National gems of the US
Some of the US's most breathtaking national parks are the ones few visit
Image: Christopher Osten
The National Park Service reports that over 12 million people visit the Great Smoky Mountains Park every year. Be warned: it may not be the isolated haven you were looking for. If you want to visit less crowded national parks that are just as interesting and scenic, here is a list of suggestions .
1
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Located about 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most isolated national parks in the country , accessible only by ferry or seaplane. About 99% of the park is water. Its main landmark is Fort Jefferson, a massive unfinished 19th-century coastal fort built with more than 16 million bricks.
Visitors often go for a day trip, but camping is available for those looking for an overnight experience. The park also offers snorkeling, swimming, and birdwatching.
2
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
White Sands National Park protects the world’s largest gypsum dune field, covering about 275 square miles in southern New Mexico. Here is the difference between gypsum and typical sand: the former does not absorb heat the same way, so the dunes remain relatively cool underfoot, even in hot weather.
The park is known for activities like dune sledding, hiking marked trails , and scenic drives through the shifting landscape. While its distance from major cities means it stays less crowded than others, the park is still easily accessible by car.
3
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park covers more than 800,000 acres along the Rio Grande, which forms the natural border between the United States and Mexico. It’s one of the least visited national parks of its size, largely because of its remote location in southwest Texas.
Those who visit come for the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, hikes into Santa Elena Canyon, and some of the best stargazing in the country. The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, spanning over 15,000 square miles, is the world’s largest certified "Dark Sky," an area where light pollution is regulated to preserve wildlife, aid astronomical research, and allow visitors to enjoy a stunning night sky.
4
Pinnacles National Park, California
This national park might be one of the newest —it was designated in 2013—, but that doesn’t mean that its unique rock formations are recent. They were created by an ancient volcanic field that has shifted over millions of years.
The park is best known for its talus caves, one of the few places where you might spot the endangered California condor in the wild. Located about 80 miles southeast of San Jose, it’s relatively accessible but still far less crowded than parks like Yosemite .
5
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
This island sits on Lake Superior and is one of the least visited national parks in the United States, receiving only a small fraction of the visitors seen at major parks. It’s only accessible by ferry or seaplane, and has no roads or cars.
This makes it an ideal destination for hikers, backpackers, and kayakers. Keep in mind, though, that the park is only open from mid-April through October due to harsh winter conditions.
6
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Mammoth Cave National Park protects more than 400 miles of mapped underground passages . That makes it the longest cave system in the world —and scientists believe there are hundreds of miles left to be discovered.
Guided tours are available, ranging from easy walking routes to more physically demanding crawls. Even above ground, the park offers hiking, biking, and canoeing along the Green River.
7
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Voyageurs National Park is named after French-Canadian fur traders who once traveled these waterways. It is made up of nearly 40% water, with a network of interconnected lakes along the Canadian border. That means you can explore it by boat, kayak, or canoe.
Its isolation and lack of light pollution also make it ideal to enjoy gorgeous night skies —to gaze at the stars, the Milky Way, or even the Northern Lights.
8
North Cascades National Park, Washington
North Cascades National Park is one of the most glaciated areas in the contiguous US, with around 300 glaciers. Located about a three-hour drive from Seattle, it remains one of the least visited national parks, largely because it lacks the easy roadside viewpoints found in places like Yellowstone.
Its highlights include Diablo Lake and the Cascade Pass trail. Summer and early fall offer the best access, as many roads and trails are closed by snow in winter.
9
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Reserve, Alaska
Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve spans about 13.2 million acres. That means it’s larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined . The park includes some of North America’s tallest peaks, massive glaciers, and historic mining sites like the Kennecott Copper Mine. Most travelers can explore it via small aircraft, guided tours, or long-distance hiking trips.
10
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park is known for its large deposits of petrified wood, trees that lived over 200 million years ago and have since turned to stone. The park also includes sections of the Painted Desert, with layered rock formations in shades of red, purple, and orange . It can be easily explored by car, with a scenic drive connecting major viewpoints and short trails.
