America’s national parks are treasures everyone can enjoy, but some see more traffic than others. When you want to get far from the madding crowds, a trip to one of the country’s least visited wild recreational areas can be just what the doctor ordered.
Where should you go, and what do you need for the ultimate experience? Get ready to plan your visit and have a fabulous time exploring the nation’s remaining wildernesses in one of these least-visited national parks in the U.S.
The U.S. National Parks System
America’s national parks span over 85 million acres of wilderness. They traverse mountains and valleys, forests and swamps, and lakes and rivers.
1. How Many National Parks Are in the U.S.?
Officially, there are 63 national parks in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawai’i. They aren’t the only ones. For example, the National Park of American Samoa is located in the South Pacific and receives just over 12,000 visitors a year, thanks to its remote location. However, it offers a homestay program for those looking to spend a longer time in the park, learning about native Samoan customs.
2. What Is America’s Oldest National Park?
President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service in 1916, but that wasn’t the first year people used these spaces for education and recreation. Ten parks vie for the title of the oldest national park in America, including:
- Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
- Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
- Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Sequoia National Park, California
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
For example, Yellowstone was founded in 1872, long before the National Parks System originated. The remainder of the parks on this list also beat the deadline. Since then, it has taken an act of Congress to create a new national park.
For this to occur, the area must offer significant natural, cultural, or recreational resources, and require the direct oversight of the National Park Service, not another agency. Currently, there are a few contenders in the running to be America’s 64th national park:
- Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
- Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Arizona
- Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Pennsylvania
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, California
A national park designation means the destination receives additional service and resources from the National Park Service. These include rangers and other personnel, as well as funds for improvements, such as lodging and facilities like restrooms and waste removal.
3. What National Parks See the Most Visitors?
National parks vary widely in tourist traffic. Some see only five figures worth in a year, while others host millions of visitors.
Every national park deserves a visit — they all have something unique to offer. However, you may wish to avoid the following 10 most visited national parks on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
- Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- Zion National Park, Utah
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Yosemite National Park, California
- Acadia National Park, Maine
- Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
- Joshua Tree National Park, California
- Olympic National Park, Washington
4. What to Do in National Parks
National parks provide recreational paradises. Those who prefer to stay ashore can hike, mountain bike, try bouldering, or go mountaineering — the technical name for mountain climbing, especially rock or ice climbing. Folks who don’t mind getting wet can swim, snorkel, canoe, kayak, or brave a whitewater rafting adventure. Aerial sorts will delight in finding ziplines in or adjacent to national parks, offering a birds-eye view.
10 of the Least Visited National Parks in the U.S.
Where should you go for the best chance of avoiding the crowds? Here are 10 of the least visited national parks in the U.S.
1. Capitol Reef
This list begins with the most visited of all the least-visited national parks. That’s because it lies in Utah, which is home to five such locations, along with various state recreational areas thrown in for good measure. While Capitol Reef sees considerably more traffic than the other national parks on this list, it draws the fewest daily visitors within its home state.
One draw to this area is the ample BLM land surrounding it, meaning you can find a place to park your tent even if the established campsites within the park fill up. You’ll also find gorgeous red rock formations such as Chimney Rock. Learn about the ancient petroglyphs by attending one of the daily ranger talks and book an off-road tour to explore the more remote regions.
2. Isle Royale
Isle Royale lies in the middle of Lake Superior and is accessible only by boat or seaplane. Its remote location may explain why it welcomed fewer than 30,000 visitors in 2023.
Many visitors spend several days here to enjoy the rugged wilderness experience. Although there is a lodge and cabins available for your stay, people hike or paddle to a different campsite every day.
3. Voyageurs
If you canoe, a trip to Voyageurs National Park may delight you even more than Isle Royale. You must use a boat to reach your campsite. Frontcountry camping lies along the shore, while backcountry excursions require more exertion. The good news is you won’t have to listen to the hum of anyone else’s generator.
Watery excursions reign supreme, so bring your swimsuit in the summer. However, the park clears out in early fall for those who like intense seclusion.
4. Gates of the Arctic
Gates of the Arctic National Park has won the least-visited prize for several years since receiving its national park designation. It contains no roads or trails and remains virtually unchanged other than by nature.
The park lies north of the Arctic Circle — perhaps one reason for its lack of visitors. Expect frigid temperatures. The weather rarely ventures above freezing except in the height of a summer’s afternoon, and snow has fallen during every month of the year.
5. North Cascades
This national park sees surprisingly little traffic, considering its relative proximity to well-populated Seattle. The breathtaking scenery rivals that of Yellowstone or Glacier — in fact, there are more than 300 glaciers within the park limits. North Cascades is another summer visitor destination, however, as heavy snows close the roads leading to the park from November through April.
6. Great Basin
If you revel in the dramatic temperature shifts only elevation changes can bring, head to Great Basin National Park. The lowest areas in the region enjoy a hot desert climate.
However, climb 6,000 feet into mountainous areas to find some of the world’s oldest trees — bristlecone pines, some of which are over 4,000 years old. Thanks to the varied climate, you can enjoy a trip here any time of year, although some mountain regions may be off-limits in deep snow.
