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Artist Can’t Believe Some Tourists Actually Leave One-Star Reviews For National Parks, Decides To Illustrate Them (New Pics)
A year ago, designer Amber Share made a submission to Bored Panda, giving us a taste of her so-called Subpar Parks.
It's an illustration series based on US National Parks with a unique angle: Share enriches the pictures of these gorgeous places with the worst reviews they've received online. The results provide a surprising and entertaining take on a very human feeling — disappointment — and sometimes are so absurd, I'd even call them poetic.
On Tuesday, Subpar Parks has culminated into a book. Featuring more than 50 percent new material, the publication includes more depth and insight into the most popular parks, such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon, anecdotes and tips from rangers, and much more about the author's personal love and connection to the outdoors.
To commemorate this occasion, here's an update on the series!
More info: ambersharedesign.com | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
White Sands National Park
The review goes on to say that there aren't even any playgrounds, unless you count sliding down the sand hills and my inner child was SCREAMING about how much more fun that would be than a normal slide.
Shauna Voigt 4 years ago
My in-laws own a cabin in Cloudcrof, and we were just out at White Sands a few weeks ago. Bought some $5 sleds at the local Walmart and spent the entire day out there with three teenagers.
RELATED:
#2
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Listen. I know what you're thinking. "Amber, this review of @hawaiivolcanoesnps is definitely a joke." I assumed it was too. But after a deep dive on this reviewer's other reviews, I am convinced otherwise (but I am hoping they wanted to touch HARDENED lava).
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Well you know, swimming in it is a cure-all. Dive in and all your troubles evaporate—-just like your body. Of course, they get passed on to your surviving loved ones, but what do you care, right? (The kind of person who would fall for this crap would also probably not give a s**t about dumping their debt and tangled business affairs on their spouses and kids, who then would have to foot the bills for them.)
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Man that would have been fun. How bout we go back and I can tip you in self first and sunbathe while I listen to your slightly sickening screams of pain and marinate in the smell of your burning flesh? Sound good? :D
Mshauri Mazuri 4 years ago
We could transport lava to their house, assuming we have a container and transportation for that😂 and let them touch it.
Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 4 years ago
Ugh. i didnt even get to give myself a 3rd degree burn and get my hand amputated. What a party pooper😤
Amber Share told Bored Panda she "travels and visits national parks (and other public lands) as often as I can; at least once or twice a year."
The designer, however, doesn't keep an exact count of how many she's visited. "I think [I've been to] about a third of them. I'd love to see them all eventually!"
The pandemic has taken a huge toll on the entire travel industry. But since Share doesn't have to physically travel to the parks in order to create her satirical posters, it hasn't really affected her work. "Luckily, I've been able to stay consistent with this project despite a limited ability to travel over the last year!" she added.
#3
North Cascades National Park
They really ought to install a tropical beach if they want to keep @ncascadesnps interesting.
Madeleine Pettit 4 years ago
"TOO MANY MOUNTAINS"..........i mean, seriously though, who says that. It is literally like saying: TOO MUCH NATURE. and i love nature, so this offends me.
ThoughtsAreNotFacts 4 years ago
Right!! No such thing as "too many mountains"
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Zombijoe 4 years ago
Ha, we just visited this place (Lake Diablo, WA) last weekend. Beautiful lake and mountains.
Grumble O'Pug 4 years ago
It’s just amazing there. Tobias Wolfe grew up in Concrete, not far from there.
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Pamda Panda 4 years ago
I spend my weekends climbing the mountains in the North Cascades. I feel attacked and will fight this person.
Scott T Brynildsen 4 years ago
I've lived in the northwest most of my life and it's enchanting. I grew up in the mountains, so this person just needs to go camp out in their local Walmart parking lot like it's almost Black Friday. They are not needed.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
...wow. yeah let's just get them removed for ya and disturb the entire biome just so you dont have to deal with all the "mountains, trees, snow, etc" :))
#4
Everglades National Park
I guess we're calling the largest wilderness east of the Mississippi, home to panthers, crocodiles, manatees, and over 350 kinds of birds, "nothing" now.
Glirpy 4 years ago
If you get out of the boat and go into the water, I guarantee you’ll see something very soon!
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Well, if you never look up from your f*****g phone, I guess you would think there’s nothing in that huge expanse of wetlands. If you put the f*****g thing away and keep looking around, you’ll see a wealth of unique and really interesting flora and fauna. For real too, not just a picture on your phone—-and you don’t have to add to them. If you have to take pictures, take them just for yourself, not to post online, OK?
Beatrice Multhaupt 4 years ago
Went there once, age 12. Just as I was thinking, ''Nothing'' while looking at a misshapen tree with hundreds of wilted grey-brown leaves clinging to its branches, my mother clapped her hands and as many spoon-billed flamingos flew into the sunset. I'll never forget nothing.
Toujin C'Thlu 4 years ago
As someone who wants to see the Everglades someday, reviews like this infuriate me.
Lisa Shelton 4 years ago
I guess they expected a convenience store and a Starbucks every few trees.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Oh man I bet that "nothing" would love to eat you alive, wouldn't it?
Unlike the reviews in her illustrations, the book Subpar Parks: America's Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors has a 5-star rating on Amazon and has already become its number 1 best seller in the Landscape & Seascape Art category.
"My book is a collection of over 75 parks, including many never seen before on Instagram. Even some of the original parks I posted have additional illustrations and reviews in the book, and it's chock full of other sketches and illustrations, park information, history, and tips and anecdotes from myself and park rangers," she explained. "It's really fun and informative, and beautiful to flip through (if I do say so myself)."
Working on Subpar Parks, reading all of these negative reviews, has taught Amber how to navigate these destinations. If you also want to have a positive national park experience, it's a good idea to do the research. That includes talking to people who've been there as well as talking to people who are familiar with what you like to do and rangers. Then, just give yourself more time than you think you need and soak in the goods.
