A strong consideration for Illinois would be Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the God's. Excellent hiking, great geological features, and great outdoor recreation.
I always thought Starved rock was a good contender, especially considering it gets over 2 million visitors per year but I also think the best contender is shawnee
@@NationalParkWild I think that Adirondack State Park in NY should become a national park too. That would make it 3x as large as Yellowstone, and would make it one of the biggest national parks, roughly the size of Denali N.P. edit: oh wait that's already in the video lol edit 2: For oklahoma, you could also do the southwestern half of the Ozarks, or the Ouachita mountains, OR the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge.
It’s a mixed bag because they are already super popular and NP status could make them even more overrun. I’m kinda ok with it mostly being National Forest
I am in total agreement when it come to Wisconsin. The whole Apostle Islands region is incredible. You have Madeline island, the impressive falls of Amnicon and Pattison state parks just west of the area, the Brule river system, and importantly Frog Bay Tribal National Park is nearby. (would love to see a vid on tribal nat parks). I think Effigy Mounds is the logical choice for Iowa, but incorporating the whole region of the Driftless area would make the best sense. I highly recommend anyone to check out the region. The bluffs of the Mississippi and the cave systems are unique.
There are so many places in Illinois that were worthy of this video. I don't think any of them are worthy of NPS park status but IL, specifically southern IL is underrated. Giant City, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock, PereMarquette, most places in the Shawnee National Forest. Mattheisson is definitely nice too though. It would've been very interesting to get your opinion on MO and AR. I get they both have NPs but I'd love to hear what you think each of those states national parks should be instead of what they currently are.
I hope del water gap becomes a park!! I live pretty close and im actually hiking there (for the 1st time surprisingly) this weekend :) pretty sure the AT goes through it and ive always wanted to do a section in that area
The fact that crators of the moon, and at least one section of the sawtooth range (the area near redfish lake is my favourite) in idaho is astonishing.
Boston Harbor Islands is a great choice for Massachusetts! I would also argue that the Berkshires are another contender, for a more mountainous experience (a genuinely beautiful region of the state). Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard are other strong contenders in my opinion, especially the Provincetown area. MA has a lot of underrated gems that could definitely hit national park status in my opinion, but your choice was excellent!
Should have gone with the Pine Barrens for NJ. It has unique animals, plants, and bio diversity that isn't seen anywhere else in the US. The rivers that flow through it are beautiful and the color of the water looks like root beer.
Cool video and concept, I agree with a lot of your picks! For Illinois, I would lump together Starved Rock and Matthiessen, as they are basically right next to each other. Don't know if you've been there, but Starved Rock is both very historic and geologically interesting, very similar to Matthiessen with waterfalls. It's a very cool place! I also agree with others in the comments that Shawnee National Forest would be good too, haven't been there but I hear it is pretty great.
Great video idea and great video production! Personally, though, as a Georgian, I have traveled all around the state as well as the country. My vote for Georgia would not be Providence Canyon because its history goes against national park ideals. It was created by man made erosion through over development of peanut farms, though it is beautiful. I would choose Cloudland Canyon SP in northwest Georgia because it is a large canyon with waterfalls and rock formations!
I am shocked that you didn’t say the Sawtooth Mountain range for Idaho. Lived there for 4 years and honestly Craters of the Moon doesn’t deliver much in my opinion.
Sawtooth is admittedly a great pick and probably more impressive for nature, but I personally would love to see Craters of the Moon as a national park.
Also will NEVER be a National park and we like it that way. Protected by our states constitution, which I trust much more than the federal gov. We live in the park and love living in it. National Park status will just never work. I agree with you though, Adirondacks are underrated.
Thanks for this exploration. I'd choose The NJ Pinelands over the Palisades. Yeah, it lacks a diverse elevation, but it's larger in area, with more undeveloped protected areas and the unique biological diversity and some history that the Palisades lacks. It already has hiking trails, camp grounds and some rivers for canoeing or kayaking. Also half of the Delaware Water Gap is in New Jersey, thank you. Let's not give all the glory to Pennsylvania!
