon National Park, California

Previous Ranking: #31 of 35

I don't feel I can give a true ranking of this Park until we visit the main area of Kings Canyon. For now, Tara and I have only been to the General Grant Grove (a small area that is technically part of this national park, but is separate and more similar to Sequoia NP). Anyway, seeing the General Grant Tree and walking through the Fallen Monarch (seen above) is pretty cool.

#38: Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Previous Ranking: #32 of 35

Make sure to visit sometime between March - May, so you can experience the Medano Creek that flows by the dunes. Wading through the river was a highlight of the visit.

#39: Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Previous Ranking: #35 of 35

Saguaro is no longer at the bottom of the list. It deserves it. The desert is beautiful and the cacti are very impressive.

#40: Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Previous Ranking: #33 of 35

I appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of this old growth forest...but outside of the 2.4 mile loop Boardwalk Trail, there isn't a whole lot to do in this National Park...and look out for the mosquitoes.

#41: Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Previous Ranking: (N/A)

All of our National Parks are amazing and wonderful...and then there's Wind Cave. 😄I'm kidding, it's worth a visit...but it is a little underwhelming. The main feature of Wind Cave is boxwork formation (which is unique to Wind Cave) but is nowhere near as impressive as other cave formations. One plus about Wind Cave is that it is nearby to so many fantastic sights in the Black Hills (Mt. Rushmore, etc.), but if you're short on time and you want to decide between Wind Cave and nearby Jewel Cave National Monument, Jewel Cave is the better cave tour. I did enjoy seeing lots of bison along the road on the day of our visit.

Thank you for reading our blog and we'll see you in 2019. Merry Christmas!