While they get a lot of attention, many of the better-known, scenic national parks, like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, and many low-profile, equally dramatic finds are mostly unvisited — and very sparsely populated. If you want a break when you can reconnect with nature, here’re some lesser-known national parks that will be on your radar. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado Picture a person at the base of giant sand dunes stretching for miles, with rocky peaks in the background of the arid landscape. Great Sand Dunes National Park features the tallest sand dunes in North America, creating a unique landscape. Whether you’re skinboarding down the dunes, trekking through surrounding forests or stargazing at night, this park has an experience you won’t forget. The dunes themselves, which rise to 750 feet, were created over thousands of years as the wind brushed sand from the nearby San Luis Valley. These climb around the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, an arrestingly stark juxtaposition. Medano Creek is a seasonal stream that flows at the base of the dunes, one of the park’s more distinctive features. In spring, visitors can wade and even go tubing in the shallow waters, which is a great activity for families with kids. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California Though overshadowed by its neighbors, Yosemite National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a fabulously hidden treasure. Home to its famous geothermal features like boiling springs and active fumaroles, this park gives visitors a rare view of what’s happening within the Earth. Without the congestion of other spots, it’s a great pick for both adventurers and nature lovers. The park’s Bumpass Hell is a geothermal area with bubbling mud pots and brightly colored pools. There are also many different hiking trails, ranging from leisurely strolls to strenuous hikes like the path to the summit of Lassen Peak, an active but dormant volcano. In the winter, the park becomes a paradise for both snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan One of the most remote national parks in the US, Isle Royale in Lake Superior can only be reached by boat or seaplane. The island has hiking and canoeing, and wildlife viewing to die for — wolves, moose and bald eagles. Because of its isolation, it is perfect for those looking to eschew the world and experience nature in its more untouched form. Isle Royale features more than 165 miles of hiking trails that can accommodate everything from a short day hike to a multi-day backpacking experience. The park is also a paradise for scuba divers, who can investigate the many shipwrecks around the island’s shores. It’s also one of the best places in the country to view the stars, given its remote location and minimal light pollution that allows for clear views of the Milky Way. Congaree National Park, South Carolina A different type of landscape can be seen at Congaree National Park. It harbors one of the few, if not the only, remaining deep old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in the United States. The park’s boardwalk trail traverses swampy ground, where you can see rare wildlife like river otters and the endangered Swainson’s warbler. Visitors can canoe or kayak through the park, paddling in the tranquil waters of the Congaree River. The park’s ecosystem is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including towering bald cypress trees that hang with Spanish moss. Congaree is a veritable paradise for birdwatchers, with dozens of species inhabiting the park. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas If you want dramatic, mountain scenery, you’ll want Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Located in the desolate corner of West Texas, it boasts rugged mountains and vast desert views. The park has over 80 miles of hiking trails, including a grueling option up to the top of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, for “going to war.” The park also encompasses McKittrick Canyon, which some claim is the prettiest place in Texas, especially in the fall when the leaves shift to fiery shades of red, orange and yellow. Salt Basin Dunes, a lesser-traveled area of the park featuring remarkable white gypsum dunes North Cascades National Park, Washington North Cascades are renowned for their wild beauty and have even been called “The American Alps.” Rugged hills, high alpine lakes and wildflower-flecked flatlands create a hiker and climber’s holiday. The kind of unspoiled beauty this park offers will make you fall in love with nature all over again. North Cascades has one of the largest glacial systems in the lower 48 states, with more than 300 glaciers. For the adventurous, the park offers rock climbing, mountaineering and backcountry camping. Or for a more leisurely experience, scenic drives and boat tours on Ross Lake offer breathtaking views of the park’s rugged terrains. Big Bend National Park, Tex. Big Bend, on the Mexican border in the Chihuahuan Desert, is one of the largest and most isolated national parks in the U.S. Its varied terrain — from desert to river canyons — makes for a soothing and adventurous getaway. Hiking, whether through the desert or the scenery along the Rio Grande, Big Bend provides real isolation and serenity. The park is also a dark sky site, so it’s a great stargazing spot. In addition, the Rio Grande provides rafting and kayaking opportunities through its dramatic, canyon-formed landscape. Wildlife lovers can see numerous animals in the area, including javelinas, roadrunners and even black bears. Pinnacles National Park, California Pinnacles National Park is an underrated gem known for its towering rock formations, caves and wildlife. It’s popular for rock climbing and has a growing population of California condors. With fewer visitors than other parks in the state, it’s a peaceful, serene environment in which to experience nature at your own pace. The park’s talus caves — formed when enormous boulders tumble into narrow canyons — are a key feature drawing visitors. There are multiple species of bats living in these caves, and exploring them makes for an adventurous outing for families and solo travelers alike. Channel Islands National Park, California Just by boat or airplane can you reach the Channel Islands National Park, comprising of five islands located off the California coast. For the nature lovers, it is one heaven with endemic species that are indigenous to this place. Whether kayaking through kelp forests, hiking the trails or watching seals and sea lions, this remote park provides an adventure unlike any other. The diversion of resources to fund the lifeguard system has also prevented the Channel Islands from thriving. The park’s crystal-clear waters are a snorkeler’s and diver’s paradise, revealing colorful marine life and breathtaking underwater sights.