7. Wrangell-St. Elias
Here’s another remote Alaska park, although it offers considerably more amenities than Gates of the Arctic. The terrain varies from temperate rainforest to tundra, offering more varied — and comfortable — temperatures, although you’ll need plenty of mosquito protection in the summer.
A bear-safe storage box is another must, as is plenty of bear spray. Alaska is home to several species, including black, brown, and grizzly.
8. Katmai Island
If you prefer to see your bears from a safe distance instead of encountering them along the trail, head to Katmai Island. Located on a peninsula at least an hour’s flight from the mainland, you can camp here or stay at the lodge, although you must enter a lottery and leave your pets at home.
The area belongs to the bears first, and your trip begins with an orientation on how to safely watch them as they fish salmon from the Brooks River.
9. Congaree
East Coast folks will delight in this least-visited national park located right in South Carolina. This floodplain forest has one of the world’s highest canopies, featuring massive hardwoods.
Congaree is another national park that’s perfect to visit any time of the year. Although nighttime temperatures may make camping uncomfortable in the winter, daytime highs often reach over 50 degrees Fahrenheit, even in January. Summers can get pretty toasty — and crowded — but even still, this park sees fewer visitors than many others.
10. Channel Islands
If elephant seals and sea lions are more your cup of tea than bears, then add the seldom-visited Channel Islands off California’s coast to your national park bucket list. You’ll find them basking on San Miguel Island. Although you can do a day trip, the island lies 22 miles off the coast with only one ferry service — bring a backpack and spend several days camping and hiking any time of year. Brave the chillier winter for a chance to spy grey whales in the harbor.
Tips for Planning Your Trip to a National Park
Planning your trip to one of America’s national parks is nearly as exciting as the visit itself. Here’s what you should do to prepare, whether you are a seasoned outdoors person or a novice happy camper.
1. Choose Your Lodging
Many national parks offer several lodging options. For example, at Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, you can enjoy a luxurious stay at El Tovar, which features fine dining and 78 unique guest rooms. There’s also a lodge, cabins, and luxury yurts for those who are a bit more rugged but still prefer glamping to camping.
However, camping is perhaps the most popular way to enjoy a national park escape, as it is inexpensive and makes you feel a part of the nature surrounding you. Many people opt for a tent for this reason, but an RV offers greater comfort — and a mobile “hotel room” for the drive to and from your destination.
Even if you plan to camp, you must abide by national park rules. You’ll need to hop on Recreation.gov to reserve a spot in many locations, such as Yosemite, which quickly fills up with visitors. Pay careful attention to area restrictions when making your reservations. For example, the roads leading to some national parks are narrow and allow only smaller RVs, not enormous Class A or fifth-wheel models.
Keep in mind the urgency of protecting these wild places — everyone’s actions matter. For example, RV campers should consider bringing or renting bicycles instead of driving around the park to keep emissions low. If heading deep into the wild on a backpacking trek with little more than a tent, remember you must pack out what you pack in. Include sufficient bags for trash and recycling in your back frame.
2. Pack the Right Gear
The right gear can make or break your national park trip. The lodging you choose partially determines this — for example, you’ll need a tent and insulated sleeping bag for camping. Those staying in bear country will also need a bear-proof box for storing food, trash, and anything with fragrance, even chapstick. Although many campgrounds contain secure bear storage facilities, not all backcountry locations do.
At a minimum, you’ll need the following for your national parks trip:
- A first aid kit, including copies of any prescriptions you take
- Plenty of sunscreen
- Plenty of insect repellent
- Multiple changes of socks and underwear — you might wear the same outer garments daily, but that closest to your skin harbors bacteria
- Sunglasses and a hat
- A camera or a lens kit for your phone to capture the jaw-dropping vistas
- A satellite communicator — many national parks have spotty cellular service at best, and 85 million acres is a lot of room to get lost in
- An old-fashioned compass and map as a backup
- Good, sturdy walking boots or shoes
Additionally, a few extras can make your trip extra memorable. For example, a simple camp stove provides a way to heat water for your morning coffee. Trekking poles keep your balance on uneven terrain and transform into tent stakes, digging tools, or even a makeshift fishing rod. Plant, bird, and animal identification apps fascinate the youngest family members and are fun for grownups, too.
3. Plan an Itinerary
Many national parks offer unique adventures, and booking your tickets as you plan your trip ensures you a coveted spot. For example, those wanting to climb Yosemite’s famous Half Dome must enter either the preseason or daily lottery in hopes of scoring a place on the cables. Many national parks with rivers offer rafting and canoeing excursions, which also require reservations.
You’ll always find something to do at one of America’s national parks — countless companies offer hiking, horseback, and helicopter tours. Still, you can avoid disappointment and win your first choice of activities with a bit of planning.
Stop By the Least Visited National Parks in the U.S.
America abounds with nature’s beauty. While nearly all wilderness offers solitude, those seeking a truly remote destination can set their sights on one of these least visited national parks. Come prepared and feel like you are the last human on earth — at least until you return to the lodge to share coffee and tales with the handful of other brave souls willing to venture into the wild.
