National Park Guide
My guide to every national park I’ve visited…
Welcome to my National Park Guide! Here, you can find a map of the 63 American national parks. Those in green are the ones I’ve visited. Scroll down to find my ranking and score of the national parks I’ve visited.
Ranking Every National Park I’ve Visited…
So far, I’ve been to 32 of the 63 American national parks. While my experiences in each park have varied wildly, each park has created equally memorable journeys. The scores listed below summarize my reviews of the parks, which can be found on that park’s webpage. Click the images to learn more about the parks!
Yosemite
Score: 29 / 30
Located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite is one of the most iconic and incredible national parks. The park’s massive granite rock formations are breathtaking and provide ample rock-climbing opportunity, and its varied landscapes allow chances to hike, swim, kayak, sightsee, view wildlife, and explore.
Rocky Mountain
Score: 28 / 30
Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is – understandably – one of the most popular national parks in the country. Though crowds can be a burden here, the park’s incredible scenery, abundant wildlife, endless amount of recreation opportunities, and close proximity to major cities make it one of the best national parks.
Olympic
Score: 27.5 / 30
Nestled within the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington, Olympic is a haven for beautiful landscapes, varied activities, impressive biodiversity, and bountiful wildlife. The park is hard to reach, but those who make the journey will be rewarded with days to weeks of adventure.
Great Smoky Mountains
Score: 27 / 30
Shared by Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park. While crowds can hinder the experience, those with even a slight urge for adventure can escape those crowds on the park’s hundreds of miles of trails. The park’s backcountry offers unparalleled natural beauty and exciting wildlife.
Big Bend
Score: 26 / 30
Located in Texas, one of the most remote national parks in the contiguous 48 states is also one of the most impressive. Supreme isolation, endless views of mind-boggling landscapes, fun hikes, and a surprising concentration of wildlife make Big Bend worth the long drive required to reach it.
Everglades
Score: 26 / 30
While the park isn’t as packed with activities as others on this list, Florida’s Everglades is notable for its unbelievable biodiversity and opportunities to view fascinating and unique wildlife. The park is easy to access and offers activities for visitors at any age, skill level, or physical condition.
Grand Canyon
Score: 26 / 30
One of the most famous natural wonders in the world is a marvel to behold. Arizona’s Grand Canyon is a hiker’s and backpacker’s paradise, while also offering rafting and sightseeing opportunities and plenty of amenities along the rim to keep people of all shapes and sizes happy. Just be prepared to deal with the crowds.
Channel Islands
Score: 25 / 30
This national park protects five of California’s eight Channel Islands. The islands are a haven for marine wildlife, endemic land species, a huge number of sea caves, a beautiful night sky, and blissful isolation from the mainland. Though hard to reach and explore, the park offers an experience like no other.
New River Gorge
Score: 24.5 / 30
West Virginia’s New River Gorge contains some of Appalachia’s most beautiful landscapes. The deep canyon carved by the park’s namesake river offers whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and hiking. The New River Gorge Bridge and a collection of defunct mining facilities create a unique historical layer to the park.
Dry Tortugas
Score: 22 / 30
Sitting 70 miles west of Key West in Florida, Dry Tortugas is seldom-visited due to its inaccessibility and remoteness. However, those that trek to the park will discover beautiful blue-green waters, fascinating history, pristine tropical landscapes, colorful marine wildlife, and an unforgettable experience.
Great Basin
Score: 22 / 30
One of the least-visited national parks in the lower 48 states houses an impressive diversity of scenery, landscapes, and wildlife. Great Basin is home to some of the oldest living trees in the world, Lehman Caves, Wheeler Peak, and the only glacier in the state of Nevada. This isolated, beautiful bubble of nature is worth a visit.
North Cascades
Score: 22 / 30
Washington’s least-visited national park is difficult to access because there are no paved roads leading into the park. Except for one unpaved road, reaching the park’s borders requires a significant amount of hiking. Once there, however, visitors will find plentiful backpacking trails and views that rival Switzerland’s Alps.
Bryce Canyon
Score: 21.5 / 30
Bryce Canyon is a mind-boggling example of the way erosion can carve unique structures into a landscape. The park’s famous hoodoos, vibrant colors, and gorgeous overlooks make for an exciting visit. While there’s not much to do in the park, it’s a memorable place to visit and is the most visually stunning of Utah’s Mighty Five.
Canyonlands
Score: 21.5 / 30
Canyonlands is the more rugged, remote, and adventurous neighbor of Arches. While it offers plenty to see and do for those looking for easy hikes and impressive views, the park packs a punch with offerings in its more remote districts to keep avid hikers and boaters busy for many days.
Capitol Reef
Score: 21 / 30
The surprisingly lush Capitol Reef was once inhabited by Native Americans and, later, Mormons, who took advantage of the farming potential offered by the Fremont River. These early settlers left lush orchards behind for us to enjoy today. The park protects the impressive Waterpocket Fold, which hosts stunning scenery and memorable hikes through colorful rock formations.
Pinnacles
Score: 20.5 / 30
Without much to do, Pinnacles is often overshadowed by California’s more impressive national parks. However, the park is still an exciting excursion on its own merits. Within the park’s borders, visitors can find its intriguing namesake rock spires, multiple hiking trails, and a plethora of wildlife.
Mammoth Cave
Score: 19.5 / 30
Visitors to Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave may be surprised by the existence of a massive network of underground tunnels tucked away under an ordinary forest. The cave is undoubtedly impressive, and the numerous tours offered in the park allow visitors to explore its many facets and corridors.
Petrified Forest
Score: 17.5 / 30
Arizona’s Petrified Forest features a collection of petrified wood strewn across a diverse landscape filled with colorful mesas. The park also contains historic pueblos, a portion of historic Route 66, and the beautiful Painted Desert. Though beautiful, the lack of activities, escapism, or wildlife in the park is a little frustrating.
Cuyahoga Valley
Score: 17 / 30
Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley is located near Cleveland. While the park is easily accessible and offers plenty of relaxing activities, it comes at the cost of being in close proximity and sharing much of its land with civilization, making it feel like a state or municipal park.
Indiana Dunes
Score: 15.5 / 30
A recent addition to the national park roster, Indiana Dunes is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. The park’s biodiversity and namesake dunes are fun to explore, but it’s hard to escape the sights, sounds, and smells of nearby civilization and a massive port that sits in the middle of the park.