When it comes to national parks in the United States, most people immediately think of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite. These iconic parks are indeed breathtaking, but they're also incredibly crowded and can feel like tourist traps. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten-path experience, consider visiting some of the country's most underrated national parks. From the scenic coastline of California to the majestic mountains of Colorado, these hidden gems offer stunning natural beauty, unique landscapes, and opportunities for outdoor adventure.
1. Channel Islands National Park, California
Located off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, Channel Islands National Park is a chain of five islands that are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The park's unique island ecosystem is unlike anywhere else in the world, with species found nowhere else on the planet. Visitors can explore the islands by kayak, bike, or on foot, and enjoy activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, and birdwatching.
Must-see attractions:
* Anacapa Island: The largest of the five islands, Anacapa is home to a historic lighthouse and offers stunning views of the surrounding ocean. * Scorpion Ranch: A historic ranch on Santa Cruz Island that offers tours and a glimpse into the island's past. * Kayaking and snorkeling: Explore the islands' coastline and marine life by kayak or snorkel.
2. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Located in eastern Nevada, Great Basin National Park is a treasure trove of natural wonders. The park is home to the 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, as well as limestone caverns, glaciers, and ancient bristlecone pine trees. Visitors can hike to the top of Wheeler Peak, explore the Lehman Caves, or take a scenic drive through the park's stunning landscapes.
Must-see attractions:
* Wheeler Peak: The highest peak in the park, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. * Lehman Caves: A stunning limestone cave system that features unique rock formations and underground pools. * Bristlecone pine forest: Explore the ancient trees of the park's forest, some of which are over 4,000 years old.
3. North Cascades National Park, Washington
Located in the Pacific Northwest, North Cascades National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers stunning mountain scenery, glaciers, and lakes, as well as opportunities for hiking, camping, and kayaking. Visitors can explore the park's rugged terrain by horseback, take a scenic drive through the mountains, or hike to the top of a glacier.
Must-see attractions:
* Ross Lake: A stunning lake that offers boating, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. * Chain Lakes: A series of lakes that offer hiking trails and stunning mountain views. * Goat Lake: A remote lake that can be accessed by hiking or horseback.
4. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Located in eastern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park is a fascinating park that offers a glimpse into the region's ancient past. The park is home to stunning rock formations, petrified wood, and ancient petroglyphs. Visitors can hike through the park's stunning landscapes, explore the petroglyphs, or take a scenic drive through the park.
Must-see attractions:
* Petrified Forest Loop: A scenic drive that takes visitors through the park's stunning landscapes. * Painted Desert: A colorful rock formation that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. * Petrified wood: Explore the park's stunning petrified wood formations, which date back millions of years.
5. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Located in central South Carolina, Congaree National Park is a hidden gem that offers stunning natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventure. The park is home to old-growth forests, swamps, and wildlife, as well as opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and hiking. Visitors can explore the park's stunning landscapes by kayak or canoe, take a scenic drive through the park, or hike to the top of a forest canopy.
Must-see attractions:
* Old-growth forest: Explore the park's stunning old-growth forests, which feature towering trees and diverse wildlife. * Boardwalk: Take a scenic walk through the park's forests on the boardwalk, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. * Kayaking and canoeing: Explore the park's swamps and waterways by kayak or canoe.
6. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Located on an island in Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is a remote and rugged destination that offers stunning natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventure. The park is home to wolves, moose, and other wildlife, as well as opportunities for hiking, camping, and kayaking. Visitors can take a scenic boat tour of the island, hike to the top of a mountain, or explore the park's stunning coastline.
Must-see attractions:
* Wolf population: Isle Royale is home to a unique wolf population, which can be seen on guided tours. * Moose: Take a guided tour to spot the park's resident moose. * Lake Superior coastline: Explore the park's stunning coastline, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding lake.
7. Biscayne National Park, Florida
Located in southern Florida, Biscayne National Park is a unique park that offers a glimpse into the region's underwater world. The park is home to coral reefs, mangrove forests, and a diverse range of marine life, as well as opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. Visitors can take a scenic boat tour of the park's waterways, snorkel or scuba dive in the coral reefs, or explore the park's mangrove forests.
Must-see attractions:
* Coral reefs: Explore the park's stunning coral reefs, which are home to a diverse range of marine life. * Mangrove forests: Take a scenic boat tour through the park's mangrove forests, which offer stunning views of the surrounding waterways. * Kayaking and canoeing: Explore the park's waterways by kayak or canoe.
8. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Located in southern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a stunning park that offers a glimpse into the region's underground world. The park is home to a massive limestone cave system, which features stunning rock formations and underground pools. Visitors can take a scenic elevator ride to the cave's entrance, explore the cave on a guided tour, or hike to the top of the cave's highest point.
Must-see attractions:
* Underground pools: Explore the park's stunning underground pools, which feature crystal-clear water and unique rock formations. * Rock formations: Take a guided tour to see the park's stunning rock formations, which date back millions of years. * Bat flight: Watch the park's resident bats as they take flight at sunset.
9. Death Valley National Park, California
Located in eastern California, Death Valley National Park is a unique park that offers stunning natural beauty and extreme temperatures. The park is home to the lowest point in North America, the Badwater Salt Flat, as well as a diverse range of unique landscapes, including sand dunes, badlands, and salt flats. Visitors can take a scenic drive through the park's stunning landscapes, hike to the top of a mountain, or explore the park's unique rock formations.
Must-see attractions:
* Badwater Salt Flat: Explore the park's lowest point, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. * Sand dunes: Take a scenic drive through the park's stunning sand dunes, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. * Ubehebe Crater: Explore the park's unique rock formations, which feature stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
10. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Located in southeastern Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is a massive park that offers stunning natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor adventure. The park is home to North America's highest peak, Mount St. Elias, as well as glaciers, mountains, and rivers. Visitors can take a scenic flight over the park's stunning landscapes, hike to the top of a mountain, or explore the park's glaciers and rivers.
Must-see attractions:
* Mount St. Elias: Take a scenic flight to see the park's highest peak, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. * Glaciers: Explore the park's stunning glaciers, which feature unique rock formations and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. * Rivers: Take a scenic boat tour to explore the park's rivers, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
In conclusion, these 10 national parks offer a range of unique landscapes and opportunities for outdoor adventure. From the scenic coastline of California to the majestic mountains of Alaska, these hidden gems offer a chance to experience the natural beauty of the United States in a more off-the-beaten-path way. So why not consider visiting one of these underrated national parks on your next outdoor adventure?
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