# Your favorite national/state park or other natural area? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 6, 2020, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036 "2020-01-06T18:47:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/21 "2020-01-07T04:33:44Z")
Several years ago, I spent 6 weeks hiking through some of the parks of the southwest U.S. My three favorites were Bryce, Arches and Grand Canyon. Rafting down the Colorado toward the Grand Canyon was awesome, as was the mule ride down to the bottom. But my favorite was Bryce, especially getting lost among the “hoodoos.” It was like being on another planet. On a totally different note, there’s Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, especially hiking over the precarious broken lava to the spot where the molten lava crashed into the ocean. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/22 "2020-01-07T04:54:25Z")
Southern Utah for sure. Zion is at the top of my list. Angels Landing trail. A close second is Rocky Mountain NP. Stunning. But I’ve also spent some great backpacking time in Big Bend NP and Arches. I found some untouched Anasazi ruins in Canyonlands NP. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/23 "2020-01-07T05:26:18Z")
Croajingalong NP in Vic, Australia. Alas, much of it has burnt in the current bushfires, but it’s an amazing part of the world, regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/24 "2020-01-07T06:17:43Z")
There are so many places, and so little time. I just love **Monument Valley**. I’ve been through it 3-4x but want to go back and spend a couple of days. Talking with a friend about it, he recommended a place with great views of it, approach it from higher up and from the north along the Moki Dugway and drop down into the valley. I’ve loved it since watching _The Eiger Sanction_ (1975) with Clint Eastwood, especially that training scene on The Totem Pole ([Totem Pole (Monument Valley) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totem_Pole_(Monument_Valley)); gMap [Google Maps](https://goo.gl/maps/4FiP71xEYkZpXh1a8)). And in the USA unless otherwise specified… Niagara Falls The Florida Keys Plitvice Lakes, Croatia The fjords of northern Norway Assisi, Italy San Marino Bavaria The Croatian coastline along the eastern Adriatic The Inside Passage of the Alaska Panhandle The Columbia River Gorge The Channeled Scablands The Baja, Mexico peninsula, 1,000 miles long from Cabo to San Ysidro. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/25 "2020-01-07T08:47:27Z")
Many of my favorites have been mentioned already, but the Kalalau trail along the [Nā Pali coast](https://photos.app.goo.gl/8Yh1WgPGuUrU2K5z6) in Kauai definitely ranks with the best of them. In fact just about everything in Kauai does. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/26 "2020-01-07T12:44:34Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > As I mentioned you can list any natural area, not just parks. In the US some national forests are great to visit such as Nantahala and Pisgah forests here in NC. I will add [Pic Paradis](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pic_Paradis), the highest point on St Martin. It’s a strenuous hike (for me, anyway) going from sea-level to 1,391 feet above sea-level in a steep climb through a rain forest ecosystem. We discuss doing the hike every year, but end up doing it every other year. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/27 "2020-01-07T12:51:36Z")
Yosemite for spectacular, [Muir Woods](https://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm) for contemplative. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/28 "2020-01-07T13:41:50Z")
Hidden Lake, Glacier National Park. Got engaged here. Was vacationing in the park for a week with my then-girlfriend and her parents. It was our last full day and I had been walking around all week with this ring in my pocket, waiting for the right moment. We hiked the mile or so up to the Hidden Lake lookout point and I figured it wasn’t going to get any better than that. [Not the picture I took, but this was definitely the view we had](https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTY1WDg1MA==/z/fEIAAOSw7aBVGrUr/%24_32.JPG?set_id=880000500F). ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/29 "2020-01-07T14:02:48Z")
I’ve hiked and camped in Bryce Canyon Park, but my favorite Utah National Park is probably Arches, if only for Delicate Arch ( [Delicate Arch - Arches National Park (U.S. National Park Service)](https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/delicate-arch.htm) ). They also filmed the opening scenes for _Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade_ here, and parts of _Thelma and Louise_ and other movies. Gorgeous sights. There are supposed to be upwards of 300 arches in the park (although many are only “technically” arches). It’s amazing to me that sandstone formations could assume so many different forms around Utah – the arches of Arches, the “hoodoos” of Bryce, the monumental forms of Zion. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/30 "2020-01-07T14:09:19Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Southern Utah for sure. > Zion is at the top of my list. Angels Landing trail. Another Zion mention from me; I also found southern Utah to be a magical place. After time there, the Grand Canyon was -to me- a bit of a letdown. Locally, it’s Linville Gorge, NC. The area is beautiful, yet very wild and rugged. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/31 "2020-01-07T14:32:59Z")
