When travelers think of America’s national parks, places like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon usually come to mind. But beyond these icons lie dozens of underrated U.S. National Parks that rival them in beauty, solitude, and adventure. These underrated gems often offer the same breathtaking landscapes and wildlife without the crowds, traffic, or high costs that come with the more famous ones.
From desert canyons and volcanic craters to alpine lakes and coastal forests, here are some of the most underrated national parks in the United States worth adding to your travel list.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Few people visit Great Basin National Park, and that rarity makes it truly special. Located near the Utah border, this park offers a fascinating mix of alpine forests, desert valleys, and ancient caves.
What Makes It Underrated
Most people associate Nevada with Las Vegas, not mountain peaks and glaciers, but Great Basin transforms that perception. The park’s remote location means you’ll find quiet trails, star-filled skies, and pristine wilderness without the crowds.
What to See
- Lehman Caves: A stunning marble cave system filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
- Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive: Take in breathtaking views of the Snake Range.
- Stargazing: Great Basin is an International Dark Sky Park, offering some of the best stargazing in North America.
Great Basin proves that Nevada’s natural beauty is every bit as dazzling as its city lights.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Travelers call North Cascades National Park the “American Alps,” yet far fewer people visit it than Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park. Its jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and endless trails make it a paradise for hikers and photographers.
What Makes It Underrated
Despite being only a few hours from Seattle, North Cascades remains wonderfully uncrowded. Much of the park is wilderness, making it perfect for travelers seeking peace and isolation.
What to See
- Diablo Lake: Its surreal blue-green color comes from glacial minerals and is a must-see.
- Cascade Pass Trail: One of the park’s best hikes, offering sweeping alpine views.
- Ross Lake: Ideal for kayaking, camping, and spotting bald eagles.
If you love dramatic landscapes without the rush of tourist traffic, North Cascades is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
In far West Texas, near the New Mexico border, lies Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home to rugged peaks, canyons, and one of the best-preserved fossil reefs on Earth.
What Makes It Underrated
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is overshadowed by nearby Carlsbad Caverns, yet it offers incredible hiking and solitude. Its dry desert landscape hides lush canyons, forests, and wildlife, making it one of the most diverse ecosystems in Texas.
What to See
- Guadalupe Peak: The highest point in Texas, offering panoramic desert views.
- McKittrick Canyon: Famous for its fall colors, a rarity in the desert Southwest.
- Devil’s Hall Trail: A moderate hike through narrow limestone canyons and natural rock formations.
Guadalupe Mountains is a quiet, powerful reminder of the Southwest’s geological and natural beauty.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Lassen Volcanic is one of California’s best-kept secrets. While Yosemite and Sequoia get most of the attention, Lassen offers a surreal landscape of steaming fumaroles, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows.
What Makes It Underrated
Lassen Volcanic sits off the beaten path in Northern California, which keeps its crowds low. Yet it’s one of the few places in the world where you can see all four types of volcanoes, shield, plug dome, cinder cone, and composite in one park.
What to See
- Bumpass Hell: A geothermal area with bubbling mud pots and steaming vents.
- Manzanita Lake: A serene spot for kayaking and reflection photography.
- Cinder Cone Trail: A steep but unforgettable hike up a volcanic cone with panoramic views of the Painted Dunes.
Lassen is perfect for travelers who want the drama of Yellowstone without the congestion.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Located just outside Columbia, Congaree National Park is a lush, mysterious swamp unlike any other park in the country. It’s home to one of the largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in North America.
What Makes It Underrated
Congaree doesn’t have mountains or geysers, which makes it easy to overlook. But this quiet park is rich in biodiversity and offers a completely different kind of wilderness experience, peaceful, humid, and hauntingly beautiful.
What to See
- Boardwalk Loop Trail: A 2.4-mile raised boardwalk through ancient cypress trees and still waters.
- Kayaking or Canoeing: Paddle through the slow-moving Cedar Creek and watch for turtles, owls, and herons.
- Firefly Season: Each spring, synchronized fireflies light up the forest in one of nature’s most magical displays.
Congaree’s otherworldly stillness offers a kind of serenity few parks can match.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Named after the conservation-minded president, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a testament to the wild spirit of the American West. With its colorful badlands, wild bison, and star-filled nights, it’s one of the country’s most photogenic yet least-visited parks.
What Makes It Underrated
Its remote location in western North Dakota keeps visitor numbers low, but those who make the journey are rewarded with breathtaking scenery and solitude.
What to See
- Painted Canyon Overlook: A sweeping view of layered rock formations.
- Wildlife Watching: Expect bison, wild horses, prairie dogs, and golden eagles.
- Scenic Loop Drive: Perfect for a relaxed day of sightseeing and photography.
For anyone seeking a true American frontier experience, this park delivers authenticity in spades.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
This remote island park in Lake Superior is one of the least visited in the U.S., not because it lacks beauty, but because it’s only accessible by boat or seaplane.
What Makes It Underrated
Isle Royale’s isolation is part of its charm. Once you arrive, you’re surrounded by rugged wilderness, crystal-clear waters, and an eerie, peaceful quiet that feels far removed from civilization.
What to See
- Greenstone Ridge Trail: A 40-mile backpacking route across the island’s ridges and forests.
- Scuba Diving: The cold waters preserve historic shipwrecks that divers can explore.
- Wildlife: Moose and wolves roam freely, making for one of the most unique ecosystems in the country.
Isle Royale is not for casual tourists, it’s for travelers seeking solitude, challenge, and connection to nature.
Why These Parks Deserve More Love
Each of these parks offers something rare in today’s world: space, silence, and authenticity. They remind us that adventure doesn’t require standing in line or jostling for the perfect photo spot.
Underrated parks also give travelers a chance to support smaller communities and experience America’s natural beauty more sustainably. They encourage slower travel and deeper appreciation, values that align perfectly with the future of exploration.
So before you book that trip to the usual tourist hotspots, consider taking the road less traveled. You might just find your new favorite place in one of these hidden natural treasures.
Plan a trip to America’s most underrated national parks with TravelPal.ai