20 Must-See National Parks With Zero Crowds
- America is home to 63 national parks, each offering unique and stunning landscapes that attract millions of visitors annually.
America boasts countless natural wonders, diverse landscapes, and some of the most majestic places on the planet. Thankfully, many of them are protected by the National Park Service, attracting millions of visitors each year. Today, there are 63 areas that are designated specifically as national parks . Heavy hitters like Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Zion tend to draw the biggest crowds. But there are plenty of unique national parks that may not see as much foot traffic, while still packing an impressively stunning punch—with bonus solitude.
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Taking a closer look at our favorite national parks with zero crowds, clearly there's very little correlation between the sheer beauty of a place and the number of visitors that it draws—at least on the sparser end of the scale. From quiet coastal escapes to rugged mountainous retreats, each underrated, crowd-free park below is sure to stoke your wanderlust and sense of adventure. Here are 20 of our favorites that you absolutely need to see with your own eyes.
Best Crowd-Free National Parks at a Glance
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Natchez Trace Parkway , Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee
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National Park of American Samoa , American Samoa
Best National Parks to Avoid the Crowds
It's time to dig your heels into our country's newest national park, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve , which will turn four years old in December 2024. No surprise given its name, but this Appalachian Mountains retreat in Southern West Virginia has world-class rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, and fishing on its enchanting 70,000 acres of public lands—all best appreciated with an overnight stay in either cabins or campgrounds at Adventures on the Gorge , which doubles as a whitewater rafting outfitter. Don't miss a visit to the world's third-longest single span arch bridge here. Measuring in at 3,030 feet and towering 876 feet above the New River Gorge (making it the second-highest vehicular bridge in the world), the bridge's underlying 1.25-mile catwalk can be trekked from end-to-end if your knees can handle it.
Wind Cave National Park isn't just the first cave in the U.S. to be designated a national park—featuring the world's largest concentration of subterranean boxwork formations. As the name doesn't suggest, it's also a 33,970-acre wildlife sanctuary sprawled across vast rolling prairie grasslands and sylvan hillsides. Suffice to say, the Southern Black Hills where this park is situated is a locale unlike any you've experienced, even if it doesn't have the name recognition of other National Parks. Pack your binoculars for birdwatching and wildlife viewing—and also your favorite gear for backcountry camping. Jewel Cave National Monument , about 30 minutes away, is the third-longest cave in the world with 208 miles of mapped and surveyed passages. Its adjoining 1,279-acre park offers equally scenic above-ground hikes, including the Roof Trail, Canyons Trail, and the Hell Canyon Trail.
The least-visited National Park in the U.S., the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve has neither road nor trail—just loads (and loads) of untrammeled backcountry for the most purist adventure seeker. Located in Alaska's Arctic region in Fairbanks, visitors can partake in backcountry trekking, float trips on one of six rivers, and day hiking and fishing from base camps. Since there are no paved roads, you can only fly or hike to this vast wilderness encompassing 13,238 square miles. Alaskan natives have lived here for thousands of years, traveling with the herds of caribou they relied upon to endure the country's harshest winter conditions.
Who knew that 20 miles South of Miami you could find such a tranquil (and vast) oasis featuring the largest living coral reef in the continental United States? At Biscayne National Park —which protects the northernmost end of this reef—there are over 170,000 acres to explore. With about 95 pecent of those acres underwater and accessible only by boat, consult the knowledgeable Biscayne National Park Institute for educational boat tours which run the gamut from paddling through mangroves and exploring historical landmarks to snorkeling through multi-hued coral reefs and seagrass nurseries that are home to over 500 species of tropical fish.
Just 20 minutes from downtown Columbia in Hopkins, 26,000-acre Congaree National Park is the largest intact tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest (that's eco-speak for river swamps) remaining in the U.S. Home to some of the tallest trees in Eastern North America, the park features a sprawling canopy that provides welcome cool shade for locals and visitors alike during the warmer months especially. Tackle the boardwalk trails by foot or hit the waterways for a canoeing or kayaking session before calling it a night at Bluff or Longleaf Campgrounds. If your travels take you here in May or June, keep your eyes peeled for one of the wildest and rarest insect phenomena—firefly synchronization—a simultaneous blinking during mating that you won't be seeing back home.
The salt-flecked air of the Magnolia State's oceanfront really does soothe the soul. Gulf Islands National Seashore in Mississippi doesn't disappoint when it comes to spectacular ocean views. In addition to the shoreline proper, six picturesque barrier islands also make up this National Seashore (with Ship Island being the most accessible of the bunch). To get there, take the Gulfport ferry and start your island adventures on the north shore with Fort Massachusetts—a preserved brick fortification dating back to the 1860s. Then snorkel and swim the day away in the south end. Don't blink: Rays, horseshoe crabs, turtles, and dolphins are spotted regularly in this playground. Another favorite destination here is the Davis Bayou area in Ocean Springs, with varied terrain including marshland, bayous, and a dizzying array of flora and fauna along the Gulf of Mexico. Set up shop at the park's on-site campgrounds. Then lace up your hiking boots or cast a line from one of the fishing piers. There's also a boat launch, gazebos galore, and plenty of picnic tables.
