Best of National Parks Archives - More Than Just Parks | National Parks Guides

COMPLETE National Parks List 2024 (Printable MAP + By State)

Will Pattiz — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 17:15:53 +0000

Article Overview: List of National Parks by State, National Parks Map

The National Parks are one of America’s greatest treasures, best exports, and most incredible success stories. They are home to a wide diversity of special landscapes that have been set aside for all time by the United States. In this article we’ve compiled a complete US national parks list including the names of all 63 national parks.

You’ll also find free printable national park lists, national park checklists, national park maps, and more. For each national park on the list we’ve included basic information including its location, date established, size, up to date visitation statistics, and a few of the best things to do.

Beyond that we’ve included links to helpful articles for each of the listed national parks which include things like guides, maps, best hikes, places to stay, guidebooks, things to do, and more.

Table of Contents: List of National Parks by State & National Parks Maps

National Forest vs National Park (Here’s the Difference)

Will Pattiz — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 16:53:50 +0000

In the foreground is the Bridger-Teton National Forest vs Grand Teton National Park in the background.

National Forest vs National Park – while these might sound similar, and even look similar, they are actually quite different in many respects.

Let’s start with the basics of the question of “what’s the difference between National Parks vs National Forests?”

The major difference between National Forests versus National Parks is not the types of land, geography, or even outstanding qualities, but rather their management. Allow me to elaborate.

National Forest vs National Park

Let’s start with the basics – both National Parks and National Forests are federally managed public lands which mean the federal government in Washington is ultimately responsible for their management.

This means the states are not responsible for the management of these lands. However, the states do have some involvement in the management of wildlife in National Forests. More on that later.

An archival photo of a National Park Service Ranger at Zion National Park (courtesy NPS)

So Who Manages a National Forest vs National Park?

The key difference between National Forests vs National Parks lies in their management. Here’s who manages what.

Who Is In Charge of the National Forests (USFS)?

National Forests are managed by the US Forest Service (USFS) which is part of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

National Forests > US Forest Service > US Department of Agriculture

The person in charge of a single National Forest is known as a Forest Supervisor. Their boss is a Regional Forester which oversees all of the national forests within a particular region (of which there are 9).

The Regional Forester’s boss is the Chief Forester who is in charge of the entire Forest Service. The Chief Forester’s boss is the Secretary of Agriculture who is in charge of the entire Department of Agriculture.

The Secretary of Agriculture is a cabinet level position which means their boss is the President of the United States.

US Forest Service Ranger on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River

Who Is In Charge of the National Parks (NPS)?

National Parks are managed by the National Park Service which is part of the US Department of the Interior.

National Parks > National Park Service > US Department of the Interior

The person in charge of a National Park is known as a National Park Superintendent. Their boss is the National Park Service Director who is in charge of all the National Parks (and national park service managed sites including national monuments and more).

The National Park Service Director answers to the Secretary of the Interior who is in charge of the Department of the Interior. The Secretary of the Interior is a cabinet level position and as such their boss is the President of the United States.

National Park Service Rangers are issued the iconic flat-brimmed hat while US Forest Service Rangers are not.

The National Forests Under Department of the Interior? Once upon a time…

Did you know that originally the National Forests were managed by the Department of the Interior? That’s right!

But, in 1905 the National Forests were transferred to the Department of Agriculture. This was done as part of a reorganization of federally managed public lands under President Theodore Roosevelt, headed by the newly created US Forest Service and it’s first Chief Forester, Gifford Pinchot.

Important Dates

1872 – Yellowstone National Park becomes the world’s first National Park
1891 – Shoshone National Forest becomes the first National Forest
1905 – US Forest Service Created to manage National Forests
1916 – National Park Service Created to manage National Parks

Size: National Forests vs National Parks

US Forest Service

193 million acres
155 National Forests
20 National Grasslands
1 National Tallgrass Prairie

National Park Service

84 million acres
423 National Park Sites including:
63 National Parks
85 National Monuments
4 National Parkways
19 National Preserves
2 National Reserves
18 National Recreation Areas
4 National Rivers
3 National Scenic Trails
10 National Seashores
10 National Wild and Scenic Rivers and Riverways
4 National Battlefield Parks
1 National Battlefield Site
9 National Military Parks
60 National Historical Parks
76 National Historic Sites
1 International Historic Sites
3 National Lakeshores
31 National Memorials
11 National Battlefields
1 White House
10 Other Designations

Management Styles: National Forest vs National Park

The biggest difference between the National Forests and National Parks is how they are managed. This difference can be summed up in two words – multiple use.