#5
Mount Rainier National Park
Nevermind that @mountrainiernps is the most topographically prominent mountain in the lower 48.... so prominent in fact that locals refer to it as THE mountain. I've seen bigger. One star.
Bored Batgirl 4 years ago
I grew up in WA and on a clear day it's common for people to say "The mountain is out today."
Hello it Smee 4 years ago
I live near Olympia and to confirm today the mountain is indeed out🙂
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Kim Shapley 4 years ago
Everyone missed the humour in it... "I've seen bigger mountains". One star review. .......... ........Lone Star state, everything's bigger in Texas
Bacony Cakes 4 years ago
the mountain is bigger in texas is bigger in alaska is bigger in russia is bigger on jupiter
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Scott T Brynildsen 4 years ago
It's the tallest on in the United States. Good lord, it's not Everest.
#6
Channel Islands National Park
Pretty sure this is the same person who stayed in the Airbnb I host and docked us a star because the birds outside woke him up.
COCO puff 4 years ago
Karen: "Stupid birds flying everywhere, making noise, can I talk to a manager about them.... they are bugging me & making the experience annoying"
Philly Bob Squires 4 years ago
There is a "secretary bird"... maybe there's a "manager pigeon" as well?
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Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 4 years ago
Stupid birds. These are definitely robots and not just nature. UGH.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Damn those birds just ruin everything, dont they? I bet you're sick of these creatures living in their natural environment waking you up in a place you're not even supposed to be at, arent you?
Christel Nellemann 4 years ago
Wow, people like that should just libe in a concrete enclosure with only plastic things and fake sky.
#7
Big Bend National Park
Listen @bigbendnps, can't you get control of your weather? One star.
Ileana Sky Aviles 4 years ago
It hailed on me in Kenya, I was in a state of shock. I expected dry, Arabian desert good thing I'm not on airbnb, zero stars for not controlling this hail or given early instructions on it's arrival. Also, the lions were skinnier than national geographic lions and refused to kill anything before my eyes
Jo Johannsen 4 years ago
I saw the down votes and assumed people did not recognize your sarcasm, so I up voted as much as I could. 😉
Load More Replies... Glirpy 4 years ago
It is raining, master dwarf, and it will continue to rain until the rain stops. If you wish to change the weather of the world, find yourself another wizard!
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Once in a while, there are storms and cloudbursts in the desert. Just like every few years it snows in Southern California (just a dusting, but still). Nature isn’t one-dimensional, it fluctuates. Problem is, we’ve f****d us the natural fluctuations by artificially increasing the CO2 levels, and changing the climate. So, until we get serious about reversing the trend, be on the lookout for more unexpected and unusual weather. Everywhere.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Oh, well SORRY us wizards couldn't just be on your beck and call, ready to carry out your eVeRy command. We REALLY apologize for being busy with our own lives and not being able to control nature.
#8
Bryce Canyon National Park
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Too orange, too spiky, too big, too hard. Now that would be a very jealous review by the donald.
Suzanne Clark 4 years ago
Um, do we see a pattern here? Is it only me who thinks there are a lot of idiots out there?
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
What. What does that even mean and what do you want them to do about it?
Bacony Cakes 4 years ago
[rave music] Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce! Bryce!
Toujin C'Thlu 4 years ago
What do they want then? Someone to change the color and shape of the rocks just for them?
#9
Pinnacles National Park
I mean, all of Earth is a giant rock, so what's interesting about a bunch of smaller rocks? One star.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Sorry we couldnt live up to your expectations, oh exalted one.
Toujin C'Thlu 4 years ago
Went to Pinnacles a few times while living in California. It's a beautiful place.
#10
Hot Springs National Park
It appears @hotspringsnps' only crime is honesty Saved the OLDEST for last! This park is the oldest area managed by the @nationalparkservice, first protected as Hot Springs Reservation in 1832!
V 2000 4 years ago (edited)
Why would you go to a hot spring, if you are not into hot springs in the first place?
Aliquid A 4 years ago
Maybe you are just curious, and haven't ever been to hot springs before.
Load More Replies... arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Sorry again, we didn't mean to make it so boring for all you "Grand Canyon" lovers. Step right this way to the view of your lives, where you'll see your life flashing before your eyes as you're pushed off by Bruce the Janitor.
Christina Bathan 4 years ago
Probably some of the best nights of sleep after spending the dat at the hot springs…. Colorado was nice, we were actually in them while it was snowing…. The one in the Philippines, was like Jurassic park .. great way to detox your body
#11
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Just a canyon created over the course of 2 million years, exposing mind-blowing patterns of rock that's over 2 billion years old. Nothing interesting here.
boredkoala 4 years ago
This is my favorite NP...the canyon is mind blowingly dramatic with its deep color and large veining!!
Bacony Cakes 4 years ago
...You do know you can reply by clicking the "Reply" button, right?
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Badlands National Park
You know when you're SUPER angry about something and you come up with the best zinger later in the shower and just have to share it with people? That's this review.
Ashbug 4 years ago
I used to be a people person but people ruined it for me
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#13
National Park Of American Samoa
Imagine spending the time and money to travel to a lush, beautiful, and remote Pacific island and feeling this underwhelmed with it.
Neil Bidle 4 years ago
People like this don't deserve to live on this planet. They're the people who move out of the "too crowded" city and then complain it's too quiet with no night life.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
What hassle? You mean the one on the cruise ship to find your "vintage sunglasses" earlier? The one that caused you to call security because you thought your precious, "priceless" sunglasses were missing? The one that held everyone up and pushed the tour an hour back because the sunglasses were really in the front pocket of your suitcase the entire time and not stolen by your neighbor? That hassle?
Astrid Manthej 4 years ago
Are they nuts? This looks really lovely! I'd love to be able to go there someday!
