Lonely PlanetJul 23
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.
Lake accessible by foot or boat, extending to Canadian border.
20 things in this story
- North Cascades National ParkPlacePark with towering peaks and limited roads.
- Sourdough Mountain TrailTrailGlute-busting hike with mountain vistas.
- Happy Creek Forest WalkTrailWheelchair-accessible trail.
- Ross LakeSightLake accessible by foot or boat, extending to Canadian border.
- Ross Lake ResortPlaceFloating cabins on Ross Lake.
- Elsewhere
- 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.
- National Park of American SamoaPlacePago 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