Which National Parks did you think were "overrated"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought Mammoth Cave was awesome but we were kind of frightened by the surrounding area.

How so? We were thinking about it for spring break. [/quote
We decided to make a weekend out of it and stayed in Cave City. We are a multiracial family and did not feel comfortable in that area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking of Denali, you can only see it from the bus ride offered by the Park Service. That's to protect the park and it's animals, but you can't see much from the road cooped up in the bus. I do think I saw a Grizzly way off in the distance, but that's about it. Also, limited number of seats per day so you need to get there early in the morning to gert a seat on the bus.

I totally disagree. I think Denali is amazing. We were just there this past summer and it was unforgettable. Yes, the bus ride is kind of cooped up feeling, but you can get on and off whenever you want and go hiking anywhere in the park. The feeling of expansion and freedom there is just incredible. Well worth the cost of the annual NP pass we bought when we were there.

o.k., I don't remember the bus driver telling us we could get off anywhere and hike anywhere in the park. Maybe this is new; in fact, that would have been impossible since there were only a couple of bus rides available during the day. I do agree it's an amazing plce.

It's not new; I worked in Denali for a summer during college in 2008. The bus drivers usually tell people at the beginning of the trip that they can request to be let off at any point, but most people don't take advantage of it. The experience is far different if you get off of the bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking of Denali, you can only see it from the bus ride offered by the Park Service. That's to protect the park and it's animals, but you can't see much from the road cooped up in the bus. I do think I saw a Grizzly way off in the distance, but that's about it. Also, limited number of seats per day so you need to get there early in the morning to gert a seat on the bus.

I totally disagree. I think Denali is amazing. We were just there this past summer and it was unforgettable. Yes, the bus ride is kind of cooped up feeling, but you can get on and off whenever you want and go hiking anywhere in the park. The feeling of expansion and freedom there is just incredible. Well worth the cost of the annual NP pass we bought when we were there.

yeah if you want to get eaten by grizzly bears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Canyon. So much driving, so crowded, and it’s the same view basically everywhere. Shenandoah is also a ton of driving but on slow narrow roads and truly underwhelming outside of fall

My favorites are Joshua tree, capitol reef, glacier and Yellowstone

For Grand Canyon, hike to the bottom and camp/lodge then hike back up is the only way to do it.

I think that isn’t feasable for many people. I can understand why those just viewing from the top and battling crowds to get there might be a bit underwhelmed.

First, how can anyone be "underwhelmed" by the view of the grand canyon??????? That is an oxymoron!

SEcondly, should have gone to the north rim if you didn't want to be near that much of a crowd. But, even when there are crowds, doesn't that tell you that it is something really cool that so many people want to see? I can understand not likely crowded places, but that doesn't reflect on the impressiveness of the site.

I have to wonder about the judgment of anyone who would say Grand Canyon is "overrated."

[Anonymous]

None. I have loved all I've been to, from Shenandoah to Yosemite to Denali.

I'm even willing to pay $70 if I'm going on a vacation to one, but hate that the fee hike is being imposed to balance out corporate tax cuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Canyon. So much driving, so crowded, and it’s the same view basically everywhere. Shenandoah is also a ton of driving but on slow narrow roads and truly underwhelming outside of fall

My favorites are Joshua tree, capitol reef, glacier and Yellowstone

For Grand Canyon, hike to the bottom and camp/lodge then hike back up is the only way to do it.

I think that isn’t feasable for many people. I can understand why those just viewing from the top and battling crowds to get there might be a bit underwhelmed.

First, how can anyone be "underwhelmed" by the view of the grand canyon??????? That is an oxymoron!

SEcondly, should have gone to the north rim if you didn't want to be near that much of a crowd. But, even when there are crowds, doesn't that tell you that it is something really cool that so many people want to see? I can understand not likely crowded places, but that doesn't reflect on the impressiveness of the site.

I have to wonder about the judgment of anyone who would say Grand Canyon is "overrated."

After Hoover dam,Grand Canyon was very underwhelming. It's not serene either unlike Sedona views. It is a personal preference. Crowds take away from any experience as they create stress, I don't understand how people can go in season to any of those crowded places.

[Anonymous]

Everglades is overrated.

[Anonymous]

Cuyahoga Valley wasn't anything impressive, just some crowded bike trails and farmers markets in suburban Ohio. But it was free.

The new prices seem like Busch Gardens, where if you go more than once, you might as well get the annual pass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Canyon. So much driving, so crowded, and it’s the same view basically everywhere. Shenandoah is also a ton of driving but on slow narrow roads and truly underwhelming outside of fall

My favorites are Joshua tree, capitol reef, glacier and Yellowstone

For Grand Canyon, hike to the bottom and camp/lodge then hike back up is the only way to do it.

I think that isn’t feasable for many people. I can understand why those just viewing from the top and battling crowds to get there might be a bit underwhelmed.

First, how can anyone be "underwhelmed" by the view of the grand canyon??????? That is an oxymoron!

SEcondly, should have gone to the north rim if you didn't want to be near that much of a crowd. But, even when there are crowds, doesn't that tell you that it is something really cool that so many people want to see? I can understand not likely crowded places, but that doesn't reflect on the impressiveness of the site.