#14
Biscayne National Park
I'd personally consider it a plus if I could explore coral reefs and shipwrecks and see dolphins, turtles, and tons of fish at @biscaynenps without interruption. Maybe the park's trying to tell you something!
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
They’re just pissed off they can’t immediately post pictures online. You know, even without a signal, you can still take pictures—-for yourself, not the internet.
Seabeast 4 years ago
Posting pictures *while* you're on vacation is a bad idea anyway. If someone wants to break into your house, they now know that you're thousands of kilometres away.
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ThoughtsAreNotFacts 4 years ago
Omg with the cell phones! Leave them in your pocket if you're lucky enough to be at a beautiful park!
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Here let me fix that for you; well just drain the entire reef and ditch the whole "under water wonderland look" for a cellphone tower. That sounds good, right?
Liz the Wanderer 4 years ago
That is always my first criteria for choosing which National Park to visit.. how's the signal??
#15
Gateway Arch National Park
I mean, it IS a completely curved arch, so yeah – there are no points.
Catlady6000 4 years ago
Hoping this one was just a bad joke, since there is no "point" to the Arch
Martin John 4 years ago
I've lived in STL my whole life and am not very impressed with the view from the Gateway Arch, but if I have friends coming to visit from out of town, I will boast about it like I built it with my bare hands when I take them to see it! :)
#16
Shenandoah National Park
If you have to get out of your car, is it even worth seeing?
E Menendez 4 years ago
Lol - same reason there will be plenty of parking but people circle the front 30 spots for 20 min so the don't have to walk so far to go in the store, gym ( makes me laugh even harder and is on par to the escalator to the gym), or any where else. Unless you are disabled, there is no need for this.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
I *loathe* people who say this about our forests/parks. "You need to get out of the car to see something." Well, it's not a drive-in movie. It's a national *park*. So park your car. Walk. There's amazing stuff on safe, well-marked trails.
Toujin C'Thlu 4 years ago
Shenandoah is beautiful! This sounds like someone who just sat in the car and pouted while everyone else went off to have fun.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
It's a NaTiOnAl PARK. What else are you going to do? Stand around and take pictures for your "Instagram" and videos of your pushing your best friend Willis off a cliff for your "Yubtub"?
#17
Kaibab National Forest
1.6 million acres of plain jane forests (with a huge variety of vegetation & wildlife depending on which elevation you’re in), desert, lakes, meadows, views of the Grand Canyon, plentiful dispersed camping, and hikes galore.
A lot of people have asked me where we camped when we visited the Grand Canyon, and here’s your answer! Kaibab National Forest is a great option for dispersed camping near GCNP, but there’s also plenty to do in the forest itself! We camped and hiked in the northern district, which borders the north rim of GCNP (the forest has districts that border the south rim too), and if you’re lucky and get there early, you can even find campsites with views of the canyon. Plain Jane is the last phrase I’d use to describe our experience! P.S. The most recommended thing on our entire trip that we didn’t get to do was get cookies from Jacob Lake Inn So if you visit, grab some and let me live vicariously through you!
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
I guess there really are some people who just can’t see the forest for the trees. Sad.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Dudes, why did you even go out into the woods in the first place? Theres no service to satisfy your shallow, materialistic needs anyways.
#18
Peak District National Park
Guess that explains why Peak District is a popular climbing destination in the UK.
Hannah Edwards 4 years ago
If you can’t find something magical in the Peak District then you have no soul and I’m sorry for you.
#19
Haleakala National Park
Another day, another sunrise, on top of a volcano, 10,000 feet up. Meh.
T J R 4 years ago
It was FREEZING cold waiting on top for the sun to rise. Sadly the cloud coverage was a bit too thick for us to see the sun rise in its entirety, but once it came up above the clouds it was absolutely stunning and the view all around was wonderous. The ride up was scary. The ride down was scary (my daughter got car sick). The memories we made while there will last a lifetime. 10/10 stars.
Mazer 4 years ago
Just the plant life on that mountain is epic!! That you can surf in the ocean in the morning and go snow skiing in the afternoon on this mountain is unusual and awesome in its own right. I need these people to give up their travel seats so that I can appreciate these beautiful beautiful places. By the way if you don’t know “Haleakala” means house of the sun.
#20
Port Campbell National Park
Thanks for the laughs, UK parks, but it's time to take a look at a few of the most disappointing places in Australia! Between The Twelve Apostles (sadly, only 8 of which remain), Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch, and the Grotto, I can TOOOOTALLY see how Port Campbell National Park is overhyped. Would absolutely hate to visit the Australian coast someday.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Why are we hating on Americans again? I mean yeah some of them are dumbasses who can't tell morals and money apart but not all of them are bad.
#21
Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
An 1,100-foot natural sandstone monolith (the world's largest!) that's 500 million years old? Yawn – it's got nothing on that 12-ft man-made hunk of metal that turned up in Utah.
Carmen Sandiego 4 years ago (edited)
HOW DARE YOU?! I'M ENRAGED! EDIT :It may have sounded sarcastic. It's not.
Russell West 4 years ago
Stainless steel triangle monolith, the first of several across the world incidentally that showed up in random places.
Load More Replies... arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Bro I wish that you would stop staring at your phone and actually take a look at it. Get your head out of societies toxic expectations of you and enjoy nature's miracles. It'll be fun. Now do it before I take your phone and feed it to my friend's pet shark.
Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 4 years ago
How dare you. This is on my bucket list if I'm ever brave enough to face the spiders
#22
Mesa Verde National Park
I guess the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and the largest archaeological preserve in the United States doesn't count as much these days.
