National Park Power Rankings 2020

 2020 is coming to an end...

Wow! What a year it has been...

Hopefully, things will return to normal soon. Despite all the craziness, Tara and I were able to visit 3 new national parks: Indiana Dunes, Cuyahoga Valley, and Gateway Arch. We also re-visited Great Basin National Park.

Earlier this year, a new National Park was created by act of Congress. White Sands National Monument in New Mexico has been re-designated as a National Park. We visited White Sands back in 2017. Even though it was a National Monument at the time of our visit, we are definitely counting it towards the goal.

Our tally now stands at 51 National Parks (out of 62). 11 more to go! A big milestone we hit this year: we have now been to EVERY National Park in the Lower 48 states! We have been to one park outside of the contiguous United States (Glacier Bay in Alaska), and now we've got the hard ones left to complete the goal (seven more in Alaska, two in Hawaii, Virgin Islands, and ...*drumroll*... American Samoa!) 

And now, without further adieu, my updated power rankings of our National Parks.

#1 Zion National Park (UT)  

My favorite park stays at the top of the list for another year. And I don't really see any other park dislodging it. 😀 The scenery is simply gorgeous and grand. And it's home to two of the most enjoyable and thrilling hikes in our National Parks that I've done: Angels Landing and The Narrows.

#2 Yellowstone (WY)

I've been to Yellowstone countless times, but in 2019, I visited the park in winter for the first time. Seeing Yellowstone covered in snow was incredible, it was almost like visiting a brand new park. The granddaddy of our National Parks is an absolute delight and an iconic vacation spot...but Zion beats it out just by a nose.

#3 Grand Canyon (AZ)

Tara and I are still hoping to do the Rim-to-Rim Trail sometime soon. Need to get in shape to tackle it!

#4 Yosemite (CA)

Tara and I can't wait to go back to Yosemite some day. This is by far the highest-ranked park that we have hardly spent time in. We only spent one day each on both of our prior visits to this fascinating place.

#5 Acadia (ME)

Rounding out the top 5 is the best park east of the Mississippi River. 

#6 Arches (UT)

Utah is an embarrassment of riches, and two of its National Parks appear in my Top 10. Arches is a nice compact park, and you don't have to stray too much from the main road to see some incredible sights and arches. Head to the park at night for a ranger-led stargazing presentation.

#7 Glacier (MT)

I'm probably sounding like a broken record, but our visit to Glacier was only 2 days, and that wasn’t really enough time to spend here. There is still so much more for us to see and experience in this park. We need to head back soon!

#8 Great Smoky Mountains (TN/NC)

The most-visited National Park in the country, the Great Smokies are the highlight of Appalachia. It's a scenic treasure and a hiker's delight.

#9 Mt. Rainier (WA)

The highest peak in Washington (and the most glaciated peak in the Lower 48) has unfortunately gone down in the rankings a couple of spots as we have visited other parks, but it is an absolutely outstanding place to visit. The lower ranking says more about the parks above it, then anything about Mt. Rainier itself.

#10 Everglades (FL)

Rounding out the Top 10 is one of the best National Parks for wildlife viewing. You'll see so many gators in the Everglades, that the novelty of seeing one of the beasts might wear off at the end of the trip. 😉

#11 Carlsbad Caverns (NM)

Hands down, Carlsbad Cavern is the best cave I have been to. It is so vast and awe-inspiring...you'll probably forget from time to time that you're hundreds of feet underground when you visit!

#12 Grand Teton (WY)

Grand Teton is home to some of the most incredible mountain scenery in the country. I mean...just look at this picture! 😀

#13 Glacier Bay (AK)

Although we didn't "set foot" in the park, a cruise is a fantastic way to experience and see this park. What a great trip this was!

#14 Olympic (WA)

If we were ranking the National Parks based on the most diverse number of ecosystems within the park boundaries...Olympic would likely be on the top of the list. Thick dense rainforests, high alpine mountains, and otherworldly crags and pillars near the ocean shore...all in one incredible park!

#15 Redwood (CA)

A stroll through the woods is soothing, pleasing, and healing. And a stroll through some of the most impressive groves in the world is downright amazing. Redwood National Park also boasts some spectacular ocean views as well.

#16 Mesa Verde (CO)

Mesa Verde is an archaeological treasure and the best National Park that focuses on a "man-made" feature. 

#17 Bryce Canyon (UT)

I don't recommend spending only one day in a National Park, but if you're short on time, Bryce Canyon might be the best National Park for a day-trip. Lots of great overlooks and short hikes. A small effort for incredible scenery.

#18 Crater Lake (OR)

Crater Lake is perhaps the most scenic lake in the nation. The moment when the lake first came into view was simply unforgettable.

#19 Big Bend (TX)

This unique and eccentric park in the remote, far-flung corner of West Texas is my favorite desert in the country.

#20 Rocky Mountain (CO)

Many people might think we're crazy for having Rocky Mountain so low on our list...and, you're right, it probably is too low. Our visit was pretty brief, and Tara and I definitely need to re-visit. Our ranking probably isn't fair to this incredible park.

#21 Shenandoah (VA)

Although the other Appalachian Park (Great Smoky) ranks higher, Shenandoah is a great park for scenic driving and scenic hiking. 