Acadia National Park, Maine At the risk of sounding punny, Acadia is among the most “awe” inspiring of national parks, although it is more popular than some of those on this list, it does have an element of peace while still retaining an aura of tranquility compared to Zermatt, Switzerland crowds in other famed parks. Oct 2, 2020Getty Images 12 of 270 Acadia Acadia is a wonderful destination to drive to for stunning coastal views, rugged beaches and beautiful landscapes. Its mountainous and maritime disposition delivers an atmosphere unique to it and soothing as well. The park is home to the iconic Cadillac Mountain, the tallest point on the East Coast of the United States. Those who make it to the peak are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, neighboring islands and woodlands. At certain times of year, it’s the first spot in the U.S. to see the sunrise. The park also has over 120 miles of hiking trails, including coastal routes with impressive views and arduous scrambles up rocky peaks. For cyclists, Acadia’s carriage roads offer a unique experience. These winding gravel roads are closed to car traffic and traverse the park’s scenic terrain, crossing scenic stone bridges and providing peaceful rides through nature. And the park’s coastal waters are well suited to kayaking, where you can paddle around rocky shores and spot seals lying on the rocks. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado Less well-known than other parks in Colorado, Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a staggering place to visit. This dramatic canyon, formed by the Gunnison River over millions of years, contains some of the steepest, most rugged cliffs in North America. Over 2,000-foot sheer walls of the park generate an exhilarating view challenging the Grand Canyon for its beauty and grandeur. There are numerous activities for visitors to avail of in the park. Hiking trails offer access to amazing vantage points along the canyon’s rim, with seasoned adventurers able to traverse into the inner canyon for more demanding exploration. The Gunnison River is popular with anglers and kayakers, although its fast-moving waters and rapids demand more advanced skills. For those who seek a more mellow experience, there are scenic drives along the rim that provide epic views of the canyon’s dramatic topography. At night, Black Canyon of the Gunnison transforms into a stargazer’s paradise. Its dark skies, remote location and sparse light pollution also make it one of the better places in the country to view the night sky. At night, visitors can gaze up at the Milky Way, planets and stars filling the sky above. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska Wrangell-St. It is the largest national park in the United States, encompassing more than 13 million acres of Alaskan wilderness. Known for its majestic mountain ranges, colossal glaciers and clean rivers, this expansive and isolated park has a real feel for adventure and solitude. Although one of the largest park, the park is also one of the least visited ones in the country, thus being a great spot for solitude lovers into pure nature. Activities in Wrangell-St. They are in the realm of Elias — hiking, mountaineering, glacier trekking. The park’s rugged landscape offers endless opportunities for exploration — from walking on ancient ice fields to scaling some of North America’s highest peaks. Wildlife lovers can see bears, moose, caribou and eagles in nature. Visitors can also visit the historic Kennecott Mines, a preserved mining town that provides a peek into Alaska’s storied past. Guided tours offer a glimpse into the lives of the miners who once toiled in this remote area. For more adventurous sorts, flightseeing tours do provide stunning aerial views of the park’s glaciers and mountains. These lesser-known national parks highlight the breathtaking diversity of the landscapes and experiences to be found around the United States. Whether you want quiet, adventure or simply to connect with nature, these parks have an option for everyone. Getting off the beaten path reveals some of the most spectacular and overlooked natural wonders the country has to offer.