@@NationalParkWild Yeah I would definitely say valley of fire over lake mead. In my opinion. Lake mead is nice and all but I think Nevada is more known for Valley of fire being the best state park in Nevada
Comment #4 (If you can’t tell I’m obsessed with national and state parks): I know that South Dakota has parks all over its western side but, am I right, that Custer deserves national park status?
For Alabama, I'd probably collect all the parks and undeveloped land area in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and call it a park, probably from Meaher to Fort Mims (basically the land border between Mobile and Baldwin counties). That way you can grab Blakeley, the Bottle Creek Mounds and the Clotilda shipwreck in one big park, too. It'd be a bit more work than just changing one protected area to another, but I think it'd be worth it for this case.
Georgia has some very interesting areas and Providence Canyon, a man made erosion event would not be my pick for a geological pick. A couple North Georgia areas to consider would be Amicalola Falls, Cloudland Canyon, and Stone Mountain.
I said the same thing in a comment 😂 and you read my mind with those other two. Stone Mountain, I would say is a little too developed for a national park but a national memorial is perfect.
I’ve been to Quechee state park in Vermont, and it was very underwhelming. Green Mountain National Forest, Mount Mansfield, and Lake Willoughby are much better options from the places I’ve been to
It’s a very cool place but from being from the southeast part of Kansas I have to say the elk city state park is beautiful, big lake with tons of woods all around, cliffs a waterfall tons of hiking area and it even has the prairie land mixed in on top of the hills
I had a feeling you would pick Apostle Islands for Wisconsin. I have never been, but I know a lot of people who have, and I have it should be a National Park! Wisconsin does have one, in spite of plenty of beautiful areas. Would you ever consider doing a video on places that used to be National Parks but aren’t anymore?
Check out Pictured Rocks & Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. They’re even better. I still have to say that Isle Royale NP is the most impressive. The unaltered wilderness is surreal and the shoreline is beautiful.
Seconding. Loved my time spent there compared to the Matthiesen and Starved Rock area. Southern IL is a surprising gem, especially if you’re from the urban/suburban parts of the state. A notable area within Shawnee is Garden of The Gods!
My home state Maine has Acadia, but Baxter State Park is also very deserving of NP status. It's much more remote and wild, and Mount Katahdin is one of the most beautiful mountains I've been to, especially east of the Missisippi. But part of the stipulations when it was designated a state park is that it will always belong to Maine.
I have a friend that stayed for a couple weeks in the backwoods in Maine camping, and he and his dad agreed that Baxter was worth it but Moosehead Lake was extraordinary too.
Decent choices overall, but for Illinois, the choice would overwhelmingly be a section of the Shawnee National Forest, in particular, Garden of the Gods and the surrounding wilderness.
I love the Water Gap for PA, but taking away hunting there would do more harm than good for the area. PA has a lot of great choices, but it would be Ricketts Glen for me
If Delaware Water Gap became a national park it would be classified just like New River is with a preserve so hunting would still be allowed. I'm completely fine with hunting in the park as long as it is away from the major trails (Appalachian Trail, mountain trails and waterfall trails)
I'm not aware of any national parks in West Virginia, correct me if I'm wrong? Their largest state park is Watoga which would make it the likeliest contender for national status.
Just curious if something is already as an example "state park" status can it be turned into a national park? And then once this happens does the national park status override state park status such that it is now only a national park and not a state park?
I think Pennsylvania could have a couple good ones. The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Leonard Harrison state park is extremely unique and beautiful, and cherry springs state parks offers astronomers views of the stars at night that are top 10 in the world.
Comment #2: I have not been up to New Hampshire yet, and I know that Mount Washington is beautiful but Flume Gorge SP would be a well deserving National Monument.
