2023 National Park Rankings

 As we approach the end of the year, it's time to update my ranking of the National Parks that Tara and I have visited.

Here's the post of our last rankings back in 2021: 

https://paulnationalparks.blogspot.com/2021/12/national-park-power-rankings-2021.html

Since that last post, Tara and I have visited the 2 national parks in Hawaii: (1) Hawaii Volcanoes; and (2) Haleakala. We have also re-visited several parks since then: (1) Kings Canyon; (2) Sequoia; (3) Yosemite; (4) Grand Teton; (5) Yellowstone; and (6) Rocky Mountains. We have now been to 56 of our nation's 63 National Parks.

How will the Hawaii parks fare in the rankings? Let's find out. 😀

1.    Yosemite (California)

Yosemite takes the top spot for the first time...and it deserves it. In May 2022, Tara and I visited Yosemite for 4 days and it was incredible. It was our first time spending a considerable amount of time in the park (our prior visits were only day-trips). The Mist Trail up to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls was one of the greatest hikes we have done in our quest to visit every National Park. The views were spectacular and the mountain air was so refreshing.

2.     Denali (Alaska)

Denali was a life-changing experience. Seeing the mountain up close and personal through Talkeetna Air Taxi was absolutely breathtaking. And there is so much more to the Park than the mighty peak. We were so blessed to visit the park in early September, the brief window when the park explodes into a dazzling array of fall colors.

3.    Zion (Utah)

 

Zion is one of the most favorite places that I have visited. The hike to Angels Landing was incredibly fun, hair-raising, and made Tara and I feel very accomplished. The Narrows is also a unique and thrilling hike. 

4.    Yellowstone (Wyoming)

The granddaddy of our National Parks is Tara's favorite. She has been visiting the park nearly every year since she was a little girl. On our last visit, we took the Fairy Falls Trail up to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. We had a gloriously clear day to offer a jaw-dropping gorgeous view of the spring.

5.    Acadia (Maine)

Our 2017 trip to New England was very memorable, and Acadia NP in Maine was definitely a highlight. There are so many fun things to do in the park, lots of exhiliarating hikes, scenic boat tour to Cranberry Isles, biking along the old carriage roads, and lots and lots of LOB-STAH! 

6.    Glacier (Montana)

Glacier, the Crown of the Continent, is on the top of our list of parks that we need to re-visit. It has been nearly 10 years since our last visit and we only spent 2 days in the park. We can't wait to go back!

7.    Kenai Fjords (Alaska)

The cruise to Northwestern Fjord was lots of fun and we saw lots of wildlife. Exit Glacier was also a very rewarding place to visit.

8.    Arches (Utah)

This wonderland of rocks and natural arches in southeastern Utah is an incredibly fun place to explore.

9.    Grand Canyon (Arizona)

I love the expansive views of this massive, impressive canyon. One of these days Tara and I want to the do the Rim-to-Rim hike.

10.    Mt. Rainier (Washington)

Mt. Rainier National Park is a hiker's paradise. The centerpiece of the park, the peak itself, is a magnificent mountain that every person should see for themselves.

11.    Big Bend (Texas)

Big Bend is a unique, electic park full of fun places to explore. Taking the ferry boat into Mexico was an unforgettable experience. This is my favorite desert park.

12.    Grand Teton (Wyoming)

Grand Teton usually gets overshadowed by its "big brother" to the North (Yellowstone), but Grand Teton is absolutely deserving of a dedicated visit of its own. Take the ferry across Jenny Lake and hike high up into Cascade Canyon. A very rewarding hike.

13.    Wrangell-St. Elias (Alaska)

Wrangell-St. Elias was probably our most fun-filled single day spent in a National Park. We took a guided tour through Wrangell Mountain Air, a quick flight to the far-away town of McCarthy/Kennecott Copper Mine and then a hike on Root Glacier. It was incredible.

14.    Olympic (Washington)

The Olympic peninsula is a magical and mystical place. Fantastic sea stacks, marshy rainforests, and towering peaks. A wide variety of ecosystems abound in this park.

15.    Hawaii Volcanoes (Hawaii)

We had a wonderful time visiting this land of lava on the Big Island. The Kilauea Iki Trail and the Thurston Lava Tube was spectacular. Take the Chain of Craters scenic road down to the coast and see the fabulous Holei Sea Arch. 

16.    Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

We are so glad we re-visited Rocky Mountain NP on Independence Day earlier this year, even if it was only a short visit. 

17.    Kings Canyon (California)

In 2022, we finally got a chance to visit Kings Canyon NP proper. Our previous visit was only to the General Grant Grove unit. Driving down into Kings Canyon was worth it. The hike to Mist Falls during the spring runoff was thrilling.

18.    Carlsbad Caverns (New Mexico)

Carlsbad Cavern will spoil you on caves. It is, by far and away, the most incredible cave I have ever laid eyes on. Hiking from the natural entrance down to the Big Room was one of the most fun things that Tara and I have done in our national parks.

19.    Haleakala (Hawaii)

Watching the sun rise at the top of this massive volcano was an incredibly moving and spiritual experience. 

