A Tour of America’s 20 Most Underrated National Parks
We’re about to zip through America’s most underrated national parks where the trails are just as breathtaking and the views just as stunning as their famous cousins.
Packed with jaw-dropping sights and adventures minus the elbow-to-elbow crowds, these hidden treasures are waiting to be your next playground!
1. Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO
In Colorado’s San Luis Valley, you’ll uncover an unexpected landscape of sandy peaks, with the Great Sand Dunes National Park as a centerpiece. It’s fascinating to learn that these are the tallest dunes in North America, commanding the scenery around them.
If you’re a fan of the stars above, Great Sand Dunes is your dream spot. The park has minimal light pollution, making it a spectacular place for stargazing.
2. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, AK
In the heart of Alaska, you’ll find Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, an enormous park that’s as large as some countries! Picture vast glaciers and some of the tallest peaks in North America, with Mount St. Elias standing proud at 18,008 feet.
It’s a place where adventure calls to those eager for hiking, flying over stunning landscapes, or exploring historic mines. You can walk on trails traveled by miners of the past, and marvel at the scenery that has barely changed in centuries.
3. Channel Islands National Park, CA
Imagine escaping to a series of secluded islands, with enchanting views and unique wildlife. Channel Islands National Park offers just that—and it’s often overlooked! Here, you can explore a special array of plants and animals, including species you won’t find anywhere else on the planet.
Nicknamed the “Galapagos of North America,” the park’s five islands float off the coast of Southern California. Your adventure might take you kayaking through sea caves, spotting seals lounging on rocky outcrops, or hiking up rugged cliffs for breathtaking vistas.
4. Canyonlands National Park, UT
If you’re keen on an adventure where the skies stretch as far as your eyes can see, Canyonlands National Park is your go-to spot. It’s Utah’s largest national park, yet it doesn’t see the crowds like its neighbors do.
Here, the Colorado River has carved through the landscape, leaving a wonderland of canyons, mesas, and buttes for you to explore. With trails both challenging and leisurely, it’s a paradise for hikers, photographers, and stargazers.
5. Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
Discover a wonder-filled world at Lassen Volcanic National Park, where all four types of volcanoes make a stellar appearance. This park is a spectacle with its boiling mud pots and geothermal wonders.
From the might of Lassen Peak’s eruption over a century ago to the ongoing volcanic activity, there’s much to explore. You’ll find over twenty volcanoes in this park, telling earth’s fiery history. Your adventure awaits across 160,000 acres of untamed wilderness at this California national park.
6. Kings Canyon National Park, CA
At Kings Canyon National Park, you’ll find yourself surrounded by awe-inspiring cliffs and the fresh scent of evergreens. This natural gem boasts some of the most breathtaking sceneries in California.
Think towering trees, roaring waterfalls, and scenic valleys that stretch as far as the eye can see. Your adventure might start with a walk among the giant sequoias, where you’ll feel instantly humbled by their size and age.
As you explore further, the ripple of the Kings River guides you to spectacular lookouts. One must-see is Zumwalt Meadow, with its lush greenery set against granite walls—a dream for photographers!
7. Isle Royale National Park, MI
Set sail for adventure on Lake Superior’s Isle Royale National Park! Embrace the wilderness on this secluded island, where moose and wolves roam free. You’ll find peace in the island’s serene beauty and can paddle its crystal-clear waters.
During your visit, hike lush trails and spot rare wildlife; it’s a hiker’s haven. Even underwater enthusiasts have something to cheer about with fascinating diving opportunities.
You don’t need to worry about bumping elbows with hordes of tourists here, as Isle Royale is known for its calming solitude.
8. Badlands National Park, SD
Discover the rugged charm of Badlands National Park, where ancient fossils tell stories of long-gone rhinos and horses. Your adventure might lead you to witnessing bison and bighorn sheep roaming the vast 244,000 acres of prairies.
The landscape is a masterpiece, crafted over time into a striking mix of pinnacles and spires that will leave you in awe. Feel the thrill of driving along the Badlands Loop Road, a must-do for panoramic views that stretch for miles.
9. Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem in Utah’s crown of natural wonders. Tucked away in the desert, you’ll find a vibrant landscape brimming with canyons, cliffs, and endless skies.
This park doesn’t boast the crowds of its famous siblings like Zion, allowing for peaceful exploration. Witness the geological marvel, Waterpocket Fold, a wrinkle on Earth’s crust that extends for about 100 miles.
10. White Sands National Park, NM
Discover the beauty of White Sands National Park, where vast dunes of glistening gypsum sands create a stunning landscape in New Mexico. You’ll find 275 square miles of desert transformed into wave-like dunes, making it the largest of its type in the world.