National Parks are managed with preservation as a top priority, aiming to keep the national parks just as they are in their current or “original” states (a combination of the two usually).

National Forests are managed for multiple use meaning for a combination of preservation & conservation, utility & resources (think timber products, oil, etc), & recreation.

As Gifford Pinchot, first Chief Forester of the US Forest Service, the National Forests are “to provide the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people in the long run.”

Mission Statements

National Forest: The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

National Park: The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

A National Park Service Ranger at the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial in Washington DC

Fun Facts: National Forests vs National Parks

A US Forest Service Ranger in the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness

In the field, National Park Service Rangers are issued the iconic flat-brimmed hats while US Forest Service Rangers are not. They are issued ball cap style hats.

There is almost no hunting in National Parks (with the exception of Grand Teton’s elk reduction program) while there is hunting on National Forests.

The oldest National Park (Yellowstone) is older than the oldest National Forest (Shoshone) but the US Forest Service is older than the National Park Service.

There are more National Forests than National Parks but more national park sites than sites managed by the US Forest Service.

The US Forest Service is responsible for more than twice the amount of land as the National Park Service and as such their annual budget is about double that which the NPS receives.

The person who runs a national park is called a Superintendent whereas the person who runs a national forest is called a Supervisor.

National Parks That Require Reservations (2024 Updated)

Will Pattiz — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:23:04 +0000

Mount Rainier is one of the latest national parks to require reservations

Article Overview: National Parks that Require Reservations

America’s best idea is no secret and with the ever increasing popularity of our parks, it’s no wonder that reservations are now required to enter the most popular national parks during the busiest times. While there’s plenty of frustration that we can no longer visit the most popular national parks as spontaneously as we once did, we can still get in and have a great time.

Readers Note: This article is constantly updated to include the latest information on national parks that require reservations. If you have any questions or concerns just drop us a comment below and I’ll be happy to answer them!

Table of Contents: National Parks With Reservations

Table of Contents: National Parks That Require Reservations

10 Best National Parks To Visit in January

Jim Pattiz — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:17:04 +0000

Best National Parks to Visit In January

Article Overview: Best National Parks To Visit in January

Best National Parks to Visit by Month Series

We started this series of best national parks to visit by month to give folks the best idea of how to time their national parks trips. Every national park is mentioned at least once in this series so that you know when to visit each and every park (no park is left behind!). We even cover nearby national monuments and forests to consider as well.

Additionally, we cover the national parks you’ll want to avoid each month for a variety of reasons including temperature, crowd sizes, closures, insects, and more.

Something to note is that some national parks are mentioned multiple times while others are only mentioned once.

If you’re interested in other times of the year as well be sure to check out our Best National Parks by Season Guide which has helpful graphics and charts to help you determine which time of year is best to visit a given national park.

We’ll also have more best national parks by month articles linked at the bottom of each page including the nearest months.

Table of Contents: Best National Parks to Visit in January

NEW: 10 MOST VISITED US National Parks (Updated + Complete List) 2024

Jennifer Hardy — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 10:55:01 +0000

The final numbers for the most visited national parks in 2023 show some shakeups in the ranks! In this article, we want to familiarize you with the most visited national parks in the United States (or most popular national parks) based on this year’s data (released in February 2024).

You might want to know what is the most visited national park, but don’t you also want to know what park is filled to the brim, even if it’s not the most visited? How about what popular park won’t lead to long lines and give plenty of breathing room? As we review the most visited national parks in 2023, we’ll also review the visitors per square mile and the number of recreation hours people spend at those parks on average.

Most Visited National Parks

Table of Contents: Most Visited National Parks

15 BEST USA Road Trips of a Lifetime

Jim Pattiz — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 10:51:40 +0000

Article Overview: Best Road Trips USA

If you’re planning a good old-fashioned American road trip, then you’ve come to the right place. When someone asks me if I’ve driven through a particular scenic area in the USA I’m reminded of the Geoff Mack song I’ve Been Everywhere and his response to the truck driver giving him a lift, “Listen, I’ve traveled every road in this here land”.

Sure there are some left for us to do, but we really have covered nearly every US road trip imaginable… Which means we have some extensive knowledge and great recommendations built on our own experiences.

There is no better way to see the beauty of the great USA than through a road trip. In this article I’ll roll through 15 epic road trip ideas to help inspire your next drive across the USA.

