Five of America's least visited National Parks for your next trip
If there's one positive thing to say about the United States of America, it's that it might have the best national parks system in the world. Parks like Yellowstone are a life changing experience with numerous natural wonders to explore and seemingly endless wildlife to view. There's a reason why millions of people travel there every year.
Keeping that in mind, there are several great national parks in the US that very few people travel to. Several of them are in Alaska, which isn't a big surprise. The main reason people don't go to these parks is their relative remoteness and difficulty getting to them. That is probably part of what makes them worth checking out. That, and their extreme natural beauty.
Katmai National Park and Preservation, Alaska
Hidden away on the Alaskan Peninsula near Kodiak Island, most people get to Katmai National Park by floatplane or boat. You could hike but it's a long walk and you're definitely not driving. The park was established over a century ago to protect thousands of years of human history as well as one of the largest populations of brown bears on Earth.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Mountains, valleys, and hundreds of glaciers. Located within a few hours of Seattle in the Pacific Northwest, North Cascades National Park is an absolute jewel. There are drivable parts of the park, so it isn't all hiking here. That being said, heading off into the park on foot or by horseback is an incredible experience. Plus, the fishing in North Cascades is supposed to be amazing.
National Park of American Samoa
Almost 5,000 miles away from Los Angeles is the National Park of American Samoa. Hawaii is the closest American state to this park and Australia is still technically closer to it. That makes it even more worth checking out. The culture of Samoa is amazing as is the vibrant beauty of the region. The park itself covers beach, rainforest, and reefs across parts of three volcanic islands.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
When you get down into the part of the US that consists of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, there are a lot of National Parks to choose from. That includes some big names, which is probably why Great Basin National Park tends to fall through the cracks. But it deserves to be explored. There are beautiful forests, stunning caves, and a gorgeous night sky.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Go to Key West, Florida and head west. Way west. Another 70 miles west. There, you will find Dry Tortugas National Park. It's mostly ocean with several small islands, giving this park some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world. On top of that, one of the islands is home to a Civil War era prison called Fort Jefferson. It's an interesting place.