Glacier No. 2 in national parks poll

A nationwide poll has pegged Glacier National Park as the No. 2 national park in the United States.

Acadia National Park in Maine earned the top spot and Yellowstone National Park was third in the poll conducted by USA Today.

Rounding out the top five were Yosemite and Big Bend national parks.

Contributing writers nominated 20 of the country’s 59 national parks and opened voting to the public.  

“Travelers from around the country know and love Montana’s natural wonders,” Montana Office of Tourism Administrator Jeri Duran said. “For both national parks within our borders to finish in the top three of a national poll is an honor.”

National park experts David and Kay Scott, who chose the nominees, said the following about Glacier:

“Covering more than 1 million acres, Glacier National Park in Montana has something for everyone. Hikers come to explore the 700-mile network of trails. Road trippers and motorcyclists come to ride the curves of Going-to-the-Sun Road, and engineers come to marvel at it. The massive, snowy peaks of the Continental Divide hide azure alpine lakes, colorful patches of wildflowers and the occasional cascading waterfall.”

The Scotts were equally complimentary of Yellowstone:

“America’s first national park is also one of its most iconic. Home to the world’s largest collection of geysers, including the famous Old Faithful, Yellowstone attracts some 3 million visitors a year to its bizarre geological formations and teeming wildlife, including bison, bear, bighorn sheep, trumpeter swans, moose, elk and river otter.”

To see the complete list of winners, visit 10best.com/awards/travel/best-national-park.