20.    Everglades (Florida)

Evergaldes is a fabulous park to view all kinds of unique wildlife. 

21.    Mesa Verde (Colorado)

I loved visiting the ruins of Mesa Verde. The guided tour to the Balcony House includes an adventurous trek up the 30-ft ladder (seen above). 

22.    Redwood (California)

Seeing the mighty trees of Redwood is truly awe-inspiring. Fern Canyon is a magical place and a must-see for any visitor to this national park.

23.    Great Basin (Nevada)

Great Basin National Park is an overlooked, underrated gem centered around Wheeler Peak in eastern Nevada. The alpine hike loop to the Bristlecone Pine grove and Rock Glacier was a highlight.

24.    Capitol Reef (Utah)

This remote park in central Utah is also an underrated gem in our National Park System. Tara and I loved spending time here.

25.    Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee/North Carolina)

The nation's most-visited National Park is a marvelous place to visit. The nearby towns of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge are very fun to explore.

26.    Crater Lake (Oregon)

Crater Lake is an incredible scenic wonder.

27.    Pinnacles (California)

Pinnacles, a lesser-known park in central California, was quite surprising. The High Peaks loop trail was very fun, and we got to see lots of condors.

28.    Shenandoah (Virginia)

The Shenandoah mountains offer miles and miles of memorable scenery.

29.    Bryce Canyon (Utah)

Bryce Canyon (technically not a canyon, but more of a natural amphitheater) is a spectacular land of rock spires and hoodoos.

30.    Dry Tortugas (Florida)

The boat ride out to Ft. Jefferson on a remote key was very fun. 

31.    Voyageurs (Minnesota)

The beautiful waterways of northern Minnesota make for a rewarding scenic vista.

32.    Glacier Bay (Alaska)

We explored this park via cruise ship. 

33.    Sequoia (California)

General Sherman, the largest tree in the world, is a highlight in this park.

34.    Canyonlands (Utah)

Canyonlands is a massive park with so much to explore. Tara and I have really only scratched the surface of what this park has to offer.

35.    Isle Royale (Michigan)

This beautiful island is a lonely jewel in the middle of massive Lake Superior. The day trip was lots of fun, but we want to spend more time here.

36.    Death Valley (California)

At first glance, Death Valley may appear to be a barren wasteland, but it is very unique.

37.    Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Colorado)

The sheer cliffs of this incredibly deep canyon are stunning.

38.    Cuyahoga Valley (Ohio)

The Ledges trail (pictured above), Brandywine Falls, and renting bikes to ride along the Towpath Trail were highlights in this urban park just outside of Cleveland.

39.    Lassen Volcanic (California)

We visited this mountain park in northern California on Fourth of July weekend back in 2019. There was still a ton of snow on the ground!

40.    Indiana Dunes (Indiana)

We weren't expecting much from this park, but we had a glorious time exploring these dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan.

41.    North Cascades (Washington)

This might be an unfair ranking for this park. There is no doubt that it is incredibly scenic, but we need to devote more time to exploring this park. We also need to venture a little bit more beyond the road that runs through the middle of the park.

42.    Badlands (South Dakota)

Badlands will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the very first National Park that Tara and I visited as a couple and jump-started our goal to visit every park. It has been an amazing adventure.

43.    Guadalupe Mountains (Texas)

The Devil's Hall trail is a highlight in this desert park in west Texas.

44.    Theodore Roosevelt (North Dakota)

Seeing the wild horses was a highlight in this scenic park in the badlands of western North Dakota.

45.    Joshua Tree (California)

The Cholla Cactus Garden trail was a highlight in this desert park outside of Los Angeles.

46.    Channel Islands (California)

We saw lots of wildlife (including 3 humpback whales) on our ferry ride to the Channel Islands.

47.    White Sands (New Mexico)

Hanging out on these gypsum sand dunes was a very neat experience.

48.    Biscayne (Florida)

This park on the keys just off the coast of Miami Beach had a festive, party atmosphere.

49.    Petrified Forest (Arizona)

This unique park just off I-40 in northern Arizona makes for a perfect day trip.

50.    Mammoth Cave (Kentucky)

Exploring this massive cave was very fun.

51.    Great Sand Dunes (Colorado)

Sand sledding is the must-do activity in this park ... I never quite got the hang of it 😆

52.    Saguaro (Arizona)

Tara was a big fan of the cacti in Saguaro National Park.

53.    Gateway Arch (Missouri)

The Gateway Arch is an iconic landmark that every American should visit at least once.

54.    Congaree (South Carolina)

This park protects one of the last undeveloped old growth bottomland hardwood forests in the country.

55.    Hot Springs (Arkansas)

The traditional bathhouse experience at Hot Springs National Park was certainly unique ... but not really something we're itching to do again. 😆

56.    Wind Cave (South Dakota)

Tara and I love all of the National Parks we have visited...but one park had to be at the bottom of the list. Honestly, the cave itself is a little underwhelming, but it's still worth a visit. And Wind Cave is nearby to so many other neat things in the Black Hills area (including Mt. Rushmore).

Thanks for reading our blog this year and here's to a 2024 full of adventure and wonder. Happy Travels!