Scrolling through social media feeds, we often land on breathtaking videos of adventurers exploring America’s national parks: unfiltered, raw wilderness perfectly framed to immerse us and spark daydreams about our next big escape. One photo of a mountain overlooking a pine forest at dawn, taken from inside a camping tent, and I’m already packing my bags.
But when visitors, drawn in by this idyllic scenery, finally step into these landscapes, the experience can feel a bit… different. Parking lots packed at dawn, sold-out timed-entry lotteries, shuttle-line frustrations, littered trails, or viewpoints that somehow feel unexpectedly… not worth the hype.
In this 2026 report, we investigate the “Paris Syndrome” phenomenon across all 63 U.S. national parks by analyzing nearly 96,000 recent reviews from TripAdvisor and Google, pulled in January 2026) to uncover which ones do not meet visitors’ expectations.
Paris syndrome is a very real (if rare) psychological reaction, first coined in the 1980s by a Japanese psychiatrist treating tourists in France. It hits hardest when someone’s deeply romanticized vision of Paris slams head-first with reality: crowded metros, brusque service, litter, tourist scams, noise, and cultural differences. For a small number of visitors, the symptoms range from intense disappointment and anxiety to physical reactions like dizziness or nausea in extreme cases.
This clash between flowery expectations (built by films, ads, and filtered feeds) and gritty reality isn’t local to Paris. The letdown of America’s national parks isn’t usually hospital-level dramatic, but it’s very real and the reviews reflect that.
Death Valley National Park gets a bad rep because of its extreme biome. The searing heat (often 120°F+ even into recent summers), the vast “rubble-looking” landscapes that can feel barren and isolating, and the long distances between points of interest demand serious planning (hydration, early starts, and a reliable AC). Death Valley is blunt and authentic, and not everyone is ready for that version of wilderness.
Petrified Forest is an “underwhelming” collection of “just rocks” and “logs” that doesn’t match the dense, upright "ancient forest" image built by photos and name alone. Treating it as a roadside stop (common on Route 66 routes) often leads to disappointment, as the park’s beauty is subtle and rewards patience.
Because of its overwhelming popularity, visiting Zion National Park has become more of a logistical exercise than a wilderness adventure, and many people have voiced their frustrations. Shuttle lines, parking chaos at the visitor center, and trails and viewpoints that feel like a crowded downtown sidewalk all take away from what makes Zion visually stunning. Its beauty, however, is only diminished by the sheer number of people beholding it.
| Rank | Park Name | State | Negative % | Avg. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Death Valley National Park | California | 12.3% | 4.87 |
| 2 | Petrified Forest National Park | Arizona | 9.2% | 4.79 |
| 3 | Zion National Park | Utah | 7.8% | 4.52 |
| 4 | Wind Cave National Park | South Dakota | 7.7% | 4.44 |
| 5 | Mammoth Cave National Park | Kentucky | 7.3% | 4.55 |
| 6 | Everglades National Park | Florida | 6.6% | 4.63 |
| 7 | Denali National Park & Preserve | Alaska | 6.4% | 4.68 |
| 8 | Great Basin National Park | Nevada | 6.1% | 4.69 |
| 9 | Mesa Verde National Park | Colorado | 5.9% | 4.76 |
| 10 | Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Texas | 5.8% | 4.64 |
Virgin Islands National Park is often written off as inconvenient, expensive, or too much work compared to mainland parks. That skepticism turns out to be misplaced. Reviews suggest the park actually delivers the Caribbean experience people assume will be exaggerated: clear water, quiet beaches, and a level of tranquility that feels increasingly rare in the national park system.
Voyageurs National Park provides a unique and interesting experience precisely because it lacks the hype. The park’s main strength is its raw, unfiltered wilderness; the intertwined land-and-water ecosystems create scenery many describe as “beautiful”, “wonderful”, and “utterly relaxing.” For visitors willing to slow down, get on the water (kayak, canoe, or boat), and enjoy the quiet, Voyageurs delivers far more than expected.
Kenai Fjords National Park carries the risk of being overhyped, built up by images of calving glaciers and cinematic Alaskan wilderness. In practice, it delivers. Reviews consistently highlight how stunningly dramatic the landscapes are, calling it "quintessential Alaska." Boat access or limited trail systems keeps visitation manageable, preserving the sense of scale and solitude that matches the park’s reputation. Kenai Fjords offers the blunt, unfiltered version of Alaska people want to see and experience.
