You know that there are numerous national parks in the USA that are highly recommended and appreciated by visitors. Some national parks are overcrowded during peak seasons. But, when considering all national parks in the USA, there are still some national parks that are categorized as the most underrated national parks in the USA.
Whatever the reason is, these underrated national parks in the USA should not be dignified because they too carry several values the same as the others. So, here are some examples of the most underrated national parks in the USA.
- Congaree National Park
- Big Bend National Park
- Dry Tortugas National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Voyageurs National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Isle Royale National Park
- Great Basin National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
Congaree National Park
The Congaree National Park is referred to as the “Home of Champions”. This is situated in Central South California, in the USA. It has confined its area up to 26,276 acres (106.34 km²) and also, it has 140 feet (43 m) of maximum elevation level.
Congaree National Park is a part of the Old Growth Forest Network in the USA. Moreover, the national park occupies the tallest 15 species of trees.
You can spot large animals in the park including bobcats, deer, feral pigs, and coyotes. Furthermore, you can see many types of fish species in water-related places.
Congaree National Park consists of rich ecosystems. The most interesting fact about Congaree is that for thousands of years, Native Americans lived in this forest.
Moreover, you can engage in activities like hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and bird watching. Some of the hiking trails include the Buff Trail, Weston Lake Loop Trail, Oakridge Trail, and King Snake Trail are where you can spot wild animals.
Big Bend National Park
The Big Bend is famous for its natural diversity and spectacular geology. Also, the Big Bend is named for the vast curve of the Rio Grande in remote southwest Texas. It is located in Southwest Texas and occupies its territory up to 1,252 mi² of area. Also, its elevations range from 1,800 feet along the Rio Grande to 7,832 feet on Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains.
Big Bend National Park is geologically famous because it is evidenced in sea fossils and dinosaur bones. There are more than 1,200 species of plants, 11 species of amphibians, 56 species of reptiles, 40 species of fish, 75 species of mammals, over 400 species of birds, and about 3,600 species of insects. So, this park carries a huge natural diversity.
You also can engage in activities like hiking, camping, river running, horse riding, mountain biking, birding, and sightseeing.
Here are some attractions that you can see in Big Bend National Park.
- Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
- The Chisos Mountains
- Santa Elena
- Rio Grande Canyons
- Boquillas Canyon
- Lower Canyons
- Mariscal
- Colorado Canyon
Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by boat or seaplane. This is located in Monroe Country, Florida, and 70 miles west of Key West. It is 64,701 acres (261.84km²) large in area.
The park is famous for its abundant sea life, tropical bird breeding grounds, colorful coral reefs, and some historical ruins. But, the centerpiece of the park is Fort Jefferson which is a coastal fortress. This world-known fortress was composed of more than 16 million bricks.
You can engage in activities like snorkeling, picnicking, birdwatching, camping, scuba diving, saltwater fishing, and kayaking.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is located in Northern Washington State. More than any other national park in the USA, Cascades National Park consists of peaks, deep forest valleys, cascading waterfalls, and over 300 glaciers.
The best time to visit Cascades National Park is between mid-June and late September. During this time the weather is perfect for engaging in any outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and sightseeing.
There are over 1,600 species of wildlife and plants in the Cascades. Animals like Mule deer, Black bears, mountain goats, and bobcats are spotted in the park.
Voyageurs National Park
The huge wilderness with cliffs, wetlands, streams, rock ridges makes the national park more exquisite. Unluckily the Voyageurs National Park is listed as one of the most underrated national parks in the USA.
However, the Voyageurs National Park is located in northern Minnesota, near the Canadian border. 218,200 acres of area is occupied by the national park. The park’s name commemorates the voyageurs-the French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers.
There are about 282 campsites available in the park. Also, you can spot various fish species. Moreover, the Voyageurs National Park is famous for stargazing.
The national park is home to timber wolves, black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, etc. However, the best time to visit this park is in the Fall.
Canyonlands National Park
The Canyonlands National Park is popular for its panoramic view of the sky. It is located in southeastern Utah covering an area of 337,598 acres. Also, the park is known as a “high desert” due to its elevation level ranging from 3,700 to 7,200 feet above sea level. The park consists of canyons, mesas, and buttes by the Colorado River and Green River.
The national park offers visitors hiking, stargazing, camping, and rock climbing. The Colorado River and Green River divide the park into 4 districts. Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers.