Paula McCullah 4 years ago
I just visited this park a few weeks ago. It was so cool. Unfortunately, the park ranger was not very well informed and argued with me about why the people left their Pueblo. She claimed is was "the spanish" when I tried to explain to her that it wasn't possible since the Pueblos were abandoned well before the Spanish arrived in the America's (they were abandoned around 1100's, Spanish exploration after 1492) she argued that there were American Spanish (did she mean native people from the south? Mexica or similar? ) I couldn't get her to understand that people in Mexico didn't speak Spanish before Columbus. It was infuriating.
Auntriarch 4 years ago
Oh dear, once you catch a guide in one mistake, they might as well not be there
Load More Replies... arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Wonder if there are any working closets or dungeons there I could lock you in. Also no, there will be no service twenty feet underground.
Hannah Edwards 4 years ago
I’d love to go to this place! It looks amazing! Why are these fantastic trips being wasted on these ungrateful idiots?
#23
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu? More like KakaDON'T, am I right?!
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Oh yeah lets not bother to go look at this national treasure we paid literal hUnDrEdS to go see. You're right, totally not worth the tour guide and the boat and the fancy hotel. Definately not.
#24
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Putting the "bad" in Carlsbad since 1930. Couldn't you at least hang some art and install a tasteful sconce or two?
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Yeah wish there was more fire. Then we could have burned you at the stake and used all the art on the walls and tastefull sconces installed as kindling.
Chloe *Leah* Pheonix 4 years ago
It's a cave... of course its poorly lit.... (I HATE CAVES I HAVE TERRIBLE SPELUNKAPHOBIA)
#25
Coconino National Forest
That’s it. That’s the review.
(Really though. One star, one word. That’s all this person could muster for this incredible place. They apparently missed the many areas of this 1.8 million acre wonderland that are decidedly NOT desert, given that Coconino is one of the most diverse national forests in the country!)
#26
Jasper National Park
Given how magical Spirit Island/Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park looks, it seems like we must just have different definitions of the word "need."
#27
Redwoods National Park
I went to a coastal forest park and all I saw was coast and forest.
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Yeah, just f*****g huge tall trees, that have been there for millennia, and wildly beautiful coastline, that’s all. Asshole.
JayWantsACat 4 years ago
I know everyone is allowed to experience things in their own way but come on. This National Park is objectively beautiful. Are these idiots conflating national park for amusement parks?
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Wow, I wonder why! :D Could it have been all the redwood forests by the coast????
ThoughtsAreNotFacts 4 years ago
People are ridiculous! Redwoods and Sequoias are incredible to see up close!
#28
Dry Tortugas National Park
Most of us usually call this exploring... (P.S. Bummer that this person seems to have missed all the non-walking water-based activities @drytortugasnps has to offer
Toujin C'Thlu 4 years ago
Just because it's Florida doesn't mean it's going to like Disney World
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Maybe you should have taken your ability to walk and walked off a cliff. Or, if you're looking for a less extreme option just go have fun and stop complaining. Also turn off your phone.
#29
Rocky Mountain National Park
I mean, other than 300 miles of trails, ridiculous star gazing, Trail Ridge Road, an insanely beautiful wildflower season, and hundreds of species of wildlife.... There's really nothing impressive about @rockynps
Jessica Bertram 4 years ago
thank you. plus, Never Summer, backcountry hiking, rivers, waterfalls, big moose and tiny electric blue dragonflies, and everything in between. 🥰 i love my state.
Robin DJW 4 years ago
Aw, Sweetie -- I am SO happy that you are happy. And yes, it's freakin' beautiful.
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arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Yeah... giant mountain range, SUPER unimpressive. Maybe it'll liven up if someone falls off.
Greta Salzman 4 years ago
Yes, i live in a state that has the Rockies, and they are absolutely worth seeing, worth my entire life, really
#30
The British Isles
Ok, not *technically* a national park (a National Scenic Area!), but you know I had to — plus, as the highest mountain in the British Isles, Ben Nevis is pretty dang majestic. There were so many gems in 1-star reviews of this place, it was tough to choose what to actually put on the illustration Can't wait to climb this baby myself and see what all the whining is about.
arsonistofthemonth jr 4 years ago
Yeah! Let's just shorten the walk for your leisure, your majesty.
#31
Mammoth Cave National Park
I know it's the longest cave system in the world, but you'd think @mammothcavenps could get a few hundred dehumidifiers and space heaters up in here.
Khavrinen 4 years ago
"Won't be back until they finally fix that. Hopefully a few baby ones in the petting zoo."
Load More Replies... Catlady6000 4 years ago
I was thrilled too. I'm in Tennessee, but my parents honeymooned at Mammoth Caves
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#32
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Hold up – you're telling me I have to drive a scenic road all the way to the top of the mountain to see the breathtaking views at the top of the mountain? Hard pass.
Apparently the Cabot Trail highway in Cape Breton Highlands National Park was just a bit too long a drive for this person.
#33
Congaree National Park
Blaming @congareenps for being hot/humid is right up there with blaming Glacier NP for being too cold (The RealFeel in Raleigh is currently 112º so this gets no sympathy from me!)
Kinslee Hager 4 years ago (edited)
Yeah but u get to see pretty streams and stuff I mean I live in sc also its one of the most unvisited national parks in the US
#34
Great Sand Dunes National Park And Preserve
It's called... Great... Sand... Dunes... ? And it *just* has the tallest sand dunes in all of North America. Meh.
DelvianBlue 4 years ago
I went there once as a kid. Yeah they're sand dunes but they're also awesome!
#35
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Back on US soil today (figuratively speaking of course, since I’ve barely left my house in the last year, let alone the country) to start working my way through some other epic public lands! This person really has a point. When you google @picturedrocksnps, pretty much all that comes up are pictures of rocks never mind that they come in the form of incredible cliffs, arches, sea caves, blowholes, spires and other epic formations.
#36
Kosciuszko National Park
Just the highest peak in Australia (not to mention glacial lakes, fields of wildflowers in the spring, and tons of snow sports in the winter). Nbd.