America Road Trip – Table of Contents

15 LARGEST National Parks in the United States (+ Full List)

Will Pattiz — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 10:44:31 +0000

Article Overview: Largest National Parks

Wondering what the largest national parks in the US are? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve got all the details here.

Did you know that the largest national park in the US is bigger than nearly half of the world’s countries?

In this article we’ll go over the top 15 largest national park and include some wild statistics along with helpful size comparisons so you can appreciate just how massive these places are.

I’ve also included a complete list of the largest national parks with sizes in acres, square miles, and square kilometers.

Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

Interesting Facts About the Largest National Parks

Alaska has the most: Seven of the top ten largest national parks are located in Alaska.

Alaska National Park Acreage: The combined acreage of the seven Alaska national parks is 36,757,336.47 acres (148751.66 km²), which is an area larger than the state of New York and roughly the same size as the country Bangladesh.

Percentage of Park Land in Alaska: Seventy percent of all national park land (for the 63 national parks) is in Alaska.

Largest National Park Outside of Alaska: Death Valley is the largest national park outside of Alaska.

Largest National Park: The largest national park is Wrangell St. Elias National Park in Alaska at over 20,000 square miles. Wrangell St. Elias is larger than the smallest 4 US states including Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, and Hawaii combined.

Table of Contents

All 63 US National Parks Ranked by Experts (Best to Worst)

Jim Pattiz — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 05:59:13 +0000

Well folks, we had to do it (again). We’ve spent a decade filming America’s national parks, and after countless requests from viewers, we finally sat down, put our heads together, and created this comprehensive list of US national parks ranked from best to worst. This update includes our latest 2024 rankings – there were some big moves.

Now mind you, this was no easy task ranking the best national parks in the USA – America has 63 national parks (and counting)!

Our method? We decided to be brutally honest about the reality of each and every national park (you might be surprised to see where we ranked some very famous national parks) because nothing is worse than feeling misled by jaw-dropping photos void of crowds, right?

We’ve also ranked all 128 US National Monuments in case you’re interested in those as well.

America’s Best National Parks Ranked

Table of Contents: All 63 National Parks Ranked

Escape The Crowds At One of These Amazing National Parks (& Forests)

Tony Pattiz — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 03:14:57 +0000

Capitol Reef National Park | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds

Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds! Americans are anxious to escape the confines of their homes and workplaces. At the same time, our nation’s parks are experiencing record crowds. Yellowstone, Yosemite and all of the usual suspects are experiencing more visitors this year than ever before.

If you’re looking to declare your independence by finding a way to escape these massive crowds then what are you supposed to do?

Have no fear! More Than Just Parks is here! We have prepared a list of wonderfully inexpensive (and less crowded) places for you to visit in 2022.

Why spend exorbitant sums on overcrowded (and expensive) vacation getaways when some of our nation’s most beautiful, least crowded and most affordable destination spots are closer than you might think.

We’ve got stunning coastlines, magical forests, geologic wonders and so much more. These places will take your breath away! We have compiled a list of incredible places for you to experience while escaping the crowds.

Table of Contents | Escape the Crowds at These National Parks

Crowds In The National Parks
Capitol Reef National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
North Cascades National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Redwood National Park
Voyageurs National Park
Black Hills National Forest
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Dixie National Forest
Flathead National Forest
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
National Mall & Memorial Parks
About The Folks Who Are Behind More Than Just Parks
About The Parks Brothers

Crowds in the National Parks

The Covid-19 pandemic fueled the desire of people hunkered down in small spaces for too long to head out into the restorative wilds all over the country.

In 2021, they packed the big-name parks, parkways and related sites. Here’s a brief snapshot of some of the action:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park set a visitation record for 2021, passing 14 million recreation visits for the first time.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore hosted more than 3 million visitors in a year for the first time, the NPS said.
Devils Tower National Monument saw the highest number of recreation visits in the monument’s history. For the first time, it surpassed 500,000 recreational visits. (Source: CNN)

Wouldn’t you like to move about freely? Don’t you want to escape those long lines and crowded venues? Aren’t you to experience the wonders of nature in your own way?

If so then consider taking the road less traveled by going to one of these magical places featured below.

Zion National Park Experiencing Record Crowds (Courtesy Of Matt Keough) | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds

The mountains are calling and I must go.
-John Muir

Best National Parks to Escape the Crowds

1. Capitol Reef National Park

Location: Utah

Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles. Utah’s least known national park is arguably one of its very best.