The Horseshoe Canyon in Canyonlands National Park is one of the most significant rock art panels in the country. However, the Colorado and Green rivers have carved Canyonlands National Park into a complex network of deep chasms, towering spires, and vertical cliffs.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
With many amazing sceneries, you can engage in outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and sightseeing when you choose Theodore Roosevelt National Park as your destination. Though it is one of the most underrated national parks in the USA, it has its own significance.
The Theodore Roosevelt National Park lies in western North Dakota by expanding its territory up to 70,446 acres. This park serves as a habitat for bison, elk, and prairie dogs. The park is divided into three sections that are linked by the Little Missouri River.
The park is known for the South Unit’s colorful Painted Canyon and Maltese Cross Cabin, where President Roosevelt once lived.
You can spot Bison, Deer, Elk, Feral, Horses, Longhorns, Pronghorns, Coyotes, and Bobcats. Also, different species of birds inhabit the campgrounds.
Here are some attractions to visit in the park.
- Painted Canyon Visitor Center
- Maltese Cross Ranch Cabin
- Prairie Dog Town
- Scenic Loop Drive
- Elkhorn Ranch Site
- Oxbow Overlook
- Medora
Lassen Volcanic National Park
The Lassen Volcanic National Park is known for its steaming fumaroles and clear mountain lakes. Its remarkable hydrothermal features make the park more iconic. The park offers visitors a glimpse of plopping mud pots, bubbling pools, and roaring steam vents.
This iconic park is located in Northern California. 106,452 acres of land is occupied by the Lassen Volcanic National Park.
The most specific feature of the park is Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the Cascade Range. You have the chance to spot four types of volcanoes in the world, when you visit here – Plug Dome, Shield, Cinder Cone, and Stratovolcano.
You can enjoy the geological wonders through the landscape of dense woods and sparkling lakes. It will be more interesting if you can feel the heat at Sulfur Works or Bumpass Hell and then climb Cinder Cone or go kayaking.
Lassen is one of the only two habitats of the rare Sierra Nevada Red Fox. This is one of the rarest mammals in California. Also, there are about 300 species of vertebrates in the park. But unluckily, this park is listed as one of the most underrated national parks in the USA.
Isle Royale National Park
The Isle Royale National Park is a remote island cluster in Lake Superior, near Michigan’s border with Canada. There are more than 400 small adjacent islands in the waters of Lake Superior. The Isle Royale is the fourth largest island in the world and the largest natural island in Lake Superior.
The park consists of 850 square miles of natural wilderness, lakes, and waterways. The Isle Royale has 365 miles of scenic hiking trails and 36 campgrounds for camping.
When you visit here, you can spot several ancient ruins and many historical places like lighthouses. Shipwrecks, and ancient copper mining sites.
The Isle Royale is only accessible through a boat or floatplane. The best time to visit Isle Royale National Park is from late June through September. But, it is completely closed from November to mid-April.
Also, you will spot moose and wolves when you go through the trails. So, be sure to protect yourself when hiking.
Great Basin National Park
White Pine Country in east-central Nevada is where the Great Basin National Park is located. With 77,180 acres of area, the park owns many scenic features that are greatly attracted by visitors. However, the Great Basin National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in the USA. But, visiting here is worth it.
The park derives its name from the Great Basin, the dry and mountainous region between the Sierra Nevada and the Wasatch Mountains. You can enjoy yourselves by going for a hike to Nevada’s second tallest peak. The park is known for its groves of ancient bristlecone pines, Lehman Caves, Wheeler Peak, and Wheeler Peak Glacier.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
The Great Sand Dunes is a national park as well as a preserve that lies in Southern Colorado that occupies 149,028 acres. The national park features North America’s tallest dunes.
The park includes alpine lakes and tundra, six peaks that are over 13,000 feet in elevation, ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwoods, and wetlands.
There are 8 campgrounds available for camping. You can also spot amphibians and reptiles like lizards, snakes, salamanders, and exotic frogs. Visitors who are interested in bird watching can spot over 250 species of birds over the grasslands surrounding the dunes.
Do not hesitate to visit these national parks because they have their own values and specialties. You can experience different types of attractions and can experience the wilderness the same as the others. Pack your bags and be sure to visit one of these national parks and share your experience with others. Help to delist these national parks from the most underrated national parks in the USA.