These are the least congested national parks in America
Trust us, there will be no tourist in sight.
Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon ... We all heard about these wonderful external lands thatAttract millions of visitors every year. But these are just some of the 62 diversified national parks in America. If you venture beyond the most popular sites, you were required to find cobbled landscapes on the eyes of robust mountain peaks, tropical tropical forests and mysterious islands - all you will completely for yourself. That you are looking for a solo outdoor adventure at the height ofCheryl misplaced Savage Or simply wanting a breathtaking view without photobombing tourists, consider one of these low frequented national parks.
1 Arctic doors; Kobuk Valley; Lake Clarke, Alaska
When you think of Alaska, you probably imagine the snowy mountains of Denali National Park or cerumen blue glaciers of Kenai Fjords, but as it turns out, Alaska is home to many more underestimated national parks.Gates of the Arctic,Kobuk Valley, andClark Lake are the less visited parks of the state (in fact, the three have seen less than less than18,000 visitors In 2019) because of their remoteness. But if you areLooking for adventureIt's worthwhile to pass the extra thousand to visit.
Arctic Doors are the northern national park in the country and, because of its lack of designated trails, visitors must be serious hikers. Then there is Kobuk Valley, who looks like a scene from another planet - or at the very least, the Sahara desert - with its giant sand dunes rising from the Arctic Ocean. Finally, Lake Clark is only accessible by Homer or Anchorage, but the vast wild nature offers visualization, hiking, fishing and kayaking on the magnificent reserve.
2 Isle Royale, Michigan
This park, which contains a large island and more than 200 smaller islands on Lake Superior, received a little more than 25,000 visitors last year. Initially designated as National Park in the 1930s to "keep an excellent example of wild nature of Woods North Woods",Isle Royale's The location of the grid is one of its best qualities (it is accessible only by boat and by seaplane). Isle Royale has tons of wildlife, red fox to the gray wolves, which you can see directly from your campsite (there are no hotels here). If you visit at the right time, you might even be able to catch the northern lights dancing through the Lake Superior.
3 North Cascades, Washington
If you like to visit the Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park, you will love North Waterfalls. This National Park in Washington is known for its lush alpine meadows,Snowy peaks, bright blue glacial lakes and waterfallwaterfall. Located just two hours from Seattle, it is surprisingly accessible for a relatively unknown setting. There are 400 miles of picturesque hiking trails, wild-headed eagle fauna with gray wolves and boating in Diablo and Ross Lakes.
Pro Council: Camping sites abound, but for those who prefer the comfort of a hotel room, theLodge in Stehekin is a convenient option with unparalleled views of Chelan Lake.
4 American Samoa National Park
Ok, then maybe a trip to the South Pacific is not quite what you had in mind when you imagined your next adventure of the American National Park, but a look at this beautiful setting will probably make you reconsider. Located in the American territory of American Samoa, a jewel of an island not far from Tahiti and Fiji, theAmerican Samoa National Park Covers the volcanic islands of Tutila, OFU and Ta'ū. It is an indispensable visit for anyone who hoped to have aexotic holidays around tropical tropical forests and jucting coasts. Perhaps the coolest of all is the fact that 4,000 acres of the national park are underwater in the form of colored coral reefs.
5 Wrangell-St Elias, Alaska
It's quite possible that you have never heard ofWrangell-St Eliasbut it's actually the biggestNational Parkin the countryside. In fact, with 13.2 million acres, it is a set six times the size of Yellowstone. This park is where four mountain ranges meet - the Wrangells, Chugach, Saint Elias and Alaska chains are formed on a dozen highest peaks of states. With its mountains, glaciers, forests and volcanoes, a large part of the park is inaccessible by car and must be explored by vehicles on foot or off-road, or propeller plan.
Pro Council: Although there are camping-car areas and campsites, we love the guest rooms likeKENNICOTT GLACIER LODGE.
