After being on the trail to complete my National Park journey for over 5 years I thought it would be good to reflect on if I want to go back and/or why I would go back to the park. The rating of 1 – 5 is just to show which parks are top notch and which parks are a one and done. Now a 4 park is still a great park and I will most likely will go back but it is just not the top of top so make sure you still enjoy all the parks as they have something to offer everyone.
| Park Name | Rating 1 – 5 | Would come again? | Why Yes/no |
| Acadia | 4 | Yes | Acadia has many trails and is near the town of Bar Harbor. The sunrise point in the park is now by appointment but being the “first” to see the sunrise is fun. If you are camping in the park it is about 1 hour drive to Cadillac Mountain so be sure to get up extra early. The campground is nice and is near the water so you can walk there and even hear it at night. Some of the trails were too much for me but plenty of hiking to be done. |
| American Somoia | |||
| Arches | 3 | Maybe | The main trail to the arches is called the Primitive trail and it is not a trail I want to do again. I would stay at the campground and enjoy the night sky. Going to see other parts of the park would be enjoyable but staying here for multiple days is not going to happen for me. |
| Badlands | 3 | Yes | Badlands can be an Instagram park as you can drive through the park is a day and enjoy some of the pull offs enjoying the scenery. The park has a campground allowing you to extend your stay. There are some hiking paths within the park and some can be explored during the drive through. |
| Big Bend | |||
| Biscayne | 1 | No | Biscayne is mostly in water and unless you have a boat, snorkel or dive gear you will not be enjoying much of the park. The boat could be a kayak but since the park is mostly under water the gear is needed. |
| Black Canyon of Gunnison | 2 | Maybe | The park is great and something that should be done once. There are trails to hike and the best part is the night sky to look up at the stars and planets. If I go back to the Great Sand Dunes I will stop by here as well |
| Bryce Canyon | 3 | Yes | Bryce Canyon is a stop that was fun. There was hiking for all ages via the rim trail or if so inclined to go into the canyon plenty of hiking. The HooDoo formations were beautiful and it would be something to see again. The campground was nice and there is a shuttle system for taking you around the park and not having to drive. |
| Canyonland | 4 | Yes | Needles district of the park is beautiful and the campground although small was very quiet. The hiking was good and being in the park by almost yourself was worth the drive. |
| Capital Reef | 3 | Maybe | Capital Reef is the little known Utah park but it has some nice trails and is very quiet. The park does have a campground and hiking trails from the campground. Not well attended is the park but it is enjoyable for a few days. |
| Carlsbad Caverns | 2 | Maybe | It was nice to look inside the cave and enjoy what mother nature had done with this area. I would say that going back would not be the end destination for me but if I was passing by, yes I would stop. The one thing I did not do here was watch the bats exit the cave. |
| Channel Islands | 4 | Yes | Santa Cruz Island is the one I went to and I would go back. The island is worth one or two nights allowing you to virtually hike the entire island, see the sunset, do a little kayaking or snorkeling. |
| Congaree | 1 | No | Congaree is in South Carolina and is known for its tall trees, bugs and birds. The hiking trails in the park are limited. You can explore most of the available trails within one day but be sure to bring your bug spray as you will need it. The campground is very limited maybe 10 spots and all are walk in spots. |
| Crater Lake | 4 | Yes | Crater Lake is something that if you are in the area go back. The time I was there only one of the 3 days in the park were clear due to the Dixie fire in CA. Seeing the crater and doing some hiking around the crater is great. I would say that you could see a large portion of the park in a couple of days. |
| Cuyahoga Falls | 1 | No | Cuyahoga Falls is a park but not sure why. There are biking trails and some hiking trails but the park is very limited. It is more of a city type park with a long bike trail that people can walk on. If you are a local in the area it would be a nice place to bike but not a destination for a park |
| Death Valley | 3 | Maybe | If I go back it would be in December or January when the temperature is not in the 120 range. The park would be something that would not be a destination but a way point in a trip to another park or area, so maybe not about going back |
