What is your favorite national park? Canadian National Parks count too. What is your favorite trail in these parks? What national park is your favorite in the west, in the east, and overall? I am not planning a trip but just wondering.

I've been to over 200 sites that are administered by the National Parks Service, as well as five national parks in Canada. My personal favorite is Yellowstone, with Yosemite and the Grand Canyon almost tied.

The Grand Teton

Yellowstone, Arches, Zion, Yosemite, Capitol Reef are probably my top 5 US National Parks...probably in that order too. I've probably been to all the major national parks of the west.

Jasper and Banff in Canada are my favorite "mountain" parks....they even beat out Glacier and Rocky Mountain National Parks in my book.

To many trails to mention.

Utahtea

Rocky Mountain NP is my favorite. I find the scenery the most gorgeous in the U.S. I haven't been to Jasper and Banff yet.

Asdaven: What's up with all the "what's your favorite" this or that? Compiling a list?

I have just come back from the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks - loved them!!! I am now looking to go to either Glacier, Bryce or Zion with my husband and 2 teenage sons - would love opinions on which one of these you like best and why

Without a doubt...

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park!

East of the Mississippi it is Sleeping Bear Dunes NP with Isle Royale a close second.

West of the Mississippi I would have Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Volcanoes tied.

Tetons/Yellowstone by far as #1, I consider them a tandem.
Yosemite # 2
These 2 are far superior to anything in the lower 48. Grand Canyon Glacier both very nice but pretty much day trips for the average traveler. , Rocky Mt Park nice but again a day trip .

Bryce and Capitol Reef for canyon parks.
Yellowstone for a park like no other.
Yoho in Canada.

Favorite trails: McArthur Lake in Yoho and
the Whaleback in Yoho.

Zion and Bryce. We love to camp and I have such great memories of tent camping with my kids at these locations...very safe and family-friendly!

Yosemite is #1
Arches for red rocks
Hubby likes Kings Canyon best
Yoho in Canada
Very fond memories of Cades Cove in the Smoky Mountains even though it's very crowded now.

North Cascades-It has spectacular scenery but none of the tourist development most parks have.
Glacier, Arches, and Canyonlands are close seconds.

Big Bend.
M

Good Opinions- In response to MicheleNYC's post, I am just seeing what is everybody's favorite national park and which ones are worth a visit that I haven't been too. Keep up all the good opinions!

Fort McHenry, in Baltimore... home of the star-spangled banner. A tiny gem of a park in the middle of an industrial area of Baltimore. It's on a point in the harbour, and one of the most amazing things is to watch people sail by, stop the boat, and sing the Anthem... or to be inside the star fort and see people be overcome with patriotism and sing the anthem. Very moving!

I been to Fort McHenry, very cool. I live right in Maryland. I like to take the watertaxi to it. But, my thread is more about national parks with natural scenry rather than historic sites. Sorry, if I didn't make that clear in the beginning. But, Fort Mchenry is a nice place if you like historic sites.

You didn't say it was about nature... And it's got a great trail around the perimeter along the water. Isn't there history in these other parks... like Mt. Rushmore, Canyon de Chelly, Alcatraz?

You asked about favourite national parks... period. Not all national parks have sweeping views, scenic overlooks, and lots of land. Not everyone likes wide open spaces. Some of feel more comfortable in small spaces with street lights and street signs.

The Grand Canyon! The "hush" is awe inspiring.