If you're looking for a great park experience without long entry lines and crowds that can occur during peak travel season, consider checking out some of the less-visited — but equally beautiful — National Parks.
According to the National Park Service, here are the least-visited parks in the contiguous U.S. to add to your bucket list.
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Are you familiar with the history of French-Canadian (and other) fur traders, called "voyageurs," who traveled across Canada and the U.S. during the 17th through 19th centuries? This area was named for their journeys.
This 218,055-acre pristine wilderness near the Canadian border is a water lover's dream, attracting avid kayakers and canoeists. Most parts of Voyageurs National Park require a watercraft, and you'll need a camping permit. Research your options for canoeing and park regulations to ensure a safe, enjoyable adventure.
The breathtaking beauty of this area's waterways, rock ridges and lush forests is maintained thanks to Leave No Trace principles, required for anyone visiting any of these unspoiled places.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
From the high desert of Eastern Nevada to the Wheeler Peak Glacier, and from the Lehman Caves to the 13,064-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, this park 300 miles north of Las Vegas offers a surprisingly diverse terrain that includes groves of ancient bristlecone that may be as old as 4,000 years.
Hiking, cave exploration and incredible ranger-led astronomy experiences allowing you to get a sense of the vastness of the cosmos are just some of the adventures you can discover in this 77,180-acre park. Be sure to check their website regarding weather conditions and road closures that can occur throughout the year.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Campers, hikers and canoeists seeking a gorgeous alpine landscape complete with jagged peaks, glaciers, lakes and cascading waters will find this awe-inspiring area well worth the trip. Just three hours from Seattle, North Cascades is 500,000 acres of mountain wilderness containing over 300 glaciers.
The highest peak within the park is Goode Mountain, at 9,220 feet. Because of the higher elevation of most of this park, you'll find snowy conditions most of the year, making the optimal visiting window from June through September. As with any National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
One of the most unique National Parks is the Dry Tortugas island chain featuring the 14-acre island, Garden Key. Only reachable by boat or seaplane, Garden Key is 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. Here, you'll find Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century fort used as a prison for union deserters.
You'll enjoy gorgeous views of the fort and surrounding sparkling blue waters, and relax on sand beaches, experience amazing birding, or venture into the water for incredible snorkeling and diving.
Campers must bring their own water, as Garden Key has no fresh water. Permits are reserved far ahead, so this park visit may require more advance planning.
This article was previously published by Brandpoint. It’s republished here with permission.
Highbrow Magazine
Photo Credits: Depositphotos.com; Brandpoint