The United States is home to 58 beautiful parks which are designated as National Parks. We all heard about some of the popular ones like Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, and perhaps a majority of us visit one or two national parks every other year.
Based on statistics offered by the U.S. National Park Service, some of the big-name national parks welcome millions of visitors each year. In 2007, the Great Smoky Mountains saw 9.3 million visitors while Yellowstone received 3.1 million vacationers. However, other amazing sites in remote places are far less crowded than they should be.
If you just killed the thought of visiting renowned national parks because you wanted to avoid huge crowds and noise, think again. Maybe you should head to lesser-known ones instead. Do not be scared. Some of the least-visited national parks are really beautiful and full of incredible nature wonders. They well reward a visit.
Browse through the pictures below on the page, you will surely be shocked by the wildness and nature beauty of these less visited national parks.
1. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Credits: Roger Lynn, adventurejournalist, sevfitzgerald
(Approx annual visitors: 90,000)
What this national park has to offer include Lehman Caves, Alpine lakes and a glacier. For adventurers who enjoy the challenge of climbing high mountains or travelers dreaming of strolling around the foreshore of beautiful lakes, this is the perfect destination. However, it sees only 90,000 visitors a year.
2. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Credits: mattk1979, Terry.Tyson, rickz
(Approx annual visitors: 60,000)
There were 60,895 people who visited the park in 2007. Dry Tortugas is nearly 70 miles away from Key West and well known for the lack of surface fresh water. The remoteness of location contributes a lot to its low popularity.
3. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Credits: Miles Barger, Leanne Phelps
(Approx annual visitors: 53,000)
Glaciers and boreal forests are major features of this national park. It was visited by 53,274 people in the year of 2007. As the site where 9 of the 16 highest mountains in the United States located, the largest national park of our country surely deserves more appreciation.
4. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Credits: VerismoVita, Jvstin
Fascinated by vast grassland? Plan to explore a beautiful cave? Pay a visit to Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota. It is the right place to embrace nature and get an amazing view of a diverse array of wildlife.
5. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Louisiana
Credits: Matt Carman, dmkirl
A national park which brings music and history in life. You can meditate in front of the French Quarter or the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans, see many species of wildlife wandering through the nature preserve or immerse in Cajun music in an old-fashioned theater.
6. North Cascades National Park, Washington
Credits: Sean Munson, pfly, Soggydan
(Approx annual visitors: 19,600)
This park saw only 19,534 visitors in 2007. It deserves more recognition due to all the spectacular and rugged mountain peaks, unbeatable hiking trails, backdoor campgrounds and fascinating hanging valleys.
7. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Credits: Corvair Owner
(Approx annual visitors: 16,000)
Only 15,973 visitors made it to Isle Royale National Park in Michigan in 2007. Maybe a number of tourists canceled their trips to this charming park as they heard it was only accessible by boat, float plane or ferries.
8. Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska
Credits: ilya_ktsn
(Approx annual visitors: 9,000)
If you are seeking for places where few other ventures, this is the ideal destination for you. Bet you will be deeply impressed with its glamour. This national park only receives around 9,000 visitors every year, so most areas are almost untouched by man.
9. Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alaska
Credits: Wikipedia
(Approx annual visitors: 4,500)
Enjoyed by less than 4,500 visitors each year, Katmai boasts the largest amount of protected brown bears. Well, if abundant wildlife is not a challenge for you, consider a hiking trip among 14 active volcanoes in stormy weather.
10. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Credits: NPCA Photos, alexispz
(Approx annual visitors: 5,600)
Despite of its remoteness, this national park still attracted 5,549 visitors in 2007. Extensive rainforest, as well as limpid lakes, active volcanoes and waterfalls gives this national park unmatchable charm.
Do not let the wildness scare you away from this glamorous parkland where you will see mountains rise dramatically over the lakes and spectacular scenery stretches from the shore of Cook Inlet to tundra covered hills. It’s undoubtedly worth your visit.
11. National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa
Credits: Naomi T, eutrophication&hypoxia
(Approx annual visitors: 2,400)
Annually, around 2,400 people venture through National Park of American Samoa which spans three islands and features a rainforest and a coral reef. You should definitely check out this park since it’s quite different from any other national parks.
12. Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Credits: brian.roman
(Approx annual visitors: 0?)
It’s no surprise that Kobuk Valley National Park is ranked as one of the least-visited parks in the country. Located in the Arctic Circle, it has no designated hiking trails and roads. Visitors can only get there by foot or snowmobile.