America’s most famous national parks may draw the biggest crowds, but some of the country’s most unforgettable landscapes are found in places many travelers have yet to discover. These 10 lesser-known national parks offer everything from island coastlines, coral reefs, and ancient forests to fossil-filled deserts, Appalachian gorges, underground caves, rugged mountains, and wildlife-rich Badlands. Explore unexpected destinations like Channel Islands National Park, Congaree National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Download the NPS app and use our planning tips to discover what to do, how to get there, and the best time to visit.
Channel Islands National Park (Ventura, CA)
Did you know there's an island paradise only 70 miles north of the bustling city of Los Angeles? Channel Islands National Park offers adventurous travelers a place to discover flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. Accessible only by boat or plane, the secluded location of this park has allowed the ecological topography to evolve naturally over time.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: Hike scenic island trails, kayak through sea caves, snorkel in kelp forests, watch for wildlife, or take in sweeping Pacific views from overlooks like Inspiration Point on Anacapa Island.
- How to get there: There are no roads or bridges to Channel Islands National Park. Most visitors take a park concessionaire boat from Ventura Harbor or Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.
- Best time to visit: Late summer through fall often brings the best conditions for boating, kayaking and snorkeling, with warmer water, clearer visibility and a better chance of calmer seas.
- Tips for first-time visitors: Santa Cruz Island is a great first stop, with hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, camping and frequent boat service. Book transportation early, check current conditions and bring layers, food and water, since services are limited once you leave the mainland.
Find hotels near Channel Islands National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Brecksville, OH)
Located just outside Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park features the winding Cuyahoga River, deep forests, rolling hills, and open farmlands. Spot bald eagles and go EarthCaching (a geological treasure hunt) at this sanctuary for native plants and wildlife. If you’re looking to mix some history into your excursion, hike or bike the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail where you’ll see waterfalls, 19th-century buildings, and an old covered bridge.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: See Brandywine Falls, hike among the rock formations at the Ledges, walk or bike the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, spot wildlife at Beaver Marsh, or ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
- How to get there: Cuyahoga Valley National Park is easily accessible by car between Cleveland and Akron. Start your visit at Boston Mill Visitor Center in Peninsula, near the center of the park.
- Best time to visit: Spring and fall are the most popular times to explore the park. Spring brings wildflowers and new foliage, while fall colors often peak around mid-October.
- Tips for first-time visitors: Stop at Boston Mill Visitor Center for maps and help planning. Arrive early on warm, sunny weekends when popular parking lots fill up by midday. Always check current conditions, download the NPS app, and bring water and snacks.
Find hotels near Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Petrified Forest National Park (Holbrook, AZ)
Petrified Forest National Park is an incredible 230 square miles of treeless desert grasslands spanning across the Navajo and Apache reservations containing fossilized wood and reptiles, some dating from over 225 million years ago. For those interested in science, you can ask the park rangers about the most recent findings by the archeologists, ecologists, and paleontologists doing research in the area. Or do your own research on the unique topography during a backcountry hike into Red Basin and Martha’s Butte.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: Walk among colorful petrified wood on the Giant Logs and Crystal Forest trails, drive the Blue Mesa Road Loop, admire Painted Desert views, visit the historic Painted Desert Inn, or stop along the park’s stretch of Route 66.
- How to get there: Petrified Forest National Park lies between Interstate 40 and Highway 180 in northeastern Arizona. Most visitors arrive by car, entering from I-40 at Exit 311, or traveling through Holbrook to the park’s south entrance.
- Best time to visit: Fall is an especially comfortable time to explore. Spring can be windy, while summer brings high temperatures and the possibility of strong monsoon thunderstorms.
- Tips for first-time visitors: Enter at one end of the park and exit at the other to make the most of the 28-mile scenic drive. Check park hours, bring plenty of water and sun protection, and leave all petrified wood where you find it.
