13 National Parks Most People Still Don’t Know About
Skip the crowds and explore these hidden gem national parks that most travelers completely overlook.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
America has more than 400 national parks, and two of the most well-known are Yosemite and Yellowstone. However, many of them are still relatively unknown. These lesser-known spots are ideal for people who like to take a nature vacation with fewer tourists since they could provide peaceful seclusion and stunning vistas.
1. Great Basin National Park – Nevada
Famartin on Wikimedia Commons
Tucked near the Utah border, this park offers star-filled skies, ancient bristlecone pines, and glacier-carved peaks. Despite its alpine beauty, it’s one of the quietest parks in the system.
2. Congaree National Park – South Carolina
Will Thomas on Wikimedia Commons
Home to the largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the U.S., this park is full of towering trees and swampy charm. Boardwalk trails let you explore without getting muddy.
3. North Cascades National Park – Washington
Ron Clausen on Wikimedia Commons
Known as the “American Alps,” this rugged park is filled with jagged peaks, over 300 glaciers, and turquoise lakes. Despite being just hours from Seattle, it remains shockingly empty.
4. Guadalupe Mountains National Park – Texas
CarlCarlsonIV on Wikimedia Commons
This park boasts Texas’ highest point — Guadalupe Peak — and a stunning fossil reef from an ancient ocean. Windswept trails and deep canyons define the landscape.
5. Lassen Volcanic National Park – California
Tobias Haase on Wikimedia Commons
Lassen features boiling springs, fumaroles, and a volcano you can hike. Think of Yellowstone’s geothermal magic without the crowds.
6. Voyageurs National Park – Minnesota
J. Stephen Conn on Flickr
A watery wonderland best explored by canoe or boat, this park straddles the Canadian border. Its countless lakes and islands create a maze of serene exploration.
7. Capitol Reef National Park – Utah
Shaan Hurley on Wikimedia Commons
Often overshadowed by its flashy Utah neighbors, Capitol Reef offers striking red rock formations and remote desert canyons. Its scenic drive and quiet trails provide awe without the chaos.
8. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park – Colorado
G. Edward Johnson on Wikimedia Commons
This narrow, dramatic canyon plunges deeper and darker than you’d expect. The sheer cliffs and roaring river make it an underrated rival to the Grand Canyon.
9. Dry Tortugas National Park – Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife on Flickr
Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this island park is home to historic Fort Jefferson and vibrant coral reefs. The remote location keeps crowds at bay.
10. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park – Alaska
National Park Service, Alaska Region on Flickr
This Alaskan behemoth is bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined. It is wild and untamed, defined by glaciers, massive mountains, and remote wilderness.
11. Isle Royale National Park – Michigan
Ray Dumas on Wikimedia Commons
Located in Lake Superior, this remote island park is only open part of the year. Wolves, moose, and rugged hiking trails define the experience.
12. Pinnacles National Park – California
Brocken Inaglory on Wikimedia Commons
Formed by volcanic activity, this park is known for its spires, caves, and soaring condors. It’s a favorite for rock climbers and spring wildflower hunters.
13. Kobuk Valley National Park – Alaska
16Terezka on Wikimedia Commons
One of the least visited parks in the U.S., Kobuk features massive sand dunes north of the Arctic Circle. It’s remote, wild, and only accessible by bush plane.