As a former upstate NYer who has been to the Adirondacks many times I HEAVILY disagree about them being a national park. To make it a national park you would have to kick out the THOUSANDS of people who live within the parks boundaries in towns like Lake George, Lake Placid, and Old Forge. These towns make the Adirondacks unique and losing them would be a shame. I think something like Watkins Glen should be the national park
Couldn’t have said it better. Adirondacks are protected in our state constitution as well and I trust the people who actually live here to protect over any federal government. Largest wilderness in the lower 48 with over 6 millions of acres and it’s still a place we call home. We literally live in it.
Providence Canyon, in Georgia, is a cotton-era erosion artifact, the opposite of interesting geology. Okefenokee Swamp is the best choice, with Cloudland Canyon deserving consideration too,
@@rummy522 Yes! Of course both Cumberland Island and the Okefenokee swamp would be ruined by development to accommodate the crowds that come to National Parks.
Very impressive! I totally agree with Adirondacks, Assateague Island, Delaware Water Gap, Tallgrass Prairie, Effigy Mounds, Apostle Islands, Bombay Hook, Gulf Islands, and Atchafalaya. Boston Harbor Islands vs. Cape Cod is like a coin flip to me. I'd never even heard of Little River Canyon, Enders, Providence Canyon, or Mt. Washington (which looks spectacular)...I will have to check them out. I think Oglala might edge out Scotts Bluff for me. I was only vaguely familiar with The Palisades but The Pinelands looks impressive, too. Platt/Chickasaw would be cool, but Ouachita Mountains is nice, too. I would have gone with Green Mountains in Vermont and Shawnee in Illinois. As for Rhode Island, I think that the Newport Mansions are worthy of National Park status, i.e. Marble House, The Elms, The Breakers, etc. Idaho already has Zone of Death National Park, but if Craters of the Moon became #64, I'd be very happy. Thanks for doing this! It was a lot of fun to watch.
The Adirondacks should NOT be a national park. To make them a national park you would have to kick out the THOUSANDS of people who live there. It also would be the biggest national park BY FAR, it's larger than the ENTIRE STATE OF VERMONT which is WAY too much land for the Feds to buy from NY and the people who live there
@@AdamSmith-gs2dv You wouldn't have to kick anyone out. Preserve the private property rights of the current residents but slowly, over time, buy up the land when the current owners go...and give them just compensation or better. Eventually, the homeowners affected would get a good deal and the people of the US would actually get a park with no houses in it. That's what they should have done at Shenandoah. Instead, some residents were too quickly negatively impacted and the park is stuck with permanent eyesores because those allowed to stay were allowed to stay forever, so neither side is happy.
Another thought I have for Illinois. There is Cahokia mounds across from St Louis. Very similar to Effigy mounds but MUCh bigger. It was actually the sight of the largest Native American city, so its pretty much the pyramids of the United States area. Only downside is that its close by to cities, rail lines, and ugly industrial places.
Man I know with some of these you really had to stretch and just say “if I had to pick one it would be this.” But bro, I live in Oklahoma I am from California and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area was sooooo underwhelming. I honestly think the Witchita Wildlife Refuge or the Ouchita National Forest would’ve been way better picks. The Witchita’s are the best thing about this state and the only reason (this is just speculation) that the Ouchita Forest isn’t more frequented is that it’s pretty far away and the people here are so NOT outdoorsy that it blows my mind.
For Nebraska I would go Fort Robison state park and toadstool geologic park because they are prettier By the way chimney rock isn’t close to Scott’s Bluff
For Kansas I'd say combine Little Jerusalem Badlands and Lake Scott state Parks since they are right next to each other. You get badlands and the furthest east Pueblo ruins in the US
Since Providence Canyon is a man-made feature I dont think it would work as a national park. The Okefenokee Swamp makes much more sense for Georgia. Cumberland Island or Chattahoochee National Forest would be runners up.
Should’ve counted Missouri for this list as its national park should go back to becoming a national monument. what I would go with for Missouri I would pick somewhere in the ozark.
