Data report · Published October 2026
What the lowest-scoring parks have in common, and why a low score is not a bad trip
An analysis of 476 US national park and public-land units reveals a wide range of offerings, from highly specialized sites to those providing extensive activities. The scoring system measures the breadth of documented activities and access, not subjective qualities like scenery or overall visitor experience. This report categorizes units into 'FOCUSED' (scores under 55) and 'DOES IT ALL' (scores 85 and up) to help visitors understand the scope of available experiences. By Irene A. Taranina, founding editor.
Understanding the scoring system
The scoring system evaluates units based on the documented breadth of activities and access options, not scenery, crowds, or quality of experience. A score under 55 indicates a 'FOCUSED' unit, while 85 and up denotes a 'DOES IT ALL' unit. The lowest score observed is 18. This approach provides a quantitative measure of what a unit offers, but does not reflect the intrinsic value or appeal of a specific site.
For instance, a unit with a low score might offer a profound historical experience but fewer diverse activities than a unit with a high score. The formula for the score counts documented breadth and access only. It does not account for the quality of facilities or the beauty of the natural environment.
Units with a 'FOCUSED' designation
There are 88 units, representing 18 percent of the total, that fall into the 'FOCUSED' category. These units typically offer a more limited range of activities, with a median of 7 activities. They also tend to have fewer images on record, with a median of 5 images. Examples include the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in New York, with 6 activities, and the Washington Monument in the District of Columbia, with 5 activities.
Common designations among 'FOCUSED' units include National Historic Site (28 units), National Historical Park (19 units), and National Monument (18 units). Most of these units, 80 percent, are free to enter. Only 5 percent of these units offer camping, indicating that they are generally not designed for extended stays requiring overnight accommodation.
Units designated as 'DOES IT ALL'
The 'DOES IT ALL' category includes 164 units, making up 34 percent of all units. These units provide a significantly broader array of activities, with a median of 26 activities. They also have a slightly higher median number of images, at 6. Examples of 'DOES IT ALL' units include Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, which lists 54 activities, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona and Nevada, with 48 activities.
The most frequent designations in this category are National Park (40 units), National Monument (14 units), and National Recreation Area (13 units). A high proportion, 84 percent, of these units offer camping, making them suitable for longer visits. Similar to 'FOCUSED' units, 77 percent of 'DOES IT ALL' units are free to enter.
Implications for trip planning
For travelers seeking a wide variety of activities and amenities, units in the 'DOES IT ALL' category are likely to be more suitable. These units often support extended visits, including camping, and offer diverse recreational opportunities. The presence of 26 median activities in these units suggests a broader range of engagement options for visitors.
Conversely, those interested in specific historical, cultural, or natural features, and who prefer a more focused experience, may find 'FOCUSED' units more appealing. These units, with their median of 7 activities, are often ideal for shorter visits centered around a particular theme or attraction. The high percentage of free entry for both categories means that cost of admission is not a primary differentiator between 'FOCUSED' and 'DOES IT ALL' units.
What to do with this: Visitors can use these categories to align their trip expectations with the documented offerings of each unit, understanding that 'FOCUSED' units provide specialized experiences while 'DOES IT ALL' units offer a wider range of activities and amenities.
The lowest scores in the catalog
- Historic Jamestowne Part of Colonial National Historical Park
- Thomas Cole National Historic Site
- Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site
- Washington Monument
- Nicodemus National Historic Site
- Wing Luke Museum Affiliated Area
- Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
- Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
What the under-55 group is made of
| Designation | Units |
|---|---|
| National Historic Site | 28 |
| National Historical Park | 19 |
| National Monument | 18 |
| Park | 9 |
| National Memorial | 6 |
| National Historic Trail | 2 |
What the 85-and-up group is made of
| Designation | Units |
|---|---|
| National Park | 40 |
| National Monument | 14 |
| National Recreation Area | 13 |
| Recreation Area | 10 |
| National Seashore | 8 |
| National Park & Preserve | 8 |
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.