u/surfnj102

I'll start and I'll preface this by saying I want to visit all the national parks before I die. BUT, if I have to think about my short list of parks I want to visit and experiences I want to have in them, this would probably be it.

1. See the Grand Canyon, hike the rim to rim trail, and go on a rafting trip through the canyon
2. Visit Zion, do the angels landing trail (or east rim), hike the narrows, and hike to the observation point
3. Visit Rainier and hike Skyline loop trail (and ideally climb it)
4. Visit Yosemite and hike half dome
5. Visit yellow stone and see the "big 5"
6. Visit glacier, hike the high line trail, and go whitewater rafting
7. Visit Bryce Canyon and hike the Navajo loop trail
8. Visit Katmai and see the bears
9. Visit Acadia go camping (preferably during fall when the leaves are changing) 
10. Visit Grand Teton
11. Visit Olympic and hike hurricane hill
12. Visit Canyonlands and see the mesa arch sunrise
13. Visit Redwood and see the huge redwoods
14. Visit the Everglades and see alligators
15. Visit Arches, and see Delicate Arch
16. Visit Denali. Ideally go backpacking in the park if I can build up some back country experience between now and then.
17. Visit White Sands
18. Visit Kenai Fjords and go on a kayaking tour
19. Visit Big Bend so that I can see a true Bortle 1 night sky

(A few of these have already been knocked out; working on the rest)

Interested in hearing what's on other peoples list!