No crowds, abundant scenery and there’s even a small town (Torrey) nestled against the park that has restaurants and conveniences which will surprise you. There are wonderful hiking trails during the day and fabulous stargazing opportunities at night. This wilderness wonderland awaits you. A trip to Capitol Reef is a capital idea!

Grand Wash at Capitol Reef National Park | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds

2. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Location: Colorado

Imagine the Sahara Desert with a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains and you’re looking at one of the most underrated national parks in all of America! Great Sand Dunes is a spectacular park located in southern Colorado that features some of the most breathtaking and unique scenery found anywhere in the world. Because the park is fairly remote and not as accessible to the public, the crowds ought to be minimal.

Be sure to prepare for the bugs however. Great Sand Dunes is open 24/7 year round. And, there are no reservations to visit or limit on the number of visitors in the park and preserve. The tallest dunes in North America form the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. So, what are you waiting for?

Great Sand Dunes National Park | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds

3. North Cascades National Park

Location: Washington

Referred to by some as the “American Alps,” this incredible park features mountain beauty which rivals any found on the planet. One of Washington’s three national parks, North Cascades is the least visited, the most difficult to access all around and the most rewarding for those looking for adventure and willing to dare in order to find it. The park is a backpackers paradise, but be forewarned that it is light on amenities.

That said, the park’s interior is stunningly beautiful and it’s located less than three hours from Seattle. For those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life, an alpine landscape beckons. Discover communities of life adapted to moisture in the west and recurring fire in the east.

Explore jagged peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers. Listen to cascading waters in forested valleys. Witness a landscape sensitive to the Earth’s changing climate. Sleepless in Seattle? Then why not make your way to this magical place.

North Cascades National Park | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds

4. Petrified Forest National Park

Location: Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park is perfect for exploration and discovery. While the park has all of the wonders known for a century, there are many new adventures and discoveries to share with family and friends. There are backcountry hikes such as Red Basin. There are new exhibits which bring the park’s remarkable stories to life.

Petrified Forest holds a special place in the hearts of those who visit as they will be dazzled by blue mesas, striped hills, warm winds, distant storms, rainbows, petroglyphs, and the most beautiful collection of rocks (petrified wood) that you will ever see.

Be forewarned, however, that there are no campsites within the facility, but this means fewer people, fewer crowds, and more opportunities to be one with the natural beauty of nature. So, don’t be petrified when it comes to this amazing natural wonderland.

Petrified Forest National Park (courtesy NPS) | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds

5. Redwood National Park

Location: California

Redwood National Park’s misty forests, wild coastline, pristine streams, and valleys teeming with wildlife are one of the best kept secrets in the national park system. Discover forty miles of wild and rugged coastline where whales swim and elk roam. It’s enough to take your breath away!

Waterfalls and clear blue streams rush against a scenic backdrop of vivid green ferns. The tallest and most majestic trees soar all around you. Most people know Redwood as home to the tallest trees on Earth. But you can also experience vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild rivers, and miles of rugged coastline. People have lived in this verdant landscape since time immemorial.

So, what are you waiting for? Time to “look up” to those majestic redwoods which will take your breath away.

Redwood National Park | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds

Check Out More Than Just Parks Redwood National Parks Film | It’s Stunning

Top 10 Best National Parks to Escape the Crowds

6. Voyageurs National Park

Location: Minnesota

In the far reaches of northern Minnesota, straddling the Canadian border, you will find a watery wonderland accessible almost exclusively by boat. Looking to get away from it all?

Here, in the pristine waters of vast lakes and the amazing mosaics of wondrous islands and boreal forest, which comprise this special place, you can leave your cares and worries behind you.

Whether you are exploring by land, water or ice there is something for everyone. So, why not voyage to Voyageurs National Park?

We’ve Got Another Visually Stunning Film For You To Check Out | More Than Just Parks

Voyageurs National Park | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds

7. Black Hills National Forest

Location: South Dakota

We’ll let you in on a little secret. If you really want to escape the crowds then check out some of our nation’s most magnificent forests. Compared to the national parks, they’re typically much less crowded. And we’ve got some great recommendations for you beginning with Black Hills National Forest.

Situated in western South Dakota, the Black Hills National Forest comprises 1.2 million acres of unparalleled beauty. Rising far above the surrounding prairie, the Black Hills even contains the tallest peak east of the Rocky Mountains. Boasting over 13,000 acres of wilderness, 1,300 miles of streams, 450 miles of hiking trails, and 2 national scenic byways, it’s no wonder why so many consider the Black Hills a recreation paradise.

