All 63 National Parks Checked Off — 3 I Loved So Much I’d Return, And 6 I’m Glad To Forget

After seven years of road trips, flights, and countless miles of hiking, I’ve finally visited all 63 U.S. National Parks. From the towering sequoias of California to the otherworldly landscapes of Alaska, each park offered something unique.

While most were breathtaking adventures, not every experience lived up to the hype. Here’s my honest take on the parks I can’t wait to revisit and those I’m perfectly content to leave as one-time memories.

1. Yellowstone: A Geothermal Wonderland Worth Every Return Trip

My first glimpse of Old Faithful was just the beginning. Yellowstone’s vast wilderness captivated me with its prismatic hot springs, thundering waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. Watching bison roam freely across golden meadows while geysers erupted in the distance created moments I’ll cherish forever.

During my three visits, I’ve still only explored about half the park. The Lamar Valley at dawn, with wolves howling in the distance, remains my most magical national park memory. I’m already planning my fourth trip to discover the backcountry trails I’ve missed.

2. Grand Teton: Jagged Peaks and Alpine Perfection

Rising dramatically from the valley floor, the Teton Range stopped me in my tracks. No photograph prepared me for these mountains – they simply command attention with their sharp, snow-capped summits reflected perfectly in Jenny Lake’s crystal waters.

Hiking the Cascade Canyon trail, I encountered moose browsing lazily beside alpine streams. The park’s compact size makes it incredibly accessible, yet I never felt crowded even during peak season.

Morning light painting the mountains gold is worth setting an alarm for. I’d return in a heartbeat just for one more sunrise at Schwabacher Landing.

3. Olympic: Three Ecosystems in One Magnificent Park

Where else can you hike through temperate rainforest, alpine meadows, and rugged coastline in a single day? Olympic’s diversity astonished me as I wandered beneath moss-draped trees that felt straight out of a fantasy novel.

The Hoh Rainforest’s green cathedral of silence was broken only by Roosevelt elk crashing through ferns. Later that same day, I watched the sunset paint Ruby Beach’s sea stacks in golden light while tidepools revealed colorful starfish and anemones.

With over 900,000 acres and 73 miles of wilderness coast, I could spend a lifetime exploring and never see it all.

4. Gateway Arch: A Monument, Not a Park

Technically, it counts toward my 63, but this downtown St. Louis landmark feels misplaced in the national park system. The arch itself is an impressive engineering feat, but my entire visit lasted under two hours – a stark contrast to the days needed for most parks.

The underground museum offers interesting historical context about westward expansion, though much of it feels outdated in its perspective. The tram ride to the top provides decent city views but nothing spectacular.

If you’re counting parks, check it off your list. Just don’t plan your vacation around it or expect natural wonders.

5. Hot Springs: More Historic Bathhouse Than Natural Wonder

Nestled in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, this park preserves historic bathhouses rather than vast wilderness. My expectations of natural hot springs and hiking trails quickly evaporated when I realized the main attraction is Bathhouse Row – beautiful architecture but not what I seek in national parks.

The tiny forested section offers a few short trails, none particularly memorable. Most thermal waters are captured in pipes rather than flowing naturally.

Though rich in history about America’s spa culture, I found myself finishing the entire park experience in half a day and wondering why it holds the same designation as Yosemite or Glacier.

6. Indiana Dunes: Lake Michigan’s Shoreline Deserved Better

Sandwiched between steel mills and power plants, Indiana Dunes feels like a pleasant state park that somehow received national status. The dunes themselves are moderately impressive, rising above Lake Michigan’s shoreline, but industrial views and nearby train tracks constantly break the natural illusion.

Crowds overwhelm the small beaches during summer weekends, making solitude impossible. While spring wildflowers offer some redemption, they can’t compete with truly exceptional national parks.

For Midwesterners seeking a day trip, it’s fine. As a destination worthy of the national park shield? I remain unconvinced and won’t be making a special trip back.

7. Cuyahoga Valley: Ohio’s Underwhelming River Corridor

After visiting truly spectacular parks, Cuyahoga Valley felt like a letdown. Wedged between Cleveland and Akron, this narrow river corridor offers pleasant woodland walks but nothing that screams “national park caliber.” Brandywine Falls provides a nice photo op, but at 65 feet tall, it pales compared to cascades found elsewhere in the system.

Bicycle paths follow old canal towpaths, creating easy recreation opportunities for locals. However, constant road crossings and nearby developments shatter any wilderness illusion.

If renamed a National Recreation Area, my expectations would align better. As it stands, I checked it off but wouldn’t recommend anyone go out of their way to visit.

8. New River Gorge: Surprisingly Disappointing Despite the Scenery

America’s newest national park left me conflicted. The dramatic bridge spanning the gorge delivers an impressive first impression, but beyond this engineering marvel, I struggled to find experiences justifying national park status.

Limited hiking trails mostly follow old mining roads rather than showcasing the gorge’s best features. The river itself remains largely inaccessible except to whitewater rafters who book with private companies.

Perhaps my expectations were too high after visiting western parks, but New River Gorge felt more like a scenic overlook with a fancy bridge than a destination worthy of multiple days. I’m crossing this one off without plans to return.

9. Biscayne: Underwater Wonders Hidden from Most Visitors

Ninety-five percent of this park lies underwater, which sounds fascinating until you realize most visitors can’t access its main attractions without specialized equipment or tour boats. My day trip from Miami yielded little more than a visitor center and a view of blue water.

Without my own boat or snorkeling gear, I found almost nothing to do. The tiny accessible land portion offers no real hiking or viewpoints. Park rangers enthusiastically described coral reefs and shipwrecks I couldn’t see.

For scuba divers or boaters, Biscayne might be paradise. For the average national park visitor expecting trails and viewpoints, it ranks as my biggest disappointment.