The U.S. boasts a total of 63 National Parks. Of those, 47 are in the contiguous United States.
Whether you’re looking for an isolated oasis, harsh landscapes where only the strong survive or anything in between, there’s an ideal location for your next getaway somewhere on this list.
These are the 15 least-visited national parks in the lower 48 states.
15. Carlsbad Caverns, NM
- Size: 73.07 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 444,142
- Best time to visit: March – November
Located in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns is a beautiful park that features caves, including the world-famous Big Room, scenic desert trails and a unique Bat Flight Program.
Experts will tell you not to visit this park in the summer and they’re right. Temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the warmer months.
Regardless of the time of year you plan your visit, be prepared for a range of weather conditions. The average climate in the caves is a chilly 56 degrees Fahrenheit with up to 90 percent humidity. Don’t let that deter you, though. As long as you plan ahead and come prepared, you’ll enjoy every second you spend on this unique landscape.
14. Channel Islands, CA
- Size: 389.6 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 420,067
- Best time to visit: June – October
As the name suggests, Channel Islands National Park is only accessible by boat or plane. This is undoubtedly the main factor keeping droves of California residents and weekend warriors alike away from this chain of five ecologically diverse islands.
Whether you’re staying rooted on solid ground while enjoying the array of well-maintained hiking trails and rugged mountainous paths or heading out on a wildlife cruise with the highly recommended team at Island Packers Cruises, Channel Islands National Park is one of the best spots in the country to spend a day reconnecting with nature and its many wonderful forms.
13. Redwood, CA
- Size: 60.9 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 402,224
- Best time to visit: May – September
Home of the Muir Snag, the oldest Redwood tree in the world, Redwood National Park will make you feel small in the best possible way. There’s no way to avoid it when you’re standing in a forest of 30-story trees with the circumferences of fully-loaded minivans.
This park emanates a calming ancient silence that almost makes it feel more like a place of worship than a National Park. Ideal for people of all ages, this is undoubtedly one of the most naturally beautiful locations in the country.
If you’re looking to get back to civilization after a long day amongst the wooded giants, be sure to check out downtown Eureka. This laid-back Northern California town has everything from a charming Old Town area with boutique shops to the ever-popular Lost Coast Brewery.
12. Lassen Volcanic, CA
- Size: 166 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 385,168
- Best time to visit: July – October
Known as the home of the largest plug dome volcano in the world, miners found Lassen Volcanic National Park during the gold rush and it eventually became an official National Park in 1916.
This one-of-a-kind landscape boasts four different types of volcanos and offers visitors awe-inspiring views of the nearby Cascade Mountains. Book a room at the St. Bernard Lodge Bed & Breakfast and take your time to soak in everything this diverse landscape has to offer.
Ready to up the adventure a bit? Schedule a hiking tour with Timberline Hike & Bike Adventures and find your new happy place with help from the experts.
11. Big Bend, TX
- Size: 1,252 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 333,408
- Best time to visit: March – November
Encompassing the largest protected area of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States, the landscape at Big Bend National Park is often simply described as inspirational.
A favorite escape for authors and artists throughout the U.S. and well beyond, visitors of this park will enjoy the freedom to explore steep canyons, limestone cliffs, hot springs and more.
10. Great Sand Dunes, CO
- Size: 232.9 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 274,835
- Best time to visit: June – July
Ever wonder what it feels like to sandboard down the highest dunes in North America? Well, you’re going to have to visit Great Sand Dunes National Park to find out. Whether you’re enjoying a day of hiking, biking, sand sledding or a little of all three, Great Sand Dunes National park is one of those rare places where you’re almost guaranteed to make lifetime memories.
From going out on your own to getting away with a group of your closest friends to being in the midst of a family vacation with the kids in tow, Great Sand Dunes National Park offers something for everyone. Even if that something is just kicking back and enjoying the view.
9. Voyageurs, MN
- Size: 340.7 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 230,550
- Best time to visit: May – October (winter for northern lights)
When the average person thinks of National Parks, odds are Minnesota isn’t one of the first states to come to mind. In this case, that only plays to Voyageurs National Park’s benefit. This hidden gem has flown largely under the radar and no one who has ever made the trip to this secluded slice of heaven is complaining about that.
A third of this park’s area is water and that water has more than 900 islands. Visitors often travel to these islands by boat and camp out overnight.
If you are courageous enough to brave the cold, you just might be rewarded with one of nature’s most highly sought-after shows: The Aurora Borealis.
