Data report · Published October 2026
Which states have the most to do in their national parks? A state-by-state read of the data
An analysis of 476 public-land units across 50 states shows significant variations in average scores and activities offered. While California has the most units, states like Maine and Vermont show the highest average scores, indicating a higher density of reported recreational opportunities. The data reflects the number of listed activities and services, not subjective visitor experience or scenic quality. By Irene A. Taranina, founding editor.
States with the most public-land units
California contains the highest number of public-land units, with 36. Its units have an average score of 76 and offer an average of 18 activities. 78 percent of its units are free to enter. The top-scoring unit in California is Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Following California, Virginia has 30 units, with an average score of 71 and 16 average activities. 80 percent of its units are free. New York has 29 units, averaging a score of 66 and 14 activities, with 90 percent free entry. Arizona and the District of Columbia also rank high in unit count, with 27 and 24 units respectively. Arizona units average a score of 74 and 16 activities, with 74 percent free, while the District of Columbia units average 64 with 13 activities, and 88 percent free.
States with the highest average scores
Maine leads in average score with 95 across its 3 units, offering an average of 29 activities, all of which are free to enter. Acadia National Park is its top unit. Vermont follows closely with an average score of 93 for its 3 units, providing 21 average activities, all free. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is its highest-scoring unit.
Alaska and Wisconsin both have an average score of 88. Alaska's 18 units offer 22 average activities, with 94 percent free. Wisconsin's 7 units provide 17 average activities, all free. Michigan and Minnesota also demonstrate high average scores of 85 and 84, respectively, indicating a strong offering of activities and services in their units.
States with the most activities per unit
Maine units offer the highest average number of activities, with 29. Michigan is next with 28 average activities across its 8 units. Montana's 9 units average 26 activities. These figures reflect the variety of listed recreational opportunities, not their quality or availability at all times.
Florida, Wyoming, and Nevada units each offer an average of 23 activities. Everglades National Park is noted as Florida's top unit, Grand Teton National Park for Wyoming, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area for Nevada. It is important to note that the number of activities does not account for potential crowds or seasonal closures.
States with the highest percentage of free units
Several states have 100 percent of their public-land units free to enter. These include North Carolina (12 units), Delaware (4 units), Oklahoma (6 units), Nevada (6 units), Minnesota (11 units), Arkansas (8 units), Maine (3 units), Vermont (3 units), Wisconsin (7 units), Nebraska (10 units), Iowa (6 units), Illinois (6 units), Connecticut (3 units), and Kentucky (7 units).
This indicates that visitors to these states will not encounter entrance fees at any of their public-land units, which may be a factor for budget-conscious travelers. The absence of a fee does not reflect the availability of services or potential permit requirements for certain activities within these units.
What to do with this: Travelers prioritizing a wide range of activities and services may consider states with high average scores and activity counts, while those on a budget might focus on states with a high percentage of free public-land units. The data reflects reported offerings, not on-the-ground conditions or visitor experiences.