Find hotels near Petrified Forest National Park
Congaree National Park (Hopkins, SC)
Camp, canoe, hike the boardwalk trail or fish at the largest area of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States—all less than 30 minutes away from South Carolina’s capital city of Columbia. Congaree National Park offers more than 26,000 acres of outdoor recreation where you can paddle or simply go for a walk to admire the park’s enormous trees (some are more than 300 years old). Be sure to keep your camera close at hand, because you’ll likely spot wildlife like deer, turtles, and river otters.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: Walk the Boardwalk Loop through the old-growth forest, hike to Weston Lake, paddle beneath bald cypress trees on Cedar Creek, watch for wildlife, or join a ranger-led program.
- How to get there: Congaree National Park is located southeast of Columbia, SC. Most visitors arrive by car via Interstate 77 and Bluff Road, then begin at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.
- Best time to visit: Spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions for hiking and paddling, with milder temperatures and fewer insects. Fall also brings colorful foliage and favorable water levels on Cedar Creek.
- Tips for first-time visitors: Start with the Boardwalk Loop for an easy introduction to the park. Check trail and water conditions before arriving, bring water and insect repellent, and carry a map since flooding can affect some routes.
Find hotels near Congaree National Park
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (Fayetteville, WV)
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve protects more than 70,000 acres along one of the oldest rivers on the continent, where whitewater cuts through deep Appalachian canyons and sandstone cliffs. The park blends scenic views with the cultural history of railroad towns, coal mines, and communities that once flourished along the river. Check out the park's famous bridge from above, then follow trails or winding roads deeper into the gorge for a closer look at the rugged landscape.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: See the New River Gorge Bridge from Canyon Rim Visitor Center, admire the views at Grandview, drive Fayette Station Road, visit historic Thurmond, or go whitewater rafting.
- How to get there: Canyon Rim Visitor Center is just north of Fayetteville on U.S. Route 19, which connects easily with Interstates 64 and 79. Other park areas are spread along the river.
- Best time to visit: Spring and fall are especially scenic, with comfortable hiking weather and colorful Appalachian views. Summer is popular for rafting, while winter can bring icy roads and trails.
- Tips for first-time visitors: Start at Canyon Rim Visitor Center for maps and the bridge overlook, then allow extra time between park areas. Be sure to drive with caution! Roads into the gorge are steep and winding.
Find hotels near New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Biscayne National Park (Homestead, FL)
Go camping, snorkeling or paddling as you tour the protected land of Biscayne National Park. This watery wonderland of coral reefs and mangrove forests is less than an hour from Miami and yet still gives you the feeling that you’ve been transported to another world. Biscayne is a combination of turquoise water and vibrant islands, where you can see evidence of 10,000 years of human history when inhabitants were dependent on the bay for survival.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: Take a guided boat tour, snorkel or dive among coral reefs and shipwrecks, paddle along mangrove-fringed shorelines, visit the lighthouse at Boca Chita Key, or walk the Convoy Point Jetty Trail.
- How to get there: Biscayne National Park is located south of Miami near Homestead, FL. Most visitors drive to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center at Convoy Point, while the park’s islands and reefs are reached by boat.
- Best time to visit: Winter offers mild, dry weather and fewer insects, making it a comfortable season for boating and outdoor activities. Summer is hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
- Tips for first-time visitors: Plan a boat-based activity to experience more than the mainland shore. Reserve guided tours early, check weather and marine conditions, and bring water, sun protection, and insect repellent.
Find hotels near Biscayne National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Montrose, CO)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is home to some of North America’s steepest cliffs, oldest exposed rock, and most dramatic canyon views. The Gunnison River has carved a narrow gorge so deep that parts of its walls receive little sunlight, giving the park its memorable name. Travelers can take in the canyon from overlooks along South Rim Road, hike trails near the rim, or stay after sunset to experience one of Colorado’s lesser-known dark-sky destinations.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: Drive South Rim Road to scenic overlooks, visit Gunnison Point Overlook, hike the Rim Rock Trail, watch for wildlife, or stay after dark for stargazing.
- How to get there: The South Rim is the most accessible side of the park, reached from Montrose via U.S. Highway 50 and Colorado Highway 347. The North Rim requires a separate drive.
- Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall offers the easiest access to South Rim Road and its overlooks. Spring and fall offer milder temperatures, while summer afternoons can be hot.
- Tips for first-time visitors: Start at the South Rim Visitor Center and allow two to three hours for the scenic drive and short walks. Bring water, stay behind railings, and check road conditions before arriving.
Find hotels near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Wind Cave National Park (Hot Springs, SD)
Discover two very different worlds in the southern Black Hills at Wind Cave National Park. Below ground, one of the world’s longest and most complex caves reveals delicate boxwork formations on ranger-led tours. Above ground, bison, elk, pronghorn, and prairie dogs move through rolling grasslands and ponderosa pine forests. Visitors can explore the cave, hike across open prairie, or take a scenic drive through one of the country’s oldest national parks.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: Join a ranger-led cave tour, look for boxwork formations, hike prairie trails, watch for bison and other wildlife, or drive through the park’s rolling grasslands.
- How to get there: Wind Cave National Park is about 12 miles north of Hot Springs, SD, along U.S. Highway 385. Follow signs to the visitor center for cave tours and park information.
- Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall is popular for cave tours, hiking, and wildlife watching. The cave stays cool in every season, while weather above ground can change quickly.
- Tips for first-time visitors: Reserve a cave tour before arriving, since tours can sell out. Bring a light jacket for the cave, wear sturdy shoes, and give bison plenty of space.
Find hotels near Wind Cave National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Dell City, TX)
Guadalupe Mountains National Park rises more than 3,000 feet above the Chihuahuan Desert, protecting rugged canyons, high-country forests, and the highest point in Texas. The mountains are the exposed remains of an ancient marine reef that formed hundreds of millions of years ago, giving the park a surprising geologic story. Hikers can climb Guadalupe Peak, explore colorful McKittrick Canyon, or discover a quieter side of West Texas among desert springs, historic ranch sites, and wide-open views—all easily accessed from Carlsbad, NM.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: Hike to Guadalupe Peak, explore McKittrick Canyon, visit Frijole Ranch, walk among desert flora, or take in views of El Capitan and the Chihuahuan Desert.
- How to get there: Carlsbad, NM, offers a the best hotel coverage for Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which is reached by U.S. Highway 62/180. Just follow the highway south into Texas and watch for signs to Pine Springs Visitor Center.
- Best time to visit: Spring and fall offer the most comfortable hiking weather, but weekends and holidays can be busy. Winter is often windy, while summer brings high desert heat.
- Tips for first-time visitors: Start early, carry plenty of water, and choose a trail that matches your ability. Services are limited and cell service can be unreliable. Travelers staying in Carlsbad can also pair their visit with the more well-known Carlsbad Caverns National Park for two national park experiences in one vacation.
Find hotels near Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (Dickinson, ND)
Theodore Roosevelt National Park protects three areas of rugged North Dakota Badlands, where colorful buttes, open prairie, and the Little Missouri River create a landscape filled with wildlife and wide-open views. Long before he became president, Theodore Roosevelt hunted and ranched in this region, an experience that helped shape his lasting conservation legacy. Today, visitors can follow scenic roads through the Badlands, hike among eroded rock formations, and watch for bison, prairie dogs, elk, and other animals that still roam the park.
Know Before You Go
- Top things to do: Drive the South Unit scenic road, watch for bison and prairie dogs, hike through the Badlands, explore the quieter North Unit, or visit the Elkhorn Ranch Unit where Roosevelt once lived.
- How to get there: The South Unit is near Medora off Interstate 94, while the North Unit is along U.S. Highway 85 south of Watford City. The Elkhorn Ranch Unit lies between them and requires travel on gravel roads.
- Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall offers comfortable conditions for scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife watching. Summer can bring sudden thunderstorms, while winter may cause road closures.
- Tips for first-time visitors: The park’s three units are separated by long drives, so start with the South Unit if time is limited. Allow additional time for the North Unit and Elkhorn Ranch Unit, and check road conditions before traveling.