Highlights of your visit might include sledding down the soft sand dunes or capturing the perfect sunset photo.
11. Congaree National Park, SC
Discover the hidden beauty of Congaree National Park, a South Carolina treasure just waiting for your next adventure. Canoeing through this serene park, you’ll glide past some of the tallest trees in the East. With over 26,000 acres, your hiking options seem endless.
Close to Columbia, Congaree is a dream for bird watchers and those looking to escape to nature. This park shines with its biodiversity, hosting a dance of fireflies that lights up the forest. Make sure to wander the boardwalks to fully appreciate the park’s quiet majesty.
12. North Cascades National Park, WA
Discover the hidden wonders of North Cascades National Park in Washington. With over 300 glaciers, this park is a dream for hikers and nature lovers alike. You can hike the scenic Sterling Munro Trail, take in breathtaking views, and absorb the tranquility of untouched wilderness.
With less crowds, you’ll feel like you have the entire park to yourself. Ready for an adventure? You won’t want to miss the Maple Pass Loop, a hike that will leave you in awe at every turn.
13. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, CO
Your adventure spirit seeks the uncelebrated corners of the world, and Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison awaits. With cliffs that tower 2,000 feet above the Gunnison River, this spectacle is both majestic and formidable.
Feel your pulse quicken as you peer over a South Rim overlook, where the views stretch deep into the canyon’s heart. It’s a sight that is simply profound—nature’s artistry carved through two million years of perseverance.
Take a short trek to Exclamation Point; the name speaks volumes about the gasp-worthy vistas you will encounter.
14. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX
Nestled in Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers a unique mix of wilderness and beauty. Here, you can revel in the majesty of the four highest peaks in Texas.
Prepare for a good day’s hike up the Guadalupe Peak—the tallest in Texas! With a trail that promises striking panoramic views, you’ll want to have your camera at the ready.
If you’re looking for something less strenuous, the Salt Basin Dunes Trail is a serene 3-mile round trip that’s perfect for all ages and offers a refreshing easy walk.
15. Pinnacles National Park, CA
Discover the rugged charm of Pinnacles National Park, a hidden gem in California’s natural crown. Twenty-three million years ago, volcanic eruptions sculpted this stunning landscape, and now it beckons you to explore its peaks and valleys.
If you’re a rock climber at heart, the park’s towering spires offer an exhilarating challenge. Navigate through the twists of talus caves—bring your flashlight for an added thrill. And when you emerge, the beautiful oak woodlands and rare chaparral await.
16. Dry Tortugas National Park, FL
Nestled nearly 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is a vibrant marine sanctuary. You’ll discover a historic fort and some of the clearest waters you could ever hope to see, all teeming with colorful sea life.
Prepare to be amazed by the variety of corals, tropical fish, and even shipwrecks hidden beneath the waves. If you love undersea adventures, exploring the snorkeling spots at Garden Key is an absolute must.
17. Big Bend National Park, TX
Discover a world where the stars light up the night in Big Bend National Park. Covering over 800,000 acres, you’ll find yourself amid a thriving habitat. Home to over 450 species of birds, more than any other national park in the U.S., it’s a birder’s paradise!
Embrace the call to adventure on 150 miles of trails winding through deserts, mountains, and along rivers. Charge up Emory Peak or gently stroll through the Chisos Basin. Big Bend is a rare place where you can revel in the quiet vastness and enjoy nature’s grandeur.
18. Voyageurs National Park, MN
Nestled in the heart of Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park is a pure haven, boasting over 200,000 acres of pristine wilderness. As you navigate its vast network of lakes, don’t be surprised to find yourself alone with nature—this park is a hidden gem that remains relatively undiscovered.
With a boat as your companion, the park’s interconnected waterways become your road to adventure. The dark skies here offer a spectacular show of the aurora borealis, best viewed during the colder months.
19. Gates Of The Arctic National Park, AK
In northern Alaska, you’ll find the raw beauty of Gates Of The Arctic National Park. One of the least visited but most captivating places in the U.S., this park offers jaw-dropping natural wonders and solitude that’s hard to come by.
With no roads or trails, it’s pure, untouched wilderness. The heart of the park beats with diverse wildlife. From its roaming caribou to the majestic walls of glacier-carved valleys, nature rules supreme here.
During summer, bask in endless daylight; come winter, the Northern Lights dance across the sky.
20. Katmai National Park, AK
Katmai National Park, Alaska, is a wonderland where wildlife thrives and adventures await. Here, you’ll find the famous Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a testament to the earth’s raw power following the Novarupta eruption.
If you love watching wildlife, Katmai is your paradise for brown bears. Picture yourself quietly observing as nearly 2,200 of these magnificent creatures roam freely, especially around the Brooks River.