6 Dry Tortugas, Florida
One of the most unique national parks in the United States,TortugasIs located next to Key West, Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. This is not the easiest place to reach. In fact, it is only accessible by the seaplane or boat, but the Parks National Park operates a ferry, which is a picturesque sail of two hours and half an hour on Turquoise waters. Dry Tortugas is a paradise for those who like to be on the water. The most emblematic place of the park is historic of Fort Jefferson, built after the war of 1812, but there is also a snorkeling and incredible diving along the protected coral reefs, a surveillance of serious birds (there is more 300 species), sea turtle tights and camping under a sky full of stars.
7 Katmai, Alaska
If there is a reason to visitKatmai National Park In the south of Alaska, it is for the observation of the bears. It is home to more than 2,000 brown bears, making it the largest protected bear population in the country. July is the most popular month to visit, when bears flock to Brooks River falls to catch salmon. If you want to stay in the Brooks popular camp during peak months, reservations open in January and are often hung in minutes. Katmai also houses the valley of ten thousand smoking, a picturesque ash landscape created when the Novarrupta volcano broke out in the twentieth century.
8 Grand Bassin, Nevada
To thisNational Park Near the Nevada-Utah border you will find alpine lakes, limestone and marble cave called Lehman Caves, 60 miles of hiking trails and bristlecone pines in prehistory research - some of the oldest trees of Earth. A protection feature is what the astronomer calls one of the last dark heavens of the US, it means a pretty spectacular stargaze for those who visit. In fact, mostsummer Nights You can see the galaxy of the Milky Way without the help of a telescope.
9 Virgin Islands
Although most national parks evoke pictures of mountains and rivers,Virgin Islands National Park is more of a tropical oasis occupying more than half of Saint John. Imagine: sweet beaches of sugar surrounded by fringed forests of palm trees and crystal clear water from the Caribbean. Two of the most popular beaches are Hawksnest Bay and Bay Bay, both known for their vibrant coral reefs and their marine life. A drawing of the Virgin Islands National Park is that it is relatively easy to arrive at - that's why it's so surprising that only133 398 people went in 2019. Ferries frequently run to and from the National Park, so you can make a day trip fromLiverland Island Saint-Thomas.
10 Congaree, South Carolina
As the only national park of the state of South Carolina,Convene is just a 30-minute drive from Columbia and less than two hours from Charleston. It houses the largest region ofprimary forests, which have become completely undisturbed for decades. You will also find Loblolly pine trees and champion, some of the highest trees in the eastern United States, the weather is almost always nice and sweet, making the congress a pleasant destination all year for hiking , fishing and monitoring birds.
11 Pinnacles, California
California is a hot for national parks such as Yosemite inniently popular, Joshua Tree and Sequoia Parks. But this state also houses someunderestimated gems AsPinnaclesin the central coast of California. Pinnacles have become a national park designated over the last decade, but cliffs, training and caves have millions of history. Some highlights include hiking on the 30 plus miles of a volcanic rock, exploring Gulch Bear Caves and the balcony caves and the stone climbing ridge. Located a short drive from Carmel-By-The-Mer and Monterey, Pinnacles is a unique stop along all the big onestrip.
12 Mountains Guadalupe, Texas
Guadalupe Mountain National Park offers visitors the chance toExplore the sand dunes, wooded canyons, steep mountain trails, etc. The park itself is part of a former fossilized reef and it is best known as a paradise for passionate hikers. It is a wild park where you will not find paved roads, motels or even service stations. To see GUADALUPE better, you will need to leave down, travel on foot and prepare to camp under the stars.
If you have never heard the high-point term, it is the act of climbing to the highest point of each of the 50 states, and it attracts many adventurers to the Mountain of Guadalupe. They are looking for the peak trail of Guadalupe of 8.5 miles, which rises 3,000 feet at the highest top in Texas.
