Camper admires the expansive Brooks Mountain Range, encompassing East and West Maiden Peaks, Camel Peak, and Arrigetch Peaks, all Situated within Alaska's Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.
Exploring the United States' hidden gems, these lesser-known national parks will leave you in awe sans the hordes of tourists. Founded in 1916, the National Park Service has amassed an impressive 419 protected units, 63 of which go by the title, "national park." Intriguing, isn't it? But don't be misled by the count; you'll only require 29 states and two U.S. territories to pay homage to these treasures.
However, it's not surprising that these breathtaking destinations often remain undiscovered, as many are tucked away in remote regions that demand a tad more venture than your average road trip. Let's dive into the details, shall we?
The Least-Visited National Parks: A Journey through the Uncrowded
10. Great Basin National Park
Don't let the low count of 152,068 visitors in 2024 fool you. Great Basin National Park showcases unparalleled natural beauty, featuring bristlecone pine groves that boast a lifespan of thousands of years, Lehman Cave's limestone caverns, and a starry sky that'll leave you speechless.
9. Dry Tortugas National Park
If you're up for a boat ride or seaplane adventure, this 100-square mile park in the Gulf of Mexico-70 miles west of Key West-is a must-see. Dry Tortugas National Park offers visitors a taste of history (think Fort Jefferson, one of the nation's largest 19th-century forts) and nature (absolutely stunning marine life). In 2024, only 84,873 curious souls paid it a visit.
8. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
With acreage to spare, this park in Alaska is the largest national park in the United States. But, alas, only 81,670 people dropped by in 2024! If you're hunting for mountains, glaciers, or wildlife, your search ends here, as the park is home to some of the highest concentrations of glaciers in North America, stunning mountain ranges, and diverse wildlife.
7. Katmai National Park and Preserve
More than 36,000 visitors graced the land of Katmai National Park and Preserve in 2024, with many flocking to catch a glimpse of its famous brown bear (grizzly) population. The park also features active volcanoes and ideal conditions for backcountry hiking and camping.
6. Isle Royale National Park
This park in Lake Superior off the coast of Michigan offers hikers and campers 165 miles of trails, and only 28,800 lucky travelers visited in 2024. The small number of visitors each year allows researchers to study predator-prey relationships between wolves and moose and enjoy the park's scenic beauty.
(It's time to ditch the car and hop aboard the train. Trust us, these national parks are worth the town-to-nature transition.)
5. National Park of American Samoa
Located in the South Pacific, this park charms visitors with its rich Samoan culture, impressive coral reefs, 475 plant species, 50 animal species, and native fruit bats that play a vital role in pollination. Be prepared for a trip, though, as it's not as readily accessible as mainland parks.
4. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
If adventure is what you're after, pick up your pack and head to Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska. In 2024, only 18,505 brave adventurers found their way to this remote paradise, where they could marvel at the rugged beauty of the landscape and observe brown bears in their natural habitat.
3. Kobuk Valley National Park
This park in Alaska-25 miles north of the Arctic Circle-received just 17,233 visitors in 2024. Grizzlies, wolves, and migratory birds call Kobuk Valley National Park home and the park is the ancestral homeland of the Iñupiat people. Ice Age-formed dunes and a Western Arctic caribou migration round out the experience.
2. North Cascades National Park
The rugged peaks and glaciers of North Cascades National Park-nicknamed the "American Alps"-managed to attract a mere 16,485 visitors in 2024. The park, known for its large network of glaciers and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail, offers a wilderness experience that's far from commercialized.
1. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Topping our list of least-visited national parks, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve attracted just 11,907 visitors in 2024. This national park preserves an underdeveloped region within the Brooks Range, allowing for traditional subsistence activities by local Koyukon and Inupiaq people and offering untamed beauty. Hiking, backpacking, and wildlife viewing are common among visitors to this wild and remote corner of Alaska.
- Great Basin National Park houses bristlecone pine groves with a lifespan of thousands of years, Lehman Cave's limestone caverns, and a stargazing experience that'll leave you speechless, despite its low visitor count of 152,068 in 2024.
- Dry Tortugas National Park, a 100-square mile park in the Gulf of Mexico, offers history, marine life, and only welcomed 84,873 curious souls in 2024.
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest national park in the United States, hosted just 81,670 people in 2024, making it an ideal destination for those seeking mountains, glaciers, or wildlife.
- Katmai National Park and Preserve, home to a famous brown bear (grizzly) population, attracted more than 36,000 visitors in 2024, while providing opportunities for backcountry hiking and camping.
- Isle Royale National Park, located in Lake Superior off the coast of Michigan, offers hiking, camping, and the opportunity to study predator-prey relationships between wolves and moose, with only 28,800 visitors in 2024.
- National Park of American Samoa, a South Pacific park with rich Samoan culture and diverse ecosystems, received fewer visitors due to its remote location, with only 28,800 visitors in 2024.
- Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska is a remote paradise for adventure seekers, attracting only 18,505 visitors in 2024, where they can observe brown bears in their natural habitat.
- Kobuk Valley National Park, a park in Alaska located 25 miles north of the Arctic Circle, received only 17,233 visitors in 2024, featuring grizzlies, wolves, and migratory birds.
- North Cascades National Park, known as the "American Alps," welcomed 16,485 visitors in 2024, offering a wilderness experience devoid of commercialization.
- Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, the least-visited national park, attracted just 11,907 visitors in 2024, preserving an untouched region within the Brooks Range for traditional subsistence activities and untamed beauty.
