NorahTo state the obvious, I love national parks. In my personal opinion, I think national parks are America’s best idea. However, when most people think of the parks, they think of one or two big names, and those parks are amazing! But, there are so many amazing other national parks in the U.S. that could also be epic and amazing adventures. In this list, I will share some lesser known parks with you, in the name of wanderlust!
Note: Not an underrated national park, but I do have a complete Glacier guide if you are looking to check other parks off your list!
All of the national parks in the U.S. are incredible, and you really cannot go wrong with any park you visit. However, each of these parks impressed me more than I thought it would. I believe these parks deserve more credit for how amazingly beautiful, unique, and adventurous they are. Disagree/have a different park in mind? Tell me in the comments!
Big Bend National Park (Texas)
Big Bend will always hold SUCH a special place in my park. To put it simply, this park is insane. It is a very remote park and is somewhat difficult to get to, but the reward is well worth the struggle. Big Bend is divided into three different regions, and when visiting one is able to really experience different ecosystems. We stayed in the Chisos mountains, which is a small mountain range totally contained within the park. The Chisos is also a good base for exploring the rest of the park because it is centrally located and park headquarters is in this region. From the Chisos, one can head to the desert climate or go see the Rio Grande-both of which are spectacular.
Must see spot: The Santa Elena Canyon hike is one of my top experiences ever. The trail itself is only about a mile, but the canyon goes through a sheer cliff face and is steep on both sides. I went in March and the water level was low enough to wade through safely, and there were countless people spread out watching the sunset. The river is technically the border between the U.S. and Mexico, so you could walk across the border if you walk across the river!
Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)
Capitol Reef is oftentimes overshadowed by the other, more popular parks in Utah, but I had a phenomenal time there. There are significantly less people, and the landscape itself is stunning. Think creamy red rocks, exposed cliff faces, and open skies. Capitol Reef was the only Utah national park where I felt truly remote and connected to the land and the experience I was having.
Must see: I fully recommend the Chimney Rock Trail. It is about 3.5 miles roundtrip, and when we went in early March we were the only ones on the trail! There are sprawling views, and the hike is just strenuous enough to get your heart rate up.
Badlands National Park (South Dakota)
Badlands is only beginning to get the credit it deserves. Just picture it: you are driving along a South Dakota highway, and have not seen or heard much in several hours. All of a sudden, the badlands jut out in the distance. They look almost like a mini canyon, and the closer you get, the cooler they become.
We adored our trip to the Badlands. We went on amazing hikes, saw plenty of wildlife, and went to several ranger talks about the Milky Way sightings in the area. The campgrounds are clean, the area is diverse, and the history of the region is fascinating. We combined Badlands on an out west roadtrip, and it makes an excellent stop if driving from the East coast.
Must see: The Notch trail has an iconic and unique feature to the trail-a ladder! Honestly, as someone who hikes a lot, it was so fun to experience something different on a hike. The ladder was fun, and the rest of the hike was simple with beautiful views.
Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
I may be biased, but there is no place quite like Shenandoah in the fall. A short drive from DC, the park is connected by Skyline Drive, a 100 mile scenic byway that winds gracefully along the Blue Ridge. The views are wonderful, and there are plenty of hikes and adventures to be had.
The park is bigger than one would expect. There are three different sections, and I would recommend either picking one section and immersing yourself in the adventures there or spending the day along Skyline Drive. Either option is fantastic!
Shenandoah is just lovely, and has something for everyone. There are multiple rest stops along Skyline Drive, and I would recommend the blackberry ice cream!
Must see: I highly recommend the Old Rag hike. It is easily one of the most amazing hikes on the East Coast, and has a gnarly rock scramble that is so fun. There is a permit system, so be sure to grab your tickets a couple days in advance.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)
Carlsbad Caverns is the unique park on the list, as most of the main attractions are underground. If caves are not your thing, keep scrolling. But, if you think caves are even slightly cool, then you will love this park.
The park is unique in the fact that you can walk through the caves on a self guided tour, and do not have to be with a tour guide. Carlsbad Caverns is absolutely the most impressive of the caves I have experienced.
I would recommend camping at all of these parks, and you can find a list of ten camping tips here. I would also recommend snagging an America the Beautiful pass. This can save you money, especially if you are visiting more than three national parks on one trip.
Have a great time! Happy hiking!