13 Travelers, Minnesota
Travelersis a labyrinth of connected waterways, berries and lakes about five hours north of Minneapolis and just south of the Canadian border. Here, among the rustic shores and the tiny islands, you will see why Minnesota is nicknamed the land of 10,000 lakes. For those who love water, travelers is not to be missed. Spend the canoeing days, kayaking, fishing, and exploring the complex puzzle of the lakes that blend in another.
Pro Council:Many who come to trading tents travelers for barges. Do not worry if you do not have your own there are a lot of places to rent.
14 Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Kenai Fjords is the kind of place you would ever wait for in your own country. In fact, it looks more like Patagonia or Iceland that everything you can imagine in Alaska. Located on the southeast coast of the Kenai Peninsula just beyond the city of Seward, this park is an accident and wild mountain and sea landscape that has been railted by glaciers and earthquakes. More than half of the park is covered by the ice, and the main attraction is a series of 40 glaciers that rise from Harding Icefield. Nature develops in this cold,glacial climateAnd lucky to see moose, bear, sea lions, and porpoises is the biggest draw of Kenai. If you go, think about the anchorage trip along the Seward's panoramic road, and if you are looking for an incredible experience, sign up for a guided tour of the fjords kayak.
15 Anglo-Norman Islands, California
Right next to the southern mainland part of California in the Santa Barbara canal sitting five islands-San Miguel,Santa Rosa,Santa Cruz,Anacapa, And Santa Barbara, who formAnglo-Norman Islands National Park. Each entrance has a slightly different illuminating rocket: Santa Cruz is known for its fine sandy beaches and hiking trails, Anacapa for its cliffs and dramatic salvage and Santa Rosa landscapes for its sandstone canyons. To reach the park, you will have to travel by boat from Ventura orby planeAnd once you get to the best way to explore is in kayak. All year round you will find spectacular marine life of gray whales and dolphins with sea otters and seals, butthe most popular time to visit is during the summerWhen the weather is hot and sunny and you can watch the migration schools of humpback whales.
16 Black Canyon Gunnison, Colorado
Located in western Colorado,Black Canyon is the deepest canyon of the state. But this impressive throat, who looks more than 2000 feet in the vast nothingness, is surprisingly the park less visited in Colorado. Black Canyon draws its name from its dark walls that are usually covered in the shadows. Although there are not a lot of hiking trails, there are panoramic lookoutsAccessible by car on the north and south shore. It happens also to be aInternational Dark Sky ParkWhich means it's one of the best places on the planet to see stars.
17 Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
Part ofCarlsbad Caverns' Low foot traffic is because of its relatively isolated location done, the park is a full day trek of any other attraction in the Southwest American. But for anyone interested in geology and rock formations, this underestimated park located in Chihuahuan New Mexico Desert is a must-have visit. It contains more than 100 limestonecaves And magnificent rock formations, which together are one of the oldest cavernic systems in the world. The two most visited caves are Carlsbad and Lechuguilla, known for its low plaster chandeliers suspended, but if you are traveling off the beaten track, there are dozens of unique training that you can explore in solitude.
18 Big Bend, Texas
Although you probably heard aboutBig BendThe chances are that you have never visited first. Separated from Mexico by the Rio Grande River, this national park attracts less than500,000 tourists Per year, pale with great Teton, Rocky Mountain, and Yosemite, all who rake in millions. Home at the Chisos Mountain Chain and part of the Chihuahuan desert, you will find varied landscapes and natural canyon attractions with hot springs.
One of the highlights is hiking or paddling in Santa Elena Canyon, where the walls of 1500 feet raise above the Rio Grande winding. Even if you are not a passionate hiker, you can get incredible viewsCruise down Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. It crosses the park and offers a glimpse of the beautiful mountains of stretching in the desert.
19 Redwood, California
Surprise!Redwood National ParkIn northern California is one of the least busy national parks in the country. And frankly, we do not know why. After all, it houses thousands of primordial sequoia, which can live up to 2,000 years and go up higher than the eye can see. You can recognize the almost prehistoric parameter of the scenes ofAnd. andJurassic Park. The earth is flat, so it is ideal for hiking and cycling through the forest and explore the 40-mile section of the Pacific coast.