| Rank | Park Name | State | Negative % | Avg. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virgin Islands National Park | US Virgin Islands | 2.2% | 4.88 |
| 2 | Voyageurs National Park | Minnesota | 2.2% | 4.73 |
| 3 | Kenai Fjords National Park | Alaska | 2.6% | 4.89 |
| 4 | New River Gorge National Park | West Virginia | 2.6% | 4.88 |
| 5 | Katmai National Park & Preserve | Alaska | 2.6% | 4.81 |
| 6 | Gateway Arch National Park | Missouri | 2.7% | 4.69 |
| 7 | Mount Rainier National Park | Washington | 2.8% | 4.89 |
| 8 | Olympic National Park | Washington | 2.9% | 4.90 |
| 9 | Big Bend National Park | Texas | 2.9% | 4.87 |
| 10 | Badlands National Park | South Dakota | 2.9% | 4.89 |
Even as overcrowding dominates headlines, driven by record visitation (331.9 million recreation visits in 2024 and sustained high numbers into 2025), the language visitors use in their reviews tells a more complicated story about America’s national parks. Those words reveal a paradox at the heart of “Paris Syndrome.”
Crowding takes center stage, especially in the most popular parks where narrow canyons, limited parking, or funneling to iconic viewpoints amplify the crush.
Beauty wins overwhelmingly as it's the one constant that bridges even the most disappointed reviews.
America's national parks are still extraordinary.
The data doesn't lie: even the parks that disappointed the most got called “beautiful,” “stunning,” or “breathtaking” in review after review. The wonder is still there, but what’s fraying is the bridge between the filtered version sold online and the real thing that greets you when you step out of the car.
The “Paris Syndrome” in national parks is about us showing up with expectations that were never realistic. Expectations shaped by edited photos, drone shots at golden hour with nobody else in frame, and captions that promise solitude in places that now see millions of visitors a year. But in reality, we encounter shared space.
And that’s exactly what these places are supposed to be: shared, between us visiting, and animals living in them.
| Park Name | Total Reviews | TripAdvisor Reviews | Google Reviews | Avg. Rating | Positive % | Negative % | Neutral % | Top Complaints | Top Praises |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Death Valley National Park | 1062 | 62 | 1000 | 4.87 | 84 | 12.3 | 3.7 | disappointed, packed, overpriced | beautiful, stunning, breathtaking |
| Petrified Forest National Park | 1254 | 254 | 1000 | 4.79 | 88.8 | 9.2 | 2 | disappointed, underwhelming, disappointing | beautiful, stunning, must see |
| Zion National Park | 2650 | 1650 | 1000 | 4.52 | 91.5 | 7.8 | 0.8 | packed, disappointed, disappointing | beautiful, stunning, breathtaking |
| Wind Cave National Park | 1750 | 750 | 1000 | 4.44 | 88.6 | 7.7 | 3.7 | disappointed, disappointing, packed | beautiful, highly recommend, worth it |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.55 | 90.6 | 7.3 | 2.2 | disappointed, disappointing, packed | beautiful, highly recommend, worth it |
| Everglades National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.63 | 89.6 | 6.6 | 3.8 | disappointed, disappointing, packed | beautiful, highly recommend, must see |
| Denali National Park & Preserve | 1676 | 676 | 1000 | 4.68 | 89.9 | 6.4 | 3.8 | disappointed, disappointing, packed | beautiful, spectacular, breathtaking |
| Great Basin National Park | 1000 | 0 | 1000 | 4.69 | 90 | 6.1 | 3.9 | disappointed, packed, underwhelming | beautiful, worth it, gorgeous |
| Mesa Verde National Park | 1427 | 427 | 1000 | 4.76 | 91.4 | 5.9 | 2.7 | disappointed, disappointing, too crowded | beautiful, worth it, highly recommend |
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 1179 | 179 | 1000 | 4.64 | 90.8 | 5.8 | 3.4 | disappointed, disappointing, too crowded | beautiful, worth it, gorgeous |
| Indiana Dunes National Park | 2047 | 1047 | 1000 | 4.41 | 92.4 | 5.7 | 1.9 | disappointed, packed, disappointing | beautiful, gorgeous, worth it |
| Pinnacles National Park | 3230 | 2230 | 1000 | 4.52 | 92.3 | 5.7 | 2 | disappointed, packed, dirty | beautiful, spectacular, highly recommend |
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | 1044 | 44 | 1000 | 4.8 | 90.3 | 5.6 | 4 | disappointed, too crowded, disappointing | beautiful, gorgeous, stunning |
