What are the Most Underrated U.S. National Parks?

Summer sees some of the most popular U.S. national parks flood with visitors, particularly those like Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. Family travelers wanting an immersive, nature-focused trip without the hassle of crowds should venture to these equally beautiful national parks that do not have the overwhelming number of visitors.

North Cascades

Located in Washington, this park ranks as the most underrated U.S. national park. Featuring a large blue lake surrounded by forest and snowy mountains, this park spans more than 500,000 acres. And with just 40,000 visitors in 2023 alone, you’ll feel connected to your surroundings without the crowds.

Isle Royale

Another underappreciated national park, Isle Royale in Lake Superior, Michigan, offers plenty of hiking and camping spots.

Dry Tortugas

Situated west of Key West, Florida, Dry Tortugas consists mostly of water and seven islands accessible only by boat or seaplane. Witness coral reefs and thriving marine life.

Gates of The Arctic

This park in Alaska protects parts of the Brooks Range in Northern Alaska. Experience arctic valleys, scenic rivers and rugged peaks in this otherworldly place.

Wrangell-St. Elias

This park is the largest national park in the country. Found in South Central Alaska, it is perfect for backpacking, cross-country skiing, river running and more.

Some other underrated national parks include Great Basin National Park, Nevada; Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska; Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska; Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas; and Congaree National Park, South Carolina.

Vacation rental website Lake.com conducted this study to find the most underrated national parks in America. The platform analyzed last year’s NPS data to find all parks with less than 750,000 visitors. The website based scores on visitor volumes, visitor reviews and review ratings.