#37
Acadia National Park
Hey @acadianps, what's the ETA on your Atlantic Ocean heat pump?
#38
Kenai Fjords National Park
Listen @kenaifjordsnps, can't you corral these 30 ton creatures so I can gawk at them all day? It's not like there's anything else interesting to see here.
#39
Voyageurs National Park
I know I for one can't stand it when I have a majestic piece of nature all to myself (and yes, this was actually a complaint!).
System_of_a_Girl 4 years ago
That would make it my favourite place. No offense, fellow humans.
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
My dream vacation. To be by myself (sorry, my beloved family, but I need some solitary “me time” sometimes—-I promise to come back home to you, totally refreshed), to hear nothing but the wind and other sounds of nature, to see the stars so clearly I can see the Milky Way too. And to be able to just sit and take it all in, without someone else there droning in about having to constantly be doing something, when I want to shut out the rest of the world and just be. Yeah, sometimes the only company I want is my own. What a way to recharge my batteries!
Calypso poet 4 years ago
That's why I love going places off season! We went kayaking recently and were surprised that the normally full trip everyone else canceled because of the threat of thunderstorms. We saw one guy fishing the whole 6 miles! We got rained on at one point but the wildlife that was out was amazing! Finally saw an eagle because we could quietly approach birds. Too bad I forgot my waterproof camera.
#40
Katmai National Park & Preserve
Maybe this person should have headed over to Wrangell-St. Elias instead. I hear there are TOO MANY bears over there! (There are lots of opinions about the appropriate number of bears in Alaska, apparently.)
Carrie DeHaven 4 years ago
I've been to Katmai, and there were tons of bears. Our group waited over an hour to return because a mama and her cubs decided to relax on the bridge that led back to camp. Maybe this person never left the camp.
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Tell you what, we’ll make YOUR home into a National Park, and expect YOU to make an appearance—-doing something entertaining—-whenever there are people (or bears if the tables are to be truly turned) around and expecting a show. Then we’ll see if you change your habits just to please assholes like yourself.
#41
Mojave National Preserve
In 5th grade my bully asked me if I thought I was pretty and before I could answer she said “I do... pretty UGLY.” Maybe she’s reviewing national parks now and left this lovely sentiment about @mojavenp?
#42
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Dyann Antony 4 years ago
Emerald water and white "sugar sand" I moved there because of the beauty!
#43
New River Gorge National Park
Seems like we could all use a chuckle and some light hearted news right now, so in case you didn’t hear... “The New” is going to be America’s NEWest National Park, after 30+ years as a National River (plenty of time to have already had some disgruntled visitors). The irony is that the not-so-New River Gorge is actually one of the continent’s oldest rivers, full of opportunities for whitewater rafting, peaceful floating, hiking, climbing, fishing, and more!
As a frequent visitor of the smokies, I’ve come to think of mist/fog as a part of the Appalachian viewing experience, but I guess this person would disagree with me.
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
Just spend some time there, and that’ll change. When I was a kid, my parents and I visited San Francisco. When we stopped to look at the Golden Gate Bridge, the fog obscured all but the highest parts. If we’d left that moment, then of course we would’ve been disappointed and/or unimpressed. But we stuck around, because we noticed the sun trying to peek through the fog. What we ended up seeing was the entire bridge emerge from the top down, as the sun burned the fog away. One of the coolest sights I’ve ever witnessed, and I would’ve missed it if we’d been sullen assholes and just walked away bitching after only a couple minutes.
#44
Gates Of The Arctic National Park And Preserve
Listen, it was a good effort, but the scale is just all wrong.
#45
Kobuk Valley National Park
I didn't travel to a nearly 2 million acre park in Alaska to be alone in a peaceful wilderness.
(In the spirit of full disclosure, this is actually the negative aspect of a 3-star review, but it was too good to pass up since none of the 1-star reviewers said anything )
2WheelTravlr 4 years ago
This is an apt description of nearly all of Alaska as soon as you leave the tourist-infested harbors. I love solitude and have spent plenty of time exploring backcountry, but Alaska is the king of solitude. I hope everyone with an adventurous nature has a chance to drive the Alcan at least once in their lifetime.
#46
North Rim Of The Grand Canyon
When I’m asked about @grandcanyonnps (which is on several records as being my favorite national park), I often say that I can understand how someone who just walks up the rim and doesn’t spend a whole lot of time there might be unimpressed. But I actually have a really hard time putting myself in that mindset, because even just sitting on the rim looking out at the vast layers in front of us, you had to tear me and @mallorymusante away to go cook dinner and set up camp for the night. One person’s boring is another person’s stunning, I guess!
Most people head to the south rim, which certainly has more of the iconic viewpoints, but but don’t forget about the north rim! Only about 10% of visitors make it there, and if you do, you’ll be rewarded with relatively cooler temps, aspen trees (and a variety of other flora and fauna you won’t find on the south rim), and fewer people. You might even see some bison on the way in depending on the time of year, though we weren’t lucky enough for that (we did see some traces of them near our campsite, though )!
David F 4 years ago (edited)
When I first saw the Grand Canyon it was so AMAZING, so huge and spectacular. My friend and I were driving to Oklahoma so we stopped at the Grand Canyon park in ride to sleep at around 2 in the morning and when I woke up Preston said Davey come look at this and I got out of the bed of the truck and walked ten feet to the edge of the Canyon and saw the whole thing and I was like Holy S**t...
Mazer 4 years ago
It’s really sad, it’s like Yosemite national park, most people spend a maximum of three hours in the valley and then they go home. I would give my eyeteeth to be at any one of these places especially if I had a couple of weeks at any one of these places which may be just enough time to satisfy my curiosity and fill my soul
T J R 4 years ago
Same here. Every single moment of my time there was spent in awe.