| Crater Lake National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.84 | 92.8 | 5.1 | 2.1 | disappointed, packed, overpriced | beautiful, breathtaking, stunning |
| Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | 2020 | 1020 | 1000 | 4.8 | 92.1 | 4.8 | 3.1 | disappointed, disappointing, packed | beautiful, must see, worth it |
| Yellowstone National Park | 1970 | 1010 | 960 | 4.85 | 92.4 | 4.7 | 2.8 | disappointed, packed, too crowded | beautiful, breathtaking, must see |
| Haleakalā National Park | 1020 | 1020 | 0 | 4.78 | 94.5 | 4.6 | 0.9 | disappointed, packed, disappointing | beautiful, worth it, spectacular |
| Kobuk Valley National Park | 88 | 8 | 80 | 4.12 | 39.8 | 4.6 | 55.7 | beautiful, worth the trip, stunning | |
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | 1932 | 932 | 1000 | 4.52 | 94 | 4.5 | 1.5 | disappointed, underwhelming, packed | beautiful, gorgeous, well maintained |
| Great Sand Dunes National Park | 1000 | 0 | 1000 | 4.87 | 93.2 | 4.5 | 2.3 | packed, disappointed, too crowded | beautiful, stunning, worth it |
| National Park of American Samoa | 91 | 0 | 91 | 4.6 | 41.8 | 4.4 | 53.8 | run down | beautiful, pristine, peaceful |
| Biscayne National Park | 1000 | 0 | 1000 | 4.73 | 91.6 | 4.3 | 4.1 | disappointed, dirty, disappointing | beautiful, peaceful, highly recommend |
| Sequoia National Park | 1294 | 294 | 1000 | 4.84 | 93.7 | 4.1 | 2.2 | disappointed, packed, too crowded | beautiful, breathtaking, must see |
| Kings Canyon National Park | 1825 | 825 | 1000 | 4.8 | 93.1 | 4.1 | 2.8 | disappointed, packed, too crowded | beautiful, spectacular, breathtaking |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.83 | 94.7 | 4 | 1.4 | packed, disappointed, disappointing | beautiful, breathtaking, gorgeous |
| Redwood National and State Parks | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.89 | 92.4 | 4 | 3.7 | disappointed, packed, tourist trap | beautiful, must see, breathtaking |
| Isle Royale National Park | 480 | 12 | 468 | 4.78 | 56.5 | 4 | 39.6 | disappointed, unhelpful, packed | beautiful, peaceful, pristine |
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | 1977 | 977 | 1000 | 4.84 | 94.4 | 3.9 | 1.7 | disappointed, packed, overpriced | beautiful, highly recommend, worth it |
| Grand Canyon National Park | 1675 | 675 | 1000 | 4.89 | 93.8 | 3.8 | 2.4 | disappointed, packed, too crowded | beautiful, breathtaking, stunning |
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park | 2010 | 1010 | 1000 | 4.85 | 93.5 | 3.8 | 2.7 | disappointed, packed, too crowded | beautiful, stunning, spectacular |
| Hot Springs National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.57 | 94.4 | 3.7 | 2 | disappointed, run down, disappointing | beautiful, highly recommend, well maintained |
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | 1459 | 459 | 1000 | 4.67 | 93.3 | 3.7 | 3 | disappointed, packed, dirty | beautiful, peaceful, gorgeous |
| Arches National Park | 1990 | 990 | 1000 | 4.89 | 95.2 | 3.6 | 1.2 | too crowded, disappointed, packed | beautiful, stunning, breathtaking |
| White Sands National Park | 2069 | 1069 | 1000 | 4.81 | 94.9 | 3.6 | 1.5 | packed, disappointed, disappointing | beautiful, breathtaking, highly recommend |
| Congaree National Park | 1664 | 664 | 1000 | 4.63 | 94.1 | 3.6 | 2.3 | disappointed, packed, too crowded | beautiful, peaceful, well maintained |
| Joshua Tree National Park | 3802 | 2792 | 1010 | 4.76 | 95 | 3.5 | 1.5 | packed, disappointed, disappointing | beautiful, stunning, highly recommend |
| Saguaro National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.79 | 94 | 3.5 | 2.5 | disappointed, packed, dirty | beautiful, spectacular, stunning |
| North Cascades National Park | 1000 | 0 | 1000 | 4.86 | 81.9 | 3.5 | 14.6 | disappointed, disappointing, packed | beautiful, stunning, gorgeous |
| Lake Clark National Park | 173 | 23 | 150 | 4.72 | 54.9 | 3.5 | 41.6 | overrated, tourist trap, disappointed | beautiful, gorgeous, peaceful |
| Gates of the Arctic National Park | 170 | 0 | 170 | 4.58 | 35.3 | 3.5 | 61.2 | disappointing | beautiful, breathtaking, stunning |
| Yosemite National Park | 1081 | 81 | 1000 | 4.88 | 94.6 | 3.4 | 1.9 | packed, disappointed, too crowded | beautiful, breathtaking, stunning |
