Congaree National Park

Lonely PlanetJul 23, 2026

The 9 least-visited national parks in the USA

Escape the crowds and fill your spirit at these nine of the least visited national parks in the USA.

20 things in this story

Dry TortugasPlaceKey West, United StatesPark made of seven islands in the Gulf of Florida.
Yankee Freedom ferryPlaceKey West, United StatesFerry service to Dry Tortugas with included amenities.
Wrangell–St Elias National ParkPlaceMcCarthy, United StatesLargest national park, offering glaciers and historic mining sites.
PotatoRestaurantMcCarthy, United StatesRoadside stop for burritos.
Great Florida Birding TrailTrailKey West, United StatesTrail for scouting rare bird populations.
North Cascades National ParkPlaceMarblemount, United StatesPark with towering peaks and limited roads.
Sourdough Mountain TrailTrailMarblemount, United StatesGlute-busting hike with mountain vistas.
Happy Creek Forest WalkTrailMarblemount, United StatesWheelchair-accessible trail.
Ross LakeSightMarblemount, United StatesLake accessible by foot or boat, extending to Canadian border.
Ross Lake ResortPlaceMarblemount, United StatesFloating cabins on Ross Lake.
National Park of American SamoaNature reservePago Pago, American SamoaPark with volcanic and marine landscapes across three islands.
Katmai National Park and PreservePlaceKing Salmon, United StatesTop wildlife viewing destination, especially for bears.
Valley of Ten Thousand SmokesSightKing Salmon, United StatesLandscape resulting from a massive early 20th-century eruption.
Lake Clark National Park and PreservePlacePort Alsworth, United StatesPark with lakes, tundra, mountains, glaciers, and active volcanoes.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and PreservePlaceBettles, United StatesUntouched wilderness entirely north of the Arctic Circle.
Kobuk Valley National ParkPlaceAmbler, United StatesPark known for Arctic sand dunes and caribou crossings.
St Elias Alpine GuidesPlaceMcCarthy, United States
Brooks CampSightKing Salmon, United States
Rock HarborSightHoughton, United States
WindigoSightHoughton, United States

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OutsideJun 26

Catch Spectacular Summer Firefly Displays at These 6 National Parks

Early summer brings one of nature’s most impressive displays as thousands of fireflies light up forests across national parks. Here’s where you can still catch the show.

13 things in this story

Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSightThousands of synchronous fireflies illuminate the forest in unison.
Cuyahoga Valley National ParkSightHome to an impressive diversity of fireflies, up to 24 species.
Shenandoah National ParkSightProtected forests and meadows provide perfect living conditions for fireflies.
Skyline DriveSightScenic autumn drives through Shenandoah National Park.
Big Meadows CampgroundSightOpen fields provide ideal viewing for fireflies after sunset.
Congaree National ParkSightThousands of synchronous fireflies gather, flashing in unison.
Firefly TrailTrail1.8-mile route through the park's best firefly habitats.
Mammoth Cave National ParkPlaceLandscape glows with incalculable fireflies after daylight fades.
Indiana Dunes National ParkPlaceWetlands, savannas, and wooded areas create prime habitats for fireflies.
Cowles Bog TrailTrail4.7-mile loop through wetlands and forest for spotting fireflies.
Great Marsh TrailTrail1.3-mile route offering access to marshland firefly viewing.
ElkmontNeighborhoodArea in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for synchronous fireflies.
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath TrailTrailOpen fields along the trail are good for observing fireflies.

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OutsideMay 15

Go Here, Not There: 5 Less-Crowded Alternatives to the Most Popular National Parks

Looking to avoid the crowds at Zion or the Smokies? Our national parks columnist shares the intel on overlooked parks that rival the most popular spots.

22 things in this story

Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlaceGatlinburg, United StatesMost visited park, most biodiverse in America
Appalachian TrailTrailGatlinburg, United StatesCruises through high-elevation spruce-fir forest
Rocky Mountain National ParkHotelEstes Park, United StatesProtects high-elevation peaks, glaciers, and backcountry lakes
Congaree National ParkSightHopkins, United StatesHome to oldest and tallest tree canopies east of Mississippi
Fork Swamp TrailTrailHopkins, United StatesHike follows oxbow lake formed by hurricane
Cedar Creek Canoe TrailTrailHopkins, United StatesPaddle between stands of 500-year-old bald cypress trees
Congaree RiverSightHopkins, United StatesForms the border of the park
Palmetto OutdoorPlaceHopkins, United StatesOffers guided day trips
Bluff CampgroundHotelHopkins, United StatesRequires mile-long hike, sits above floodplain
North CascadesSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesSteep and rugged Cascade Range with many glaciers
Mount BakerSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesHighest peak in the park
Lake DiabloSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesMassive lake with glaciated peaks on the horizon
Thunder Knob TrailTrailSedro-Woolley, United StatesTraces edge of Thunder Arm of Lake Diablo
Colonial Creek CampgroundHotelSedro-Woolley, United StatesMultiple day hikes begin from campground
Sourdough MountainSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesRocky peak with a historic lookout cabin
Diablo LakeSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesLarge lake flanked by Pyramid and Colonial peaks
Colonial Creek North CampgroundHotelSedro-Woolley, United States38 sites tucked into a pine forest
Capitol Reef National ParkSightTorrey, United StatesDesert landscape with rock towers, slot canyons, cliffs, arches
Grand Wash TrailTrailTorrey, United StatesWanders through a canyon with 200-foot-tall walls
Temple of the SunSightCapitol Reef National Park, United States
Temple of the MoonSightCapitol Reef National Park, United States
Cathedral ValleySightCapitol Reef National Park, United States

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