Every state with three or more units
| State | Units | Avg score | Avg activities | Free share | Top unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | 3 | 95 | 29 | 100% | Acadia National Park |
| Vermont | 3 | 93 | 21 | 100% | Appalachian National Scenic Trail |
| Alaska | 18 | 88 | 22 | 94% | Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve |
| Wisconsin | 7 | 88 | 17 | 100% | Chequamegon-Nicolet NF |
| Michigan | 8 | 85 | 28 | 63% | North Country National Scenic Trail |
| Minnesota | 11 | 84 | 21 | 100% | Voyageurs National Park |
| Florida | 11 | 83 | 23 | 73% | Everglades National Park |
| Indiana | 5 | 81 | 19 | 80% | Hoosier National Forest |
| Texas | 18 | 80 | 16 | 78% | Amistad National Recreation Area |
| North Dakota | 6 | 80 | 19 | 83% | North Country National Scenic Trail |
| Washington | 19 | 79 | 20 | 74% | Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve |
| Idaho | 11 | 79 | 20 | 91% | City Of Rocks National Reserve |
| Mississippi | 5 | 79 | 23 | 80% | Natchez Trace Parkway |
| New Jersey | 8 | 78 | 17 | 88% | Great Egg Harbor River |
| Nevada | 6 | 78 | 23 | 100% | Lake Mead National Recreation Area |
| North Carolina | 12 | 77 | 17 | 100% | Cape Lookout National Seashore |
| Tennessee | 12 | 77 | 18 | 92% | Natchez Trace Parkway |
| Montana | 9 | 77 | 26 | 67% | Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area |
| California | 36 | 76 | 18 | 78% | Lassen Volcanic National Park |
| Colorado | 18 | 76 | 19 | 67% | Curecanti National Recreation Area |
| Nebraska | 10 | 76 | 17 | 100% | Missouri National Recreational River |
| South Dakota | 7 | 76 | 19 | 86% | Missouri National Recreational River |
| Delaware | 4 | 76 | 18 | 100% | Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail |
| Utah | 23 | 75 | 17 | 39% | Dinosaur National Monument |
| Oregon | 21 | 75 | 15 | 71% | Cow Creek Back Country Byway |
| Maryland | 19 | 75 | 17 | 89% | Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail |
| West Virginia | 8 | 75 | 18 | 75% | New River Gorge National Park & Preserve |
| Arizona | 27 | 74 | 16 | 74% | Lake Mead National Recreation Area |
| Pennsylvania | 21 | 74 | 16 | 90% | Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail |
| Iowa | 6 | 74 | 13 | 100% | Coralville Lake |
| Wyoming | 10 | 73 | 23 | 80% | Grand Teton National Park |
| Hawaii | 7 | 73 | 17 | 71% | Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail |
| New Mexico | 20 | 72 | 14 | 75% | Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument |
| Oklahoma | 6 | 72 | 15 | 100% | Chickasaw National Recreation Area |
| Illinois | 6 | 72 | 13 | 100% | Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge |
| Connecticut | 3 | 72 | 11 | 100% | Appalachian National Scenic Trail |
| Virginia | 30 | 71 | 16 | 80% | Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail |
| Georgia | 15 | 71 | 13 | 73% | Andersonville National Historic Site |
| Arkansas | 8 | 71 | 15 | 100% | Hot Springs National Park |
| Alabama | 7 | 71 | 20 | 86% | Natchez Trace Parkway |
| Kentucky | 7 | 69 | 14 | 100% | Mammoth Cave National Park |
| Missouri | 13 | 68 | 14 | 92% | Ozark National Scenic Riverways |
| Massachusetts | 18 | 67 | 12 | 89% | Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area |
| South Carolina | 7 | 67 | 15 | 86% | Ninety Six National Historic Site |
| New York | 29 | 66 | 14 | 90% | National Parks of New York Harbor |
| Louisiana | 5 | 66 | 13 | 100% | Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve |
| US Virgin Islands | 4 | 66 | 15 | 75% | Virgin Islands National Park |
| Kansas | 10 | 65 | 11 | 100% | Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve |
| District of Columbia | 24 | 64 | 13 | 88% | Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail |
| Ohio | 10 | 64 | 13 | 90% | North Country National Scenic Trail |
Method, in one paragraph
Every figure above is computed by code from the 476 units published on this site, each carrying one Experience Score from 0 to 100 built from documented activity breadth, topic breadth, imagery, camping and free access, floored at 18. The score reads what a unit documents and how reachable it is; it cannot see scenery, crowds, conditions or the quality of a program. The written analysis was drafted from those figures and edited; no number in it exists outside the tables on this page. Full detail is on how we score. Data is public-domain from the National Park Service Data API and Recreation.gov RIDB, last pulled July 2026.
Citing this report: attribute to parkverdict and link to this page. parkverdict is an independent publication and is not affiliated with the National Park Service.