Pre-Trip National Park Hype Rankings


I'm excited to share with you my plan for this great journey, in form of national park HYPE rankings. From the system of lakes and islands in Voyageurs, to the vast mountain ranges & lush forests of Grand Teton and Olympic, and the semi-arid canyons & cliffs of Zion & Bryce Canyon, this trip will truly have it all. Without any further ado, here are my official rankings for the I'm most hyped to visit. 

10. Badlands National Park & Custer State Park, South Dakota

Coming in at number 10 is an early stop on the trip: Badlands National Park. Situated near the western border of South Dakota, these landscapes have been formed by the same weather patterns – harsh winds, intense rain, and scorching heat – that give them their namesake. The Lakota Sioux called it "mako sica", which translates to "bad lands".

Though small, Badlands is said to have one of the best scenic drives in the United States, along with many stops for overlooks and hikes. Badlands, and the nearby Custer State Park are home to the largest herd of bison that populate the US at over 13,000. While this is nothing compared to the millions that roamed the prarie hundreds of years ago, it's still going to be a sight to behold. Additionally, prarie dog towns, bighorn sheep, black-footed ferrets, and nearly 200 other species of mammals, birds, and reptiles/amphibians populate this area.

9. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

The first stop on my trip, and what a destination! This sprawling system of lakes, islands, trails, and waterfalls is only accessible by boat. And that's exactly what I'll be doing. I'll be traversing the secluded Namakan Lake, one of four main lakes within the park's boundaries. On my canoe, I'll paddle to island campsites, stop to explore bays, swim, do some short hikes to explore the land, and maybe, just MAYBE, see the Northern Lights.

8. Sequoia National Park, Southern California

7. Zion National Park, Utah

6. Yosemite National Park, Central California

5. Olympic National Park, Washington

4. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

3. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

2. Redwood National Park, Northern California

1. Glacier National Park, Montana

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