Forgot to mention my backyard, the White Mountain National Forest in NH. Not as grand as the places out west, but they’re my mountain home. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/32 "2020-01-07T15:18:10Z")
I agree that the Southwest US is an amazing geologic wonder of a place. I’ve been to most of the parks in that area. One park that hasn’t been mentioned is [Mesa Verde](https://www.google.com/search?q=mesa+verde&sxsrf=ACYBGNQqF2M1Trhh16VC9lNE4E58MB4tog:1578410235116&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjAxv6q5PHmAhUXt54KHYpdAnYQ_AUoAXoECA8QAw&biw=1762&bih=884), CO; and if you ever get the opportunity, take the tour through [Antelope Canyon](https://www.google.com/search?q=antelope+canyon&sxsrf=ACYBGNQtxYcO29AtM4edB87ys1MYm9MJAg:1578409995680&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjRuOi44_HmAhUIip4KHa0BCdsQ_AUoAXoECBIQAw&biw=1762&bih=884) in Arizona. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/33 "2020-01-07T15:43:54Z")
TNTC. Zion, Bryce, GC south and north (north’s better), Yosemite, Shenandoah, Pictured Rock, Apostle Islands, Indiana Dunes, Everglades, Acadia, Outer Banks, Smokies, Saguaro, Crater Lake, Olympia, Mojave, Joshua Tree, Sleeping Bear, Point Reyes, and that’s just off the top of my head. So many spectacular sites. But I had the most ‘blown away’ moments in Death Valley. From Dante’s View to Badwater to Darwin Falls to Ubehebe Crater to Zabriskie Point . . . ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/34 "2020-01-07T15:53:05Z")
Many of you have mentioned parks in southern Utah. I agree, it is a spectacular area. But no one has put in a plug for one of Utah’s _state_ parks - [Dead Horse State Park](https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/). It’s small, but has the absolute best vantage of (and ‘closeness’ to) the Grand Canyon. Some of the most [exquisite](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Dead-Horse-Point-Panorama.JPG/1600px-Dead-Horse-Point-Panorama.JPG) [views](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Dead_Horse_Point2.jpg/568px-Dead_Horse_Point2.jpg) I’ve ever had. ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/35 "2020-01-07T16:06:37Z")
Joshua Tree National Forest. There are lots of pretty national parks but this one looks otherworldly. I really loved it. Some of my other favorites, already mentioned,m include Muir Woods and Acadia National Park. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/36 "2020-01-07T16:50:06Z")
> [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#): > > Joshua Tree National Forest. There are lots of pretty national parks but this one looks otherworldly. I really loved it. I assume the “Forest” was a typo, correct? Joshua Tree is a NP. Since people are making fairly long lists I’ll add: [ul] [li]the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota[/li][li]Olympics National Park in Washington[/li][li]Landmannalaugar in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve, Iceland[/li][li]the John Muir trail in California[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/37 "2020-01-07T16:53:33Z")
Lake Tahoe ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/38 "2020-01-07T17:09:30Z")
Like everyone else, I have many parks and other places that I love. But if I had to limit myself to just one for the rest of my life, I would choose [Grand Teton National Park](https://www.google.com/search?q=Grand+Teton+National+Park&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiM5vOj_fHmAhVVJ80KHYAtB54Q_AUoAXoECAwQAw&biw=1366&bih=625) in Wyoming. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/39 "2020-01-07T17:36:20Z")
> [@Rough\_Draft](#): > > I would hate to do anything to increase visitation to my favorite wild place. Along these lines, Yosemite is beautiful, but it’s so crowded with tourists much of the year that I can’t really say it’s my favorite. I think I’m going to go with Redwoods National park and the three state parks that border it. It seems to be one of the more underappreciated national parks. It of course contains redwoods, which words can’t really do justice to, but also some spectacular coastal scenery. And it’s not nearly as crowded as the more visited parks like Yosemite, and the Muir Woods, possibly because it’s a fairly long drive from any major city. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036/40 "2020-01-07T17:45:39Z")
> [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](#): > > Joshua Tree National Forest. There are lots of pretty national parks but this one looks otherworldly. I really loved it. This reminds me, I have to plant my Joshua tree. My daughter and her fiance were there last year. She got her engagement ring there, and all I got were some seeds.😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-national-state-park-or-other-natural-area/846036.md?page=3)