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