Load More Replies... Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
You get out of something only what you put in. With a little effort (yeah, a lot to ask of some people), you can find plenty to be fascinated and totally, absorbed in. Anywhere.
#47
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Personally, after what it takes to get to @lakeclarknps, I'd be happy to just sit and stare at this water for several... years.
#48
Denali National Park And Preserve
Yep, pretty much nothing in @denalinps but 6 million acres of Alaskan wilderness full of spruce forests, grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou... not to mention the highest peak in North America. One star.
#49
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
Sounds like a personal problem to me, because I don't see how I'd ever get bored of views like this one from the top of Ben A'an.
#50
Banff National Park
Agree to disagree, sir. (PS I love how this review isn't even all that mad or critical. The least passionate one star review I've ever seen!)
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Are you f*****g kidding? The tallest mountains in the Rockies? Lake Louise? Glaciers (at least what’s left of them)? Are you blind or just stupid?
#51
Pacific Rim National Park
I'm not even much of a beach person, but I'm sold (PS the three regions of this park are Long Beach, the West Coast, and the Broken Group Islands, so I feel like Pacific Rim was pretty up front about there being a whoooole lotta beach, but there are also rainforests!).
#52
Yoho National Park
I'm back, baby – and taking a hard look at some of Canada's most stunning national treasures! Apparently even the mind blowing jade waters of Emerald Lake with epic views of Mount Burgess, Michael Peak, and Wapta Mountain was not very thrilling for this Yoho National Park visitor.
#53
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Idk about y'all, but the possibility of seeing bison and wild horses, and the definite presence of badlands at @theodorerooseveltnps is more than enough attraction for me!
#54
Indiana Dunes National Park
Given how flat the state of Indiana is, I'm not really sure how high you could expect dunes on a beach there to be?
Evie Grove 4 years ago
These people are idiots. How HIGH do you expect the dunes to be? Do you expect a CAVERN to be BRIGHTLY LIT! So many people wanted to go here so bad, and you have to complain that the mountains AREN’T TALL ENOUGH! Respect the beauty of nature!
Dagnirath 4 years ago
The word "respect" barely exists in most people's vocabulary anymore.
Load More Replies... 
#55
Canyon De Chelly National Monument
Just stunning, sheer cliffs of red rock and a lush green canyon below, with opportunities to see ancient pit houses, petroglyphs, and pictographs, and learn about Ancient Puebloan, Hopi, and Navajo cultures. Meh! The National Park Service and the Navajo Nation work together to manage this stunning and sacred place, which is entirely within Navajo Nation, so yeah, if you're not going to respect Navajo customs and laws it definitely IS better to skip it.
Kathryn Romero 4 years ago
Really? The drive is wonderful, the cliff dwelling amazing, not to mention Spider Rock at the end! For a fee you can actually get a guided tour into canon (no one is allowed into the basin because it is private land, so you gave to have a Navajo Guide).
#56
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Raise your hand if you saw this review of @goldengatenps coming from a mile away (which is farther than you can see in this dang fog)The fog in San Francisco is so famous it has a name and an Instagram account (@karlthefog), and inspired an emoji, so I guess this person wasn’t aware they were in the presence of a celebrity
Calypso poet 4 years ago
Fog can be so beautiful! I love it. Not great to drive in but morning fog if you have a hotel room with a view is amazing!
Mazer 4 years ago
OK yes this can be a really big issue, But only if you don’t do your homework before you go!! The best time to visit the San Francisco Bay Area to see the Golden Gate Bridge is in October. All summer long the coastal fog can be thick, the wind can be brutal and the temperature drops to an astounding 56° which because of the humidity will make you feel like you’re naked even if you have three layers of clothing on! However bonus bonus bonus if there’s too much fog at the Golden Gate, you just need to travel about a half an hour and you can get to any one of five state parks, massive open space lands, national monuments, beaches, etc and have not only no fog and no freezing cold weather but because there’s so many micro climates in the area a 15 minute drive from the Golden Gate Bridge can put you into 90° sunny weather.
#57
Petrified Forest National Park
Never mind that those "dead trees" are the fossilized remains of ancient trees from 200+ million years ago, full of mind-blowing colors and patterns. Yawn!
#58
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Sounds like me whenever I go to a party, tbh.
#59
Wind Cave National Park
Just one of the longest cave systems in the world, with so much crazy texture (hello, boxwork!) it's basically impossible to capture in an illustration. And on top of that (literally), one of the few remaining mixed-grass prairie in the US. Same old, same old, @windcavenps.
JP 4 years ago
We were in Custer State Park when the lightening caught it on fire. Had to evacuate south in the middle of the night. We wanted to go to Deadwood next, ended up at Wind Cave NP. Not sad at all! This was one of the most amazing tours we've taken. Only Antelope Slot Canyons beat it. My kids were 8 and 5 at the time. They still talk about it...and they're in their 40s now.
#60
Glacier Bay National Park And Preserve
If over 1,000 glaciers (several of which make the boat you can tour them on look like a toy boat), plus whales, sea lions, sea otters, and puffins don't make @glacierbaynps great, I really don't know what will!
#61
Virgin Islands National Park
Nothing to see at @virginislandsnps but an overrated tropical paradise with unbelievably turquoise water.
#62
Canyonlands National Park
Karen isn't mad. She's just disappointed.
#63
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The highest point in Texas, the largest exposed fossil reef in the world, not to mention a diverse landscape of desert, canyon, and alpine ecosystems. MEH.
#64
Snowdonia National Park
As they say, one man's rubbish is another man's... ideal retreat into nature?
I was going to be really disappointed if I got through the UK series without getting to use the word rubbish, so thanks @visitsnowdonia!
#65
Lake District National Park
Yes, I can see how England's largest National Park, which contains both England's deepest AND longest lakes, plus mountains and woodlands, wouldn't be all that interesting. Probably best to skip it.
