10 Lesser-Known National Parks in the United States

The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone are three of the most well-known national parks in the U.S. These famous places are lovely, but you should also see the quieter, less busy parts of America. You may not know much about these parks, but they have a lot of natural beauty, peace and quiet, and adventure that is often better than you think.

If you want to go somewhere where the only sounds are the wind, a river, or a bird call far away, these 10 lesser-known national parks are great for your next vacation. These parks tell the story of America in a way that is both strange and personal. They have everything from dry valleys and empty islands to volcanoes and old forests.

1. The Lassen Volcanic National Park in California

Not many people know about Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California, but it’s a great place to visit. Lassen isn’t as crowded as Yellowstone or Yosemite, but the views are just as nice. When you walk through Bumpass Hell, a hot geothermal area, you can feel the earth living under your feet. You feel like you’re in a different world when you see the colourful mineral pools, bubbling mud pots, and fumaroles.

Lassen has more than just volcanoes, though. The sun makes alpine lakes like Manzanita and Lake Helen shine, showing off the mountains and fields of wildflowers that are nearby. You have to hike Lassen Peak to see views that go on for miles. During the winter, the park is a quiet, snowy wonderland where you can cross-country ski or snowshoe.

Someone who knows says to get there early in the morning to avoid the few people who come to see the sunrise over Lassen Peak. It’s a nice and peaceful thing to do.

2. The North Cascades National Park in Washington

People often call North Cascades National Park “the American Alps.” People who love nature and rough beauty would love it here. It has more glaciers than any other U.S. park that isn’t in Alaska. It also has rough peaks and lakes that are turquoise. It’s a dream come true for photographers. I drove the North Cascades Highway all day and stopped at every overlook to look at the views. One of the most peaceful things I’ve ever done was kayak on Diablo Lake, which has strange blue-green waters.

There are both easy and hard trails for backpackers and hikers to choose from. There aren’t many people on the Maple Pass Loop, which has great views. The Thunder Knob Trail can take up to half a day. You know this park is wild and untamed when you see animals like black bears and mountain goats.

Someone who knows says to go in the first week of October. The golden larches and rough peaks make a picture that will stick with you.

3. The Great Basin National Park in Nevada

Many people think of Nevada as having flashy casinos, but Great Basin National Park is a nice change of pace. The old bristlecone pines, the beautiful Wheeler Peak, and the quiet desert lowlands make it a peaceful place. I felt very alone and amazed when I hiked Wheeler Peak. The views go on and on, across the desert and the mountains.

You have to visit Lehman Caves. When you see the limestone formations, like stalactites, stalagmites, and strange cave shields, it’s like going into a hidden world below the surface. The park has some of the darkest skies in the continental U.S., so it’s a great place to see stars at night. You can see the Milky Way in all its glory, and meteor showers feel like a private show.

Someone who knows says to hike during the day and look at the stars at night. Bring a blanket, lie down, and let the world above you open up.

4. South Carolina’s Congaree National Park

When you walk through Congaree National Park, it feels like you’re in a fairy tale. The bottomland hardwood forest that has been around for a long time is huge and full of life. The bald cypress and water tupelo trees can get really big. The boardwalk loop is an easy way to see the area, but if you’re feeling brave, you can kayak along the Congaree and Wateree rivers to get a different view of this beautiful place.

The woods come to life in the summer with a shimmering, almost magical light show. I remember sitting quietly on a bench and watching thousands of tiny lights blink in perfect time with each other. It felt like something out of a storybook. There are a lot of animals that live near the river, like deer that eat there and otters that fall in.

Go in late spring if you want to see fireflies. Wear shoes that won’t get wet if you want to hike in the rain. The park might get wet and muddy, but every step is worth it.

5. The National Park of the Guadalupe Mountains in Texas

A lot of people are amazed by a gem in Far West Texas. There are both rough desert areas and beautiful alpine areas in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It’s hard to hike to the top of Guadalupe Peak, which is the highest point in Texas, but the views and the sense of accomplishment will last forever.

People love McKittrick Canyon, especially in the fall when the leaves turn bright red and gold. I spent a lot of time just walking around the bottom of the canyon, listening to the water flow and the leaves rustle under my boots. The park still has some parts of the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, which helps people learn about the area’s history.

You should start your climb up Guadalupe Peak early in the morning to avoid the heat and see the sun rise over the desert mountains, according to someone who knows. It’s lovely.

6. Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota

This is for people who like to be in the water. Voyageurs National Park is a group of lakes, rivers, and islands that are on the border between Canada and the United States. I rented a small boat and spent the day kayaking, jumping from one island to another, and just going with the flow. The only sounds were birds singing in the trees and water hitting the hull. It seemed like time had stopped.

In the winter, the scenery changes a lot. You can’t beat riding a snowmobile over frozen lakes or watching the northern lights dance above. There are a lot of places to fish, and photographers will love how the calm lake catches the light.

It’s a good idea to spend a few nights on a houseboat. I’ll never forget waking up to the mist coming off the lakes and being surrounded by water.

7. The Black Canyon in Colorado’s Gunnison National Park

You might think that the Grand Canyon is the only place with great views, but it’s not. The Black Canyon in Gunnison National Park is very steep, beautiful, and dramatic. When I was on the edge, I felt so small. The cliffs drop steeply into the Gunnison River, which makes you feel both dizzy and amazed at the same time.

From the rim, you can see the gorge from a lot of different angles, and each one shows it in a slightly different way. The Painted Wall is the highest cliff in Colorado, and it’s a beautiful place to see because the colours change. If you want to have an adventure, you can even go down into the canyon. The quiet place is a great place to take pictures and think.

8. Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota

You can see why this park is a tribute to the man who fought for conservation by going there. The badlands in Theodore Roosevelt National Park are kilometres long and home to wild horses, bison, and elk. I often stopped to watch animals walk around freely as I drove by.

You can get up close and personal with the Badlands on the Painted Canyon Trail, which has some great views. It seems like no one has done anything to the park since people started building things there. The red and gold hills here look like they go on forever at sunset.

9. California’s Channel Islands National Park

The five rough islands off the coast of Southern California seem like a whole new world. Most of Channel Islands National Park is still wild, which makes it a great place to be alone and see animals that aren’t common. I saw sea lions and seals while kayaking through sea caves on Santa Cruz Island. I saw the small fox on San Miguel Island. It was hard to find. This type of animal only lives in one place.

When you snorkel through kelp forests, you can see a hidden world of fish, rays, and crabs. The hiking paths have amazing views of the ocean, and in the spring, wildflowers bloom in bright colours. The islands are so far apart that it feels like you’ve found a secret paradise. Each one is a new adventure.

10. The Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida

The only way to get to Dry Tortugas National Park is by boat or seaplane. It is a lonely place to be off the coast of Key West. The blue sea and colourful coral reefs that surround Fort Jefferson make it look like a huge brick fort. I snorkelled for hours and saw beautiful fish and sea turtles swimming through the water with ease.

The sunsets here are really pretty. They make the fort and the sea look like they are made of pink and gold. You feel small on the islands because they are so peaceful. The only sounds you can hear are the waves and the birds. There are no people or cars. It reminds me that some of the best trips are the ones that make you feel like you’re in a different time and place.

These lesser-known national parks are great places to get away from the crowds and really connect with nature. Every park has a story to tell about the long history and different landscapes of the United States. The North Cascades have sharp peaks, the Dry Tortugas have lonely islands, and Lassen has hot geothermal features, for example.

So, don’t forget to bring your camera, your hiking boots, and a sense of wonder. Anyone who wants to learn about the secrets of America’s hidden national parks can come here.