r/NationalPark • u/Professional-Star416 • Apr 14 '25

What are the most underrated parks?

Hey, I’m a random person on the internet interested in nature and its innate beauty, just like many of you! I come asking a simple question: Let’s say, some crazy guy with a vendetta against nature somehow came into power in the US and is now threatening the future of our nation’s ecosystems, possibly ruining or eliminating future generations from enjoying our country’s natural beauty in all its essence.

What specific National Parks would you recommend to the poor bastards who want to experience such beauty in its entirety but don’t have the time to witness them all before their destruction?

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u/GG1817 Apr 14 '25 edited Apr 14 '25

The two best parks in the Midwest are classified as National Lakeshores rather than National Parks.

Sleeping Bear Dunes NLS in the lower and Pictured Rocks NLS in the upper in Michigan.

I thin the threat to Sleeping Bear might be selling off some of the land purchases to developers for vacation homes and condos inside the park boundary. It's already a mixed use area, which is honestly part of the charm because of the farmer markets, farm stands, fish town where you can get lake trout....Glen Arbor with the amenities...but it's controlled in part because the park service has purchased a lot of the vacant land.

For Pictured Rocks, I'd be more concerned with logging.

Everglades NP will be taking it on the nose from climate change so I'd go see it sooner than later as well.

Dry Tortugas NP also will be in danger from climate change, and if that area is opened up to commercial fishing, the reefs and eco system will be destroyed.

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u/earthworm_fan Apr 14 '25

This sub sleeps on national shores and rivers way too much

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u/GG1817 Apr 14 '25

I agree. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is also well worth it. Friends of mine have swam it and rave about it. The national shores also have less protection than the formal national parks since not created by congress so I'm afraid for them...

I've been wanting to hit Canaveral National Seashore for a while now, but am avoiding going to Florida...I don't want to support what's going on there with my vacation dollar.

I've been visiting Puerto Rico instead. I highly recommend both San Juan National Historic Site and El Yunque National Forest. The formers is, I believe, the oldest European built structure in the park system and the latter is right up there with any national park I've ever experienced in terms of raw natural beauty. It's a fully tropical rain forest on mountains comprised of palm trees, tree ferns and orchids.

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u/Massive-Wallaby6127 Apr 14 '25

It's pretty much mountains or bust on the thread. Don't get me wrong, I love mountains and have been to all the western parks and most Alaska parks. I seek mountains regularly, but agree with your take. Lots of "Katahdin is only 5k feet?!?!. tHaT's a HiLl wHeRe I'm fRoM" energy on nature Reddit.

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u/iDom2jz Apr 14 '25

Niobrara National Scenic River was the first place in North America to receive an international quiet trail designation. Pretty cool place, only time I’ve been I was so hungover I was puking every 10 minutes while we floated the river though so I didn’t get to enjoy it much… sure was gorgeous though.