20 Volcanic Lassen, California
Another attraction from northern California,Lassen volcanic national park, just finished500,000 visitors Last year. The park name volcano, Lassen, blown in 1914 and continued to burst for three years. The result is a fascinating landscape of lava rocks, springs of bubbling sulfur and sterile trails leading to shimmering glacial water bodies such as picturesque lake Manzanita, a popular place for kayaking, fishing and camping.
You will find geothermal activities throughout the park and you will find more than 150 miles of hiking trails ranging from quiet walks to joint climbers. The best-known trek, the Pic Lassen trail, takes place by about six miles and offers incredible views of the high mountains of Sierra. Because the park is open 24 hours a day, this route is particularly popular at night under a full moon.
21 Great Sand Dunes, Colorado
Located in eastern Colorado,Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the most unique landscapes of the country. It consists of 30 square miles of sand dunes, surrounded by the valley of San Luis in the west and the snow-fucked Cristo mountains in the east. The sledge and snowboard descending Dunes is a popular park activity. A two-hour high-dune height hike brings you to the top of 699 feet where you can take an incredible view of Star Dune, the highest dune of the country. But there is a lot to see and do beyond the sand dunes. The Blood of Cristos offers alpine trails and there is also swimming at Medano Creek.
Pro Council:If you visit during the spring or summer, you could catch a natural phenomenon known as the flow of thrusts, when creek creek waves in the dunes.
22 Cave of Mammoth, Kentucky
With its 400 miles of caves and passages,Mammoth Grotto National ParkHouses the longest system of world caves and 50,000 acres of forests. This means that there are trails to explore above and underground. Mammoth Cave is a family trip because of its moderate and paved walking trails and unique geology that children will sneak. In order to explore the limestone and narrow passages, you will need to register forA guided tourBut you can explore the paths of nature entirely by yourself. In addition, do not miss Green River Bluff Trail, a 2.4-mile hike through lush forests overlooking the Quiet River and the sources.
23 Mesa Verde, Colorado
A trip to this Southwest park could convince you that you visited an old civilization. Here you will find hundreds of sandstone housing and preserved sandstone muddy muds built between the 6th and 12th centuries. The most famous architectural sites is the palace of the cliff, the balcony house and the house of the square tour.
In addition to cliff dwellings,Mesa verde is a postcard from South West American. Cortez, the Mesa Verde gateway, gives access to two pump landscapes. There is the 116-mile track of the ancients, a must for the archeology buffs and the famous Skyway San Juan, a 236-mile loop that crosses old mining and mountain towns like Durango, Mancos, Teluride and Dolores.
24 Kings Canyon, California
Chances are you have heard about Sequoia National Park in the South Nevada Mountains of California. But maybe you never discovered his neighbor:Kings Canyon. Despite being adjacent to Sequoia and sharing similar landscapes, Kings Canyon attracts only half of the visitors compared to his front brother. The highlight of the park is his throat of names that separates the two neighboring national parks.
Pro Council: The North Grove Loop Trail is perfect for a forest hike surrounded by dominant sequoia trees. Meanwhile, serious backpackers will love Glen Pass, which is part of the Pacific Peak Trail.
25 Petrified Forest, Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park is an otherworldy landscape that you probably do not expect to find in the United States located in northeastern Arizona, about two hours from Sedona and Flagstaff, this desert park contains a range of colorful rock formations and One of the largest concentrations in the world of petrified trees, dating. return more than 200 million years. Thebest time to visitis at the beginning of the fall when the wildflowers bloom in the meadows and the temperatures are light. One of the main attractions of the park is the painted desert, a dynamic and corrugated landscape of shades that appear to appear as magically arid and flat plains.
Want to learn anecdotes? here is A fascinating fact about each of the national parks of America .