You did it! I remember making this request a while ago but I never thought you would do it. This is great! As a North Dakotan who can never shut up(especially on your comments section)about my beloved Teddy Roosevelt, this made me so happy seeing number 1. You nailed why I love it so much, and to anyone reading this just remember. There’s not one but 2 SECTIONS of the National Park, south and north units, most people just know of Medora when they think of Teddy Roosevelt in the South Unit. The North unit is arguably better, both units are amazing though!
3 Units with the Elkhorn Ranch. I'd highly suggest Makoshika State Park in Glendive MT and (if you have a 4wd) the Terry Badlands near Terry MT if you liked the Little Missouri Badlands
As someone from the Midwest, I really enjoyed it and appreciated it. It’s great to see that our region is getting some attention for our National Parks. Personally if the 7 National Parks that I have been too, 4 are in the Midwest, Cuyahoga Valley, Indiana Dunes, Hot Springs and Gateway Arch. Once again, another great video.
I only got to Theodore Roosevelt this year, and based on what you and others have said about it, it has for sure gained a lot of popularity. We went in August, and there was at least one other car parked at every trailhead we went to in the north and south units. Cottonwood Campground had lots of people staying there. I absolutely love the park though, and most people were respectful (except for one person chasing around the wild horses while we were trying to get pictures)
In 2018 and 2019, you could still have the North and South Unit to yourself, and the Elkhorn unit, while nothing splendid, was virtually abandoned. I lived an hour and a half from the north unit, it sure gave me some good memories.
Thanks for sharing as we live in the midwest. I would agree with your list but have not been to North Dakota or Isle R parks yet. Our plan is to head to South and North Dakota for spring break. Do you have a video on theodore roosevelt national park or can you shares anything more about it? Hikes, scenic drives etc?
How about do a video on every national park in the Pacific northwest and yes it would include a part of Alaska and northern California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming the list would include -wraggel st allias -glacier bay -north cascades -olympic -mt rainier -redwood -lassen volcanic -glacier -yellowstone -grand tetons
As far as your number one pick ; I agree 100 % ! Impressive , impressive & impressive ! Camped out in Medora itself , along the Little Missouri River; not far from the Frenchman's ( royality, I believe & friend of Teddy ) ranch & Bison meat processing plant. Can see the Carbon Era by the perfectly straight black layer of coal about 1 / 6 th the distance down from the top layer of sandstone contrasted with the river's level. I camped with my wife & three daughters in 1999 A.D. and have not been back since unfortunately.. We were on the final week of a six week cross-country trek from N.J. to Lake Tahoe & back the Northern route. My daughters were 9 . 7 & 5 yrs. old respectively at that time .
@@NationalParkWild I’ve been to 7 national parks that aren’t in the Midwest as well as 1 national monuments I would love to go to more but my main travel focus at the moment is highpoints of each state My goal is all 50 state highpoints All national parks systems This includes parks, monuments, forests, preserves and more
Per your narration at 6:06: there is no interstate through or adjacent to Badlands National Park. Interstate 90 runs east-west north of the park boundary, and at its closest point, is several miles from the nearest parts of the park. However, much of the southern boundary of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt runs along I94.
I was there only briefly, so I don't even count it as a park I visited, but judging from the pictures, I can get behind Theodore Roosevelt as the best Midwestern National Park. I think Hot Springs would be greatly improved if they actually re-opened the bathhouses that made the place famous. From what I understand, the hot springs themselves could still facilitate them, but there is not enough demand for more than two. Thanks for at least mentioning the contrary opinions about Indiana Dunes.
@@NationalParkWild Lol. It's best to experience them for yourself... but, I have been going there about 2 or 3 times a month for 3 years, so I've been able to see them a lot more than most do. I hope you do go back, simply because I think you've had some bad experiences there (as have I, by the way), but there are a lot of enjoyable things you probably haven't seen. If you do go back, let me know, and I'll tell you the best places to go for every season.
Have you been to Mt St Helens before it's nice and I think Oregon Shure Mt St Helens in Washington but Oregon needs more national parks for how beautiful the state is all it has is crater lake some candidates are Oregon caves, John day fossil beds, Oregon dunes, newberry volcano and the most popular one mt hood
No bison in the badlands? Well you obviously didn't drive Sage Brook Road! I was surrounded by literally hundreds of them. Blocking tbe road, surrounding my car, and no one else and no other cars in sight.
My only thing about the discourse around the Indiana Dunes (and to an extent CVNP too) is that I believe the parks should be judge not just recreationally, but also on the importance of their protection as a park. If not for their protection, the industrial wasteland would’ve expanded until it destroyed even the last vestiges of that pleasant ecosystem and landscape that once spanned a much larger area in the region. Likewise for CVNP fighting the suburban sprawl
Excellent point, and that extends to other parks like Everglades. In a ranking like this I tend to judge off of recreation because the objective protection measures are impossible to quantify.
