Ask people about American national parks, and they’ll answer Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite with delight. While these national parks are a must-visit, there are other places nearby that are also worth exploring. The United States is home to 63 officially designated national parks, where you can see diverse landscapes and wildlife. If you want a quick escape in the city without the overwhelming crowds, then plan your trip to these 10 underrated national parks this weekend.
10. Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota)
Located in northern Minnesota, Voyageurs is a water-based park where you will need to ride a boat for exploration. But don’t worry, the lakes and forests make the trip worth it. The park features interconnected waterways, which are a perfect spot for watersports. There are also over 500 islands and coves to explore, as it sits on the US-Canada border. If you plan to visit for the winter, then you can enjoy a cross-country ski or snowmobile across the frozen lakes.
9. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (Alaska)
If you really want to explore a least-visited park, then head over to Alaska for the Gates of the Arctic National Park, with only 10,000 visitors recorded each year on average. It’s the northernmost national park in the US that lies above the Arctic Circle. This 8.4 million-acre park has no roads, no trails, and no established campgrounds, as it’s just you and the wilderness. The Brooks Range mountains offer a scenic view for those who want to explore this remote park.
8. Channel Islands National Park (California)
Off the Southern California coast lie the Channel Islands, which have fewer visitors than other mainland parks despite their closeness to cities. In here, you get to experience kayaking and snorkeling in an untouched island ecosystem. The park features five islands where you can observe a rich marine life and seabirds, including types found nowhere else on Earth. Its isolation ensures that natural beauty remains.
7. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)
Want to try a less-crowded national park in Colorado? Then head over to Black Canyon, located in a part of Colorado with little traffic and the steepest canyon in the US. The Black Canyon got its name from the fact that some portions of the park receive sunlight for only 40 minutes a day. There’s also the Gunnison River, which is known as one of the steepest river descents in America that drops 34 feet over a mile. The park also offers breathtaking views from its 2,000-foot walls that rival the Grand Canyon.
6. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve (Alaska)
This is the largest national park in the United States, with 13 million acres of land. Yup, if you’re planning to explore Gates of the Arctic National Park, then visit the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve also. It’s six times larger than Yellowstone and covers 16 of the highest peaks in the United States. This park also features glaciers, abandoned copper mines, and beautiful mountain scenery, waiting for you.
5. Great Basin National Park (Nevada)
If you’re looking for an alternative park, then head over to Great Basin, which is a remote and isolated national park in the Lower 48. It sits on a remote edge of Nevada, which is dubbed the Loneliest Highway in the US. Can it be more remote than that? Well, don’t worry, as the park will keep you busy with its ancient bristlecone pines, skies, and towering Wheeler Peak. In fact, the bristlecone pines happen to be one of the oldest living trees on Earth. You can also visit the Lehman Caves and go stargazing at night.
4. Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida)
70 miles from Key West lies the Dry Tortugas, which is only accessible via boat or seaplane. The park features Fort Jefferson, coral reefs, and a rich marine life. It offers activities, such as snorkeling and diving in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters. Meanwhile, the 19th-century Fort Jefferson has the Garden Key, where you get a glimpse of the Civil War history.
3. Isle Royale National Park (Michigan)
Located right in the middle of Lake Superior is this island park that’s only open part of the year and reachable by boat or seaplane. The Isle Royale National Park is home to the longest predator-prey research study in the world that began in 1958. According to a 2024 report, there are around 30 wolves on the island after a successful relocation program in 2018, when only two wolves were found to remain. But other than that, you can enjoy good hiking, canoeing, and even a shipwreck dive in Lake Superior.
2. North Cascades National Park (Washington)
Just hours from Seattle, you’ll find the North Cascades, that’s referred to as the “American Alps.” The park boasts around 300 glaciers, which is more than any other national park outside Alaska. It features rugged mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and forests that will rival the country’s most famous national parks. The North Cascades is home to the largest concentration of glaciers, combined with the park’s high elevation, for a view of the scenery and its wildlife.
1. Congaree National Park (South Carolina)
Congaree National Park is a 26,692-acre park that actually preserves the largest tract of the old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The park features a concentration of champion trees in the world, with the tallest known one of 15 species. Activities you can enjoy are walking around the elevated 2.4-mile Boardwalk Loop or canoeing around Cedar Creek. You can also hike deeper to explore the wilderness.