| Denali | 5 | Yes | A for sure I will go back to this park. The park’s bus system was good getting you out to the visitor center but with COVID you could not go out to Wonder Lake. My next visit will include time at Wonder Lake and also a stay at the campground Teklanika. Additionally, some exploration of the areas many acres will be in order with some back country camping. |
| Dry Tortogua | 4.5 | Yes | I want to stay in the park more days this next trip, 3 days is max. The best part of staying overnight is that you use the boat that takes you to the island as a base to charge items, get cool, take a shower and relax while the day trippers are hanging on the island. When the boat leaves it is time to enjoy the peace and quite of the island. |
| Everglades | 1 | No | The park has a trail and a tram around the trail. Most of the park can be seen with an air boat tour. It is cool to see the gators, and water birds but this will be a one and done. If you are in Miami and have a day by all means take an air boat tour. |
| Gates of the Artic | 3 | Yes | A drive up the Dalton Highway or a flight you can see the Dalton Highway. The flyover was nice and I enjoyed it but if you want to experience the park with more than a flyover then backpacking in the wilderness is the only way to go. I would give it a try with the right partner on the backpacking trek. |
| Glacier | 5 | Yes | If you can get into the park GO! I tried to get a second time in 2022 but was shut out. I explored only the Many Glacier area so there are many parts of the park left to explore. |
| Glacier Bay | 5 | Yes | Staying as long as my previous visit maybe not but going out on the bay and enjoying seeing the wildlife and the various glaciers is worth the trip back. If I go back I think that one day will be the 4th of July to enjoy the parade and festivities in town. |
| Grand Arch | 1 | No | The arch in St. Louis is great for a few hours but is not really a park in my opinion. It was great to explore the court house and go up in the arch but saying it is a park is a stretch. A part of the National Park System sure but a park, NOPE. |
| Grand Canyon – North | 4 | Yes | The north rim was enjoyable but I did not stay in the park, was shut out, so I stayed at a campground in the forest on the way into the park. The park is worth going to for a couple of days and either staying in the cabins or the campground. It is much more quiet than the South side with much less people. |
| Grand Canyon – South | 3 | Yes | I would go back here and do some additional exploring. The park is packed with people but if you can camp and ride the shuttles it will make the experience better. It truly is a wonder to see the canyon and make sure you get to see the sunset. If I go back I think I want to go down to the bottom of the canyon and stay there for a few days. |
| Grand Tetons | 5 | Yes | Grand Tetons is a neighbor of Yellowstone and is not as crowded, but still lots of people. Like its brother Yellowstone the park has a few different districts so be sure to come back and explore each of the areas. Plenty of wild life viewing can happen here if you want to get photos or just see bears, elk, deer and even a wolf. The last is hard to see but if you get lucky enjoy. |
| Great Basin | 4 | Yes | I did not see the night sky and would love to see that along with a Ranger talk on the night sky. The hikes were nice at the top and I would love to hike more of the area. I would also take the Grand Palace Tour again. |
| Great Sand Dunes | 3 | Maybe | Great Sand Dunes is kinda of an Instagram park with people coming for a day only. Many people will sled down the dunes on cardboard, or plastic disks. Hiking is very hard due to walking on a sand dune so be ready. The campground is nice but a challenge to this park is how far out of the way it is for going back. |
| Great Smokey Mountains | 5 | Yes | One of the most visited parks in the park system but worth going. There is plenty of hiking, fishing or just relaxing going on at the park. There are a few campgrounds but most times you will have to drive to the trailhead from the campground. Parking is limited at some of the trailheads. I have enjoyed lunch at some nice spots along the road in the park. Be prepared for plenty of people but it will be fun. |
| Guadalupe Mountains | 1 | No | A park in my home state however I don’t see myself going back. The trails are limited and the campground was mostly a parking lot. If you are passing by and don’t know why you would be but it is worth a stop to check it off the list of parks completed. I will not view it as a destination to make me drive back to West Texas. |
| Haleakala | |||
| Hot Springe | 1 | No | The town is great but this is a one and done park. The park is not really a park but since Bill Clinton went to high school here it became a park. The hot springs and bath houses are nice to explore but this is not a park, in my humble opinion |
| Indiana Dunes | 1 | No | Limited hiking trails at the park and when you do have a trail it maybe up a 90 foot sand dune. The park has a campground but you have to drive to all of the various trails. |
