SUMMARY FOR USA:
• Total Parks: 63
• Parks Listed Below: Acadia, American Samoa, Arches, Badlands, Big Bend, Biscayne, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Carlsbad Caverns, Channel Islands, Congaree, Crater Lake, Cuyahoga Valley, Death Valley, Denali, Dry Tortugas, Everglades, Gates of the Arctic, Gateway Arch, Glacier, Glacier Bay, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Great Basin, Great Sand Dunes, Great Smoky Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains, Haleakala, Hawaii Volcanoes, Hot Springs, Indiana Dunes, Isle Royale, Joshua Tree, Katmai, Kenai Fjords, Kings Canyon, Kobuk Valley, Lake Clark, Lassen Volcanic, Mammoth Cave, Mesa Verde, Mount Rainier, New River Gorge, North Cascades, Olympic, Petrified Forest, Pinnacles, Redwoods, Rocky Mountain, Saguaro, Sequoia, Shenandoah, Theodore Roosevelt, Virgin Islands, Voyageurs, White Sands, Wind Cave, Wrangell-St. Elias, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion
• Average Country Rating: 62/100
PARK NAME: Acadia
Country: USA
Park ID: 1
AVERAGE RATING: 60/100
Review Volume: Low number of reviews
DESCRIPTION:
Acadia National Park encompasses the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline. The park consists of a rugged landscape on Mount Desert Island and other smaller islands off the coast of Maine. It features granite cliffs, rocky beaches, woodlands, and glacier-carved mountains including Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the eastern seaboard.
DESCRIPTION:
The National Park of American Samoa is spread across three islands in the South Pacific. It protects unique tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and Samoan culture. The park is home to unique flying foxes, tropical birds, and pristine coral reef ecosystems.
DESCRIPTION:
Arches National Park contains over 2,000 natural stone arches, the highest density of natural arches in the world. The park features soaring pinnacles, massive fins, and giant balanced rocks. Its red rock landscape showcases the power of natural erosion in creating stunning geological features.
DESCRIPTION:
Badlands National Park features dramatically eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires blended with the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. The park contains one of the world's richest fossil beds from the Oligocene epoch. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here.
DESCRIPTION:
Big Bend National Park is named for the vast curve of the Rio Grande along the Texas-Mexico border. The park encompasses mountainous desert terrain, numerous species of birds and wildlife, and archaeological sites. It features the entire Chisos Mountain range and a large swath of the Chihuahuan Desert.
DESCRIPTION:
Biscayne National Park protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and coral reefs. The park preserves Biscayne Bay and its offshore barrier reefs. It is home to extensive mangrove forests along the shoreline and abundant marine life including manatees, sea turtles, and over 500 species of fish.
DESCRIPTION:
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison features some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. The canyon's name comes from the fact that parts of the gorge only receive 33 minutes of sunlight a day. The Gunnison River drops an average of 34 feet per mile through the entire canyon, making it one of the fastest falling rivers in North America.
DESCRIPTION:
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its unique geology, consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The park's high elevations include numerous scenic viewpoints from which visitors can see the colorful limestone formations called hoodoos.
DESCRIPTION:
Canyonlands National Park preserves a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas, and buttes by the Colorado River and its tributaries. The park is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. Each offers different opportunities for sightseeing and adventure.
DESCRIPTION:
Capitol Reef National Park features the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in Earth's crust known as a monocline. The park is filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline extending almost 100 miles. The area was once home to Native American cultures and early Mormon pioneers.
DESCRIPTION:
Carlsbad Caverns features over 119 limestone caves formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone. The largest chamber, called the Big Room, is the largest natural limestone chamber in North America. The park is also home to a large colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats that emerge in dramatic fashion at dusk during summer months.
DESCRIPTION:
The Channel Islands consist of five islands off the southern California coast, featuring unique wildlife and plant species found nowhere else on Earth. The islands offer opportunities for hiking, camping, snorkeling, and whale watching. The marine environment around the islands is protected and hosts diverse sea life including seals, sea lions, and various whale species.
DESCRIPTION:
Congaree protects the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. The park features some of the tallest trees in eastern North America and an extraordinary diversity of plant and animal life. The floodplain forest includes one of the highest canopies in the world and some of the tallest deciduous trees in eastern North America.
