As 2024 winds down, I’m taking the time to reflect back on the journeys that have gotten me here. One of those ongoing journeys over these past few years is the one I’m on to visit America’s National Parks. As of this writing, there are 63 places across the great land that have been designated as a National Park, and since the Summer of 2021 I’ve been seeking them out, with the hopes of one day visiting them all (I’m not going to lie, Gates of the Arctic has me all sorts of intimidated – I might wait for global warming to do its thing as, with deference to Elsa, the cold doesn’t bother me). As December comes to a close, I’ve explored 33 Parks. Some of these Parks have been with other people, some with my two adventurous sons, and many others solo. Each Park holds some special memory in my heart, and maybe that makes it unfair to “rank” them, but perhaps in doing so this may help others learn a bit about what I’ve carried away from these wonders in my heart.
1 – Zion National Park, Utah
Simply put, this is truly a gift to the people of Earth. My sons and I visited this Park in the Summer of 2024 and while I had high expectations of it, it blew them all away. Part of what made it so special was choosing to explore it on electric bikes, which allows you the freedom of experiencing the Park without crowds, busses, or restrictions, letting you stop wherever you want. Couldn’t have asked for a better way to take in this place. I absolutely want to come back as there is still so much that I want to explore here.
Top Reason to Visit Zion National Park: Honestly, everything. Every bit of it is gorgeous
Must Do: Rent e-bikes outside of the Park and avoid the shuttle buses
2 – Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
There are some deep personal ties to this Park that place it this high on the list, and I know that they wouldn’t be the same for anyone else on the planet. Few moments reveal the beauty of a place more stunningly than cresting the edge of the caldera and seeing the blue of the lake and sky for the first time.
Top reason to visit Crater Lake National Park: The unnatural and beautiful blue of the Lake
Must do at Crater Lake National Park: Visit on a sunny day
Read more about Crater Lake on NickkShepard.com
3 – Sequoia National Park, California
To anyone who hasn’t been absolutely dwarfed by Sequoias in person, I can get why a bunch of big trees doesn’t sound that impressive. Everyone has seen big trees in their city or state, but these are not big trees. These trees are as different from regular trees in the way that the Empire State Building is different than your local McDonalds. Being among Sequoias is a life-changing experience that reorients your perspective on Earth moving forward.
Top reason to visit Sequoia National Park: standing at the base of Sequoia’s and being wowed.
Must do at Sequoia National Park: Explore Grant’s Grove
Read more about Sequoia National Park on NickkShepard.com
4 – Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Another personal connection Park that causes this tropical beauty to jump ahead of Parks that others may rank higher. This Park was part of a Father’s Day weekend with my brother, my two sons, and my Dad in the Summer of 2022 – the first time that all of us traveled together. Some 80 miles west of Key West, far out into the Gulf of Mexico, this sparsely visited Park is mostly underwater with rich coral reefs and abundant wildlife, but what lies above the surface is unique and fun to explore. This Park is an absolute must visit if you’re ever in the Florida Keys.
Top reason to visit Dry Tortugas National Park: crystal clear waters and exploring Fort Jefferson
Must do at Dry Tortugas National Park: snorkeling around Fort Jefferson
Read more about Dry Tortugas National Park on NickkShepard.com
5 – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana
A collection of sights that cannot be seen anywhere else on Earth. Towering geysers, endless forests, thundering waterfalls, rainbow lakes, wolves, bears, bison, and moose – this Park has it all. Perhaps above all of the Parks I’ve visited, this is the one I’m most grateful for that was set aside and so carefully protected.
Top reason to visit Yellowstone National Park: the largest collection of geysers on the planet
Must do at Yellowstone National Park: stick around after dark and walk the boardwalks at Grand Prismatic Spring
6 – Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This is the Park that started my love for the National Parks. Arriving from the East and watching these jagged and imposing Mountains dominate the Western Sky is a moment I will never forget. The Sun loves playing with these peaks, and colors on the stone and snow are something that keeps you coming back to see how things have changed throughout the course of the day. I hope to get back to them again soon for a more in depth exploration.
Top reason to visit Grand Teton National Park: The most beautiful mountain range on the planet
Must do at Grand Teton National Park: Get up before sunrise to witness the rising sun reflecting off the range.
Read more about Grand Teton National Park on NickkShepard.com
7 – Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
I visited this Park in the Winter of 2023 and am still struggling with how to write about it. My eyes and brain, which are pretty sharp if I do say so myself, are still trying to grasp how massive this place is. You can see pictures, and read placards, telling you all of the stats and distances laid out before you, but it just doesn’t compare to seeing it in person. More on this one day.