I have to wonder about the judgment of anyone who would say Grand Canyon is "overrated."

After Hoover dam,Grand Canyon was very underwhelming. It's not serene either unlike Sedona views. It is a personal preference. Crowds take away from any experience as they create stress, I don't understand how people can go in season to any of those crowded places.

Oh I don't know. Maybe because it is probably the most spectacular vista in the natural world?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Canyon. So much driving, so crowded, and it’s the same view basically everywhere. Shenandoah is also a ton of driving but on slow narrow roads and truly underwhelming outside of fall

My favorites are Joshua tree, capitol reef, glacier and Yellowstone

For Grand Canyon, hike to the bottom and camp/lodge then hike back up is the only way to do it.

I think that isn’t feasable for many people. I can understand why those just viewing from the top and battling crowds to get there might be a bit underwhelmed.

First, how can anyone be "underwhelmed" by the view of the grand canyon??????? That is an oxymoron!

SEcondly, should have gone to the north rim if you didn't want to be near that much of a crowd. But, even when there are crowds, doesn't that tell you that it is something really cool that so many people want to see? I can understand not likely crowded places, but that doesn't reflect on the impressiveness of the site.

I have to wonder about the judgment of anyone who would say Grand Canyon is "overrated."

After Hoover dam,Grand Canyon was very underwhelming. It's not serene either unlike Sedona views. It is a personal preference. Crowds take away from any experience as they create stress, I don't understand how people can go in season to any of those crowded places.

Oh I don't know. Maybe because it is probably the most spectacular vista in the natural world?

Even if one thinks that, why not go off season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everglades is overrated.

Oh wow. I love the Everglades. Did you take an airboat tour? I really love the nature of the Everglades, much more than I like mountains and trees like the other national parks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Canyon. So much driving, so crowded, and it’s the same view basically everywhere. Shenandoah is also a ton of driving but on slow narrow roads and truly underwhelming outside of fall

My favorites are Joshua tree, capitol reef, glacier and Yellowstone

For Grand Canyon, hike to the bottom and camp/lodge then hike back up is the only way to do it.

I think that isn’t feasable for many people. I can understand why those just viewing from the top and battling crowds to get there might be a bit underwhelmed.

First, how can anyone be "underwhelmed" by the view of the grand canyon??????? That is an oxymoron!

SEcondly, should have gone to the north rim if you didn't want to be near that much of a crowd. But, even when there are crowds, doesn't that tell you that it is something really cool that so many people want to see? I can understand not likely crowded places, but that doesn't reflect on the impressiveness of the site.

I have to wonder about the judgment of anyone who would say Grand Canyon is "overrated."

After Hoover dam,Grand Canyon was very underwhelming. It's not serene either unlike Sedona views. It is a personal preference. Crowds take away from any experience as they create stress, I don't understand how people can go in season to any of those crowded places.

Oh I don't know. Maybe because it is probably the most spectacular vista in the natural world?

Even if one thinks that, why not go off season.

Most people have kids in school and can't go places off season.

[Anonymous]

The only National Park I've ever been to that was kind of "meh" was Congaree in SC.

Nice for a day hike, but certainly not something I'd go out of my way to see (though I doubt many people do.) I wouldn't say it's "overrated" because I don't think it's well known, but it didn't give me that "wow" feeling that other NPs do.

Cogaree is great if you paddle it. I went on an over night canoe/kayak trip there and it was very cool. I can see how hikers my might be a let done though - there’s only so far you can hike in a swamp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Canyon. So much driving, so crowded, and it’s the same view basically everywhere. Shenandoah is also a ton of driving but on slow narrow roads and truly underwhelming outside of fall

My favorites are Joshua tree, capitol reef, glacier and Yellowstone

For Grand Canyon, hike to the bottom and camp/lodge then hike back up is the only way to do it.

I think that isn’t feasable for many people. I can understand why those just viewing from the top and battling crowds to get there might be a bit underwhelmed.

First, how can anyone be "underwhelmed" by the view of the grand canyon??????? That is an oxymoron!

SEcondly, should have gone to the north rim if you didn't want to be near that much of a crowd. But, even when there are crowds, doesn't that tell you that it is something really cool that so many people want to see? I can understand not likely crowded places, but that doesn't reflect on the impressiveness of the site.

I have to wonder about the judgment of anyone who would say Grand Canyon is "overrated."

After Hoover dam,Grand Canyon was very underwhelming. It's not serene either unlike Sedona views. It is a personal preference. Crowds take away from any experience as they create stress, I don't understand how people can go in season to any of those crowded places.

Oh I don't know. Maybe because it is probably the most spectacular vista in the natural world?

Even if one thinks that, why not go off season.

Most people have kids in school and can't go places off season.

This. I'd love to go to Zion in the Fall, but not in the Summer. It will probably have to wait until our kid is in college. Spring Break only other option, but good chance of Narrows hike being flooded.

[Anonymous]

The Grand Tetons. We loved Yellowstone and we're lucky enough to be able to camp on the Western side and then stay 3 nights at Roosevelt where we saw bears, wolves, bison. It was pristine and not commercialized. Then we went to the Grand Tetons and the first day we passed by a river that was dammed then went to a lake that smelled like gasoline from the loud motorboats with water skiers. It was a totally commercialed place.