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To me, Yellowstone is overrated. It's nice but not deserving of its reputation. I find even the Adirondacks to me prettier and more interesting, and they're not even a National Park (though probably should be; were established as State Park before there were National Parks)
Yosemite is the other endlessly hyped national park, but I feel Yosemite actually stands up to reputation. The only problem with Yosemite is too many people during high season.
I also feel Grand Canyon meets its lofty expectations. It's a must-see.
I'm not sure any of the parks are overrated, but crowding can definitely diminish the experience. I always advocate visiting parks in the off-season and Yellowstone in September is well worth the trip.
Grand Sand Dunes in Colorado is really underrated. Sure it's mostly sand, but it's really so cool how these mountains of sand are just in the middle of a barren valley right up against even larger mountains. So beautiful
Acadia stands up - but it's awash in congestion due to the location. I can think of a dozen smaller preserves, state parks, hiking areas in Maine that can compete.
Yeah, Acadia is nice but too crowded in the prime season. And winters in Maine are so long there isn't much of a window to visit Acadia with both good weather and sparse crowds.
When I lived halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier and people would come out to visit they'd ask me which park I'd recommend they visit. I always told them that I preferred Glacier to Yellowstone but if they'd include Grand Teton that may tip the scales.
Yellowstone is certainly unique but It didn't wow me the way I expected it to. Glacier and Teton can do it every time no matter how many times I go.
There are some parks that should have probably stayed as National Monuments (or some other status), rather than be upgraded to National Park. Some examples:
1. Hot Springs - probably should be National Historical Park
2. Colorado Sand Dunes - should have been kept as national monument. There are other sand dunes in the US (Bruneau Sand Dunes come to mind, for one) so this is not really unique enough IMO to rate National Park.
3. Guadalupe Mountains - Might be better to combine with nearby Carlsbad for a Greater Chihuahua Desert NP
I would say that Congaree National Park is overrated, but almost no one seems to have heard of it. I have been a couple times and I must say that I find very little to enjoy there. I guess you have to be a swamp and bug kinda person to appreciate it.
There are some parks that should have probably stayed as National Monuments (or some other status), rather than be upgraded to National Park. Some examples:
1. Hot Springs - probably should be National Historical Park
2. Colorado Sand Dunes - should have been kept as national monument. There are other sand dunes in the US (Bruneau Sand Dunes come to mind, for one) so this is not really unique enough IMO to rate National Park.
3. Guadalupe Mountains - Might be better to combine with nearby Carlsbad for a Greater Chihuahua Desert NP
Yes, some parks can be one dimensional- or slightly underwhelming. And I agree that some National Monuments should be parks (Dinosaur NM!) while other parks should be monuments. But I don't think Great Sand Dunes is one of them, especially since the park includes rare high elevation desert wetlands/grasslands west of the dunes, and, more dramatically, many of the Sangre de Cristo high peaks and passes that make up the backdrop. Next time you go (have you been?), take a 4wd up to Medano pass or hike up the mountains for a unique perspective.
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