Favorite National Park?

I gotta get up there at some point

Gulf Islands Nat'l Seashore

Before opening the thread I knew PNW and Roger would post pics of their local NPs. to you guys for living in/near such amazing places.

Out of the NPs I have visited (Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, Guadalupe, Joshua Tree, and Saguaro) I have to say Grand Canyon.

First trip was a typical tourist drive by, stop at south rim for a few hours, take some pictures, hike down a few hundred yards, get something to eat, buy a souvenir, then bounce.

Second trip was a rim to rim 3 night backpacking trip. My first backpack experience and first trip deep into the canyon.

I highly recommend a rim to rim trip for anyone new to backpacking. Logistics are very easy. Water sources the entire way, privies at all campgrounds, Phantom Ranch at halfway point for snacks, beers, games, socializing. Backcountry permits must be obtained 3 months in advance. Phantom ranch cabins a year in advance.

Four days and 25-ish miles is a perfect distance for rookies. The diversity from the rims to the Colorado river is awesome. Lots of traffic on the trails (r2r hkers, day hikers, Phantom tourists, mule ride groups, trail runners).

I look forward to doing a r2r trail run, backpacking on non-corridor trails, and a trip to Havasupai Falls at some point in the future.

Not my pics, but from the same hike (North Kaibab>Bright Angel):

North Kaibab trail:


Ribbon Falls 1:


Ribbon Falls 2:


Phantom Ranch:


Colorado River bridge:


Plateau Point:

Banff National Park.

I've been to most of the big name ones, Glacier is my favorite, just stunning with great trails and lots of wildlife.

Yosemite and Yellowstone take a hit because of the crowds, but they are great places anyway.

Capitol Reef, Big Bend, and especially Cumberland Island get bonus points for lack of crowds.

Dry Tortugas is a great place to camp for a few days with a kayak and some fishing gear.

Zion is on my bucket list.

quote:

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Out of the 31 I’ve been to, I’ve never been to Yosemite or Grand Canyon.

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You are in for a treat if you have these two remaining because these 2 are at the top of my list of the ones I visited*. The "avoid the crowds" thing is real though but from a unique geographical perspective.... they are up there.

We are so blessed in this country to have all these great parks!!

* Going to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Olympia, Mt Rainier NP this summer!!

Zion is breathtaking but as crowded as Yosemite.

Dry Tortugas

Going to glacier this summer with the family, where should we camp? We tent camp and will do the entire week in tents.