You obviously haven’t been to Vermont, state is filled with beautiful recreational areas. Your choice would be toward the bottom of my list for the state
Providence Canyon is not the greatest contender for GA, in my opinion. It only exists because of terribly unsustainable agricultural practices causing massive erosion. Not really something we should be trying to protect or honor. Cloudland Canyon, however, is a great option. National park level scenery, but in a small area. Okeefenokee swamp is another option, but the residents of the area would probably not support it.
Illinois should be Garden of Gods, Kansas should be little Jerusalem or flint hills, Nebraska is either Oglala grassland Or Nebraska national forest-pine ridge district, Iowa should be yellow river state forest or pikes peak, Oklahoma Wichita mountains, Alabama Talladega national forest, Georgia Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Maryland savage river or Cunningham falls, Massachusetts Mt.Grey lock, Mississippi Clark creek or red bluff. Idaho craters of the moon and sawtooth national forest. New Jersey Worthington state forest.
For Kansas, the Tallgrass Prairie is beautiful, but no nearly the most impressive scenery. Arikaree Breaks Canyon or many of the giant rock formations throughout the state would’ve been a better pick.
Stay tuned for a Halloween video tomorrow!
A strong consideration for Illinois would be Shawnee National Forest and the Garden of the God's. Excellent hiking, great geological features, and great outdoor recreation.
I always thought Starved rock was a good contender, especially considering it gets over 2 million visitors per year but I also think the best contender is shawnee
I live in NH and I’ve always thought that Mt. Washington and the White Mountains should be turned into a National Park
They are beautiful
@@NationalParkWild I think that Adirondack State Park in NY should become a national park too. That would make it 3x as large as Yellowstone, and would make it one of the biggest national parks, roughly the size of Denali N.P.
edit: oh wait that's already in the video lol
edit 2: For oklahoma, you could also do the southwestern half of the Ozarks, or the Ouachita mountains, OR the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge.
I love going up to NH for the White Mountains
It’s a mixed bag because they are already super popular and NP status could make them even more overrun. I’m kinda ok with it mostly being National Forest
Nice but no way are they np material.
I am in total agreement when it come to Wisconsin. The whole Apostle Islands region is incredible. You have Madeline island, the impressive falls of Amnicon and Pattison state parks just west of the area, the Brule river system, and importantly Frog Bay Tribal National Park is nearby. (would love to see a vid on tribal nat parks).
I think Effigy Mounds is the logical choice for Iowa, but incorporating the whole region of the Driftless area would make the best sense. I highly recommend anyone to check out the region. The bluffs of the Mississippi and the cave systems are unique.
Thanks for the love! How Idaho hasn't gotten its own NP is a true mystery. So many great options.
Absolutely! Idaho is a beautiful state, but I think most people just know it as Potatoland.
I agree Craters of the Moon should be a National Park. Shoshone Falls would be great, too.
Iowa and Nebraska can have a Cornfield National Park! 😂😂😂😂
That’s fair
There are so many places in Illinois that were worthy of this video. I don't think any of them are worthy of NPS park status but IL, specifically southern IL is underrated. Giant City, Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock, PereMarquette, most places in the Shawnee National Forest. Mattheisson is definitely nice too though.
It would've been very interesting to get your opinion on MO and AR. I get they both have NPs but I'd love to hear what you think each of those states national parks should be instead of what they currently are.
Right, same with Indiana having the Indiana Dunes like maybe there is a better option.
Liked the video! Would be interested to see a video with your take on the next new National Parks for every state that already has one.
An interesting idea
Custer SP in South Dakota definately
I hope del water gap becomes a park!! I live pretty close and im actually hiking there (for the 1st time surprisingly) this weekend :) pretty sure the AT goes through it and ive always wanted to do a section in that area
It looks like an excellent place to be the next national park.
The fact that crators of the moon, and at least one section of the sawtooth range (the area near redfish lake is my favourite) in idaho is astonishing.
