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From my decades-long experience as a park ranger and nature enthusiast, I’ve come to understand that there is an unparalleled beauty and tranquillity found in the lesser-known corners of America’s National Parks System. Spread across the country, these 394 parks are breathtaking testaments to nature’s grandeur, some of which draw millions of visitors annually like Yellowstone. However, a handful of these parks, due to their remote locations, remain less explored, promising a unique adventure for intrepid explorers.
Here, we delve into the top ten least visited national parks, with the fewest footfalls yet some of the most extraordinary landscapes and experiences.
Discover Alaska’s Wild Side: Katmai National Park
Claiming the tenth spot is the southern Alaskan Katmai National Park. This park is a thrilling adventure with hiking trails encircling active volcanoes and a vast population of brown bears. Its unique challenges, including unpredictable weather patterns and 14 active volcanoes, resulted in a modest count of 82,634 visitors.
Yet for those willing to brave the elements, the rugged beauty of this park is a sight to behold.
A Stargazer’s Paradise: Great Basin National Park
In ninth place is the Great Basin National Park, drawing a slight 81,364 visitors. Nestled near the Nevada-Utah border, its rugged desert terrain and absence of civilization make it a sanctuary for those seeking isolation.
With miles of civilization-free surroundings, the park offers some of the nation’s darkest skies, perfect for stargazers yearning for an unfiltered view of the Milky Way.
Wilderness on a Grand Scale: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Number eight on the list is the largest of all national parks, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, encompasses a whopping 13 million acres. Larger than nine states, this Alaskan park provides ample personal space for its visitors, a contrast to the most popular parks.
Despite its increasing popularity, it remains one of the less-visited parks, offering vast expanses of untouched wilderness.
A Historic Island Retreat: Dry Tortugas National Park
Ranking seventh is the Dry Tortugas National Park, a beautiful collection of islands 70 miles west of Key West. With 60,895 visitors, it’s not a typical destination, but its unique features, such as Fort Jefferson, the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere, and over 300 species of migrating birds, make it an intriguing visit.
Solitude Among Glaciers: North Cascades National Park
The sixth spot goes to North Cascades National Park, a Washington state gem with just under 20,000 visitors. With more than 400 miles of hiking trails and over 300 glaciers, this park showcases some of nature’s greatest spectacles, often enjoyed in serene solitude.
The Untamed Outback: Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park is fifth on our list, and its remoteness is apparent: access is solely by seaplane or boat. This remote Michigan island is unique for its wolves and moose but devoid of bears. With 15,000 visitors, the park’s raw beauty and stark seclusion create an otherworldly experience.
Arctic Beauty: The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Number four takes us back to Alaska to a park roughly the size of Switzerland – The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Offering breathtaking valleys, lakes, and mountains, this park, with just under 11,000 visitors, guarantees solitude amid nature’s magnificence.
A Tropical Getaway: The National Park of American Samoa
Claiming the third spot is the National Park of American Samoa, a unique rainforest and coral reef park closer to Australia than the mainland United States. With only 6,774 visitors, its spectacular beauty remains less explored, making it a perfect spot for off-beat explorers.
Wild Alaska: Lake Clark National Park and Preservation
Number two on the list is Lake Clark National Park and Preservation, boasting three mountain ranges, active volcanoes, and glaciers, with a visitor count of 5,549.
The remoteness of this Alaskan park promises pristine natural beauty savored by only a handful of hardy souls.
Arctic Solitude: Kobuk Valley National Park
Topping the list is Kobuk Valley National Park, located north of the Arctic Circle. With only 847 visitors, this road-less park challenges explorers with its inhospitable environment, but rewards them with a unique combination of sand dunes and a healthy population of caribou.
These ten parks, in all their secluded glory, only had a total of 345,597 visitors, a stark contrast to the 9.4 million people who visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
They might be less visited, but these parks offer unique beauty and experiences, standing as open invitations to us all to embark on the road less traveled.