| Isle Royale | 4 | Yes | Hard to reach due to being in the top of Lake Superior near the Canadian border. Either a boat or plane ride will get you to the parks. You can go camping on the island or can stay at the hotel/cabins. The park is only 30 miles long and maybe 4 miles wide but there is plenty of hiking to do along with fishing. If you are so inclined you can go and take a swim. |
| Joshua Tree | 3 | Maybe | Joshua Tree is an Instagram Park in that it is very busy on the weekends and people go through the park taking their selfie’s and posting them and checking the box. I did enjoy the hiking I did in the park and would go hiking in the park again as there was bunches I was not able to explore. |
| Katmai | 5 | Yes | A big yes to see the bears once again. The next time I go will include two overnights allowing me be at the bear viewing area without the crowds after they went home and before the came. The amount of hiking is limited but I may even try my hand at fly fishing or bear feeding. A visit to see Steve will be needed if I am back at the park. |
| Kenai Fjords | 5 | Yes | Camping out in one of Sewards many campgrounds on the bay would be my choice. Seeing the bay from your campsite is something worth doing. I would also like to go back to the fjords but I don’t think the POD of Orca whales will be in the bay saying hello. |
| Kobuk | |||
| Lake Clark | 3 | Yes | Going back would be good for the soul as this is where my kayaking accident happened. The issue with the park is it is a flight to get to the park. Not a ton of hiking trails within the park near the part where the airport is but if you can get to the other side of the lake it would be enjoyable |
| Lassen Volcanic | 4 | Yes | The park was damaged by the Dixie fire in 2021 so much of the park was burned. I would love to see the park coming back to life. Additionally, having only a few days, I did not hike enough of the park that was open for hiking. |
| Mammoth Cave | 4 | Yes | The largest cave in the world. There are paid tours of the cave lead by park rangers for all ages. Be careful when signing up for a tour as some have plenty of steps you have to walk up / down. There is a nice campground within walking distance to the cave so you don’t have to drive to the cave entrance for your tours. Some of the tours require you to ride a bus to / from but the NPS provides the bus. |
| Mesa Verde | 2 | Maybe | As a destination no I would not go back but as a way point sure. Within the park you do a ton of driving to the various hillside homes that you get to explore. It seems that the driving takes more time than it does to explore the hillside homes. |
| Mount Rainier | 3 | Maybe | Another on the Instagram list of parks. Going to see Mount Rainier and hiking up towards the mountain can be done is a day so get your selfie stick ready. The park is very crowded with people at the visitor center and getting that selfie. It was good to go hiking once there and if I lived in the area I would go back but to choose that as a final destination no thanks. |
| New River Gorge | 3 | Maybe | It rained the entire time I was in the park and we had flash flood warnings. Hiking was not recommended by the park service. If I go back I would stay in a hotel as the campgrounds around the park are a bit sketchy in my opinion |
| North Cascades | 2 | Maybe | Plenty of hiking to be done in the park but my experience was not great due to the Dixie fire and all the smoke. Plenty of people were enjoying the water while at the park. I was not overwhelmed by the grandeur of the park. |
| Olympic | 4 | Yes | An out of the way park on the Western side of Washington State this gem is a wonderful park. I staying the in the hot springs area of the park and enjoyed hiking and even a free shower at the hot springs pool area. |
| Painted Desert / Petrified Forest | 2 | Maybe | The park I have been to twice as of this writing and if I was passing by would stop again for the drive through the park. The park does not have established campground so camping is in cities close by but that requires a drive into the park. The hiking within the park is some short trails that get you closer to the petrified wood. Extensive trails for hiking is not at this park unless you want to go back country. The park is kinda an Instagram park in that you can do it in a day and take your photos and get the check box. |
| Pinnacles | 2 | No | Pinnacles was OK and the hikes were nice but it is not something that I was like I have to come back and enjoy more time here. If you lived in the San Francisco area it would be great to go for weekends. Hiking to see the condors would be great if you get to see them. Remember to bring your suit with you to the park as they have a pool to cool down in even if you are just hiking for the day. Be sure to shower off before you go into the pool as they are free. |
