National Geographic rates National Parks

[Voni]

Still Doing OK

These 23 parks cope with a few challenges, some of them in gateway areas.


8. Big Bend National Park
TEXAS (Score: 69)

Far from almost everywhere, Big Bend suffers from both U.S. and Mexican air pollution as well as sharply lower levels in the Rio Grande. Otherwise, a winner: "Not overused by hordes of visitors. The most natural park I've visited." "Authentic, unspoiled." "The gateways of Terlingua and Lajitas tend toward a Western movie set, but not excessively."

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/nprated0507/nprated.html

Voni
  sMiling

[fartymarty]

Thanks Voni, that was an interesting list. :-k  I didn't see GUMO on the list maybe it's the most overlooked park despite Nevada Barr's attempt to let people know of it's existance.

Then again maybe I can't read a list and missed it :oops: , I'll admit I listened to Nevada's book instead of reading it.

[tinneyr]

As usual, it's all a matter of personal opinion.  Notice the Sierra Club (in another topic) lists GUMO as one of its top backpacking destinations and mentions nothing of BIBE while National Geographic lists BIBE and nothing of GUMO in its review of top destinations.  I would be interested to know the percentage of how many Texans have never been to either place.

[TheWildWestGuy]

Probably the vast majority of Texans have never been to either place.
They go to Colorado, go sking, go to Florida, or go to the mall but many of them don't even know that Big Bend exists and can't find it on a map.    I am always shocked when people who have lived here their entire lives ask me where Big Bend is.   I have been to both parks and think BBNP is better in many ways but GUMO can be combined with a stop in Balmorhea and has McKittrick Canyon and the Pratt Lodge..So they are both the best.. TWWG

[presidio]

I would be interested to know the percentage of how many Texans have never been to either place.

A lot.

[Daryl]

Probably the vast majority of Texans have never been to either place.
They go to Colorado, go sking, go to Florida, or go to the mall but many of them don't even know that Big Bend exists and can't find it on a map.    I am always shocked when people who have lived here their entire lives ask me where Big Bend is.   I have been to both parks and think BBNP is better in many ways but GUMO can be combined with a stop in Balmorhea and has McKittrick Canyon and the Pratt Lodge..So they are both the best.. TWWG

I've got mixed feelings on this.  On one hand, I feel ALL Texans should experience the austere beauty of the Trans-Pecos region and all the wonderful parks out here.  On the other hand, the region probably can't sustain much more traffic and tourism than currently exists.