Top reason to visit Grand Canyon National Park: finding out just how small everything else in the world is
Must do at Grand Canyon National Park: drink way more water than you think you need
8 – Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
I love the absolute old-school Western feel of this Park. From the endless oranges of the landscape, to the other-worldly hoodoos filling the canyon, to superb hiking, this Park makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a 1950s Cowboy Adventure.
Top reason to visit Bryce Canyon National Park: the most vibrant colorful views out there
Must do at Bryce Canyon National Park: hiking Queen’s Garden
9 – New River Gorge, West Virginia
Exploring New River Gorge in the summer redefined the entire state of West Virginia for me. The forests that cover this Gorge burst with life and call you out to keep exploring. The River itself is wide and begs you to get on a raft and travel its length. And the Gorge itself, complete with terrifying cliffs that you randomly encounter on hiking trails, is thoroughly engaging. I’d be remiss not to mention how cool the Bridge Walk is and that it’s a must-do while visiting the Park.
Top reason to visit New River Gorge National Park: the Bridge Walk under the New River Gorge Bridge
Must do at New River Gorge National Park: the Bridge Walk under the New River Gorge Bridge (link)
Read more about New River Gorge National Park on NickkShepard.com
10 – Capital Reef National Park, Utah
Out of this top ten, I might have spent the least amount of time in than all others, but it still fascinates me and I think of it often. The daunting wall of Capitol Reef in southern Utah leaves no question how it earned its name, forcing countless explorers to reroute hundreds of miles around it. The Reef rises hard and fast in this desert, but once inside its depths, a beautiful oasis of lush valleys and crystal-clear streams invite you to stay.
Top reason to visit Capitol Reef National Park: marveling at the high walls of the Reef as you relax along the Fremont River in the valley
Must do at Capitol Reef National Park: stop by the Gifford Homestead before they run out of the freshly baked pies
11 – Arches National Park, Utah
I still have a hard time believing that wind alone created the arches that litter this red landscape. They are impressively large, delicate, and triumphant. Yet as wow as the Arches are, a hike into the Fiery Furnace was the highlight of this Park for me. Beyond easy to get lost in, this is one of the most unique and cool hikes I’ve ever done.
Top reason to visit Arches National Park: more sandstone arch formations than anywhere else in the world
Must do at Arches National Park: get tickets for the Fiery Furnace and go when the temperatures aren’t fiery
12 – Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Might be the best named Park among them all. I know, you think you’ve seen a canyon or two in your day, but this isn’t that. This is an entire landscape comprised OF canyons. I don’t know how else to put it – at every turn, as far as the eye can see, canyons are carved into the surface of the earth. I only explored the Islands in the Sky portion of the park and was completely stunned by the vastness stretching out before me.
Top reason to visit Canyonlands National Park: endless canyon views
Must do at Canyonlands National Park: take your time and drive down into the canyons from Islands in the Sky.
13 – White Sands National Park, New Mexico
What an amazing surprise this Park turned out to be. The name describes this Park so well, but at the same time it does little to prepare you for actually experiencing it. While this sand is white and somewhat unique for that, it also has the interesting property of being cool to the touch, even on the hottest of days. Light loves playing on these dunes, making it a photographer’s playground. I brought my towel and wandered far from the parking lot to just lay out in the calm serene silence of this beautiful place for a couple of hours.
Top reason to visit White Sands National Park: exploring the cool-to-the touch white dunefield
Must do at White Sands National Park: stay until sunlight. The way the light plays on the white sand is divine
14 – Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Growing up in Missouri, “the Cave State,” I know a thing or two about caves, but nothing prepared me for just how stunning the formations and wonder that are housed in these caverns. All other caves the world over will be compared to these. What a special place.
Top reason to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park: the most stunning cave formations in the US
Must do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park: hike down the natural entrance, and ride the elevator back up
Read more about Carlsbad Caverns National Park on NickkShepard.com
15 – Big Bend National Park, Texas
With the darkest nighttime skies of anyplace in the lower 48 states of America, this is one remote park that takes dedicated effort to get to – but wow does it make it worth your time. From the Santa Ella Canyon hike along the Rio Grande, across the vast desert landscape, to the cool and lush Chico Basin this Park is gorgeous and endlessly fun. Thankfully I visited this Park in the winter, as it gets unbearably hot in the summer months.
