Best National Parks In The US
The National Parks in the US are globally famous. Each year, millions of people go to these naturally beautiful areas. Read on to find out which are the best.
- Top National Parks in the US
- 1. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, West Virginia
- 2. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
- 3. Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, Oregon
- 4. Acadia National Park, Maine
- 5. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska
- 6. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
- 7. Arches National Park, Utah
- 8. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska
- 9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and North Carolina
- 10. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
- Where do the rest of the US’s National Parks rank?
- What are the best National Parks, according to the American people?
- Thoughts on the study
Top National Parks in the US
| Rank | Park Name | Voted “Very Good” (%) |
|---|---|---|
1 | New River Gorge NR | 87.76 |
2 | Carlsbad Caverns NP | 86.40 |
3 | Lewis and Clark NHP | 86.10 |
4 | Acadia NP | 86.02 |
5 | Gates of the Arctic NP & Pres | 85.95 |
6 | Congaree NP | 85.05 |
7 | Arches NP | 84.38 |
8 | Wrangell -St. Elias NP & Pres | 83.86 |
9 | Great Smoky Mountains NP | 83.09 |
10 | Grand Teton NP | 83.06 |
How we created the top 10 best US National Parks
We extracted data from official surveys from National Parks’ online hubs, including official sites. The visitors voted based on their preferences and experiences and marked each location accordingly. This is how we got to see the places with a “Very Good” score and filtered the best numbers. The process of filtering National Parks by the best ratings is similar to our ratings of the best online casino bonuses.
1. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, West Virginia
Ranking first place is New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.
Known for its variety of available activities and stunning views, and with a “Very Good” response rate of 87.76 percent, this National Park in West Virginia is the highest-rated national park in the United States in terms of overall quality.
2. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
In second place with a “Very Good” response rate of 86.4 percent for overall quality is Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico.
One of the best-preserved cave complexes in the world, Carlsbad Caverns features a network of over 119 caves.
3. Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, Oregon
Close behind in third place is Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, with an 86.1 percent “Very Good” response rate for overall quality.
This National Historic Park in Oregon combines stunning vistas, abundant recreational opportunities, the rich cultural heritage of the native coastal people, and the dramatic story of America’s most famous explorers, featuring 12 sites along 40 miles of the rugged Pacific coast.
4. Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park in Maine ranks fourth on the list with a “Very Good” response rate of 82.02 percent regarding overall quality.
This 47,000-acre national park along the Maine coast is one of the most visited national parks in the US, with more than four million people visiting each year.
5. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Fifth place belongs to Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska, with a “Very Good” response rate for overall quality of 85.95 percent.
6. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Taking the sixth spot on the list is Congaree National Park. This South Carolina National Park has a “Very Good” response rate for overall quality of 85.05 percent.
7. Arches National Park, Utah
Arches National Park in Utah takes seventh place with a “Very Good” overall quality response rate of 84.38 percent.
8. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska
In eighth place is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. This Alaska national park has a “Very Good” response rate for overall quality of 83.86 percent.
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, and North Carolina
Straddled across Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains National Park takes the ninth spot on the list with a “Very Good” response rate of 83.09 percent for overall quality.
With nearly 13 million visitors last year, the most-visited park is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Grand Canyon National Park — which is arguably the US’s most famous National Park — is the second most visited, with 4.7 million visitors in 2022.
10. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming rounds off the list in tenth place, with the overall quality of the national park receiving a “Very Good” response rate of 83.06 percent.
Where do the rest of the US’s National Parks rank?
| Rank | Park Name | Voted “Very Good” (%) |
|---|---|---|
11 | Channel Islands NP | 83.06 |
12 | Hot Springs NP | 79.00 |
13 | Canyonlands NP | 78.97 |
14 | Saguaro NP | 78.91 |
15 | Biscayne NP | 78.87 |
16 | Voyageurs NP | 78.30 |
17 | Badlands NP | 77.89 |
18 | Shenandoah NP | 77.86 |
19 | Petrified Forest NP | 77.42 |
20 | Glacier Bay NP & Pres | 77.01 |
21 | North Cascades NP | 76.22 |
22 | Rocky Mountain NP | 75.94 |
23 | Great Basin NP | 75.91 |
24 | Mammoth Cave NP | 75.91 |
25 | Kenai Fjords NP | 75.85 |
26 | Wind Cave NP | 75.26 |
27 | Denali NP & Pres | 75.13 |
28 | Katmai NP & Pres | 74.87 |
29 | Capitol Reef NP | 74.13 |
30 | Theodore Roosevelt NP | 73.97 |
31 | Cuyahoga Valley NP | 73.90 |
32 | Guadalupe Mountains NP | 73.79 |
33 | Big Bend NP | 73.08 |
34 | White Sands NM | 72.97 |
35 | Isle Royale NP | 72.87 |
36 | Bryce Canyon NP | 72.11 |
37 | Death Valley NP | 71.70 |
38 | Grand Canyon NP | 69.89 |
39 | Yellowstone NP | 69.14 |
40 | Mount Rainier NP | 68.95 |
41 | Joshua Tree NP | 68.05 |
42 | Glacier NP | 67.92 |
43 | Everglades NP | 67.78 |
44 | Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP | 67.53 |
45 | Crater Lake NP | 66.06 |
46 | Hawaii Volcanoes NP | 65.29 |
47 | Olympic NP | 65.10 |
48 | Lassen Volcanic NP | 63.33 |
49 | Redwood NP | 62.28 |
50 | Indiana Dunes NL | 62.09 |
51 | Zion NP | 62.00 |
52 | Pinnacles NP | 61.54 |
53 | Haleakala NP | 61.09 |
54 | Great Sand Dunes NP | 58.46 |
55 | Dry Tortugas NP | 57.02 |
56 | Yosemite NP | 56.98 |
57 | Virgin Islands NP | 56.35 |
How was the study conducted?
We analyzed publicly available data for the National Park Service’s Park Visitor Survey Card Reports to determine which National Parks were the best to visit. From the data, we ascertained the “true” percentage of the “Very Good” response (the best possible response) for the “Overall quality of facilities, services & recreational opportunities” in order to rank the National Parks. Taking into account the opinions of visitors is an integral part of the manner we analyse and rank casino bonuses available in Canada, so the process was not new to us in any manner.
What are the best National Parks, according to the American people?
According to our research, the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia is the highest-rated National Park in the US.
The Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, Acadia National Park and Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve are also in the top 5 National Parks, as decided by the American people.
Thoughts on the study
As well as revealing the American people’s favourite National Parks, our study produced some other interesting results.
Alaska is the most featured state on the top 10 list, taking both fifth and eighth place, and, despite having nine national parks throughout the state, California only features once in the top 10 list.
Not only that, but this research provides valuable insight into the incredible natural wonders available for families to explore.
National Parks offer a unique opportunity to disconnect from technology, reconnect with nature, and make lasting memories with loved ones.
With various activities, such as hiking, camping, and wildlife watching, these parks provide an excellent destination for families of all ages, and this study serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting these national treasures for future generations.