This is a cool idea to make this kind of video. Thanks 👍
Boston Harbor Islands is a great choice for Massachusetts! I would also argue that the Berkshires are another contender, for a more mountainous experience (a genuinely beautiful region of the state). Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard are other strong contenders in my opinion, especially the Provincetown area. MA has a lot of underrated gems that could definitely hit national park status in my opinion, but your choice was excellent!
Never been to Craters of the Moon but really want to go, looks amazing. Love volcanoes.
Should have gone with the Pine Barrens for NJ. It has unique animals, plants, and bio diversity that isn't seen anywhere else in the US. The rivers that flow through it are beautiful and the color of the water looks like root beer.
That's also an excellent choice.
Cool video and concept, I agree with a lot of your picks! For Illinois, I would lump together Starved Rock and Matthiessen, as they are basically right next to each other. Don't know if you've been there, but Starved Rock is both very historic and geologically interesting, very similar to Matthiessen with waterfalls. It's a very cool place! I also agree with others in the comments that Shawnee National Forest would be good too, haven't been there but I hear it is pretty great.
Thanks for your kinda words and input! I’ll definitely check out Shawnee some day.
For those wanting time stamps
0:00 intro
0:39 Alabama
1:03 Connecticut
1:26 Delaware
2:01 Georgia
2:35 Idaho
3:13 Illinois
3:37 Iowa
4:02 Kansas
4:20 Louisiana
4:44 Maryland
5:13 Massachusetts
5:48 Mississippi
6:35 Nebraska
6:55 New Hampshire
7:28 New Jersey
7:48 New York
8:34 Oklahoma
9:14 Pennsylvania
9:48 Rhode Island
10:13 Vermont
10:34 Wisconsin
11:13 outro
Great video idea and great video production! Personally, though, as a Georgian, I have traveled all around the state as well as the country. My vote for Georgia would not be Providence Canyon because its history goes against national park ideals. It was created by man made erosion through over development of peanut farms, though it is beautiful. I would choose Cloudland Canyon SP in northwest Georgia because it is a large canyon with waterfalls and rock formations!
I am shocked that you didn’t say the Sawtooth Mountain range for Idaho. Lived there for 4 years and honestly Craters of the Moon doesn’t deliver much in my opinion.
Sawtooth is admittedly a great pick and probably more impressive for nature, but I personally would love to see Craters of the Moon as a national park.
Love the videos thanks
The Adirondacks are so underrated
They are spectacular
Also will NEVER be a National park and we like it that way. Protected by our states constitution, which I trust much more than the federal gov. We live in the park and love living in it. National Park status will just never work. I agree with you though, Adirondacks are underrated.
@@gdo3510 old forge, inlet, and blue mtn are all amazing and I love seeing them.
Thanks for this exploration.
I'd choose The NJ Pinelands over the Palisades. Yeah, it lacks a diverse elevation, but it's larger in area, with more undeveloped protected areas and the unique biological diversity and some history that the Palisades lacks. It already has hiking trails, camp grounds and some rivers for canoeing or kayaking.
Also half of the Delaware Water Gap is in New Jersey, thank you. Let's not give all the glory to Pennsylvania!
I didn’t want to use Delaware Water Gap twice, but you are correct.
What would you put for Nevada?
They have the wonderful Great Basin right now, but Lake Mead or Valley of Fire would be nice.
@@NationalParkWild Yeah I would definitely say valley of fire over lake mead. In my opinion. Lake mead is nice and all but I think Nevada is more known for Valley of fire being the best state park in Nevada
Comment #4 (If you can’t tell I’m obsessed with national and state parks): I know that South Dakota has parks all over its western side but, am I right, that Custer deserves national park status?
For Alabama, I'd probably collect all the parks and undeveloped land area in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and call it a park, probably from Meaher to Fort Mims (basically the land border between Mobile and Baldwin counties). That way you can grab Blakeley, the Bottle Creek Mounds and the Clotilda shipwreck in one big park, too. It'd be a bit more work than just changing one protected area to another, but I think it'd be worth it for this case.