DESCRIPTION:
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, formed in the caldera of Mount Mazama after its collapse following a massive volcanic eruption. The lake is known for its pure blue water, surrounded by cliffs almost 2,000 feet high. The park offers hiking trails, boat tours, and scenic drives with spectacular viewpoints.
DESCRIPTION:
Cuyahoga Valley preserves rural landscapes along the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron. The park features waterfalls, forests, hiking trails, and the historic Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail. Brandywine Falls and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad are among the park's most popular attractions.
DESCRIPTION:
Death Valley is the largest national park in the contiguous United States and the lowest point in North America. The park is known for its extreme temperatures, diverse desert landscapes, and unique geological features. Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, is the lowest point in North America.
DESCRIPTION:
Denali features North America's highest peak and encompasses six million acres of wild land. The park is home to diverse wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and caribou. The landscape ranges from low-elevation taiga forest to high-alpine tundra and snowy mountains.
DESCRIPTION:
Dry Tortugas is a cluster of seven small islands located in the Gulf of Mexico. The park is home to Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century fortress, and features pristine coral reefs and marine life. The clear, shallow waters make it an ideal location for snorkeling and diving.
DESCRIPTION:
The Everglades is a vast wetland ecosystem that covers much of southern Florida. The park protects an unparalleled landscape of sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and hardwood hammocks. It is home to endangered species such as the American crocodile, Florida panther, and manatee.
DESCRIPTION:
Gates of the Arctic is the northernmost national park in the United States and one of the most remote. The park consists entirely of wilderness area with no roads or trails. The landscape features glacier-carved valleys, rugged mountains, and vast tundra supporting caribou, grizzly bears, and wolves.
DESCRIPTION:
Gateway Arch National Park, located in St. Louis, Missouri, features the iconic 630-foot stainless steel Gateway Arch, America's tallest man-made monument. The park commemorates Thomas Jefferson's vision of westward expansion and St. Louis' role as the Gateway to the West. The grounds include the Museum of Westward Expansion and the Old Courthouse where the Dred Scott case was first heard.
DESCRIPTION:
Glacier National Park features pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, it is a hiker's paradise offering solitude and wilderness. The park is home to over 70 species of mammals including grizzly bears, mountain goats, and wolverines.
DESCRIPTION:
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a vast wilderness area featuring towering mountains, pristine fjords, and massive glaciers. The park is home to diverse wildlife including humpback whales, sea otters, and brown bears. Its dynamic glacial landscape showcases the effects of climate change and geological processes.
DESCRIPTION:
The Grand Canyon is a natural formation distinguished by layered bands of red rock, revealing millions of years of geological history. Vast in scale, the canyon averages 10 miles across and a mile deep along its 277-mile length. The park features numerous viewpoints, hiking trails, and rafting opportunities on the Colorado River.
DESCRIPTION:
Grand Teton National Park features the majestic Teton Range, pristine lakes, and extraordinary wildlife. The park is known for its stunning mountain scenery, opportunities for mountaineering, and abundant wildlife including elk, moose, and bison. The Snake River winds through the park, offering scenic float trips and fishing.
DESCRIPTION:
Great Basin National Park is home to ancient bristlecone pines, spectacular cave formations, and the only glacier in Nevada. The park features Lehman Caves, Wheeler Peak, and some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States. Its diverse ecosystems range from desert valleys to alpine peaks.
DESCRIPTION:
Great Sand Dunes National Park features North America's tallest sand dunes, rising dramatically from the floor of the San Luis Valley. The park contains diverse landscapes including grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, and alpine lakes. Visitors can experience sand sledding, hiking, and stargazing in this unique ecosystem.
DESCRIPTION:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture. It is America's most visited national park, featuring over 800 miles of hiking trails. The park preserves extensive old-growth forest and historic structures.
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef and features Texas' highest peak, Guadalupe Peak. The park offers extensive hiking and backpacking opportunities in varied terrain. It contains diverse ecosystems from desert to high-country conifer forests.
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Haleakala National Park features the dormant Haleakala Volcano and unique volcanic landscapes. The park is known for its spectacular sunrises, rare silversword plants, and native Hawaiian ecosystems. It extends from the summit of Haleakala down to the Kipahulu coast, offering diverse experiences from mountain to sea.
