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The Best Episodes of Parks and Recreation

Every episode of Parks and Recreation ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Parks and Recreation!

Binge this in 1d 22h•Peaking at 8.9/10

In an attempt to beautify her town — and advance her career — Leslie Knope, a mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks and Recreation Department of Pawnee, Indiana, takes on bureaucrats, cranky neighbors, and single-issue fanatics

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 4 - Leslie and Ron
    8.9/10(37 votes)

    #1 - Leslie and Ron

    S7:E4

    Leslie and Ron attempt to work out their differences.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  2. Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 12 - One Last Ride
    8.8/10(19 votes)

    #2 - One Last Ride

    S7:E12

    The Parks gang completes one last task together, before saying goodbye to Pawnee.

    Director:Michael Schur
    Writers:Amy Poehler, Michael Schur

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  3. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 14 - Leslie and Ben
    8.5/10(28 votes)

    #3 - Leslie and Ben

    S5:E14

    Leslie and Ben are getting married, and have to cram months of planning into two hours. Meanwhile, Ron's temper gets him in trouble.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writers:Michael Schur, Alan Yang

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  4. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 9 - Andy and April's Fancy Party
    8.3/10(34 votes)

    #4 - Andy and April's Fancy Party

    S3:E9

    April and Andy host a dinner party for the Parks Department. Meanwhile, Ann tries to move on from Chris at a singles' party.

    Director:Michael Trim
    Writer:Katie Dippold

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  5. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 11 - Jerry's Painting
    8.3/10(35 votes)

    #5 - Jerry's Painting

    S3:E11

    Jerry’s contribution to Leslie’s community art show causes a stir. Ben moves in with April and Andy and attempts to teach them how to be adults. Meanwhile, Leslie is frustrated by Chris and his interoffice dating rules.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Norm Hiscock

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  6. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 20 - The Debate
    8.3/10(33 votes)

    #6 - The Debate

    S4:E20

    Leslie goes toe-to-toe with Bobby Newport in a debate. Ann, Tom, and Chris work in the media spin room, while Ron goes the extra mile to save a party for Leslie's donors.

    Director:Amy Poehler
    Writer:Amy Poehler

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Parks and Recreation

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  7. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 10 - Hunting Trip
    8.2/10(37 votes)

    #7 - Hunting Trip

    S2:E10

    Leslie tries to prove she can hang with the guys so she invites herself on Ron’s annual hunting trip, but things don’t go as planned. Meanwhile, April and Andy bond in the office while everyone is away.

    Director:Greg Daniels
    Writer:Daniel J. Goor

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  8. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 7 - Harvest Festival
    8.2/10(31 votes)

    #8 - Harvest Festival

    S3:E7

    It's make it or break it for the Parks Department at the Harvest Festival which is full of surprises.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Daniel J. Goor

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  9. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 14 - Road Trip
    8.2/10(30 votes)

    #9 - Road Trip

    S3:E14

    When Chris sends Leslie and Ben on a trip to Indianapolis, Leslie is afraid she won't be able to deny her feelings for him. Ron teaches a young student about his views on government. Meanwhile, Andy gets his feelings hurt by April after playing Tom's new game.

    Director:Troy Miller
    Writer:Harris Wittels

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  10. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 2 - Flu Season
    8.1/10(35 votes)

    #10 - Flu Season

    S3:E2

    While planning for the local Harvest Festival, Leslie is struck with the flu and is forced to go to the hospital. Ron and Andy have a day of male bonding, and Tom hits the spa.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Norm Hiscock

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  11. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 13 - The Fight
    8.1/10(32 votes)

    #11 - The Fight

    S3:E13

    When Leslie tries to get Ann a job at city hall, her lukewarm reaction causes their first-ever fight. Tom invites the entire department to the Snakehole Lounge to help him promote his new alcohol, "Snake Juice."

    Director:Randall Einhorn
    Writer:Amy Poehler

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  12. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 2 - Ron and Tammys
    8.1/10(35 votes)

    #12 - Ron and Tammys

    S4:E2

    Ron's first ex-wife, Tammy One, reenters his life and tries to control his every move. Meanwhile, Ben helps Tom balance the books at his new company, and Ann makes a PSA, with help from Chris.

    Director:Randall Einhorn
    Writer:Norm Hiscock

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  13. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 13 - Bowling for Votes
    8.1/10(32 votes)

    #13 - Bowling for Votes

    S4:E13

    Leslie and Ben host a bowling night after receiving feedback about Leslie's campaign. April, Chris, and Jerry hold a competition to see who can raise the most funds.