Having visited St. Louis for a month last summer, I found Gateway Arch NP to be a delightful refuge. I think they do a disservice by burying their museum in essentially an underground bunker. To the casual day tripper just passing through, I could see them thinking that the park is just a picnic spot. Can you compare Gateway to the parks of the west?, def not. I think some people try because Gateway symbolizes the spirit of a wider western country at hand. The expectations have been set way too high. But hear me out. Perhaps we need to think of Gateway Arch NP in the same scope as the parks in the National Mall. I understand that the Lincoln Mem or the Washington Mon. are not NP in the classic sense, but they do offer an important location that's history deserves protection and distinction. As for Indiana Dunes NP. In my opinion I wish they would incorporate the Indiana Dunes State Park as an official unit within the system. The actual dunes are in the state park and just like Redwoods and Mississippi river nat rec area, the state parks have an important piece of management say.
I completely agree with Gateway Arch and Indiana Dunes being last. For Gateway even though I haven't been there it looks to be the worst national park and I think Indiana dunes would make a more better State Park than national park.
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The Gateway Arch being a national park is a joke
You did it! I remember making this request a while ago but I never thought you would do it. This is great! As a North Dakotan who can never shut up(especially on your comments section)about my beloved Teddy Roosevelt, this made me so happy seeing number 1. You nailed why I love it so much, and to anyone reading this just remember. There’s not one but 2 SECTIONS of the National Park, south and north units, most people just know of Medora when they think of Teddy Roosevelt in the South Unit. The North unit is arguably better, both units are amazing though!
I’m glad I could do your idea justice. Both units are indeed great.
3 Units with the Elkhorn Ranch. I'd highly suggest Makoshika State Park in Glendive MT and (if you have a 4wd) the Terry Badlands near Terry MT if you liked the Little Missouri Badlands
As someone from the Midwest, I really enjoyed it and appreciated it. It’s great to see that our region is getting some attention for our National Parks. Personally if the 7 National Parks that I have been too, 4 are in the Midwest, Cuyahoga Valley, Indiana Dunes, Hot Springs and Gateway Arch. Once again, another great video.
Great video! I’m wondering in the future maybe you can rank or talk about National Monuments, forrests, Sea shores, lake shores, battlefields, etc?
I’ll consider it
Here is a fun idea. How about ranking the National Park quarters? I would also include some of the state quarters that include a national site.
Theodore Roosevelt is the best one I’ve ever been too. Better than Yellowstone even
I only got to Theodore Roosevelt this year, and based on what you and others have said about it, it has for sure gained a lot of popularity. We went in August, and there was at least one other car parked at every trailhead we went to in the north and south units. Cottonwood Campground had lots of people staying there. I absolutely love the park though, and most people were respectful (except for one person chasing around the wild horses while we were trying to get pictures)
I’m glad it is getting recognition, but I hope that doesn’t become an issue.
In 2018 and 2019, you could still have the North and South Unit to yourself, and the Elkhorn unit, while nothing splendid, was virtually abandoned.
I lived an hour and a half from the north unit, it sure gave me some good memories.
@@Wanderlust598 I wish! I went in 2022 and even the elkhorn unit had about 8 other people there with me.
If Cuyahoga Valley were a state park, it would definitely go up against Hocking Hills
I mean honestly hocking hills should be the national park whereas CVNP should be a state park or national historic site
Hocking would make a great National Park
Thanks for sharing as we live in the midwest. I would agree with your list but have not been to North Dakota or Isle R parks yet. Our plan is to head to South and North Dakota for spring break. Do you have a video on theodore roosevelt national park or can you shares anything more about it? Hikes, scenic drives etc?
How about do a video on every national park in the Pacific northwest and yes it would include a part of Alaska and northern California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming the list would include
-wraggel st allias
-glacier bay
-north cascades
-olympic
-mt rainier
-redwood
-lassen volcanic
-glacier
-yellowstone
-grand tetons
As far as your number one pick ; I agree 100 % ! Impressive , impressive & impressive ! Camped out in Medora itself , along the Little Missouri River; not far from the Frenchman's ( royality, I believe & friend of Teddy ) ranch & Bison meat processing plant. Can see the Carbon Era by the perfectly straight black layer of coal about 1 / 6 th the distance down from the top layer of sandstone contrasted with the river's level. I camped with my wife & three daughters in 1999 A.D. and have not been back since unfortunately.. We were on the final week of a six week cross-country trek from N.J. to Lake Tahoe & back the Northern route. My daughters were 9 . 7 & 5 yrs. old respectively at that time .
