My Favorite National Parks
I have traveled to many different national parks in my lifetime and some have definitely made the list for return trips. Here are my favorite national parks in order.
1. Death Valley National Park, CA - I love the desert and this park has amazing contrast from Badwater Basin(lowest point in western hemisphere) all the way to Telescope peak(highest point in park at 11,000+ feet).
2. Wrangell - St. Elias National Park, AK - I didn't spend much time in this park, but the isolation and vastness are overwhelming.
3. Sequoia National Park, CA - Car camping among the giants and then backpacking out of Mineral King put my size into perspective.
4. Kenai Fjords National Park, AK - Waking up and see Exit Glacier glowing in the morning sunshine for 30 days was worth the back-breaking labor I did building a part of the Harding Ice Field Trail.
5. Yellowstone National Park, WY - I have a weak spot for wildlife. I need to return to this park now that I love backpacking.
6. Shenandoah National Park, VA - Great and easy backpacking. Working there for three months gives it a little boost.
7. Great Smokey Mountains National Park, TN - Only stayed in the campgrounds, but would have loved to get into some more remote areas.
8. Denali National Park, AK - I visited in late September after season and didn't see any wildlife, but greatly enjoyed the vastness.
9. Mojave National Preserve, CA - Is there anything cooler than a joshua tree forest?
10. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - Had a great drive through, need to get away from the people and roads though.
Others not making the list that I have visited: Badlands National Park, Redwood National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Picture Rocks Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore, Grand Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Top on the list for me to make my first visit: Glacier National Park, Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park, Olympic National Park
1. Death Valley National Park, CA - I love the desert and this park has amazing contrast from Badwater Basin(lowest point in western hemisphere) all the way to Telescope peak(highest point in park at 11,000+ feet).
2. Wrangell - St. Elias National Park, AK - I didn't spend much time in this park, but the isolation and vastness are overwhelming.
3. Sequoia National Park, CA - Car camping among the giants and then backpacking out of Mineral King put my size into perspective.
4. Kenai Fjords National Park, AK - Waking up and see Exit Glacier glowing in the morning sunshine for 30 days was worth the back-breaking labor I did building a part of the Harding Ice Field Trail.
5. Yellowstone National Park, WY - I have a weak spot for wildlife. I need to return to this park now that I love backpacking.
6. Shenandoah National Park, VA - Great and easy backpacking. Working there for three months gives it a little boost.
7. Great Smokey Mountains National Park, TN - Only stayed in the campgrounds, but would have loved to get into some more remote areas.
8. Denali National Park, AK - I visited in late September after season and didn't see any wildlife, but greatly enjoyed the vastness.
9. Mojave National Preserve, CA - Is there anything cooler than a joshua tree forest?
10. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO - Had a great drive through, need to get away from the people and roads though.
Others not making the list that I have visited: Badlands National Park, Redwood National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Picture Rocks Lakeshore, Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore, Grand Canyon National Park, Arches National Park, Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Top on the list for me to make my first visit: Glacier National Park, Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park, Olympic National Park
Tags: national park