8. Pinnacles, CA
- Size: 241.57 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 187,639
- Best time to visit: March – November
Recently upgraded from a National Monument to a National Park in 2013, Pinnacles is a mountainous park about 120 miles south of the Bay Area. With enough space from the big city lights, Pinnacles is an excellent location to stargaze and soak up the parts of the night sky that are often blocked out by light pollution.
Featuring fantastic rock climbing and over 30 miles of pristine hiking, this newly appointed National Park packs a serious punch. Famous for its condor population, Pinnacles is a true rarity and a gem that demands protection and preservation.
7. Guadalupe Mountains, TX
- Size: 1,070 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 187,455
- Best time to visit: July – September
Despite being only a 30-minute drive from Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park hosts less than half of the visitors as its neighbor on average each year. Luckily, that means more pristine nature for you and yours to enjoy on your own.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a little over an hour and a half outside of downtown El Paso and has been a hotspot for archeology, as well, after scientists discovered signs of human life dating back over 10,000 years in the park’s cave system.
6. Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO
- Size: 47 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 184,520
- Best time to visit: June – August
Earning its name from the fact that the sun is not able to reach all of the canyons and crevasses found in this rugged and untamed national treasure, this park means business.
From strenuous hikes to some of the finest fishing this country has to offer, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is ideal for all those dedicated outdoor enthusiasts that want to work hard for the views and enjoy their time far away from other people.
5. Congaree, SC
- Size: 41.1 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 105,020
- Best time to visit: March – May
Located about 20 miles south of South Carolina’s capital, Congaree National Park is named after the native American tribe that used to live there. While the area frequently floods with Congaree River overflow, elevated boardwalks are around much of the park so it’s still traversable after seasonal rains. If you’d like to venture off dry land, visitors can also head out on a kayak tour of the park on Cedar Creek.
Congaree National Park is an extremely diverse area that features the Southeast’s largest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest, as well as dense yet enticing swampland rich with wildlife, history and natural beauty.
4. Great Basin, NV
- Size: 120.6 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 87,343
- Best time to visit: March – November
Mountains and deserts and caves, oh my! Great Basin National Park has it all and offers surprises around every turn. Located almost halfway between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, Great Basin is as beautiful as it is under-visited. That doesn’t mean there’s not a strong community around the park, though.
Plan your trip intentionally and you’ll be lucky enough to catch the annual Great Basin Astronomy Festival, a can’t miss event in many people’s opinion. While the sun is up, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy and more hiking trails than you can trek over a long weekend.
3. Dry Tortugas, FL
- Size: 100 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 64,414
- Best time to visit: November – April
The only way to reach this tiny oasis is by taking a ferry from Key West. Spread across seven islands in the Gulf of Mexico, Dry Tortugas National Park is home to pristine beaches, protected coral reefs, sea turtles and 19th-century Fort Jefferson.
Unique marine landscapes and fascinating historical relics abound on this beautifully preserved island that can serve as a perfect break from the crowded beaches on your next family vacation.
This park is pretty small compared to the others, so even with the lower numbers, you still could end up there on a crowded day.
2. North Cascades, WA
- Size: 1,070 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 23,059
- Best time to visit: July – September
Known for its steep and unforgiving alpine landscape, North Cascades National Park is just over two hours north of Seattle. North Cascades is known is for its lush forests, numerous waterfalls, jagged peaks and hundreds of glaciers.
This park is split into four separate sections. There are the north and south sections of North Cascades National Park, the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
1. Isle Royale, MI
- Size: 893 mi²
- Average visitors per year: 18,216
- Best time to visit: June – July
As the only National Park in Michigan, Isle Royale bears a lot of weight on its shoulders. Despite being the least-visited National Park in the lower 48, this cluster of islands on Lake Superior is stunningly beautiful and undeniably peaceful.
Only accessible by boat or seaplane, visitors to this park enjoy a more secluded connection with nature. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you explore the island’s 165-plus miles of hiking trails because this park is home to a healthy population of moose, red fox, beavers and more.
Find your happy place
If you’re looking to find solace in the warm embrace of mother nature, any of these parks will do the trick. Regardless of where you land, if you find yourself anywhere on the list above, you’re in luck. There isn’t a bad spot in the bunch.
Keep in mind
These are not the least-visited National Parks in the country, they’re the least-visited National Parks in the lower 48. There are a handful of parks in Alaska alone with fewer annual visitors on average than most of the parks named in this list. Other disqualified territories that have parks that could feature on this list include Hawaii, Samoa and the Caribbean.
Source: rent.com