| Redwood | 4 | Yes | Redwoods is a combo park with the NPS and California park system. There are plenty of trails to hike and enjoy the giant redwoods. The park is also along the coast so you could get some beach time in if it was needed. |
| Rocky Mountain | 5 | Yes | Heading back there in 2022 after spending a few days to the park in 2021. I enjoyed the hiking in the mountains of Colorado, the elk during their rut season. The park offers many options for someone who wants to hike and explore. The reservation system makes the park a bit less crowded and the shuttle service is wonderful picking you up at the campground. |
| Saguaro | 2 | Maybe | If in the area it is worth the drive. Saguaro is an Instagram park where you can drive through and get some photos and head home. No camping in either side of the park so camping is with commercial campgrounds in the area. If you go try the winter / late fall months and try some of the trails on the West side of the park. |
| Sequoia and Kings Canyon | 4 | Yes | Going to the park is wonderful. I would go back and do more exploration of the Kings Canyon part of the park as I did not explore it enough. The park is worth going back to and enjoying the wonderful trees and slow pace. Plenty of hiking in the park for all. |
| Shenadoah | 5 | Yes | Shenandoah is my most visited park. It is a park that I went to with my father so it is a special place for me. Plenty of hiking in the park for everyone. There are three campgrounds and I have stayed at all three of them. There is plenty of the park to explore for me in years to come. The park is most busy with the Instagram crowd when the leaves are changing so if you want to see the leaves changing be prepared for plenty of people and waits. |
| Theodore Roosevelt | 3 | Maybe | Theodore Roosevelt has two sides and the park is known for bison and wild horses. The bison are not tame but will come to your campsite within the park. There are two sides and I did enjoy both of the sides but the North side had the campground. Plenty of hiking for a couple of days to enjoy here at the park. |
| Virgin Islands | |||
| Volcanoes | |||
| Voyegers | 3 | Maybe | I loved the park and the cute hotel within the park. It was rated a 3 due to most of the park is water and I did not have a boat. A house boat rental to cruise around the park would be a good thing to do if you lived close to the park. The hiking is limited due to the park being mostly water. If in the area by all means go to the park for a day or two and stay at the hotel if you can as it is an experience. |
| White Sands | 2 | Maybe | The park is a day for most people. You can do some back country camping in the sand but for the most part the park is worth a drive around for a day. This is kinda an Instagram park where you drive through take photos and post them checking the box. If I was going through near here I would go back just as I did in 2022. |
| Wind Cave | 4 | Yes | Wind Cave has boxwood in the cave which is very distinct for caves. Tours of the cave are open the day of the tour so you need to get to the park early to wait in line to get your ticket for the day. Many times people will drive to the cave get tickets and go back into town to get the family. The campground is nice and is first come first served but it does not get full. You can see bison in the area and Custer’s State Park is adjacent to the Wind Cave. |
| Wrangel – St. Elias | 3 | Yes | If you drive to/from Alaska this park is worth a stop. The town of McCarthy is a bit of a drive and somewhat a tourist trap but there are other places to enjoy within the park. If you have not been to the town of McCarthy by all means stop by and enjoy the town for a day. |
| Yellowstone | 5 | Yes | If you can get into the park and enjoy it for multiple days then go. The park has many areas to explore and I have only explored a small portion. Issue is the crowds and all the driving you have to do with people stopping in the road for wildlife viewing. |
| Yosemite | 4 | Yes | Going back would be a yes but not on a Saturday or Sunday as it was way too crowded. The other thing would be to stay longer than 1 day in the campground allowing for exploration. The park is not something that I would want to spend a week just a few days and that would be enough. |
| Zion | 4 | Yes | Zion is a park that I would surely go back to and enjoy the hiking. The big hikes are Angels Trace and The Narrows. Angels Trace needs a permit as there is a section that is super crowded and the permit is to limit the numbers in this area. The Narrows is cool as you are walking in a stream bed within a canyon. There is a little town if you want something other than camping in one of the two campgrounds in the park. The shuttle requires a timed entry so that makes it a bit harder. |