Top reason to visit Big Bend National Park: the darkest skies in the lower 48 States
Must do at Big Bend National Park: get there early enough to hike Lost Mine Trial
16 – Joshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree hums with what can only be described as a spiritual closeness to other realms. From the alien-looking Joshua Trees, to the hikes among strangely smooth rock outcroppings, to straddling two unique deserts, this park is a backpackers paradise.
Top reason to visit Joshua Tree National Park: tap into the spiritual realm in this otherworldly park
Must do at Joshua Tree National Park: check out Cholla Cactus Garden at sunrise or sunset
17 – Death Valley National Park, California
I still think back to my visit to this furnace in the month of August as one of the dumber things I’ve done. Crippling hot, it feels as though your body is actively running towards death as soon as you step out of your car to explore. Yet this harsh and barren landscape, which actively made me think of being on the surface of Mars, is full of beauty and colors that cannot be found anywhere else.
Top reason to visit Death Valley National Park: witnesses the most extreme environment in America
Must do at Death Valley National Park: have way more water than you think you need, and explore the colorful Artists Palette
Read more about Death Valley National Park on NickkShepard.com
18 – Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina, Tennessee
With rolling hills covered by bluish forests and clouds that flow like waves, Great Smoky compels you to explore its depths. The vistas along the roads cause you to sit and stare, losing track of time. Hidden waterfalls along its numerous trails are always worth the journey, and you never know what you’ll find next. A wondrous place to celebrate the changing of the seasons.
Top reason to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park: endless hiking opportunities and stunning views of smoky hills
Must do at Great Smoky National Park: Hike up Clingman’s Dome and watch the clouds rolls over the peak like waves
Read more about Great Smoky National Park on NickkShepard.com
19 – Badlands National Park, South Dakota
There is nothing bad about this place when visiting in the 21st century, but you can imagine the exhaustion that someone in the mid-1800s would have experienced when trying to cross this land. Today it’s a playground for people who enjoy hiking, taking photos, and watching prairie dogs and bison roam free.
Top reason to visit Badlands National Park: viewing the Badlands as they scorch across the grasslands
Must do at Badlands National Park: watch Prairie Dogs communicate to each other (once they settle down at your presence)
20 – Kings Canyon National Park, California
Down, down, down, the road goes, hugging the canyon walls. It feels like the twists and turns and descent will never end. You find yourself white knuckled and with a clinched jaw that you have to forcibly tell yourself to relax. Yet when you reach the canyon floor, peace settles in. Bumbling brooks, little waterfalls, and soaring forests await you.
Top reason to visit Kings Canyon National Park: the white knuckle drive into this massive canyon (its thrilling and fun)
Must do at Kings Canyon National Park: emerge out of the canyon by sunset (you don’t want to drive this thing at night)
Read more about Kings Canyon National Park on NickkShepard.com
21 – Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
As cool as the Crystal Forest is with its acres of petrified logs is, the Painted Desert portion of the Park was the star for me. Colorful Bentonite Hills dot the landscape in brilliant hues that baffle the mind for what you’re used to in a desert.
Top reason to visit Petrified Forest National Park: The stunning Crystal and Jasper Forests (of petrified wood)
Must do at Petrified Forest National Park: Hike the Blue Mesa Trail
Read more about National Park on NickkShepard.com
22 – Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Named after the type of cactus that is the default cactus that appears in your mind when you think of one, this Park is a desolate rocky desert covered with what can only be described as a forest of cacti. Hiking here is hazardous mainly because any stumble is going to cause you to be caught by the prickly embrace of thousands of Saguaros.
Top reason to visit Saguaro National Park: seeing an entire forest made out of cacti
Must do at Saguaro National Park: hike the Valley View Overlook trail
Read more about Saguaro National Park on NickkShepard.com
23 – Everglades National Park, Florida
A massive Park that is submerged by a slow moving “River of Grass.” This is also the only place on the planet that Alligators and Crocodiles coexist. Best explored via Airboat, which is a very fun time.
Top reason to visit Everglades National Park: the trill of a dangerous swamp and endless skies
Must do at Everglades National Park: book an airboat tour!
24 – Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
While I have been here in other seasons, it feels as though Shenandoah is made for Autumn. The hundred-mile-long road at the top of this mountain range explodes with color on all sides during the Fall and is one of the more enjoyable rides I’ve been on.
Top reason to visit Shenandoah National Park: one of the most beautiful drives in the country
Must do at Shenandoah National Park: visit in the autumn, but start at the southern entrance (the northern entrance new DC is a zoo)
25 – Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
At first, I felt as though this was an overgrown city park with its beautiful hiking trails and bike paths, but Cuyahoga Valley also houses the playground that is known as The Ledges. Exploring this collection of contained cliffs and rocks is some of the most fun I’ve had in a National Park.