DESCRIPTION:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The park features dramatic volcanic landscapes, rare flora and fauna, and unique geological features. Visitors can explore lava tubes, steam vents, crater rims, and witness the power of volcanic activity that continues to shape the Hawaiian Islands.
DESCRIPTION:
Hot Springs National Park preserves and protects 47 natural thermal springs on the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain. The park is unique as it centers around Bathhouse Row, a collection of eight historic bathhouse buildings from the early 20th century. It was first protected in 1832 as a federal reserve, making it the oldest protected area in the National Park System.
DESCRIPTION:
Indiana Dunes National Park hugs 15 miles of the southern shore of Lake Michigan. The park features towering dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forests. It is home to diverse plant and animal species and offers stunning views of Chicago's skyline across the lake.
DESCRIPTION:
Isle Royale is an isolated island archipelago in Lake Superior known for its wilderness character and unique ecosystem. The park is famous for its wolf and moose populations, extensive backcountry trails, and shipwrecks. It offers unparalleled opportunities for solitude and wilderness experience.
DESCRIPTION:
Joshua Tree National Park is where two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and Colorado, come together. The park is characterized by rugged rock formations, stark desert landscapes, and its namesake Joshua trees. It is a world-famous destination for rock climbing, stargazing, and desert wildlife viewing.
DESCRIPTION:
Katmai National Park is famous for its brown bears, active volcanoes, and pristine wilderness. The park includes the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, formed by the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. It's best known for Brooks Falls, where bears gather to catch salmon.
DESCRIPTION:
Kenai Fjords National Park protects the Harding Icefield and at least 38 glaciers flowing from it. The park features stunning fjords carved by glaciers, abundant marine wildlife, and dramatic coastal scenery. It's one of the few places where visitors can witness the effects of climate change on glacial landscapes.
DESCRIPTION:
Kings Canyon National Park features some of the most stunning glacial canyons in the United States. The park is home to multiple 14,000-foot peaks, the largest remaining grove of sequoia trees in the world, and some of the deepest canyons in North America. It shares many features with its neighbor, Sequoia National Park.
DESCRIPTION:
Kobuk Valley National Park protects an arctic landscape including the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes. The park is famous for the migration route of caribou and its unusual sand dunes above the Arctic Circle. It offers visitors a unique glimpse into both the cultural history of Alaska Natives and geological phenomena.
DESCRIPTION:
Lake Clark National Park preserves the ancestral homelands of the Dena'ina people, along with salmon-bearing streams, glaciers, and volcanic features. The park contains two active volcanoes, pristine lakes, and a coastline rich with marine life. It offers outstanding opportunities for wilderness adventure and cultural learning.
DESCRIPTION:
Lassen Volcanic National Park features stunning volcanic landscapes, including the active Lassen Peak. The park contains all four types of volcanoes found in the world: shield, composite, cinder cone, and plug dome. The area is known for its bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and crystal-clear mountain lakes.
DESCRIPTION:
Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles of surveyed passageways. The limestone caverns feature unique formations, underground rivers, and diverse cave wildlife. The park also protects portions of the Green River valley and hill country of south central Kentucky.
DESCRIPTION:
Mesa Verde National Park protects some of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the United States. The park contains more than 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people. The park's largest cliff dwelling, Cliff Palace, contains 150 rooms.
DESCRIPTION:
Mount Rainier National Park is centered around Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano reaching 14,411 feet. The mountain is covered by 26 major glaciers and is surrounded by old-growth forest and subalpine meadows. The park offers extensive hiking trails, climbing routes, and opportunities to view diverse wildlife.
DESCRIPTION:
New River Gorge features one of the oldest rivers in North America cutting through deep canyons. The park is renowned for its rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and hiking opportunities. The iconic New River Gorge Bridge spans the canyon and is one of the longest steel arch bridges in the Western Hemisphere.
DESCRIPTION:
North Cascades National Park is known for its rugged mountain peaks, extensive glacier system, and diverse ecosystem. The park contains over 300 glaciers, more than any other U.S. park outside Alaska. Its remote wilderness includes pristine forests, alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife.
DESCRIPTION:
Olympic National Park encompasses three distinct ecosystems: glaciated mountains, Pacific coast, and temperate rainforest. The park protects one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest. Its diverse landscapes include rugged coastline, alpine areas, and the Hoh Rain Forest.
