What If EVERY US State had a National Park? - Top Contenders (2024)

[@TravelDash]

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[@masongeorge2246]

I think another great place in PA for a NP would be the Pennsylvania grand canyon and the surrounding areas

[@XiongBearTravel]

Really interesting (and weird) that Idaho is the only state west of the Rocky Mountains that doesn't have a NP. Also I agree with Bombay Hook for Delaware: Spotted tons of birds there as well as a Fox :D Once you visited more NPs, you should definitely do a video on the states with the best National parks. Keep up the great work!

[@TravelDash]

Great idea! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@ShimmyD-u7g]

For us living in Idaho we like that the Sawtooths are not a National Park. NP's are great, but just the label will attract incredible numbers. As it stands now it's nearly impossible to get simple camping reservations at Redfish lake (a lake at the foot of the Sawtooths). Last time I was there nearly all the plates were out of state. Some things need to be local and not ruined by spreading pictures on Insta.

[@mattc4266]

Amazing video bro ! I’m going to the water gap in fall . What falls were those in the pic ? Also thank you for giving NY the respect it deserves. It gets overshadowed by the city but in terms of nature its nicest in north east with NH and Maine .

[@michael7054]

Great video! Very nice choices for the states!

[@TravelDash]

Thanks Michael!

[@michael7054]

@@TravelDash You're welcome!

[@petparadise6071]

For Georgia I would choose Cloudland Canyon State Park! It is a great representation of the Cumberland/Appalachian Plateau with gorgeous sandstone & limestone cliffs and many waterfalls. Definitely one of the most beautiful places in the south

[@TravelDash]

Cloudland Canyon looks absolutely stunning, but technically you could combine that with the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to create an even more spectacular National Park

[@DwightClough]

Fascinating. Well researched. Well presented. You really got me thinking about some new places I would love to visit. Thanks! :)

[@TravelDash]

Wow, awesome to hear that! Thanks for watching.

[@barbaradarnell7376]

Oregon already has Crater Lake National Park,but the Samuel Boardman state park has some of the most stunningly beautiful coastal scenery on the North American continent.

[@morganmcmahon3021]

Being someone that’s always been fascinated by world geography and history, I feel like I constantly learn things about US geography every time I watch these videos so well done😊 As a current Marylander, I agree with your pick for Assateague Island🐴 and I used to see those horses many summers for years. One that you didn’t mention that should totally count is the Cherry Blossoms in D.C. protected by the National Park Service🌸 Though they don’t have the wildlife or hiking options, there’s a rich history there and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Hopefully will see it for the first time in a couple of weeks. おつかれ👏🏻👍🏻

[@TravelDash]

Thanks Morgan! I’ve been to DC several times, including in the spring to see the cherry blossoms. It’s absolutely wonderful, but the emphasis on history wouldn’t make for a great National Park.

[@morganmcmahon3021]

@@TravelDash Ah、わかった。Again, too many habituated species of wildlife as well i.e. pigeons, squirrels nothing too special to be considered being protected by National Park Service

[@xzqrut]

One place in Iowa you should look into is Maquoketa Caves State Park. It is a great park, draws people from around the country, and would be a small but beautiful national park!

[@Benno101able]

Another great video. I agree with your commentary on pretty much everything and in particular Delaware Gap NRA, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Cod. America has the best maintained, the most comprehensive and ever growing national parks system in the world. Well said another excellent well researched presentation. Good for you.

[@Aaron-ge1hy]

Well done! 👌🏼 Great list and very well articulated.

[@TravelDash]

Thank you!

[@MegaGo68]

Those are some great choices. Great idea for a video, too. Thank you!

[@TravelDash]

Thanks :)

[@lyra1111]

Great picks! Kind of wish you had gone with the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon instead but I’ve been to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as well and it is definitely gorgeous.

[@TravelDash]

Grand Canyon of PA is fantastic, but Delaware Water Gap easily has more recreational opportunity

[@boxsterman77]

NP should be chosen for their inherent natural beauty, significant geology, or unique flora/fauna; not because every state should have one. In some cases, the number of attractions are minimally, if solitary. These would be best handled by declaring them National Monuments, which, while they don't get the generous support of a National Park, are not at all shabby in terms of onsite guides, maintenance and other support. There are also designations like national seashore/lakeshores, forests, etc. that are sufficient in consideration of the content of the area. Having said all that, I think you did an outstanding job in reviewing the candidates with a fair appraisal of each.

[@TravelDash]

I absolutely 100% agree with this comment. Thanks for watching!

[@spinlok3943]

Could you please do a video that considers alternate national parks for states that have substandard National Parks like Missouri, Indiana, and Arkansas?

