National parks are incredible places for discovery, yet often we think about visiting only the most popular. Yet the National Park Service maintains and protects hundreds of parks, national lakeshores and seashores, recreation areas, walking trails and more, all for you to take in and enjoy.
So before you book your reservation for a busy park this summer, check out this list of 10 underrated national parks to visit this summer instead. While this list certainly isn’t exhaustive, it might just spark your imagination.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island National Seashore is located in Assateague Island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. It’s a beautiful spot for nature lovers to hike, bike, camp, stargaze, fish and even go crabbing, but it’s most known for its wild horses.
Horse lovers will enjoy visiting the national seashore to see the majestic creatures, which, according to local legend, are descendants of shipwreck survivors in the late 17th century.
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Ever wonder what the Milky Way looks like? Travelers heading to Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area overnight might find out on a clear summer night. The area spans Kentucky and Tennessee within the Cumberland Plateau. While there, campers can stargaze on Ranger-led dark-sky programs, marvel at the region’s rock formations, go whitewater paddling down the river, climb sandstone cliffs and go horseback riding along scenic trails.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a scenic gem located in the far northern reaches of Wisconsin, along the coast of Lake Superior and the nation’s northernmost border. There, travelers can catch a glimpse of the northern lights at certain times of the year (especially during the winter) and much more.
There are 21 different Apostle Islands, accessible by boat or sea kayak. Travelers can easily purchase a ride on a water taxi or take an authorized Apostle Islands Cruise to get the most out of a trip.
Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park is another paradise of unspoiled nature. Located off the Michigan shoreline on Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake, it’s accessible by seaplane and a variety of ferries and boat options.
Daytrippers are more than welcome, but travelers wanting to immerse themselves for longer (or take advantage of the dark northern skies and catch a glimpse of the Milky Way and even the northern lights) can stay in the Rock Harbor Lodge or a campsite.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
This North Dakota national park, named after the president who advocated for the establishment of more national parks, offers great opportunities for hiking, photography, and encountering some of the nation’s coolest animals — including bison.
Travelers to the park can also fish, canoe, bike, horseback ride, camp, and much more. Additionally, the park hosts the Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival each year and is a great destination from which to view the Milky Way in all its celestial glory.
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park shows that the state of Nevada is not all desert. The park offers ancient bristlecone pine forests, incredible night skies, scenic foothills covered in sagebrush, the stunning 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, and the mysterious Lehman Caves.
Here, travelers can partake in unique activities, from wild caving to pine nut gathering. The park offers a range of seasonal activities like wildflower viewing, but visitors can enjoy hiking trails, nighttime beauty, and bird-watching opportunities year-round.
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to walk on another planet? You won’t even have to use much of your imagination during a visit to Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve.
Located in southern Idaho, the preserve is home to the remnants of ancient lava flows. The park is a great one to visit for a few hours, a half day, or a full night, with many of the biggest attractions, like caves and trails, available along a 7-mile stretch of Loop Road.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef’s unique Waterpocket Fold rock is only one of the park’s many attractions. The fold extends nearly 100 miles, creating a unique landscape with natural cliffs, domes, bridges, and canyons that hikers, horseback riders, canyoneers, and bikers can explore. Travelers with accessibility considerations or those simply driving through the region to head somewhere else can take an hour and a half scenic drive, which offers stops featuring some of the park’s most incredible geological wonders.
Big Thicket National Preserve
You might just forget that you’re in southern Texas during a visit to Big Thicket National Preserve. The preserve boasts nine unique ecosystems across its 113,000 acres, from pine forests to cypress-lined bayous, offering guests a truly wondrous experience.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Big Thicket offers nearly 40 miles of hiking trails and six waterway corridors as well as opportunities for backcountry camping, paddling, fishing, bird-watching, and much more.
San Juan Island National Historical Park
Located off the coast of Washington state is San Juan Island National Historical Park. It’s home to rocky coastline, nearby pods of orcas, quiet forests, and one of the last native prairies in the region.
Travelers will love exploring all its natural riches, but they’ll also learn about the park’s creation, thanks to the so-called Pig War and how peaceful arbitration finally put an end to the incident and led to the creation of the current border between the U.S. and Canada.
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