6 Unpopular National Parks Worth Visiting
Q: Are there any National Parks worth visiting that I may not already know?
A: Most definitely! The U.S. has a whopping 63 National Parks, and some of the less popular parks are actually the BEST parks!
Over the last year, I’ve been lucky enough to visit a whopping 25 U.S. National Parks (and counting!). Some of those parks are classics like Zion, Joshua Tree, and Arches, but many of the National Parks that I explored fly slightly under the radar.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a massive benefit to visiting less popular parks, which is… FEWER CROWDS. It can be pretty disheartening to see the swarms of people that surround Old Faithful’s eruptions in real life… That being said, there are certain National Parks that I visited that I will NOT be recommending in this post!
Looking to venture off the beaten path? Check out these 6 unpopular (or at least, LESS popular) National Parks that *are* worth visiting!
Here are 6 unpopular U.S. National Parks that are worth visiting!
North Cascades National Park
For me, the top National Park on this list has to be North Cascades National Park in northern Washington state. While this U.S. National Park feels incredibly remote, it’s only about a 3-hour drive from downtown Seattle!
If you’re a mountain lake lover, this may be the park for you — imagine the topography of Glacier National Park in Montana, but WAY less tourists! When visiting North Cascades National Park, don’t miss the Diablo Lake Vista Point, Ladder Creek Falls, the Cascade Pass Trail, and if you’re up for more of a hiking challenge, the Maple Pass Loop!
Another benefit of North Cascades National Park? It’s close to *other* fabulous parks, namely Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier! If you’re looking for more places to visit in the Pacific Northwest, don’t miss my Ultimate Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary!
Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park in northern California (JUST south of the Oregon border) has some of the most impressive redwood trees I’ve ever seen!
This spectacular area often gets passed up for the more popular Sequoia National Park and the famous General Sherman Tree. This National Park feels less like a contained single park and more like a series of small connected state parks that all run into one another. To get your lay of the land, I recommend driving the STUNNING 10-mile Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, which runs parallel to Highway 101 or the *very* narrow Howland Hill Road. Want to stretch your legs? Walk the Stout Memorial Grove Trail along the Smith River.
If you have more time to explore the area, this park is the perfect tack-on to a Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary! Just continue on south from Redwood National Park towards Avenue of the Giants and Founders Grove!
Voyageurs National Park
What makes Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota SO unique? For starters, most of it is water!
Voyageurs is located in the “boundary waters” region that straddles the Canadian and U.S. border between Ontario and Minnesota. Outdoor enthusiasts come to this area for multi-day canoe trips where days are spent paddling through the wilderness, and nightly camp is set up on tiny islands scattered throughout Lake Superior. Sound a little too hardcore? There are LOTS of day activities around Voyageurs too! First things first, get out on the water! Book a tour boat or rent a canoe nearby and explore some of the (hundreds of!) mini islands! Many visitors like to rent a houseboat during their Voyageur National Park stay too. If you enjoy hiking, check out the Blind Ash Bay Trail and Echo Bay Trail, which were *radiant* during peak fall foliage.
Just make sure to plan your visit around the seasons, as Voyageurs National Park essentially closes down in the winter months!
Crater Lake National Park
Did you know: Crater Lake National Park in southwest Oregon is the *deepest* lake in the United States?? This massive crater formed roughly ~7,700 years ago when a volcano, Mount Mazama, erupted and collapsed into itself.
Today, driving the 33-mile scenic Rim Drive around Crater Lake National Park is a breathtaking experience! Make sure to visit during the spring or summer months, as most of the trails and activities close in the winter (they get deep snow up here!). During your visit, check out the popular Garfield Peak Trail or Watchman Peak Trail, and don’t forget to book a boat tour to Wizard Island!
Oregon is a *necessary* part of any Pacific Northwest Road Trip with its idyllic Cannon Beach coastline and rugged Columbia River Gorge!
Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is one of the smallest in the U.S., and to be honest, it feels more like a National Monument! But that does *not* mean it’s missable!
For hundreds of years, people have flocked to this area of Arkansas for the natural hot springs’ health benefits. The architecture of several local bathhouses (i.e., hot spring spas!) is still intact from the late 1800s and early 1900s. As a result, this is a National Park that history buffs and nature lovers will EQUALLY appreciate! Because this park is so small, it’s easy to explore in half a day. You might as well spend the second half of your day soaking up some hot spring spa treatments at Quapaw Baths & Spa or Buckstaff Bathhouse!
The small town of Hot Springs also has some other cute and worthy spots, such as the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, which is the first brewery within a National Park; they use hot spring water as the main ingredient in their beers! Another nearby attraction is the gorgeous Anthony Chapel in lush Garvan Woodland Gardens!
Big Bend National Park
I saved one of the best for last! Located in the southwest part of Texas, Big Bend National Park straddles the Rio Grande and Mexican border. Because this park is so far from any major city (El Paso is about a 5-hour drive and San Antonio is a 6-hour drive), Big Bend is one of the least visited National Parks in the U.S. For those visitors who *do* make it there, most are Texas residents! But the remoteness of this park adds to its appeal.
If you’re heading to Big Bend National Park, make sure to check out the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, and hike the Lost Mine Trail and Santa Elena Canyon Trail. Learn about the prehistoric locals at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit and soak up some of America’s darkest skies for stargazing!
Looking for nearby attractions? Check out the cute artsy town of Marfa, Texas, where a famous art installation called Prada Marfa resides, and grab a bite at The Water Stop!
Have you visited other unpopular National Parks that you’d recommend? Share in the comments below!