By all means, check off California's spotlight thief Yosemite National Park first if you still have to. Then head up to Lassen Volcanic National Park (near Redding) which will wow you with Yosemite-esque mountain vistas plus captivating thermal marvels reminiscent of Yellowstone without the throngs of tourists. The only place in the world with all four types of volcanoes (shield, plug dome, cinder cone, and composite), the park is replete with geothermal features, including steam vents, mud pots, and hot springs. Every type of naturally occurring lake is hiding at this off-the-beaten-path park too. Your calves will feel it hiking or snowshoeing near the peak of Mount Lassen and the road reaches 8,512 feet, making it the highest elevation road in the Cascades. While Lassen Park is technically open year-round, access is often limited from December to May. Our vote is a summer visit for hiking, biking, and swimming—but the cross-country skiing and interpretive snowshoe tours led by park rangers are a close runner-up.
Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island includes Cumberland Island National Seashore —featuring 18 miles of beachfront that defines the word "secluded." Here you'll find movie-worthy scenes of wild horses galloping, 300-year-old live oaks, virtually untouched maritime forests, and hidden marshes. Numerous species of migratory shorebirds and sea turtles live here, so be sure to leave only your footprints after you tour the island on a park tram or bike. Visitors can also check out ranger-guided tours of the Dungeness Historic Area, which houses the remnants of this large industrialist-era estate owned by the Carnegie family. Word got out about Cumberland Island after the secret 1996 wedding of John Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette in the isle's First African Baptist Church. Dating back to 1893, the one-room sanctuary was built by African American residents of the island—many of them born into slavery and emancipated following the Civil War.
The headquarters for the Natchez Trace Parkway is Tupelo , Mississippi, a wonderful launch pad for your adventures at this 444-mile, tree-studded route that mostly follows the "Old Natchez Trace," a historic travel corridor that was used by Native Americans, European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and even future presidents. While many choose to drive along the route, you can also thru-hike or check out 25 nature and guided trails that add up to more than 60 miles. With something for every kind of Thoreauvian soul, there are swamps, wetlands, hardwood forests, and waterfalls in this three-state parkway. Whether you choose to hike, bike, drive, or horseback ride some or all of this spectacle, you're sure to be dazzled by the views and learn something new about our nation's history.
Gazing up at the Milky Way and a horizon-to-horizon dome of stars in Guadalupe Mountains National Park , hiding in deepest West Texas, you'll wonder why you didn't make the trek out here sooner. This national park is also home to the four highest peaks in the state, a vast Permian fossil reef, and a wide array of flora and fauna. Over 10,000 years of notable history happened in these mountains—including conflicts between Mescalero Apaches and Buffalo Soldiers and the passing of the Butterfield Overland Mail (a fabled American stagecoach service running from 1858 to 1861). Once you've gotten your fix of Chihuahuan Desert trails, venture 90 miles West to El Paso , for epic eats and more outdoor fun. Or head two hours south to Marfa for a buzzy art scene and luxury digs.
Another lesser known Florida gem is Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County—hiding in the shadow the world-famous, adjacent Everglades. Visitors may see alligators and even the endangered Florida Panther at this 730,000-acre locale that dwarfs the state of Rhode Island. Hike, fish, or camp in these gorgeous wetlands—and don't miss a ranger-led swamp tour or canoe outing. To this day, the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes still live here, dwelling in traditional "chickees" made from timber harvested on the surrounding land.
Those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination itself will want to explore the glories of Channel Islands National Park . Located just off California's Central Coast, the park spans five distinct islands: Santa Cruz, Anacapa, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, and San Miguel. Sometimes referred to as "the Galapagos of North America," the Channel Islands are only accessible by boat or plane. Isolation from the mainland has allowed evolution to take its natural course, and the islands are home to more than 2,000 plant and animal species (of which, 145 are found nowhere else on Earth). Once on the ground, visitors can spend their days fishing, diving, and surfing before setting up camp for the night. While each season offers its own perks, schedule a trip between December and March to spot grey whales, or during the summer months for blue and humpback whale sightings.
The gobsmacking views of White Sands National Park are sure to leave any visitor speechless. Rising from the heart of New Mexico's Tularosa Basin along U.S. Route 70, the park encompasses 275 miles of desert. It's the largest gypsum dunefield in the world, creating an otherworldly scene where undulating waves of gleaming white sand stretch as far as the eye can see. The park is just a 20-minute drive from Alamogordo, New Mexico, and makes for a once-in-a-lifetime road trip. Intrepid visitors can venture through the dunes by hiking, cycling, driving, sledding, or horseback riding. White Sands is one of the latest additions to the country's collection of national parks, earning its official designation in December 2019.
