working on next years vacation, looking to start doing all the great national parks...for those who have been, which would you do?

You can only pick 1, so which was your best? and did I leave one out that beats all these?

Many thanks...

I said Yellowstone, but it's a tough choice. But Yellowstone stands out for the history, variety of scenery, wild animals, and Old Faithful.

Well, I've only been to one on your list so I chose that one - the Great Smokies; However I would love to see either the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone (stay away from the bison) or the Redwoods. Good choices, Happy.

take a Mazda to the Redwoods and hit some trees

Same here Skittles; I agree with you completely. It's not actually a park, but I'd love to see Niagra Falls.

Denali was fantastic. I enjoyed the Grand Canyon- rafted in and hiked out from Phantom Ranch, but Denali was even better.

Niagra Falls are amazing!

Only been to the smokies on this list, but like others, would go for Yellow Stone Next.

Been to 4 on the list. Yellowstone is my favorite. The geysers and mud pits are so interesting to watch and learn about. The animals are really just the icing on the cake. I'm not a fan of the Grand Canyon but I don't particularly care for arid climates.

Not quite as spectacular as the "first tier" parks on the poll but I've been to Joshua Tree several times over the past few years. Our youngest son was stationed at Twentynine Palms for his 5 year enlistment in the Marines.

It's a hoot! A drive through gives one the impression of a combination of a surrealistic Martian landscape and a Dr. Seuss book.

Look up Big Bend National Park in Southern Texas. It was the best vacation we ever took. Make sure to get a cabin (there are only 5) if someone plans on going. Cabins are built into the sides of the mountain. I was worried about the heat in August but with the altitude it was comfortable during the day and we needed blankets at night.

Pretty much the main reason I chose Yellowstone. I went as a kid and it stands out vividly in my memory many years later.

Yellowstone and Yosemite are 2 I really want to see...I've actually talked about doing a San Francisco, Hearst Castle, Redwoods, Tahoe, Yosemite trip over a period of 2 weeks...

Thank God New York City is not listed!

I have been to 7 of those listed and although I truly enjoyed all of them, Yosemite wins it....hands down!

Gateway National Recreation Area

I have only been to about half the ones on your poll (haven't been to Yellowstone, Badlands, Denali, Arches, and Zion), but of the ones I have been to, hands down Yosemite was my favorite. The beauty there just absolutely blows me away.

It's been over 20 years since I was at Yellowstone, but it was amazing. We stayed in Jackson Hole and drove to the park each day which is an hour drive and takes you through Grand Teton National park (also very beautiful). I really want to take the kids there in a few years (before the youngest two graduate) and have been looking at vacation packages. They include in park transportation, guided tours, in park lodging and some meals. This is probably the route I would take this time.

I haven't been to any.... ::feels very untraveled and unsophisticated::

yeah, time to move on, 5 times in 7 years seems to have been enough...although MsGilmore is now telling me we need to take her sister and BIL for a 3-4 day weekend so they can enjoy it...

Fixed for accuracy

of course, I still want to do my roller coaster theme park trip, still haven't made it to Cedar Point yet...that's creeping to the top of my list as well

roller-coaster trips can be deadly.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euthanasia_Coaster

Of all the places I've been, I have never been to New York City. Even though it is just a 4 hour drive, I have just never gone. It is on my list, hopefully soon.

Cedar Point is a must when in Ohio...

well, when you're ready, I have a huge list of stuff for you to do, segregated by area, sights, museums, food, touristy and non-touristy...

i'd love to be just 4 hours away...