#66
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
While this person mentioned bears not once, but TWICE in their one star review, let us all take a moment to appreciate the irony that one of the only other negative reviews of this park is that there isn't ENOUGH wildlife. Life lesson: There will always be someone ready to complain, no matter what you do. Don't take it personally.
Calypso poet 4 years ago
They don't speak English? We saw them camping when I was little and it was so exciting! These people are crazy!
Load More Replies... #67
Kings Canyon National Park
I'm gonna go ahead and let Mist Falls and Paradise Valley speak for themselves on this one.
Mazer 4 years ago
What the heck the top of Moro rock offers some of the most spectacular views of the peaks of the southern Sierra’s. I meant to give a little bit of grace here maybe they showed up during one of the massive wild fires that were going on and nobody could see anything to be honest. But if that wasn’t the case then no grace, no mercy
#68
Little River Canyon National Preserve
Waterfalls, lush greenery, dramatic rock walls, and plenty of opportunities to hike, climb, kayak (everything from more gentle sections of river up to Class VI rapids Olympic kayakers have trained on!), bike, or drive your way through the scenery? That’s it? You’re gonna need to do a little more to impress me, Little River Canyon.
#69
Fire Island National Seashore
Maybe this person is confusing @fireislandnps with the Fyre Festival
Fun fact! No one knows exactly where the name Fire Island came from. It could be a misinterpretation of Five or Vier (Dutch for 4) on maps, as the number of inlet islands changed over the years (“ted party” Parks and Rec episode anyone?). Or it could refer to beach fires built on the island by pirates to lure ships to shore.
Either way, I really don’t get how you could be let down by a beach where you can sail, swim, fish, hike, camp, canoe, kayak...
#70
Crater Lake National Park
Just goes to show you that with the right mindset, even the deepest lake in the US, which is literally in a COLLAPSED VOLCANO, can be boring.
Evie Grove 4 years ago
Oh for peats sake! My family had been planning to go there before Covid hit and we had to completely cancel our trip! I’ve always wanted to go there and this makes me mad!
Eucritta 4 years ago
It's gorgeous. It's also got magnificent stargazing, lots of bats, and the lake is so clear & still the night sky is reflected in it like a dark mirror ... it can be like being suspended in the sky. We once stayed up there at the lodge during the Perseid meteor shower, and it was just spectacular.
Load More Replies... #71
Great Basin National Park
What good is a national park if it doesn't have at least a cave, a mountain, a desert, a tundra, AND a jungle all in one?
#72
Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
Pretty much every bad review for Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is about how remote it is, which made me laugh a little extra because it’s exactly why I love this park. Straddling the border of Utah / Arizona (as I affectionately call Arizutah), Vermilion Cliffs is full of colorful, swirling rock formations, the longest slot canyon in the world, and much more! A few important things to know if you want to plan a visit, because the reality of a trip here is not everyone’s cup of tea (it is, in fact, quite remote, and does not have much in the way of facilities within the park): 1. Many areas feature fragile, flaky sandstone fins that will crumble under your boot. They took millions of years to form, and can be destroyed in an instant. Stick to sandy washes or slickrock, and if you must step on a fin, choose larger ones, step carefully, and make sure your foot is far from the edge. 2. Some areas require a permit which are very limited to protect the fragile landscape. They’re available online 4 months in advance through a lottery (Coyote Buttes North, aka the Wave) or monthly calendar (Paria Canyon overnight and Coyote Buttes South), and for Coyote Buttes North / South, there’s also an in-person lottery a day in advance. Check BLM.gov and Recreation.gov for info and availability! 3. The roads are at best dirt or gravel, and at worst deep sand with rough, rocky patches! Signs are NOT lying when they say a road requires high clearance 4WD. Know your route and whether you/your vehicle can handle it, and if not, save yourself a pricey tow and a long wait for assistance, and book a local tour company! I personally have used @kanabtourcompany and Grand Staircase Discovery, but there are many others. If you love another company, feel free to give them a shout out! 4. This park is best known for the famous Wave, but it’s so much more than that (you might be surprised to learn that this is not even an illustration of the Wave 😉). I’ve spent more days in this park than almost any other, and I’ve never been to the Wave! Do yourself a favor and look into other areas you can visit. I promise, they aren’t a consolation prize!
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Um, I think off the beaten path is pretty much the point. Very little of any real interest can be found right off the interstate, or even major highway, as it’s become way too homogenized. Now, follow an alternate, more “off the beaten path” route instead, and you’d be amazed at all the hidden gems you can discover.
#73
Lake Mead National Recreation Area - National Park Service
Mead is actually an abbreviation for Mediocre, didn’t you know?
Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the US, formed by the uber-famous Hoover Dam! If that’s not cool enough, the National Recreation area actually contains a second lake (Lake Mohave) and covers part of 3 different deserts! Sounds like a pretty dam good place to spend a day or two if you ask me.
#74
Blue Mountains National Park
Ohhhh, I get it... Wentworth Falls, as in I WENT there and it was totally not WORTH it. Blue Mountains National Park is going to have to do a bit better than a 300m waterfall to capture this guy’s attention.
#75
Coconino National Forest
Photos and illustrations of Coconino National Forest really don’t do it justice, so I think it actually IS a must see 🤷🏼♀️
There’s no way around it: much of Coconino is close to Sedona, and it’s a popular place. Combine that with areas of the national forest within city limits being (understandably) a no-go for dispersed camping, and you really need to manage your expectations and plan ahead to have an enjoyable trip here, particularly if you’re seeking a bit of solitude. Resources like @ioverlander, @freeroamhq and freecampsites.net will be your best friends for planning where to sleep if you’re not making reservations in campgrounds. Get to camping spots as early as you can, and if you want to do hikes you know are popular, get an early start! Sunrise hikes became our go-to plan for a lot of our trip, and gave us a lot of quiet space, even in popular spots like Bell Rock. If you’re going to do the popular thing at the popular time (like Cathedral Rock at sunset), accept the likely reality that you’ll be around a lot of people, especially during peak tourism months! You’ll be far less grumpy than if you were naively expecting to have it all to yourself (and pleasantly surprised if you somehow do!).