Great idea. I hadn’t thought of that.
Georgia has some very interesting areas and Providence Canyon, a man made erosion event would not be my pick for a geological pick. A couple North Georgia areas to consider would be Amicalola Falls, Cloudland Canyon, and Stone Mountain.
How do you feel about the proposed Ocmulgee National Park?
I think it should remain a national historic park. It is a site to be preserved for history.
@@shawnflaugher8627 I'm leaning toward that as well. It just doesn't impress like a National Park should, but, then again, I've never been there.
I said the same thing in a comment 😂 and you read my mind with those other two. Stone Mountain, I would say is a little too developed for a national park but a national memorial is perfect.
You should do a video of State Parks that should become National Parks.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park should become a national monument at least.
I’ve been to Quechee state park in Vermont, and it was very underwhelming. Green Mountain National Forest, Mount Mansfield, and Lake Willoughby are much better options from the places I’ve been to
For Wisconsin it should be Lambeau field. I mean its not like theres a NP of a building..........
The Adirondacks are amazing. I love it the way it is. It's got plenty of state campgrounds and hiking. It could be a national park easily.
In Kansas I would choose Castle Rock and it’s surrounding areas. It’s very much like the badlands of South Dakota.
It’s a very cool place but from being from the southeast part of Kansas I have to say the elk city state park is beautiful, big lake with tons of woods all around, cliffs a waterfall tons of hiking area and it even has the prairie land mixed in on top of the hills
Also a great selection
Look into the Wichita Mountains NWR in Oklahoma. Definitely the coolest place in the state
Will do
Definitely the coolest place in the state shocked it wasn’t the pick
I had a feeling you would pick Apostle Islands for Wisconsin. I have never been, but I know a lot of people who have, and I have it should be a National Park! Wisconsin does have one, in spite of plenty of beautiful areas.
Would you ever consider doing a video on places that used to be National Parks but aren’t anymore?
I like that video idea. I’ll keep it in mind.
I think Wisconsin is the most scenic Midwestern state. Too bad it's infested with all those Packer fans. Kinda ruins it 😆
Check out Pictured Rocks & Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. They’re even better. I still have to say that Isle Royale NP is the most impressive. The unaltered wilderness is surreal and the shoreline is beautiful.
this video shows that some states totally deserve a national park, while others not so much.
Very true.
Shawnee national forest would’ve been my pick for Illinois.
Good choice
Seconding. Loved my time spent there compared to the Matthiesen and Starved Rock area. Southern IL is a surprising gem, especially if you’re from the urban/suburban parts of the state. A notable area within Shawnee is Garden of The Gods!
My home state Maine has Acadia, but Baxter State Park is also very deserving of NP status. It's much more remote and wild, and Mount Katahdin is one of the most beautiful mountains I've been to, especially east of the Missisippi. But part of the stipulations when it was designated a state park is that it will always belong to Maine.
Agreed. Maine has some beautiful places.
No. It’s nice but not np material. Wouldn’t even be a park if in the rocky mountains
I have a friend that stayed for a couple weeks in the backwoods in Maine camping, and he and his dad agreed that Baxter was worth it but Moosehead Lake was extraordinary too.
Decent choices overall, but for Illinois, the choice would overwhelmingly be a section of the Shawnee National Forest, in particular, Garden of the Gods and the surrounding wilderness.
Sorry for overlooking Shawnee. Thanks for watching!
I love the Water Gap for PA, but taking away hunting there would do more harm than good for the area. PA has a lot of great choices, but it would be Ricketts Glen for me
If Delaware Water Gap became a national park it would be classified just like New River is with a preserve so hunting would still be allowed. I'm completely fine with hunting in the park as long as it is away from the major trails (Appalachian Trail, mountain trails and waterfall trails)
I'm not aware of any national parks in West Virginia, correct me if I'm wrong? Their largest state park is Watoga which would make it the likeliest contender for national status.
