As National Park Week approaches, starting April 20, More Than Just Parks, led by the Pattiz Brothers, is excited to reveal their highly anticipated 2024 national park rankings. Since its launch in 2021, this list has become the leading global authority, influencing numerous visitor plans each year. Based on extensive user feedback collected over the past three years, the 2024 rankings have been refined significantly.

This year, the updated methodology emphasizes aspects such as scenic beauty and managing overcrowding, addressing the concerns of park visitors. In contrast, factors like accessibility and amenities are given less importance. These changes aim to better reflect current visitor preferences, ensuring the rankings remain a reliable and relevant resource for those planning to visit national parks.

Will Pattiz, co-founder, explained the importance of these changes: “After receiving an overwhelming amount of feedback since our first release, we’ve tailored our 2024 rankings to better reflect the realities of today’s national park experiences. By adjusting our criteria to more heavily weight the awe factor as well as the detrimental effects of overcrowding, we aim to provide a tool that guides visitors towards making the most informed decisions for upcoming trips.”

Jim Pattiz added, “The influence of our national park rankings has grown beyond anything we ever anticipated. With so many people all over the world relying on our expertise every day, we feel like the exhaustive approach we take in creating these rankings is really justified. As we look towards National Park Week, it’s more clear than ever that our work offers more than just guidance; it’s about connecting families with their ideal adventures and ensuring the sustainability of our park system for generations to come.”

The top three national parks for 2024 are Olympic National Park, maintaining its number one ranking from the previous year, Mount Rainier National Park, celebrated for its easily accessible and breathtaking mountain vistas, and Grand Teton National Park, beloved for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. On the flip side, Gateway Arch is rated as the least favored national park in America, with critics arguing that it does not meet the criteria for designation as a national park. Public feedback on these rankings is encouraged.

Here are the top and bottom 5 national parks:

Top 5 National Parks:

1. Olympic National Park – 44.5/50 (Washington)
2. Mount Rainier National Park – 44.5/50 (Washington)
3. Grand Teton National Park – 44/50 (Wyoming)
4. Death Valley National Park – 43.5/50 (California)
5. Glacier National Park – 42/50 (Montana)

Bottom 5 National Parks:

1. Gateway Arch National Park – 15.5/50 (Missouri)
2. Indiana Dunes National Park – 25/50 (Indiana)
3. Hot Springs National Park – 29/50 (Arkansas)
4. Carlsbad Caverns National Park – 29.5/50 (New Mexico)
5. Dry Tortugas National Park – 29.5/50 (Florida)

The Scoring System:

• Accessibility (8 pts): Considers ease of access to and within the park, including transportation options, proximity to major airports, lodging, and ADA accessibility.
• Recreation (10 pts): Evaluates recreational opportunities such as hiking trails, biking routes, boating access, and climbing.
• Crowds (10 pts): Measures the level of crowding based on visitation, traffic, limited campsite availability, and long lines.
• Amenities (8 pts): Assesses developed amenities like visitor centers, campgrounds, bathrooms, lodges, and dining.
• Scenery (14 pts): Subjectively rates the scenic beauty of the park, considering it a crucial factor for most visitors.

The 2024 rankings not only highlight the best aspects of America’s national parks but also demonstrate More Than Just Parks’ dedication to responsibly sharing information about these natural wonders. The rankings are intended to guide, inspire, and educate the public, ensuring that these remarkable places are valued and preserved through informed and respectful visits.

The post National Park Week: More Than Just Parks Highly Anticipated 2024 Rankings Set a New Level of Excellence first appeared on MICE Travel Advisor.