#22 Pinnacles (CA)

I feel that Pinnacles is a little overlooked and overshadowed by other National Parks in California, and Pinnacles deserves a lot more attention. With great hiking and captivating, unique scenery, this park is a hidden gem.

#23 Capitol Reef (UT)

Another hidden gem. Watching the sunset play out on this incredible canyon landscape was one of our favorite moments in our quest to visit all the National Parks.

#24 Voyageurs (MN)

Voyageurs is a great park to get out on the water and explore.

#25 Dry Tortugas (FL)

Dry Tortugas is one of the most unique parks in the NPS. An unforgettable visit.

#26 Great Basin (NV)

Our first visit to Great Basin was pretty brief, and it was an off-season visit so most of the park was still closed for winter. We re-visited back in August earlier this year. We loved it here! Very remote and empty, the Bristlecone/Glacier and Alpine Lakes Loop Trail was a fantastic hike, and the views were incredible. This park climbed in the rankings big time.

#27 Sequoia (CA)

The giant trees of Sequoia National Park are incredibly impressive and a fun visit.

#28 Indiana Dunes (IN)

Indiana Dunes is the highest-ranked park of the new ones we visited this year. It was an unexpected pleasure. Swimming in Lake Michigan was a highlight, and we loved hiking and exploring this unique park.

#29 Theodore Roosevelt (ND)

Theodore Roosevelt fell in love with these badlands...and so did we.

#30 Death Valley (CA)

The otherworldly landscape of this deceptively barren desert needs to be seen to be believed.

#31 Isle Royale (MI)

Our visit to Isle Royale was brief, but it left a big impression.

#32 Badlands (SD)

Badlands will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the first National Park that Tara and I visited as a married couple.

#33 Cuyahoga Valley (OH)

This urban park just outside of Cleveland exceeded our expectations big time. Both Brandywine Falls and the Ledges are great short hikes, and we rented bikes to ride along the Towpath Trail, which was very fun. It was hard to believe that this kind of scenery is just a few minutes away from one of the most populated regions in the country.

#34 Joshua Tree (CA)

Tara and I loved exploring the unique "forests" of Joshua Trees in this southern California park.

#35 Canyonlands (UT)

Frankly, I've probably ranked this park a little too low. We need to revisit and devote more time here.

#36 Petrified Forest (AZ)

Petrified Forest is right off I-40 in northern Arizona, and is well worth a visit.

#37 Lassen Volcanic (CA)

Northern California's answer to Yellowstone is an underrated gem.

#38 Black Canyon of the Gunnison (CO)

The stark and dramatic cliffs of the Black Canyon are incredible.

#39 Guadalupe Mountains (TX)

Guadalupe Mountains is a cool desert park, and we need to go back so we can summit the highest peak of Texas.

#40 North Cascades (WA)

We only spent a few hours in this park in northern Washington...looking at this picture...we probably didn't do it justice. Wow!

#41 Channel Islands (CA)

Our ferry ride to and from these islands provided some great wildlife viewing and a jaw-dropping sunset.

#42 Mammoth Cave (KY)

The largest cave in the world makes for a great visit.

#43 White Sands (NM)

Our newest National Park provides some incredibly unique views and landscape.

#44 Biscayne (FL)

Biscayne has the biggest "party vibe" of all of our National Parks.

#45 Gateway Arch (MO)

The smallest (in acres) and most urban National Park by far. There are many who feel that Gateway Arch is "undeserving" of the designation of being a National Park. I see where that argument comes from...but I think it's great that some of our urban green-spaces are protected and preserved as National Parks. Additionally, the Arch itself is a incredible marvel. A landmark that every American should see.

#46 Hot Springs (AR)

Another urban park, Hot Springs has a very unique and interesting history. Getting pampered for a traditional bathhouse experience is truly the most unique experience we have had in our national parks.

#47 Kings Canyon (CA)

Our only experience in this park was a quick stop (only about a half-hour or so) in the General Grant grove. I feel that once we properly visit this park, it will climb in the rankings.

#48 Great Sand Dunes (CO)

The views are pretty cool, but if I enjoyed sand-sledding more, this park would probably be ranked higher. 😆

#49 Saguaro (AZ)

I hate to rank a national park from my native state of Arizona so low...but I guess something has to be near the bottom. 😀 With that said, the cacti are pretty impressive, and it's just a short drive off the I-10 in Tucson, it's definitely worth a visit.

#50 Congaree (SC)

Congaree is unlike any other National Park in the NPS...but I have to admit that this is a park that Tara and I are probably not going to revisit.

#51 Wind Cave (SD)

All of our National Parks are worth visiting at least once...but frankly Wind Cave is not a terribly impressive cave. It's quite dry so it has few of the standard formations you see in most caves. Wind Cave's distinctive feature (boxwork formation) simply does not compare to the stalactites and stalagmites that you find in other caves. Nearby Jewel Cave National Monument is a better cave tour, so if you're short on time and have to choose one cave to see on your Black Hills vacation, make it Jewel Cave. That said, pair up Wind Cave with a visit to Badlands NP or the Black Hills. It's worth seeing at least once, and the scenery above ground is really quite nice.

Whew...the list is getting pretty big! 

Thanks for reading the blog and we hope that everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) has a much better 2021! 😀 Happy Travels!