Nitpick away. But ALL of those are National Parks. People have a tendency to think of National Parks as ONLY ones like Yellowstone or Grand Canyon. They don't consider "cultural resource" parks like National Battlefieds or cemeteries as National Parks, but they are. The Appalachian Trail is managed by the NPS, and Everglades, Great Smoky, Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Big Cypress, Barataria Preserve...there are lots of nice Eastern National Park. But I know what you mean; there really is no comparison on With the great Western parks. Nonetheless, I could take you to a place in Big South Fork in on the TN/KY border that would blow your mind in terms of natural beauty.

Saying that the West's type of beauty is "better" always prejudices me against the speaker. Can't help it, always thought of it as an ignorant statement.
Preferring it is one thing, but that absolute statement comes out of more mouths than I can count... it is constant.

Going National
 

I don't know how old you are, but Death Valley "went National" in 1933. I suppose you've noted cultural/behavioral change over time. I would hope the rangers are still nice. Our new Secretery of The Interior is more to our liking than Gale Norton.

Have you been out West to the various parks out there?

Best of the West
 

I would agree, rage. That's why I said "there's no comparison," meaning it's like apples and oranges, not that the parks of the west are "better." I'm more of an old-rock kinda guy, that's why I personally like the folds and smooth hills of the Appalachians. Mt. Katadin, in ME, is probably my favorite, and the glacial lakes of Quebec make for a sublime landscape.

I've only been to Muir Woods and Point Reyes as far as "Western" parks are concerned.

The per person visits are down but what about attendance? It seems anytime I get near a national Park, in the last few years, it's thronged with people.

Personally, a park like a Civil or Revolutionary War battlefield isn't somewhere I'd go to commune with nature. They're for learning and putting into perspective the history that happened there. They usually don't require repeat visits to do that.

I've been to all the major and a majority of the minor National Parks, except Hawaii. Favorite is probably Glacier, with Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and Yosemite tied for second. Climbing Mt. Katadin, air boating through the everglades, watching the bears in Denali, and feeling the ghosts at Alcatraz were fun but the isn't the boggle the mind experience of the top 4 on my list.
This is all a strictly personal thing, different strokes for different folks.:D

On our honeymoon to Hawaii, my wife and I knew we were going to visit Volcano National Park (or whatever it's called) so we packed our Golden Eagle Pass for the trip. As we approached the park gate, we were one of a long line of white rental cars. Pulling up to the booth, I handed the attendant my Golden Eagle Pass. He still asked me for the entrance fee. I had to tell him that it was a Golden Eagle Pass and that it covered my admittance. He looked really confused. I think he had never seen one in all his time there and was used to simply requesting $5 (or whatever the fee was) from each rental car.

I can understand that, but after about 10 years working for the NPS, I've come to really appreciate those military parks. Those were originally managed by the War Department, but were absorbed into the NPS in 1933. Today they are located in the midst of American sprawl, and exist as little utopias within the more disorganized urban landscape. Orderly and well-layed-out, they are nice places to walk, think (not just about history), and enjoy the outdoors. They are quiet, peaceful places, designed landscapes that please the eye. And many of the monuments and sculpture represent a unique period of public art in American history.

http://www.wildfreshness.com/brian/archives/Penn2.jpg

Any land that is not given over to unplanned commercialism is OK with me.

Most commercialism is actually very carefully planned.

I love all the parks I have been to... just don't see how one can compare Death Valley or Sequoia to the Everglades or Ocala, just silly to even consider it.

What, exactly, does one do in the everglades? I've been really tempted to haul the kayak down there and do some exploring, but I want to know what camping in the winter months is like or if it is even recommended.

Ocala, from my short trips into the depths of the park, is wonderful. Juniper Wilderness is nothing but pure quiet.

Looking back over this thread, two people have mentioned Mt. Kahtadin in ME. I think it's kind of telling, because Mt. Kahtadin isn't a National Park. It's a State Park. The National Parks are great, but there are so many levels of parks in this country. Counting private property that's open to the public, there are even more places to go.

One of my favorite places to hike is Mt. Tumbledown in ME. It's a short day hike. Takes 3-4 hours to get to the top. Once you are there, you have a spectacular view, a mountain lake to swim in, and all the wild blueberries you can eat. And it's owned by a lumber company. If it was a National Park, there would probably be a parking lot on the summit, like Cadillac Mt. in Acadia National Park.

There is a lot to do... some cool kayak trails that I used to do in a canoe, the sleep spots are on platforms. Too cool. If you are squeamish about mosquitoes and bugs definitely do it in the winter. I would call the park office for tours, trails and maps, they are very helpful. Make sure they know you are there and where you are. While I was down there, every time, they always wanted to know because I was a first responder and how long I had been in Scouting... some of the most amazing trips and times of my life spent down there. I hope you go.
Ocala, as subtle as they are, there are many biomes there and could not be explored in a lifetime. So beautiful and some of the most fragrant places in the US. Lived there for seven years.

Pan, I have an issue with signage at this location:

http://cellar.org/2006/vfflooding.jpg

http://cellar.org/2006/vfflooding2.jpg

They put the damn boating signs in the middle of the river!

http://cellar.org/2006/vfflooding3.jpg

It looks as if that may not have been the case at the time the sign was put there. Unless you were making a joke.