P.S. my wife coined a term then and we still use to this day Medora is "Medorable" !
It’s a very special park.
@@NationalParkWild Amen !
Being from the Midwest I’ve actually never been to any of these parks
I highly recommend visiting some of them if you can.
@@NationalParkWild
I’ve been to 7 national parks that aren’t in the Midwest as well as 1 national monuments
I would love to go to more but my main travel focus at the moment is highpoints of each state
My goal is all 50 state highpoints
All national parks systems
This includes parks, monuments, forests, preserves and more
Same I’ve never been to any of these parks, I’ve never even been to a national park sadly.
Per your narration at 6:06: there is no interstate through or adjacent to Badlands National Park. Interstate 90 runs east-west north of the park boundary, and at its closest point, is several miles from the nearest parts of the park. However, much of the southern boundary of the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt runs along I94.
I was there only briefly, so I don't even count it as a park I visited, but judging from the pictures, I can get behind Theodore Roosevelt as the best Midwestern National Park. I think Hot Springs would be greatly improved if they actually re-opened the bathhouses that made the place famous. From what I understand, the hot springs themselves could still facilitate them, but there is not enough demand for more than two. Thanks for at least mentioning the contrary opinions about Indiana Dunes.
You’ve taught me well about Indiana Dunes.
@@NationalParkWild Lol. It's best to experience them for yourself... but, I have been going there about 2 or 3 times a month for 3 years, so I've been able to see them a lot more than most do. I hope you do go back, simply because I think you've had some bad experiences there (as have I, by the way), but there are a lot of enjoyable things you probably haven't seen. If you do go back, let me know, and I'll tell you the best places to go for every season.
Indiana dunes would of been better if there was not alot industry there.
Agreed
Theodore Roosevelt National Park also has an interstate running right near the south unit.
Have you been to Mt St Helens before it's nice and I think Oregon Shure Mt St Helens in Washington but Oregon needs more national parks for how beautiful the state is all it has is crater lake some candidates are Oregon caves, John day fossil beds, Oregon dunes, newberry volcano and the most popular one mt hood
No bison in the badlands? Well you obviously didn't drive Sage Brook Road! I was surrounded by literally hundreds of them. Blocking tbe road, surrounding my car, and no one else and no other cars in sight.
Sounds like a great hidden spot in the park.
My only thing about the discourse around the Indiana Dunes (and to an extent CVNP too) is that I believe the parks should be judge not just recreationally, but also on the importance of their protection as a park. If not for their protection, the industrial wasteland would’ve expanded until it destroyed even the last vestiges of that pleasant ecosystem and landscape that once spanned a much larger area in the region. Likewise for CVNP fighting the suburban sprawl
Excellent point, and that extends to other parks like Everglades. In a ranking like this I tend to judge off of recreation because the objective protection measures are impossible to quantify.
Maybe state parks are better in the Midwest. Matthiessen & Starved Rock in IL and Devil’s Lake in WI are my favorites so far.
Having visited St. Louis for a month last summer, I found Gateway Arch NP to be a delightful refuge. I think they do a disservice by burying their museum in essentially an underground bunker. To the casual day tripper just passing through, I could see them thinking that the park is just a picnic spot. Can you compare Gateway to the parks of the west?, def not. I think some people try because Gateway symbolizes the spirit of a wider western country at hand. The expectations have been set way too high. But hear me out. Perhaps we need to think of Gateway Arch NP in the same scope as the parks in the National Mall. I understand that the Lincoln Mem or the Washington Mon. are not NP in the classic sense, but they do offer an important location that's history deserves protection and distinction.
As for Indiana Dunes NP. In my opinion I wish they would incorporate the Indiana Dunes State Park as an official unit within the system. The actual dunes are in the state park and just like Redwoods and Mississippi river nat rec area, the state parks have an important piece of management say.
I agree with your thoughts on Indiana Dunes.
I completely agree with Gateway Arch and Indiana Dunes being last. For Gateway even though I haven't been there it looks to be the worst national park and I think Indiana dunes would make a more better State Park than national park.
They both have some nice aspects and are worth visiting to some extent, but they are among the least interesting national parks.
I didn’t know Arkansas is in the Midwest
Hot Springs is classified as a park in the Midwest region by the National Park Service.
@@NationalParkWild That's crazy and makes no sense 😂😂😂
Uh.. since when was Arkansas in the midwest? Coming from a former Kansan
The National Park Service considers Arkansas to be part of the Midwestern region, which is why Hot Springs was counted.
The Arch SHOULD NOT BE A NATURAL PARK
Hi
Hi!
Arkansas the south