The BEST Episodes of Parks and Recreation
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: May 28, 2020
Network: NBC
The series follows Leslie Knope, the deputy head of the Parks and Recreation department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Knope takes on a project with a nurse named Ann to turn a construction pit into a park, while trying to mentor a bored college-aged intern. However, Leslie must fight through the bureaucrats, problem neighbors, and developers in order to make her dream a reality, all while with a camera crew recording her every gaff and mishap.
#1 - One Last Ride (2)
Season 7 - Episode 13 - Aired Feb 24, 2015
The Parks gang completes one last task together, before saying goodbye to Pawnee.
9.10 
#2 - One Last Ride (1)
Season 7 - Episode 12 - Aired Feb 24, 2015
The Parks gang completes one last task together, before saying goodbye to Pawnee.
8.78 
#3 - Moving Up (2)
Season 6 - Episode 22 - Aired Apr 24, 2014
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.
8.76 
#4 - Leslie and Ron
Season 7 - Episode 4 - Aired Jan 20, 2015
Leslie and Ron attempt to work out their differences.
8.62 
#5 - Moving Up (1)
Season 6 - Episode 21 - Aired Apr 24, 2014
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.
8.49 
#6 - Leslie and Ben
Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired Feb 21, 2013
Leslie and Ben are getting married, and have to cram months of planning into two hours. Ron's temper gets him in trouble.
8.46 
#7 - Win, Lose, or Draw
Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired May 10, 2012
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.
8.33 
#8 -
Season 4 - Episode 13 - Aired Jan 26, 2012
8.31 
#9 - The Debate
Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired Apr 26, 2012
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.
8.26 
#10 - Ron and Diane
Season 5 - Episode 9 - Aired Dec 6, 2012
Ron's nomination for a woodworking award is threatened by the arrival of Tammy II. Jerry hosts a holiday party and some of his friends are shocked to find they were not invited.
8.24 
#11 - Citizen Knope
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired Dec 8, 2011
Unable to get work done from inside the Parks Department, Leslie forms a citizen action group and fights from the outside. Meanwhile, everyone in the office brainstorms ideas for what to get Leslie for Christmas.
8.22 
#12 - The Trial of Leslie Knope
Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired Dec 1, 2011
Leslie has to face an ethics committee about her secret relationship with Ben after they come clean to Chris.
8.21 
#13 - Li'l Sebastian
Season 3 - Episode 16 - Aired May 19, 2011
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.
8.21 
#14 - London (1)
Season 6 - Episode 1 - Aired Sep 26, 2013
Leslie wins an award from an international Women in Government organization, and travels to London with Ben, Andy, April, and Ron to accept it. Tom hunts down the mysterious businessman who is trying to put Rent-a-Swag out of business, while Ann and Chris settle into the next phase of their relationship.
8.19 
#15 - Ron and Tammys
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired Sep 29, 2011
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.
8.18 
#16 - Operation Ann
Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired Feb 2, 2012
Leslie works to find Ann a Valentine's date. Ron helps Ben with a scavenger hunt, and Chris becomes depressed over his love life.
8.18 
#17 - End of the World
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired Nov 3, 2011
A local Pawnee group predicts the end of days, causing chaos in the Parks department.
8.18 
#18 - The Comeback Kid
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired Jan 12, 2012
Leslie enlists everyone's help in staging an attention-getting event. Ben takes up a new hobby, while April and Andy adopt a pet.
8.18 
#19 - London (2)
Season 6 - Episode 2 - Aired Sep 26, 2013
Leslie wins an award from an international Women in Government organization, and travels to London with Ben, Andy, April, and Ron to accept it. Tom hunts down the mysterious businessman who is trying to put Rent-a-Swag out of business, while Ann and Chris settle into the next phase of their relationship.
8.15 
#20 - Anniversaries
Season 6 - Episode 14 - Aired Feb 27, 2014
Ben attempts to surprise Leslie with a special anniversary gift. Tom and Andy try to help Leslie bring positive light to the Pawnee-Eagleton merger, while April asserts her new authority as Donna’s boss.
8.14 
#21 - Pawnee Rangers
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired Oct 13, 2011
Ron takes his boys-only troop of Pawnee Rangers into the wild. Not wanting the girls to feel left out, Leslie also takes her troop of Pawnee Goddesses on an adventure weekend. Meanwhile, a reluctant Ben joins Tom and Donna for a day of relaxation, and Chris spends some time with Jerry.
8.14 
#22 - Two Parties
Season 5 - Episode 10 - Aired Jan 17, 2013
Ben and Leslie's rival bachelor and bachelorette parties each take on a very different tune.
8.14 
#23 - Emergency Response
Season 5 - Episode 13 - Aired Feb 14, 2013
Leslie and Ben organize a black tie gala to raise money for their park. Andy prepares to take his Police Academy Exam. Ron fills in for Leslie on Pawnee Today.
8.14 
#24 - Ann and Chris
Season 6 - Episode 13 - Aired Jan 30, 2014
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.
8.13 
#25 - Halloween Surprise
Season 5 - Episode 5 - Aired Oct 25, 2012
A job offer for Ben causes Leslie to contemplate their future. Ron and Andy take Diane's girls out trick-or-treating. Tom searches for a new business idea.
8.13