The newest national park to gain status is New River Gorge. It was a recent change so it is understandable if you hadn’t heard about it.
Just curious if something is already as an example "state park" status can it be turned into a national park? And then once this happens does the national park status override state park status such that it is now only a national park and not a state park?
It probably can be but it would take more effort
Little River Canyon in Alabama also has unique geology. It is a canyon on top of a mountain.
True
I think Pennsylvania could have a couple good ones. The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Leonard Harrison state park is extremely unique and beautiful, and cherry springs state parks offers astronomers views of the stars at night that are top 10 in the world.
Those are also nice picks.
Nebraska: Field of pretty neat corn
Yeah pretty much
And a building made of corn. The corn palace is still around right
I was impressed with Homesteaders NM when in Nebraska but definitely not a NP
theres gotta be something in cape cod/ nantucket/ martha’s vineyard or berkshires better than that for MA
Cape Cod is pretty developed, but maybe the seashore would be good. I think my pick was a really solid one though.
Comment #2: I have not been up to New Hampshire yet, and I know that Mount Washington is beautiful but Flume Gorge SP would be a well deserving National Monument.
As a former upstate NYer who has been to the Adirondacks many times I HEAVILY disagree about them being a national park. To make it a national park you would have to kick out the THOUSANDS of people who live within the parks boundaries in towns like Lake George, Lake Placid, and Old Forge. These towns make the Adirondacks unique and losing them would be a shame. I think something like Watkins Glen should be the national park
Couldn’t have said it better. Adirondacks are protected in our state constitution as well and I trust the people who actually live here to protect over any federal government. Largest wilderness in the lower 48 with over 6 millions of acres and it’s still a place we call home. We literally live in it.
Providence Canyon, in Georgia, is a cotton-era erosion artifact, the opposite of interesting geology. Okefenokee Swamp is the best choice, with Cloudland Canyon deserving consideration too,
Whoops
I would also consider upgrading Cumberland Island from National Seashore to National Park before considering Providence Canyon
@@rummy522 Yes! Of course both Cumberland Island and the Okefenokee swamp would be ruined by development to accommodate the crowds that come to National Parks.
Very impressive! I totally agree with Adirondacks, Assateague Island, Delaware Water Gap, Tallgrass Prairie, Effigy Mounds, Apostle Islands, Bombay Hook, Gulf Islands, and Atchafalaya. Boston Harbor Islands vs. Cape Cod is like a coin flip to me. I'd never even heard of Little River Canyon, Enders, Providence Canyon, or Mt. Washington (which looks spectacular)...I will have to check them out. I think Oglala might edge out Scotts Bluff for me. I was only vaguely familiar with The Palisades but The Pinelands looks impressive, too. Platt/Chickasaw would be cool, but Ouachita Mountains is nice, too. I would have gone with Green Mountains in Vermont and Shawnee in Illinois. As for Rhode Island, I think that the Newport Mansions are worthy of National Park status, i.e. Marble House, The Elms, The Breakers, etc. Idaho already has Zone of Death National Park, but if Craters of the Moon became #64, I'd be very happy. Thanks for doing this! It was a lot of fun to watch.
It was a very fun topic to cover.
The Adirondacks should NOT be a national park. To make them a national park you would have to kick out the THOUSANDS of people who live there. It also would be the biggest national park BY FAR, it's larger than the ENTIRE STATE OF VERMONT which is WAY too much land for the Feds to buy from NY and the people who live there
@@AdamSmith-gs2dv You wouldn't have to kick anyone out. Preserve the private property rights of the current residents but slowly, over time, buy up the land when the current owners go...and give them just compensation or better. Eventually, the homeowners affected would get a good deal and the people of the US would actually get a park with no houses in it. That's what they should have done at Shenandoah. Instead, some residents were too quickly negatively impacted and the park is stuck with permanent eyesores because those allowed to stay were allowed to stay forever, so neither side is happy.