[@TravelDash]

That’d be a great video idea!

[@de-kod-edyou]

Idaho needs the recognition of at least one national park. If the Sawtooth Range became one, that would be a plus.

[@Fireball_]

Being to every state except Alaska and Hawaii I can tell you every state is beautiful

[@TravelDash]

I’ve been to nearly all of them and I couldn’t agree more!

[@boxsterman77]

I've been to them all. Although in driving westwardly in Kansas, one is initially treated to some nice, but hardly dramatic, rolling hills, the rest of the state is dreary. Most other states, even Delaware with its nice beaches, have something of beauty to behold. Some are ridiculously blessed in that regard. Fully Disclosure: While I have been THROUGH Oklahoma, I only did so driving at night, so I can't assess its visual beauty.

[@SweeneyJeffreyJ]

The Appalachian Trail runs through some of the states you listed, it’s a National Scenic Trail run by the NPS

[@TravelDash]

That’s right! I was specifically referring to National Parks in this video however.

[@Siberguy2008]

if you haven't looked at the history of Cuyahoga Valley National. Park in Ohio you might find it interesting. If it wasn't already a park it. may. not. have been 1st. pick for Ohio. It came out of the environmental awareness that occurred in the 60's and 70's. The Cuyahoga River famously. caught fire and became the PR poster for the clean water act etc. Local politicians came together and successfully pushed this through when that awareness was high. It was to been the first of several National Parks that would be nearer to where lots of people live and reclaim as well as preserve nature. CVNP is one of the most utilized parks. Nothing quite like that has not happened since to my knowledge. I think it's a good idea.

[@AriaLunaCampbell]

Illinois has really done itself a disservice with how much prarie and marshland it's destroyed. A national park that's a wide swathe of undisturbed prarie and marsh would be great, but there's just not enough left. Makes me sad as someone who grew up in Chicagoland. My home disappoints me so much sometimes.

[@TravelDash]

Definitely a bummer!

[@mailmansteve87]

I'm glad it's not a national park but I think Matthiessen/Starved Rock would be our National Park

[@boxsterman77]

There are some patches preserved.

[@jar1345]

As a Georgia the north Georgia area that all those parks are on feels way to disjointed to be a national park. There are also many small towns near many of them. I would say okefenokee swamp is probably the most “national park like”. Although cloudland canyon could make a small one

[@jacoboleary9076]

AL native here -- while I think DeSoto/Little River Canyon is beautiful, I think a more fitting National Park for the state would tie in its key role in the Civil Rights Movement, and could center on Birmingham or the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Also, lots of mountains and rocks on this list -- Georgia's could just as easily be Okefenokee

[@TravelDash]

Interesting that you say that. I think National Parks should protect predominantly naturally significant areas, but there’s no doubt that Alabama has some really fascinating history.

[@jacoboleary9076]

@@TravelDash generally agree, but Gateway Arch is a clear exception, so in the case that each state gets a Natl Park, I'd argue for making a similar exception for AL given that it doesn't have much to set it apart naturally from its neighbors.

[@TravelDash]

Fair point.

[@PRINTORO]

This country is so beautiful.

[@TravelDash]

Absolutely agree

[@archiemurphey1150]

Another potential for PA is Presque Isle State Park in Erie-a unique peninsula with diverse wildlife and plenty of things to do

[@TravelDash]

Interesting! Never heard of that one.

[@davetremaine9688]

As a Connecticution I did not see ,essentially, the city of New Haven being considered for a national park... well there are lots of animals

[@thedashcamkid6175]

My pick for each state: ❌ = shouldn’t be national park ✅ = should be national park AL: Little River Canyon❌ CT: West and East Rock + Sleeping Giant❌ DE: Bombay Hook❌ GA: Providence Canyon✅ ID: Craters of the Moon✅ Il: Starved Rock❌ IA: Driftless Area❌ KS: Monument Rocks❌ LA: Atchafalaya Basin✅ MD: Harpers Ferry Area❌ MA: Cape Cod National Seashore✅ MS: Red Bluff❌ NE: Toadstool Geologic Park❌ NH: White Mountain National Forest✅ NJ + PA: Delaware Water Gap❌ NY: Adirondack Park✅ OK: Wichita Mountains❌ RI: Block Island❌ VT: Green Mountain National Forest✅ WI: Apostle Islands✅

[@TravelDash]

Great choices, and I agree with almost all of this. I do question Providence Canyon being a National Park though. It is far too small. Thanks for the comment!

[@de-kod-edyou]

This video was a wonderful idea, and hopefully, any national park additions would support the already outstanding space that is protected. 🩵🩵