64 US national parks ranked from least favorite to the pick travelers may love most

Parks with urban settings

Hot Springs National Park sits within a town, where Bathhouse Row is the main draw. Its eight historic bathhouses were built between 1892 and 1923. Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis is another favorite place to visit, but its 630-foot arch is man-made. I ranked it lower and believe it would be better designated a National Monument.

Caves and desert landscapes

Cave-centered parks are not a personal favorite, though Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky may appeal to people drawn to underground passageways. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is in a favorite state, New Mexico, but its location makes it less appealing than other spots there.

Carlsbad’s nightly bat flight, when thousands of bats emerge at sunset from April through October, is a highlight. Other nearby options, including Custer State Park and Badlands National Park, seem more impressive above ground to me.

Petrified Forest National Park stands out for its striking scenery and scientific interest. A 28-mile scenic drive and short hikes make for a worthwhile visit, though I would not plan to stay more than a day.

Parks suited to short visits

Indiana Dunes National Park, about an hour’s drive from Chicago, is a convenient escape for Midwestern day-trippers. Its ranking reflects nearby views of a power plant and Chicago, which interrupt the natural landscape I prefer.

Congaree National Park, outside Columbia, South Carolina, protects one of the country’s most extensive old-growth bottomland hardwood forests. I have visited several times, but its relatively small size makes it best suited to a day trip.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio combines history, natural beauty and recreation. Those qualities make it a standout Midwest destination, even though it is not among my personal favorites.

Remote and water-based trips

Kobuk Valley National Park lies entirely above the Arctic Circle in Alaska and was the least-visited national park last year. Reaching it can be difficult and costly, but landing on the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes is a bucket-list experience.

Florida’s Biscayne National Park is about 95% water, making it well suited to boating, kayaking and snorkeling. At Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park, visitors can explore some of more than 600 dwellings, but entry is limited to ranger-guided tours. Mesa Verde tours require reservations and are offered from mid-May through late October.