15 Under-the-Radar National Parks

The US National Park system boasts protected lands with astonishing nature and rich history. While some parks may host a million visitors each year, the visitors to these hidden national parks can be counted in the thousands. Take a break from the traffic and crowds, and appreciate the unspoiled beauty at 15 of the country's least-visited national parks.

April 16, 2021

By: Jennifer Plum Auvil

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Hidden But Great National Parks

If you're interested in exploring America's magnificent national parks but don't want the crowds and household name status of more popular parks like Yosemite National Park or Great Smoky Mountains National Park (the two-most visited national parks in 2020 according to the National Park Service, with a combined total of 15.9 million visitors), then try one of these less-charted parks.

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

It's not likely you'll plan a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Gates of the Arctic National Park: It requires serious planning to venture into this wild Alaskan spot above the Arctic Circle. The remote park is accessible by bush plane, air taxi and — for the truly hardcore — on foot. Hikers may approach the park from Dalton Highway, but there are multiple river crossings along the way and no trails. Once in the park, visitors are rewarded with sweeping valleys and rugged mountains, the tallest rising 8,510 feet at Mount Igikpak at the headwaters of the Noatak River.

North Cascades National Park

Washington state has its share of glaciers with more than 300 mountain glaciers in North Cascades National Park. Get your bearings at any of the park's 6 visitor or service centers where maps and exhibit rooms can help you plan excursions. The Ross Lake National Recreation Area is a popular starting point for the 400 miles of trails that meander through the valleys and cut through the mountains with switchbacks and rocky terrain. The mountains are dotted with the glaciers as well as more than 127 alpine lakes and cascading waterfalls. The most popular waterfalls can be found at Gorge Falls along State Route 20 in between Newhalem and Diablo and Rainbow Falls in Stehekin Valley.

Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park is a diverse spot with quiet deserts, caves and dense forests filled with 5,000-year-old bristlecone pines. It's remarkable that this is one of the least-visited national parks, often dismissed as a wasteland. Go underground at Lehman Caves, an ornate marble cave filled with stalactites, stalagmites and over 300 rare shield formations.

Dry Tortugas National Park

The state of Florida gets hordes of visitors each year, but somehow Dry Tortugas plays host to only a small fraction of them. This cluster of 7 islands is just 70 miles west of Key West, but its quiet island pace sets it apart from its nearest neighbors. The waters around the islands are filled with coral reefs teeming with interesting marine life that are perfect for a snorkeling trip. Scuba divers explore the Windjammer Wreck, a complete wreck site featuring an impressive sailing ship that sank in 1907. Back on the beach, sea turtles build nests in the sand where they lay their eggs along these protected sandy shores.

Isle Royale National Park

Michigan's remote Isle Royale National Park is accessible only by boat or seaplane, so leave your car behind, and set sail from Houghton or Cooper Harbor in Michigan or Grand Portage in Minnesota. Once there, get ready for a day of backcountry hiking or navigating the lakes, bays and islands in a kayak or canoe. If you're not an experienced paddler, avoid the frigid water and possible squalls on a guided boat tour. To extend your trip, spend the night at the Rock Harbor Lodge, found in the island's northeast corner, with simple rooms and cottages overlooking the lake. Pictured: Rock Harbor Lighthouse stands at the intersection of Moskey Basin, Middle Islands Passage, Tonkin Bay, and Lake Superior, in Isle Royale National Park, Michigan.

Voyageurs National Park

Venturing into the water in Voyageurs National Park — an interconnected series of lakes and waterways on the border between northern Minnesota and Canada — isn’t an “if.” It’s a “when,” as the park has no roads and is only accessible via boat (and snowmobiles in the winter). “Voyageurs is special and unique because the story is always about the water,” says Eric Johnson, owner of Voyageurs Outfitters. “The paddlers that use the park today use the same water ways that 19th century travelers used to reach the gold fields of Rainy Lake. The same waterways were used by our namesake, the French Canadian Voyageurs, who were the first Europeans to explore this area. In fact these water ways were used by indigenous peoples dating back 10,000 years to trade and share their traditions. It is these same interconnected waterways that binds the modern day kayaker to the rich history of this area,” says Eric. The park’s locals are also passionate about the scenery that reveals itself long after the sun goes down, and the Voyageurs National Park Association is applying for Dark Sky Park certification to reduce light pollution and preserve the area’s spectacular night skies. In other words, it’s well worth sticking around for the region’s second act once your day of kayaking is over.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

One of only two national parks in the whole state of Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to Guadalupe Peak. At 8,751 feet, it is the highest point in Texas. While they do have a small campground at the base of the mountains, this park is best, fully enjoyed by getting a backcountry permit.

Pinnacles National Park

Before the sun goes down, hikers at California's Pinnacles National Park (east of the Salinas Valley, a 90-minute drive south of San Jose) are often treated to the sight of the California condor and its mind-boggling, nine-and-a-half-foot wingspan. After dark, campers enjoy dazzling views (and can take excellent photos) of the Milky Way in the darkness above the mountains — a rarity in California, where urban illumination can feel ubiquitous.

Virgin Islands National Park

Trunk Bay within Virgin Islands National Park is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but it’s what’s under the water that makes this park really special.

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Visit Katmai National Park and Preserve, located in King Salmon, Alaska, to see one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in North America. There are a handful of bear-viewing tour companies, including Natural Habit Adventures, that offer service to Katmai, which is accessible by plane or boat.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Aerial view over a glacier in the Wrangell mountains of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska, America's biggest state park at over 13+ million acres.

National Park of American Samoa

Yes, this island paradise in the South Pacific is part of our own National Park Service. And you can have it nearly to yourself: Only about 5,000 people visit the National Park of American Samoa each year. If you go, consider planning a homestay through the Park Service, which connects visitors with Samoan families who will welcome you into their homes and teach you about their history and culture.

North Cascades National Park

Pacific Northwesterners in the know skip the crowds at Washington's Olympic National Park and take their binoculars and cameras to North Cascades National Park (about three hours northeast of Seattle), instead where fewer than 40,000 visitors per year enjoy a vast wilderness with minimal light pollution. Drive-in and hike-in night sky photo tours are available during the summer, and veteran shutterbugs recommend getting a backcountry permit for following and camping near the spectacular Cascade Pass trail (which climbs to a star-scraping 5,392 feet above sea level).

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Located within the stunning, wild landscape of Port Alsworth, Alaska, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a feast for the eyes and the spirit. A two-hour flight from Anchorage, Kenai or Homer on a small aircraft will take you to the steaming volcanoes, cobalt lakes and rugged mountains of Lake Clark. From there, you can kayak, hike and raft before retiring to one of the areas all-inclusive lodges.

Kobuk Valley National Park

The sand dunes go for miles at Kobuk Valley National Park located in Kotzebue, Alaska. The park's southern terrain boasts 25 square miles of sand dunes, formed by the grinding action of ancient glaciers. Twice a year, about half a million caribou migrate across the park, leaving criss-crossing tracks in the sand.

15 Under-the-Radar National Parks

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Hidden But Great National Parks

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

North Cascades National Park

Great Basin National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park

Isle Royale National Park

Voyageurs National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Pinnacles National Park

Virgin Islands National Park

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

National Park of American Samoa

North Cascades National Park

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Kobuk Valley National Park

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