8 Obscure National Parks Worth The Visit (PHOTOS)

The U.S. National Park system is arguably one of the greatest collections of preserved space the world has ever seen. From snow-capped glacial peaks to meandering coastal shorelines, some of the U.S.'s most awe-inspiring natural sights are found within the national parks. That said, utter the phrase "national park" and most people will only be able to cough up only a few of the usual suspects: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon. In 2010, the most visited national park in the United States was Great Smoky Mountains National Park with an astounding 9.4 million visitors.

While parks such as Yellowstone are undisputed highlights, this list should shed some light on lesser-known national parks worth the cost of admission.

-- Kyle Ellison

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Comments

[David Bonn]

07:05 PM on 05/26/2012

It would be nice if the photo you presented on the North Cascades National Park slide was actually IN the park, or even had any of the park in the view. Just saying...

[tompolhaus]

02:10 PM on 05/24/2012

Obscure, the Virgin Islands? Some how the big cruise ships manage to find them as well hidden as they are. Even back in the 1970's when I was in the Navy we often stopped there to make a liberty call and I never realized they were that obscure and especially during the winter months.

[mandomitch]

06:47 PM on 05/24/2012

That's the park, not the islands and their touristy resorts.

[Ken Kellogg]

01:54 PM on 05/24/2012

We've been to 5 of the 8 over the years

[rdrvr1752]

09:22 AM on 05/24/2012

With the exception of Guadalupe, I've visited these parks. I've also been to Canyonlands (mostly wilderness) and Capitol Reef, both in Utah and spectacular, and have virtually had the places to myself on multiple visits. While it is "only" a National Monument, Rainbow Bridge in the Lake Powell Rec. Area is worth the time and expense of the boat ride and hike (due to the drought related lake level reduction) to see the natural bridge. Great Basin (Nevada) is also a hidden gem for anyone looking for parks off the beaten path.

[Gary H Mayer]

08:40 AM on 05/24/2012

Your choices for 'obscure' national parks are so good I'd take them over most of the more popular ones, except for the Rocky Mountain's Estes Park and Yellowstone. The only one of the obscure I've been to is Haleakala on the island of Maui, which island gets the second most visitors after Oahu.

Does anyone know the name of the park on the north shore of Oahu just before the western turn that takes one toward Honolulu but after Waikeki?

[bouvdoggie]

08:39 AM on 05/24/2012

Since I visited 6 of them and they had people there I don't think they are all that "obscure". Hard to get to, uncomfortable in the heat for some, but well known.

[sfcbob121]

08:13 AM on 05/24/2012

Check out the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.

[handsomish]

07:59 AM on 05/24/2012

Having lived near, and visited both many times, I think I might just be taking Joshua Tree and Channel Islands for granted. Begrudgingly, I have to give Texas it's due with Guadelupe. The Cascades are also beautiful. If I had the time and money, I'd like to disappear into each for a couple of weeks. Petrified Forest is a disappointment to me. When I was younger, you were able to roam around the park. I understand the reasoning, to many "treasure" hunters spoiling it for future generations. The Painted Desert in the north side of the park is still quite impressive though. Parks I'd recommend would include Craters of the Moon in ID, Wind Cave in SD, Oregon Caves in where else OR, Sunset Crater/Wupatki and Black Walnut Canyon in AZ, Ocmulgee in GA, Dry Tortugas in FL, Bandelier in NM, Chickasaw in OK, Maggie Walker in VA, Sleeping Bear Dunes in MI, Friendship hill and Steamtown in PA, Black Canyon of the Gunnison in CO, and Dinosaur in UT and CO.

[Beth AntBeth Weinstein]

10:05 PM on 05/23/2012

Isle Royal, Michigan. Totally Obscure, and totally worth it.

[ddaly123]

02:10 PM on 06/03/2012

Incredible place to visit and hike.

[Jim Van Matre]

09:33 PM on 05/23/2012

I used to go to Joshua Tree all the time, truly an outstanding place. Also been to Petrified Forrest which is also amazing. Thanks for the other suggestions.

[HunterNeblett]

07:06 PM on 05/23/2012

Misspelled Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

[alisonbarton1]

12:25 PM on 05/23/2012

If you are thinking of visiting Europe for some rural splendor and think France is for you . Have a little rethink. We were originally going to retire to France but have now settled in the Royal Forest of Dean in England Its a well kept secret. Not many of you might of heard of it but check it out but don't tell everyone! read more http://heyhoneyigotanidea.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/france-was-original-idea.html

[cuoi]

09:51 AM on 05/23/2012

St Johns a great place to hang out. Snorkeling everywhere, some secluded away from crowds. Trails. One great cheeseburger joint overlooking a bay (worth breaking training for) in the middle of nowhere. Ecolodges (but folks I saw there were all bitten up). I got lucky and had a villa overlooking 2 bays.

[osofar]

07:56 AM on 05/23/2012

Los Angeles is still a desert. It just has a lot of people on it.

[rdrvr1752]

09:09 AM on 05/24/2012

That was my thought, too. If anything happened to the aqueducts, there would be mass panic and out migration.