    Director:Michael Trim
    Writer:Katie Dippold

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  14. Parks and Recreation Season 4 Episode 22 - Win, Lose, or Draw
    8.1/10(32 votes)

    #14 - Win, Lose, or Draw

    S4:E22

    It's election day in Pawnee, and Leslie and Bobby Newport are separated by a razor-thin margin. While everyone waits with Leslie for the race to be called, they ponder their futures, and their new opportunities.

    Director:Michael Schur
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  15. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 9 - Ron and Diane
    8.1/10(30 votes)

    #15 - Ron and Diane

    S5:E9

    Ron, Diane, and Leslie attend a wood working awards dinner after one of Ron's handcrafted chairs is nominated, but the happy occasion is threatened by the arrival of Tammy II. Meanwhile, Jerry hosts a holiday party at his home with his wife, and some of his friends are shocked to find they were not invited.

    Director:Daniel J. Goor
    Writers:Aisha Muharrar, Megan Amram

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  16. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 12 - Ann and Chris
    8.1/10(34 votes)

    #16 - Ann and Chris

    S6:E12

    On Ann and Chris's last night in Pawnee, Leslie throws a grand farewell party and attempts to fulfill one last promise. Meanwhile, Tom, Ben, Ron and Andy struggle to find the perfect going away gift for Chris.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writers:Michael Schur, Aisha Muharrar

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  17. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 20 - Moving Up
    8.1/10(31 votes)

    #17 - Moving Up

    S6:E20

    Leslie, Ben, and Andy head to San Francisco for a National Parks Conference. Tom opens his restaurant, Ron has another run-in with his ex-wife Tammy 2, Andy lives a rock and roll fantasy, and Leslie makes a huge decision about her future.

    Director:Michael Schur
    Writers:Alan Yang, Aisha Muharrar

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  18. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 23 - The Master Plan
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    #18 - The Master Plan

    S2:E23

    Leslie is disappointed when her new park plans are put on hold by a visit from two state auditors. April has plans for Andy at her birthday party, and Ann tries to piece together a romantic mystery.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  19. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 12 - Eagleton
    8.0/10(32 votes)

    #19 - Eagleton

    S3:E12

    Leslie's ex-best friend, Lindsay Carlisle Shay, launches an attack on Pawnee, banning residents from visiting a nearby park in the neighboring city of Eagleton with a large fence, causing Leslie to go to war with Eagleton. Meanwhile, everyone finds out that it is Ron's birthday, a fact that he went to extreme lengths to conceal.

    Director:Nicole Holofcener
    Writer:Emily Spivey

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  20. Parks and Recreation Season 3 Episode 16 - Li'l Sebastian
    8.0/10(31 votes)

    #20 - Li'l Sebastian

    S3:E16

    Leslie and the parks team put together a memorial service for a dearly departed friend. Meanwhile, Tom makes a big life decision, while Chris reacts badly to a health problem.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Daniel J. Goor

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  21. Parks and Recreation Season 5 Episode 5 - Halloween Surprise
    8.0/10(31 votes)

    #21 - Halloween Surprise

    S5:E5

    A new job offer for Ben causes Leslie to contemplates their future. Meanwhile, Ron and Andy take Diane's girls out trick-or-treating, and Tom searches for a new business idea.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  22. Parks and Recreation Season 6 Episode 1 - London
    8.0/10(34 votes)

    #22 - London

    S6:E1

    Leslie wins an award from an international Women in Government organization, and travels to London with Ben, Andy, April and Ron to accept it.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Michael Schur

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  23. Parks and Recreation Season 7 Episode 10 - The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show
    8.0/10(33 votes)

    #23 - The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show

    S7:E10

    On the last episode of Andy’s TV show, his friends wish him luck with whatever comes next.

    Director:Dean Holland
    Writer:Matt Hubbard

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  24. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 4 - Practice Date
    7.9/10(38 votes)

    #24 - Practice Date

    S2:E4

    Leslie is nervous about her first date with Dave, so Ann takes her on a practice date to help her prepare. Meanwhile, after a local councilman is caught up in a sex scandal, Tom, Ron, April and Mark decide to see who can uncover the worst dirt on each other.

    Director:Alex Hardcastle
    Writer:Harris Wittels

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  25. Parks and Recreation Season 2 Episode 8 - Ron and Tammy
    7.9/10(35 votes)

    #25 - Ron and Tammy

    S2:E8

    Leslie is upset when she learns the library department wants to take over her lot. Making matters worse, the library is run by Ron's ex-wife Tammy, who still has a powerful emotional hold on him. Meanwhile, Andy gets a job in hopes of winning Ann back.

    Director:Troy Miller
    Writer:Mike Scully

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Best Episodes Summary

"Leslie and Ron" is the best rated episode of "Parks and Recreation". It scored 8.9/10 based on 37 votes. Directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and written by Michael Schur, it aired on 1/20/2015. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "One Last Ride".