15 Hidden Gem National Parks in the US for Stunning Views and Adventure Away from Crowds

All of America’s national parks have their own treasures to offer visitors, but some are more popular than others.

Each year, the National Park Service (NPS) tracks the total number of tourists in each park, revealing the most and least visited. While the country’s least-visited parks can take a bit more planning to reach, they offer incredible experiences to all those who make the trek. Visitors can watch synchronous fireflies, hike among the world’s oldest trees, take in views of the northern lights, or enjoy wildflower blooms at these lesser-known national treasures.

The following 15 national parks had the fewest visitors in 2021, according to the NPS. If you’re looking for adventure and scenery without the crowds, here are the least-visited national parks to consider visiting next.

1. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska

With no roads or trails and a landscape carved by glaciers, Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is for the traveler looking to truly escape the hustle and bustle. With just 7,362 visitors in 2021, it was the least-visited national park of the year.

Park representatives refer to the area as “one of the last truly wild places on Earth.” The park’s natural habitats can indeed be harsh, and only experienced wilderness travelers are advised to visit. However, there are companies that can organize day trips and overnight campouts, enabling visitors at every level to enjoy aurora-lit skies and a natural setting like no other.

2. National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa

Located about 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii, the National Park of American Samoa is one of the most remote national parks. In 2021, it recorded just 8,495 visits. However, just because it’s not popular doesn’t mean it’s not worthy of attention.

Those who are fortunate enough to make the trip are rewarded with stunning views of crystalline seas, coral sand beaches, and an abundance of aquatic life—the park is home to an impressive 991 species of fish for guests to spot.

On land, visitors can hike through an extensive trail system offering epic views and learn about the Samoan culture through its visitors center and unique homestay program.

3. Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Half a million caribou migrate through Kobuk Valley National Park, tracking across sculpted dunes. The park is home to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, the largest active sand dunes in the Arctic, shaped over thousands of years by glaciers grinding rocks beneath them. The park is also marked by the tracks of wildlife including bears, wolves, foxes, and moose. The Kobuk River weaves through, offering visitors a unique vantage point of the local flora and fauna by boat.

4. North Cascades National Park, Washington

Three hours from Seattle, North Cascades National Park boasts the most glacier views in the U.S. outside of Alaska. Though known for heavy snowfall, it provides a range of activities year-round such as river rafting, horseback riding, backpacking, and hiking on extensive trails. The mountainous landscape accommodates both beginner strolls and challenging trails that pass glaciers for the adventurous.

5. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve may be among the least-visited national parks, but avid travelers often highlight it as one of the best.

This park offers an iconic Alaskan experience, where visitors are treated to stunning views of turquoise lakes, brown bears, soaring mountains, and glaciers. Visitors can engage in activities such as kayaking, hiking, or powerboating along the beautiful lakes and rivers.

6. Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Established in 1980, Katmai National Park and Preserve on Alaska’s northern peninsula features dramatic landscapes and a vibrant wildlife array. The national park is primarily accessible via plane or boat, with various operators providing air taxi service and flightseeing tours.

Flightseeing tours provide breathtaking aerial views of the national park’s vast treks, revealing its unique combination of tundra, freshwater lakes, and volcanoes. Travelers can also enjoy sights of the many bears and moose living here. There are over 2,000 brown bears in Katmai, celebrated during the annual Fat Bear Week.

7. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Isle Royale National Park is situated on an isolated island in the heart of Lake Superior. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, transportation services run from neighboring locales. Once inside the park, travelers will encounter forests, rugged shorelines, backcountry trails, and approximately 400 satellite islands to explore.

8. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Stretching over 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the nation’s largest yet only saw 50,189 visits in 2021.

This vast park is equivalent in size to Yellowstone, Yosemite, and all of Switzerland combined. It houses the largest glacial system in the U.S. (nearly 35% is covered in glaciers), and NPS representatives suggest that visitors following any braided river or stream to its source will likely encounter stunning glaciers. The park is also home to some of the country’s tallest mountain ranges, where on clear days, serene views of Mount Wrangell can be seen emitting steam.

9. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park spans 100 square miles of natural and historic wonders located about 70 miles from Key West, Florida. Most of the park, featuring seven small islands, is part of the Florida Keys reef system—the third largest globally. Its remote location boasts a rich diversity of marine life and numerous shipwrecks for exploration. Visitors should head to Garden Key to explore Fort Jefferson, one of the largest 19th-century forts in the U.S., where they can camp and enjoy the stunning night sky views the park is known for.

10. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve covers 3.3 million acres, offering various opportunities for solitude and adventure. Travelers can choose their activities, from exploring fjords and hiking through lush forests to embarking on scenic boat rides to see the marine park. With abundant wildlife, don’t forget to bring binoculars for spotting animals from a safe distance.

11. Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Great Basin National Park is renowned for its incredible stargazing opportunities.

Featuring significant elevation differences (from 5,000 to 13,000 feet), the park showcases a diverse array of flora and fauna. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of ecosystems, from deserts and playas to mountains, fossils, springs, caves, and glaciers. The park is home to 73 species of mammals, over 200 bird species, 11 conifer tree species, and more than 800 plant species, including vibrant alpine wildflowers in the spring.

12. Congaree National Park, South Carolina

South Carolina’s Congaree National Park features the largest expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeast along with some of the tallest trees in eastern America, reaching up to 170 feet. Visitors can admire the trees on over 25 miles of hiking trails or via canoe or kayak.

The park is also one of the few locations globally where visitors can witness two remarkable natural displays: synchronous fireflies, typically appearing from mid-May to mid-June, and a captivating view during flooding when nearly 80% of the park may be submerged underwater.

13. Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Denali is an underappreciated national park in Alaska, stretching over six million acres and showcasing stunning and diverse terrain, highlighted by its namesake peak, which reaches 20,310 feet, making it the tallest in North America. The wildlife here is plentiful, including 39 mammal species and 169 bird species, perfect for nature enthusiasts to encounter during their explorations.

14. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

The 218,055 acres of Voyageurs National Park are celebrated for a unique ecosystem encompassing hardwood forests, wetlands, and arctic watersheds. Due to its transitional landscape, a variety of wildlife can be found, including moose, black bears, northern leopard frogs, and blue-spotted salamanders.

Moreover, the park is home to over 400 wildflower species. For the most brilliant views, look up at the night sky. Designated as a National Dark Sky Park, Voyageurs provides glimpses of the Milky Way, meteors, and, at times, the northern lights.

To fully experience Voyageurs’ natural beauty, visit the visitor centers before exploring the park’s waterways via private boat or guided water taxi.

15. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Guadalupe Mountains National Park fuses mountain and canyon geology with desert landscapes and remarkable dunes. The park features over 80 miles of hiking trails that navigate through the desert and canyons, leading to the “Top of Texas” at Guadalupe Peak, where breathtaking views can be admired.

Four of the state’s highest peaks are located in this park, which also showcases spectacular fall foliage. For an extraordinary experience, follow the McKittrick Canyon Trail in the northern section to witness the park’s stunning autumn colors.