| Glacier National Park | 1000 | 0 | 1000 | 4.89 | 94.2 | 3.4 | 2.4 | disappointed, packed, disappointing | beautiful, breathtaking, stunning |
| Capitol Reef National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.78 | 94.8 | 3.3 | 1.8 | disappointed, packed, disappointing | beautiful, spectacular, stunning |
| Wrangell-St.Elias National Park & Preserve | 755 | 120 | 635 | 4.7 | 61.6 | 3.3 | 35.1 | disappointed, dirty, poorly maintained | beautiful, spectacular, stunning |
| Canyonlands National Park | 1887 | 887 | 1000 | 4.82 | 94 | 3.2 | 2.8 | too crowded, disappointed, disappointing | beautiful, spectacular, stunning |
| Dry Tortugas National Park | 1006 | 6 | 1000 | 4.85 | 92.7 | 3.2 | 4.1 | disappointed, disappointing, not worth it | beautiful, highly recommend, worth it |
| Glacier Bay National Park | 2040 | 1040 | 1000 | 4.92 | 92.6 | 3.1 | 4.3 | disappointed, dirty, disappointing | beautiful, spectacular, breathtaking |
| Channel Islands National Park | 1023 | 23 | 1000 | 4.83 | 89.4 | 3.1 | 7.4 | disappointed, packed, overcrowded | beautiful, gorgeous, worth it |
| Badlands National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.89 | 95.9 | 2.9 | 1.2 | disappointed, packed, dirty | beautiful, must see, breathtaking |
| Big Bend National Park | 1192 | 192 | 1000 | 4.87 | 93.5 | 2.9 | 3.5 | disappointed, disappointing, overpriced | beautiful, breathtaking, gorgeous |
| Olympic National Park | 1000 | 0 | 1000 | 4.9 | 91.6 | 2.9 | 5.5 | packed, disappointed, too crowded | beautiful, breathtaking, stunning |
| Mount Rainier National Park | 1660 | 660 | 1000 | 4.89 | 96 | 2.8 | 1.3 | disappointed, packed, too crowded | beautiful, stunning, breathtaking |
| Gateway Arch National Park | 1570 | 570 | 1000 | 4.69 | 95.1 | 2.7 | 2.2 | disappointed, disappointing, packed | beautiful, worth it, must see |
| New River Gorge National Park | 1000 | 0 | 1000 | 4.88 | 94.8 | 2.6 | 2.6 | disappointed, packed, overcrowded | beautiful, gorgeous, breathtaking |
| Kenai Fjords National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.89 | 85 | 2.6 | 12.4 | disappointed, disappointing, dirty | beautiful, spectacular, stunning |
| Katmai National Park & Preserve | 311 | 15 | 296 | 4.81 | 54 | 2.6 | 43.4 | overcrowded | beautiful, worth it, breathtaking |
| Acadia National Park | 2999 | 1000 | 1999 | 4.84 | 96.1 | 2.4 | 1.5 | packed, disappointed, disappointing | beautiful, gorgeous, stunning |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | 1198 | 198 | 1000 | 4.86 | 95.8 | 2.4 | 1.8 | disappointed, packed, disappointing | beautiful, breathtaking, stunning |
| Grand Teton National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.88 | 96.2 | 2.2 | 1.6 | disappointed, too crowded, packed | beautiful, stunning, spectacular |
| Virgin Islands National Park | 1000 | 0 | 1000 | 4.88 | 78.2 | 2.2 | 19.6 | disappointed | beautiful, gorgeous, stunning |
| Voyageurs National Park | 933 | 28 | 905 | 4.73 | 69.2 | 2.2 | 28.5 | disappointed, disappointing, run down | beautiful, peaceful, gorgeous |
| Shenandoah National Park | 1080 | 80 | 1000 | 4.86 | 96.7 | 2.1 | 1.2 | disappointed, too crowded, packed | beautiful, gorgeous, breathtaking |
| Bryce Canyon National Park | 2000 | 1000 | 1000 | 4.93 | 96.5 | 2.1 | 1.5 | disappointed, packed, too crowded | beautiful, breathtaking, stunning |
We collected up to 1,000 of the most recent reviews for each national park from both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews. For parks with fewer available reviews, we analyzed all available reviews but never exceeded 1,000 per park. In total, we examined 95,763 reviews across 63 U.S. National Parks.
To determine which national parks were most disappointing versus most satisfying, we analyzed the frequency of specific keywords and phrases commonly used to describe visitor experiences. Reviews were categorized as positive, negative, or neutral based on sentiment analysis of these key descriptors.
The "Negative %" metric represents the proportion of reviews containing disappointment-related language, complaints, or negative descriptors compared to the total number of reviews analyzed for each park.
Data was collected in January 2026.
Featured image by David Jowanka.
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