#76
White Mountain National Forest
Funny, because I am COMPLETELY uninterested in what this person thinks about @whitemountainforest. Just the tallest mountain in the northeast, plus plenty of activities to keep you (somewhat) entertained year round, including spring wildflowers, mild summers perfect for hiking, fall foliage, and winter sports galore.
#77
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
Since I’m branching out from the 63 national parks and into other areas, I thought I’d give some love to one of my favorites that I can’t wait to get back to - Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, which isn’t managed by NPS but instead by BLM (@mypubliclands)! National Monuments can be a bit confusing because sometimes they’re managed by different groups or jointly. But either way, this place is still pretty darn special in my opinion (just be prepared if you’re going to venture down Hole-in-the-Rock Road )
Leigh C. 4 years ago
Omg. This reminded me of when my persnickety mom came back from Hawaii with literally NOTHING good to say about it. "The poi! Terrible. It's PULLED PORK. The texture was terrible" "The tour bus was boring. All you see is ocean on your right and rocks on your left. Nothing to see at all" "There was so many Japanese tourists and I couldn't tell them apart from the Hawaiians." "It's a CITY. Looks like Vancouver. I was expecting grass huts." "The sun sets too early." "Pineapples everywhere. Enough with the pineapples." "They called me 'cousin'. Like, shut up, I'm not your cousin." "They don't use enough consonants in their language." "The waterfall in the courtyard of the hotel wouldn't shut off at night and kept me up." "The hotel only catered to Japanese. There was only Japanese food. The kids ate with their hands." This woman should never travel again XD
Julia Atkinson 4 years ago
There isn't a single place on this list I wouldn't want to visit - fantastic illustrations, by the way!
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What do you think ?
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Our national parks are never boring. Only the people who whine that they're boring are boring.
cassiushumanmother 4 years ago
It seems like these people are the type of people who are going to wonderful beaches to jet ski, wonderful deserts to quad, wonderful countryside to mud truck... I want to visit these people and review them as "f... annoying, rude, disrespectful, poor human beings that needs to be constantly kept entertained like toddlers to fill the emptiness of their brains". I don't like them too much lol
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Neil Bidle 4 years ago
How on earth do people look at the magnificent wonder of nature, and just think "meh"? These people probably have such a dreary life all about the material things they can gather together and would quite happily use the GC as a giant landfill because "it's already a big, convenient hole in the ground". I pity these people for their lack of wonder
Dwayne Colson 4 years ago
I'm from Canada, and my wife and I have been to Bryce,Yellowstone, Waterton, jasper,banff,estates,zion,and monument national parks. We loved every minute of it,that said, we have seen people who just want to hurry up and look just for the sake of saying they been there then hurry to the next place. If you don't want to stop and smell the rose,then just stay home and google it. The best time we had was at Waterton, that night no phones, no cell service, no TV. We went outside and got to see the milky way,and a thunder storm in the distance, and the icing on the cake, herd wolves howling. Can you get that at home?!!
Sterrinatu 4 years ago (edited)
I grew up outside of Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park and worked there as a Park Ranger. I can't tell you how many people would ask me at the entrance if they can see everything from their car. This isn't "A small World" at Disneyland, get your ass out of the car and walk around!
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Some people should just stay TF home, and leave room for this of us who actually want to be there—-and reduce the number of assholes trampling ecosystems and distressing sensitive wild animals. A less crowded park is just my cup of tea.
Martha Meyer 4 years ago
I'm starting to think we need more research to go into brain cell growth and brain cell transplants, because clearly a lot of people have a desperate shortage of brain cells.
Leo Domitrix 4 years ago
Our national parks are never boring. Only the people who whine that they're boring are boring.
cassiushumanmother 4 years ago
It seems like these people are the type of people who are going to wonderful beaches to jet ski, wonderful deserts to quad, wonderful countryside to mud truck... I want to visit these people and review them as "f... annoying, rude, disrespectful, poor human beings that needs to be constantly kept entertained like toddlers to fill the emptiness of their brains". I don't like them too much lol
Load More Replies... Neil Bidle 4 years ago
How on earth do people look at the magnificent wonder of nature, and just think "meh"? These people probably have such a dreary life all about the material things they can gather together and would quite happily use the GC as a giant landfill because "it's already a big, convenient hole in the ground". I pity these people for their lack of wonder
Dwayne Colson 4 years ago
I'm from Canada, and my wife and I have been to Bryce,Yellowstone, Waterton, jasper,banff,estates,zion,and monument national parks. We loved every minute of it,that said, we have seen people who just want to hurry up and look just for the sake of saying they been there then hurry to the next place. If you don't want to stop and smell the rose,then just stay home and google it. The best time we had was at Waterton, that night no phones, no cell service, no TV. We went outside and got to see the milky way,and a thunder storm in the distance, and the icing on the cake, herd wolves howling. Can you get that at home?!!
Sterrinatu 4 years ago (edited)
I grew up outside of Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park and worked there as a Park Ranger. I can't tell you how many people would ask me at the entrance if they can see everything from their car. This isn't "A small World" at Disneyland, get your ass out of the car and walk around!
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
Some people should just stay TF home, and leave room for this of us who actually want to be there—-and reduce the number of assholes trampling ecosystems and distressing sensitive wild animals. A less crowded park is just my cup of tea.
Martha Meyer 4 years ago
I'm starting to think we need more research to go into brain cell growth and brain cell transplants, because clearly a lot of people have a desperate shortage of brain cells.
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