PARKS MADNESS 2025: Glacier Takes the Crown!

The annual spring plowing of Going-to-the-Sun Road might still be underway, but Glacier National Park can prepare for its closeup after a convincing win over Acadia in Parks Madness 2025.  Home to 175 mountains, 762 lakes and 25 active glaciers, spread over a million acres, the Montana park known as the Crown of the Continent tallied a 71-29% victory. As one voter put it, “Glacier is just…an awe-inspiring wonderland.”

With 2024 champion Yellowstone out of the tournament and historical parks and trails added to the mix, this year’s Parks Channel-EarthX Media competition generated tough matchups in every round – and two Cinderella stories with New River Gorge and Mesa Verde reaching the Sweet 16. Last year’s runner up, Zion, was upset by Grand Teton in the Elite 8. To reach the final, No. 3 seed Glacier had to glide past No. 2 seed Grand Canyon and No. 4 Rocky Mountains to win the Eagle bracket, then topple the Bear Bracket winner, Yosemite.

Acadia had a slightly easier path in the Bison bracket when No. 1 seed Statue of Liberty fell in the first round to New River Gorge. The Maine marvel, which boasts more than 130 miles of hiking trails and draws over 3.5 million visitors a year, had to wind past New York’s Central Park and Hawaii’s Haleakala, then No. 3 seed Shenandoah. In the Final Four it faced America’s most visited national park, the No. 1 seed and Owl bracket winner Great Smokies. Despite its loss to Glacier, Acadia had fervent backers. “Acadia is the only place I have ever been on a mountain hike, a beach hike and a lake hike all in one day!” voter Anna Bosco said.

Parks Madness 2025 came at a time when national parks are under increasing pressure from personnel and budget cuts, even as visitation reaches record levels.

Voters expressed concern and support for the National Park Service even as they championed their favorites. “I was lucky enough to spend nearly 12 months backpacking through the USA in 2023/24, leaving just after the election,” voter Simon Chelley said. “I managed to visit 35 national parks, plus plenty more monuments, national historic sites, state parks etc. and truly believe that the NPS represents some of the best of what the USA could be.”

Your Comments

I mean, what is there to say?!?! It’s magical and on an island. It’s in Maine and I’m not even from the east coast, that’s just how spectacular it is. Riding bikes around Schoodic Peninsula will literally change your life. Literally. Team Acadia.

Glacier has so many different parts that are breathtaking. Because it is so remote the experience was much better than at the jam-packed Acadia.

What, like it’s hard? Acadia is the best park around!!

Wish it was New River Gorge

My family was amazed when we visited Glacier National Park in the 1970’s. I hope it’s still there in the 2070’s!

I’ve said that Glacier should be the winner from round 1!

Acadia is the only place I have ever been on a mountain hike, a beach hike, and a lake hike all in one day!

Going to the Sun Road! Dark Sky Park! Lakes! What’s Not to L O V E?!

I’ve been to both and it’s not even close. Bottom line, Glacier has way better scenery, way better hiking, and way better wildlife.

Yay! Go glacier. Mountain goats FTW

If it can’t be Yosemite, then it should go to Glacier!

Glacier is stronger on geological and biological diversity. And it got used in The Shining, one of my all-time favorite movies.

I haven’t been to either, want to see both, and Glacier tops my list!

Glacier is just… an awe-inspiring natural wonderland.

My trip to Acadia with my family was one of my favorites. Beautiful coastline, gorgeous trees, wildlife, family friendly hiking and Cadillac Mt sunrise! A one in a million jewel! Well deserving of the title this year.

Glacier is hands down one of the best national parks to visit. It’s smaller crowd size and amazing landscape makes it the ideal park to get away from the public and see wildlife.

Glacier is truly an amazing place! Not only spectacular scenery, but wonderful wildlife viewing as well.

Glacier all the way!

Top photo of Glacier by Ramprasad Sugumaran