I strongly believe that Michigan should get 2 new national parks: Pictured Rocks & Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Another thought I have for Illinois. There is Cahokia mounds across from St Louis. Very similar to Effigy mounds but MUCh bigger. It was actually the sight of the largest Native American city, so its pretty much the pyramids of the United States area. Only downside is that its close by to cities, rail lines, and ugly industrial places.
Man I know with some of these you really had to stretch and just say “if I had to pick one it would be this.” But bro, I live in Oklahoma I am from California and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area was sooooo underwhelming. I honestly think the Witchita Wildlife Refuge or the Ouchita National Forest would’ve been way better picks. The Witchita’s are the best thing about this state and the only reason (this is just speculation) that the Ouchita Forest isn’t more frequented is that it’s pretty far away and the people here are so NOT outdoorsy that it blows my mind.
Well actually to be fair that forest is mostly in Arkansas so I’d say just the Witchita’s
That’s fair. I actually really enjoyed Chickasaw and that’s why I wanted to mention that one. I admittedly did less research for Oklahoma.
I knew the Adirondacks would be the pick in New York, and rightfully so. It's large, beautiful, and has a ton of activities.
Absolutely.
For Nebraska I would go Fort Robison state park and toadstool geologic park because they are prettier
By the way chimney rock isn’t close to Scott’s Bluff
For Kansas I'd say combine Little Jerusalem Badlands and Lake Scott state Parks since they are right next to each other. You get badlands and the furthest east Pueblo ruins in the US
Also a great idea for a national park.
Since Providence Canyon is a man-made feature I dont think it would work as a national park. The Okefenokee Swamp makes much more sense for Georgia. Cumberland Island or Chattahoochee National Forest would be runners up.
Good point.
It can be a national monument or national historic park.
Should’ve counted Missouri for this list as its national park should go back to becoming a national monument. what I would go with for Missouri I would pick somewhere in the ozark.
I agree with everything here, but I just don’t feel like bending the rules because a park should be a national monument.
Oklahoma better pick would be WICHITA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - animals, mountains, lakes, hiking, camping.
New York should’ve been letchworth state park
For Oklahoma should’ve picked Black Mesa state park
I think Oglala would be a better choice for Nebraska's national park.
That’s also a good choice
You obviously haven’t been to Vermont, state is filled with beautiful recreational areas. Your choice would be toward the bottom of my list for the state
I have seen very little of the state, but I'm sure there is a lot to enjoy in all of these states and this video only scratched the surface.
Alabama has so many small hidden gems, if they were closer together they could have an amazing national park.
True
That should be
Providence Canyon is not the greatest contender for GA, in my opinion. It only exists because of terribly unsustainable agricultural practices causing massive erosion. Not really something we should be trying to protect or honor. Cloudland Canyon, however, is a great option. National park level scenery, but in a small area. Okeefenokee swamp is another option, but the residents of the area would probably not support it.
Very fair. Thank you for the information.
Illinois should be Garden of Gods, Kansas should be little Jerusalem or flint hills, Nebraska is either Oglala grassland Or Nebraska national forest-pine ridge district, Iowa should be yellow river state forest or pikes peak, Oklahoma Wichita mountains, Alabama Talladega national forest, Georgia Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Maryland savage river or Cunningham falls, Massachusetts Mt.Grey lock, Mississippi Clark creek or red bluff. Idaho craters of the moon and sawtooth national forest. New Jersey Worthington state forest.
All nice picks.
For Kansas, the Tallgrass Prairie is beautiful, but no nearly the most impressive scenery. Arikaree Breaks Canyon or many of the giant rock formations throughout the state would’ve been a better pick.
Makes sense. I don’t know much about the others but thought the wildlife made for a good pick with Tallgrass Prairie.
Nevada
Nevada has Great Basin National Park
You’ve clearly never been to that sea shore in Mississippi.
You would be correct. Is it dirty?
@@NationalParkWild very muddy! Beautiful but muddy! That’s the Florida part I believe you were showing!
Ver
Lol I noticed that after uploading.
Ver
I know.