Continuing the celebration of National Parks Week, Travel Lemming released a ranking of all the United States national parks based on an array of important factors. These included accessibility, affordability, crowds, reviews, and weather. Surprisingly, some big-name parks—ahem, Yellowstone—didn’t make the top cut. And while you might not find popular favorites like the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree leading the list, you will undoubtedly discover some hidden gems you’ll want to explore. Best of all, you won’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn and shuffle your way through unrelenting crowds to enjoy the wonders of nature at these unsuspecting parks. The top five national parks on Travel Lemming’s list include:
- Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- North Cascades National Park, Washington
- Biscayne National Park, Florida
- Kings Canyon National Park, California
- Sequoia National Park, California
Four out of the top 10 parks on the list are located in California, which doesn’t come as much of a shock. The amazing weather and multiple terrains make for the ultimate getaway spot. However, if you’re planning a trip to any of the following places in the near future, you might want to think again, as they rounded out the bottom of the in-depth list.
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
- Gates of the Arctic National Park and Reserve, Alaska
- Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska