Over the last few years, we have frequently written about the rising popularity of national parks. Prior to the pandemic, the parks weren’t as hot a vacation spot. When we were being told to stay home, many folks started to yearn for the great outdoors in a way that they hadn’t before.
If you want to enjoy natural beauty in solitude, the popularity of the parks is distressing. But a new ranking will offer you some hope! The grades were based on how quiet the park is, along with other factors. The best of the best? Isle Royale National Park in Michigan.
The new ranking gave scores based on crowd size, quantity and quality of hiking trails, number of campsites, access to activities, fishing, mountain biking and more. Fifty percent of its score came from its crowd size, then the other factors were compiled for its final score. While parks like Yellowstone might have a big pull, the view isn’t worth it if you have no elbow room and can’t find a place to sleep!
Isle Royale National Park scored 81.01. North Cascades in Washington state came in second. Isle Royale is located in the middle of Lake Superior. You must take a ferry, jet ski, seaplane or small boat to get there. But, once you reach the park, there are 508 miles of paths through forest and along coastlines with gorgeous views. You can see moose or wolves. For accommodations, there are campgrounds, campers and a lodge. And yet, it only receives 25,000 to 30,000 guests a year. This is a perfect destination if you want natural beauty and room to breathe.
You might think only more obscure parks would grab the top spots on the list. However, some big names scored high. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks receives more than a million visitors annually. However, it’s ample space, variety of activities and large amount of campsites allowed it to score a 70.79 and clinch the number three spot on the list.
The new ranking came from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). It looked at all 63 national parks. Even the paper called Isle Royale an “unexpected winner.” While it’s beautiful, it’s not well known to people who aren’t national parks enthusiasts.
“This is true wilderness: a land of moose and wolves and the drama forever playing out between them,” the rankers said. “Backpackers can pitch a tent in one of the park’s 36 rustic campgrounds, but visitors will find plenty of day-hiking opportunities, too, and the circa-1956 Rock Harbor Lodge makes up for a lack of bells and whistles with an endless reserve of old-school charm.”
It was not the least visited park. It was the fifth least visited. However — when the crowd was weighed against the size, the availability of places to sleep and the range of activities — it was considered the best.
Of course, now that the WSJ has let everyone in on the secret, the park should brace itself for larger crowds.
