It’s National Park Week. This is the Texas park most people want to visit, says new list
The annual National Park Week begins April 19 and ends April 27. With 400 national parks to choose from, where should you go?
Gunther Volvo, a Coconut Creek, Fla.-based dealership, put together a poll of which park travelers would want to go to, if distance weren’t a factor. Five Texas parks made the rankings, according to a news release.
Overall, the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee was the No. 1 most-desired destination. It also happens to be the most-visited national park in the nation. What follows is the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Yellowstone in Montana and the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island in Hawaii, respectively.
But where did readers vote to go in Texas?
It is no surprise that Big Bend National Park is the No. 1-most desired visit in Texas. On Volvo’s overall rankings, Big Bend lands at No. 24.
“Mountains, desert, and the Rio Grande all meet in this vast and rugged park,” says the news release about the ranking. “Families can hike through canyons, soak in hot springs, and stargaze under some of the darkest skies in the country.”
Four other Texas state parks also made the list
The difference between a national park and a state park is who the park is managed and funded by. National parks are funded by the federal government, while state parks are funded by the state government. Texas has 14 national parks and 89 state parks, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The four other most desired Texas parks to visit on Gunther Volvo’s list are:
No. 2: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (No. 100 overall): A pink granite dome for hiking and climbing. Located at 16710 Ranch Rd. 965 in Fredericksburg.
No. 3: Palo Duro Canyon State Park (No. 102 overall): A lighthouse rock formation hike with colorful cliffs and canyons. Located at 11450 Park Rd. 5 in Canyon.
No. 4: Pedernales Falls State Park (No. 116 overall): Limestone waterfalls and shallow rivers for hiking with scenic views. Located at 2585 Park Rd. 6026 in Johnson City.
No. 5: Garner State Park (No. 149 overall): Hiking up the Painted rock with rivers to tube and swim. Located at 234 RR 1050 in Concan.