It’s tough to rank the worst national parks in America. Some are very popular but still not worth visiting, and some don’t get many visitors despite being great places. Ranking them also depends on personal preference, so there’s no real way to gauge the worst park. That said, we’re going to be exploring some of the worst parks in America and some of the reasons they are not worth the trip.
What Makes A Park Bad
What makes a national park good or bad? Well, it depends on the person. Many people consider other things than the scenery when deciding how favorable they are to visit a national park. Some people don’t like how crowded it is, while others want to know what facilities the park has before they visit. Other people might not like how expensive some parks are and prefer ones that offer more affordable rates. If you consider all these factors, you’ll be able to determine if a national park is worth the visit!
Gateway Arch National Park
Gateway Arch National Park is on the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri. It’s not too far from the middle of the city, but it’s far enough to be considered on the outskirts. The park is relatively small, and it only takes about half an hour to walk around the whole thing. If you’re interested in some more scenery, there are a few trails that you can hike.
Those who like urban hikes might find this one delightful because it’s close to downtown St. Louis and has an urban theme to it. However, one thing you’ll notice about this park is how crowded it is. Many tourists visit this location because they want to get a picture of themselves at the arch or enjoy some iconic views of downtown St Louis without going into the city itself.
The lack of parking spaces combined with pre-existing traffic problems makes visiting here tricky if you don’t arrive early in the morning and aren’t willing to spend money on taxi fare to get around! Another thing about this park that people don’t like is the lack of wildlife and extensive trails. You’ll have a better time at other parks in Missouri because they offer much more for their visitors!
Although this park is not terrible, it still makes the list because it is a bit overrated and not as good as some think. There are other places within driving distance from St Louis that you might enjoy more than Gateway Arch National Park!
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico. This park lacks a lot of scenic views that many people expect from national parks. You will get an expansive view of the Chihuahuan Desert, but it isn’t particularly beautiful and is quite similar to how it looks in other locations around New Mexico.Â
This isn’t a national park you would want to visit if you’re interested in camping, hiking, or getting up close with wildlife either. Your best chance at seeing any wildlife will be if you visit during bird migration season or look for insects near Lake Solitude.Â
This park might also be disappointing for anyone who visits because they can’t see any bats or extensive cave systems from the surface. If you’re looking for an authentic cave experience, you’ll want to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park during wintertime, when the caves are open for guided tours. However, even then, it’s recommended to book your tour far in advance!
Indiana Dunes Nation Park
Indiana Dunes National Park is located in Michigan and is the only national park dedicated to protecting a fragile ecosystem. You might think that Indiana Dunes National Park sounds like a great place, and it would be if you’re the type of person who likes seeing sand dunes. However, there isn’t anything else to do here! This park lacks trails, camping areas, and facilities for visitors. Even though there are some short trails around the area, they’ve been closed off because of erosion issues.
It’s not recommended to visit this park unless you specifically want to see sand dune formations or you want to get up close with a changing ecosystem. This park is also not great because it gets very crowded during the summertime. If you’d like to see sand dunes, you’re better off visiting another park, like Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.