DESCRIPTION:
Petrified Forest National Park is known for its large deposits of petrified wood from the Late Triassic period. The park also features colorful badlands of the Painted Desert, archaeological sites, and petroglyphs. The area preserves a unique glimpse into 225 million years of history.
DESCRIPTION:
Pinnacles National Park features unique rock formations created by an ancient volcanic field. The park is known for its talus caves, rock climbing opportunities, and California Condor habitat. The landscape includes chaparral, oak woodlands, and canyon bottoms that support diverse wildlife.
DESCRIPTION:
Redwood National Park protects some of the world's tallest trees, the coast redwoods. The park also features vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild rivers, and 37 miles of pristine coastline. This diverse landscape provides critical habitat for threatened species including the northern spotted owl and Steller's sea lion.
DESCRIPTION:
Rocky Mountain National Park encompasses spectacular mountain environments in Colorado's Front Range. The park features majestic peaks, alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife including elk and bighorn sheep. Trail Ridge Road offers visitors breathtaking views across the Continental Divide, while over 300 miles of hiking trails provide access to the park's pristine wilderness.
DESCRIPTION:
Saguaro National Park protects the iconic saguaro cactus and the diverse Sonoran Desert ecosystem. The park is divided into two districts on either side of Tucson, featuring dramatic mountain ranges and lush desert valleys. The landscape supports a remarkable variety of plants and animals adapted to the extreme desert environment.
DESCRIPTION:
Sequoia National Park is home to some of the world's largest trees, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth by volume. The park features deep canyons, towering mountains, and extensive caverns. The diverse landscape ranges from deep valleys to mountain peaks, including Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States.
DESCRIPTION:
Shenandoah National Park extends along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, featuring the scenic Skyline Drive. The park is known for its waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and spectacular fall colors. Over 500 miles of trails, including part of the Appalachian Trail, wind through the park's hardwood forests and rocky peaks.
DESCRIPTION:
Theodore Roosevelt National Park showcases the rugged landscape of North Dakota's badlands. The park is divided into three units featuring colorful buttes, deep canyons, and abundant wildlife including bison, elk, and prairie dogs. The landscape inspired President Theodore Roosevelt's conservation efforts during his time ranching in the area.
DESCRIPTION:
Virgin Islands National Park covers approximately 60% of Saint John island, plus nearly all of Hassel Island. The park preserves pristine beaches, coral reefs, and tropical forests. Historic ruins of sugar plantations dot the landscape, while the surrounding waters offer excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities.
DESCRIPTION:
Voyageurs National Park is a maze of interconnected waterways, islands, and peninsulas in northern Minnesota. The park is named for the French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers to frequently travel through the area. The park is renowned for its water-based recreation, northern lights viewing, and pristine wilderness.
DESCRIPTION:
White Sands National Park protects a vast field of white gypsum sand dunes, the largest of its kind in the world. The stark white dunes create a stunning landscape against the backdrop of the Sacramento Mountains. The park features unique wildlife adapted to the harsh desert environment and opportunities for sledding on the dunes.
DESCRIPTION:
Wind Cave National Park protects one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world. The cave is known for its rare boxwork formations and unique wind patterns at its entrance. Above ground, the park preserves mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest, home to bison, elk, and prairie dogs.
DESCRIPTION:
Wrangell-St. Elias is America's largest national park, containing four major mountain ranges and numerous glaciers and volcanoes. The park includes 9 of the 16 highest peaks in the United States. This vast wilderness area features diverse ecosystems from coastal to alpine, and preserves significant cultural sites from Alaska's copper mining era.
DESCRIPTION:
Yellowstone is America's first national park and home to the world's largest collection of geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. The park hosts diverse wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Its most famous feature is Old Faithful geyser, which erupts approximately every 90 minutes.
DESCRIPTION:
Yosemite is known for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, and biological diversity. The park's iconic features include Half Dome and El Capitan, massive granite monoliths that attract rock climbers from around the world. Yosemite Valley is renowned for its stunning waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, one of North America's tallest.
DESCRIPTION:
Zion is characterized by massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. The park features unique geological features like narrow canyons, natural arches, and rock towers. The Virgin River has carved out the famous Zion Canyon, which attracts hikers and climbers to its challenging trails like Angels Landing.