If you've ever dreamt of exploring the planet's longest-known cave system, then pack your bags and head to Kentucky. Situated in the middle of the Bluegrass State, the Mammoth Cave National Park was first established in 1941, recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1981, and became an international Biosphere Reserve in 1990. The Green River runs through the 52,830-acre park, which is marked by brilliant rolling hills, plunging valleys, and, of course, an expansive network of limestone and sandstone caves. Visitors can join in on a ranger-led cave tour, but try to make a reservation in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly. Anyone who prefers to spend their time above ground can explore the park by kayak or canoe; trek along 80 miles of nature trails; or kick back at one of the park's 13 campsites.
Today, Teddy Roosevelt is remembered for his remarkable conservationism and dedication to preserving America's natural resources. Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is named in honor of the former U.S. president, and is the only American national park named directly after a single person. When it comes to wildlife watching, more popular parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite tend to steal all the thunder. But don't overlook this gem, which covers more than 70,000 acres across three geographically separated areas of badlands: the North Unit, South Unit, and Elkhorn Ranch Unit. From its magical crags to its windswept prairies, visitors can come across wild mustangs, herds of bison, bighorn sheep, golden eagles, cougars, and more. The park also transforms into a winter wonderland, offering cross-country skiing and snowshoeing across ungroomed trails.
Isle Royale National Park may be one of the country's least-visited national parks, but the lack of visitation shouldn't raise a red flag. The remote island is located in the middle of Michigan's Lake Superior and can only be reached by boat or seaplane. Isle Royale Seaplanes offers overnight or day trips to the park, as does a ferry that operates regularly. The rugged retreat provides a tranquil getaway that seems worlds away from nearby city life. Its scenic landscapes change with the seasons, but the best time to visit is during the fall when the parks bursts into a kaleidoscope of crimson, amber, and gold. Explore 165 miles of trails, paddle along the island's countless bays and coves, or sleep beneath the stars at one of the island's 36 campgrounds. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a moose sighting.
Looking for a one-of-a-kind cultural destination? Then consider making the trek to Fairfax County, VA. Here, visitors will find Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts —the only national park dedicated solely to presenting the performing arts. Truly unique, the sprawling natural grounds are home to three distinctive venues: the architecturally stunning Filene Center; a collection of refurbished 18th-century barns appropriately dubbed The Barns at Wolf Trap; and a charming, concealed stage called the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts oversees the park's ever-rotating programming, which typically runs from May through September and includes performances that span every genre (previous acts include artists ranging from Sting to Yo-Yo Ma). It's also worth a trip year-round for its tranquil setting and organized hiking excursions.
Although not part of the contiguous United States, American Samoa is a U.S. territory that covers seven South Pacific islands and atolls. The National Park of American Samoa is divided between the idyllic islands of Tutuila, Ta'ū, and Ofu. It's the only national park that can be found south of the equator, and no other park can quite compete with its raw, tropical beauty. Sprawling across 13,500 acres, some 4,000 acres of the park are completely underwater, comprising ocean and coral reefs. The park preserves the only mixed-species paleotropical rainforest in the United States and is bursting to life with rare bat species, native reptiles, and diverse marine life. Popular outdoor adventures include snorkeling along the coral reefs and soaking up the sun on pristine white sand beaches. Visitors can also skip the hotel and participate in the park's homestay program to learn more about local Samoan culture.
Nevada is home to another one of America's least visited national parks. Located near the Utah border, Great Basin National Park was established in 1986 and has been impressing visitors ever since. It gets its name from the mountainous Great Basin region found between the Sierra Nevada and Wasatch Mountains. The park demonstrates the surprising diversity of the area, including sage-covered foothills, soaring mountains, expansive groves, subterranean caves, and more. One of its most notable features is the abundance of ancient bristlecone pines, the oldest known living organism on Earth. In addition to appreciating the solitude of nature, other popular activities include fishing, birding, spelunking, mountain climbing, and stargazing. Plus, there's a solid chance you won't encounter another living soul during your visit.
Tucked away in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is known for delivering jaw-dropping views. Surrounded by cliffs stretching up nearly 2,000 feet, the park is living proof of its violent volcanic past. It was formed over 7,700 years ago, when one of the region's tallest volcanoes erupted and sparked its catastrophic collapse. Today, it has become one of the most pristine lakes in the world, as well as the deepest in the nation. Marked by clear blue waters, the lake is remarkably pure, fed entirely and exclusively by rainfall and snow. It's a perpetual favorite for nature photographers and road trippers on the hunt for a picturesque drive. Thrill seekers also delight in trekking through its endless old-growth forests and skiing during the winter months.