Top reason to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park: The natural playground that is The Ledges
Must do at Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Book a trip on the train running through the park.
26 – Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Named after the man who birthed the National Parks, this is a remote collection of badlands and prairies in North Dakota. Here bison and wild horses rule the landscape, and the views stretch forever.
Top reason to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park: seeing the mixture of wild bison and horses roaming the prairie
Must do at Theodore Roosevelt National Park: drive the loop in the South Unit
Read more about Theodore Roosevelt National Park on NickkShepard.com
27 – Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Another perfectly named Park. While this doesn’t have the sparkle and wow of Carlsbad, the sheer size of not only the caverns and how far they stretch into the hillside is truly Mammoth.
Top reason to visit Mammoth Cave National Park: the largest cave system in the world
Must do at Mammoth Cave National Park: book a range-led tour through the cave
Read more about Mammoth Cave National Park on NickkShepard.com
28 – Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Containing the highest point in Texas, these mountains are also the largest exposed reef on the planet. Left over from since-receded inland seas, this Park teems with fossils. While the surrounding area is an arid desert, these mountains protect an alpine interior not seen anywhere else this far south.
Top reason to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park: the largest exposed reef on the planet, and great views of Texas
Must do at Guadalupe Mountains National Park: give yourself plenty of time to hike to the Guadalupe Peak
29 – Biscayne National Park, Florida
Another Park that is mostly underwater, which certainly limits the exploration of unless you have a boat, scuba supplies, or snorkeling equipment. We explored this Park on a snorkeling expedition, but the sky was cloudy and the water rough, which I’m sure factored into its current ranking. I hope to come back here one day soon.
Top reason to visit Biscayne National Park: scuba or snorkeling the reefs
Must do at Biscayne National Park: book a snorkeling tour!
30 – Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
The size of the sand dunes here along the southern Lake Michigan shore are truly impressive, though partially hidden by forests. The park is one of the most diverse Parks with regards to species of animals who either live here or visit here throughout the year, but it still felt like such a disjointed experience as it is intermixed with homes and both current and former factories. I’d like to see this Park in Winter when the shelf ice forms on the Lake.
Top reason to visit Indiana Dunes National Park: exploring massive dunes along Lake Michigan and endless bird watching opportunities
Must do at Indiana Dunes National Park: bring binoculars to view the Chicago Skyline from over 20 miles away
31 – Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
This feels a bit wrong to have this low as we were unable to actually explore the Cave itself as I didn’t yet know how tickets and such worked. Above ground, there are prairie dogs and bison that roam the grasslands, but it feels like the Park itself is outshone by the nearby Custer State Park, which I do hope to one day see be elevated to National Park status.
Top reason to visit Wind Cave National Park: exploring Wind Cave
Must do at Wind Cave National Park: booking cave tickets ahead of time
32 – Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri
Look, the Gateway Arch itself is very very cool and fun for all ages, both in how it looks and going up into it, but it still feels so wrong for this to be a National Park. National Monument, which it was, for sure, but sitting in the heart of a fairly rundown city and being so small, doesn’t conjure the grandeur of something called a National Park. Still an absolute must visit if you find yourself anywhere near St. Louis (unless you’re afraid of heights)
Top reason to visit Gateway Arch National Park: riding up into the Arch
Must do at Gateway Arch National Park: ride up into the Arch!
Read more about National Park on NickkShepard.com
33 – Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Despite having this Park last on my list, I do want to try and experience it again. There isn’t a ton to do or see in this Park as it primarily consists of a long broad walk through an old growth forested swamp, but it is still cool to see. It’s just that that view doesn’t ever change, and while the trees are impressively large for the east coast, after a bit you’re ready for anything else. I can’t imagine what it must be like to visit this Park in the summer.
Top reason to visit Congaree National Park: viewing the largest trees on the east coast
Must do at Congaree National Park: bring bug spray
So Much Seen, So Many More to Go!
Well, that’s my list as of December 2024. I fully expect new Parks that I will visit in the future to appear in the Top Ten, and as I reflect back on memories and good times, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Parks that are already on this list to possibly climb up over the years. I hope this list, as well as the website as a whole, can be a source of inspiration for you and your adventures in the future. The National Parks, and the entire National Parks Service is one of the absolute best things that our country does, and I hope that you can see all or even part of what is being preserved for you and your children in these wondrous places.
I’ll also plan on going through and adding links to articles I’ll end up writing about each of these parks as I go forward (as I have for the Parks that I have written about). Please visit those links to learn and see more from those Parks.