More Than Just Parks Black Hills National Forest Film Is Another One You’ll Want To See

Whether it’s fishing, hunting, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, or just about anything else, the Black Hills offers a spectacular backdrop for your favorite outdoor activities. We encourage you to visit this beautiful landscape and experience this truly unique part of America.

Black Hills National Forest | Best National Parks (And Forests) To Escape The Crowds

8. Bridger-Teton National Forest

Location: Wyoming

Located in Western Wyoming, the Bridger-Teton offers more than 3.4 million acres of public land for your outdoor recreation enjoyment. With its pristine watersheds, abundant wildlife and immense wildlands, the Bridger-Teton National Forest comprises a large part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem – the largest intact ecosystem in the lower 48 United States.

More Than Just Parks Bridger Teton National Forest Film Is One You’ll Want To See

Offering nearly 1.2 million acres of designated Wilderness, over 3,000 miles of road and trail and thousands of miles of unspoiled rivers and streams, the Bridger-Teton offers something for everyone. We encourage you to visit this beautiful landscape and experience a unique piece of American Heritage.

Bridger-Teton National Forest | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowd

9. Dixie National Forest

Location: Utah

Nestled in the rugged southwestern corner of Utah, Dixie National Forest spans nearly two million acres of endless vistas. Join us as we take you on a visual journey through alpine lakes and aspen forests to vast red deserts and dazzling formations of sand and stone.

Located in southwestern Utah, the Dixie National Forest spans almost 2 million acres and stretches for nearly 170 miles, making it the largest national forest in the state. Winding your way through the stunning landscapes of southern Utah, the Dixie National Forest offers spectacular scenery.

The landscapes here easily rival that of its neighbors Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Capitol Reef National Parks.

More Than Just Parks Dixie National Forest Film Is Another One You’ll Want To See

CHECK OUT: 25 BUCKET-LIST FAMOUS LANDMARKS IN AMERICA (MUST-SEE)

10. Flathead National Forest

Location: Montana

Situated in the northwestern corner of Montana, the Flathead National Forest comprises 2.4 million acres of dramatic mountain beauty. In the wild heart of the Flathead lies over 1 million acres of pristine wilderness. Lynx, grizzly bears, timber wolves, and a vast and diverse array of other wildlife call the Flathead home.

Flathead National Forest | Best National Parks To Escape The Crowds

At over 1 million acres of wilderness, 2,600 miles of hiking trails, 250 species of wildlife and 22 species of fish, the Flathead National Forest truly has something for everyone. We encourage you to visit this beautiful landscape and experience this truly unique part of America.

So why not escape city or suburban life and take a trip to a magical place where nature and scenic beauty abound.

So Many Wonderful Films Including More Than Just Parks Flathead National Forest

CHECK OUT: LIST OF 128 BEST US NATIONAL MONUMENTS (RANKED )

List Of The Best National Parks (And Forests) To Escape The Crowds

Capitol Reef National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
North Cascades National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Redwood National Park
Voyageurs National Park
Black Hills National Forest
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Dixie National Forest
Flathead National Forest
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
National Mall & Memorial Parks

About The Folks Behind More Than Just Parks

Me (Tony) in the middle with my two sons Jim (left) & Will (right)

You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. My sons have spent their entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.

As for me, I’m a retired lifelong educator and a proud dad of these two wonderful guys who are hopelessly obsessed with the national parks.

We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world. Even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.

About The Parks Brothers

We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.

Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.

We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested joining the adventure, sign up below!

The post Escape The Crowds At One of These Amazing National Parks (& Forests) appeared first on More Than Just Parks | National Parks Guides.

45 BEST National Parks Books (& Guides) 2023

Tony Pattiz — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:31:39 +0000

The Best National Parks Books | Complete Guide

Article Overview: National Parks Books

In this post we’re covering the 40+ BEST NATIONAL PARKS BOOKS. These national parks books cover a variety of categories from national park guides to national park history, photo books and much, much more.

When you walk into a bookstore or browse online, you want choices. The story of the national parks is about culture, customs, events, history, places, people, traditions and a whole lot more.

You go to the parks to do things and to learn things. Our Ultimate National Parks Book List is going to give you all of that and more. We’ve got the best list with the most interesting books for you to choose from.

We begin with our overview of the parks including things to do and places to see. Then we’ll to take a deeper dive with our national parks books list. Along the way, we plan to take you to some unexpected places and give you some great holiday book ideas.

Table of Contents: National Park Books