As you all know, or in case you don’t, I love visiting and exploring the national parks. There are some that get tons of love like Yellowstone, Zion, and Grand Canyon, but I want to share a little bit about some of the lesser visited parks I’ve been to over the last year and a half. There are a few in here that I just think are underrated, too, but still get quite a few Visitors. Note that all the numbers for visitors per year will be from 2016, the latest year available.
Great Sand Dunes
Where: Mosca, Colorado
How much: $15
Visitors per year: 388,308
What not to miss: Rent a board in town to go sandboarding or sledding down the dunes. If that’s not your thing, just climb up the dunes for a good workout and awesome views. And if that sounds terrible, too, don’t worry. You can go hiking in the mountains and overlook the dunes from there.
Pro tip: Wear sunglasses or something to keep sand out of your eyes. It can be pretty windy there. Also, wear shoes in the summer as the sand gets really hot.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Where: Gunnison, Colorado
How much: $15
Visitors per year: 238,018
What not to miss: A trip down to the bottom of the canyon to admire the emerald river below. Hike along the south rim and admire the cliffs. If you have the time, head to the north rim to do some hiking and get even more awesome views.
Pro tip: Don’t listen to everyone saying the drive into the canyon is terrible or difficult. It was easy, just steep. Still, be cautious and watch for rocks on the road, but it’s not as bad as they make it seem.
Capitol Reef
Where: Torrey, Utah
How much: $10
Visitors per year: 1,064,904
What not to miss: Pick fruit in the orchards, drive and hike Capitol Gorge, see Hickman Bridge, and slosh through Sulphur Creek. There is so much to do. You can do a few hikes over a day or do all of Sulphur Creek in a day, or do part of it (starting from the visitors center) and a few other hikes.
Pro tip: If you do Sulphur Creek, the hike is 5.5 miles then there is another three-mile walk back to the trailhead. Keep that in mind. Either have a bike for one person to go get the car, hitchhike (we got a ride from some awesome strangers) or hoof it. Also, stay hydrated, it gets real hot here.
Badlands
Where: Interior, South Dakota
How much: $20 per vehicle
Visitors per year: 996,263
What not to miss: The notch trail is perfect for getting into the Badlands and having views over them as well. There are tons of awesome overlooks along the scenic road and make sure to keep an eye out for bighorn sheep and pronghorn!
Pro tip: Definitely get out and hike in the park. I haven’t done as much there as I’d like, but it’s such a cool place. It can also get surprisingly hot here, so keep that in mind and dress in layers.
Hot Springs
Where: Hot Springs, Arkansas
How much: Free!
Visitors per year: 1,544,300
What not to miss: Take a hike in the hills around the town, then spend an afternoon wandering between the shops and historic bathhouses.
Pro tip: Eat at the Colonial Pancake and Waffle House for breakfast and head over to Kollective Coffee for a delicious cup of joe.
Congaree
Where: Hopkins, South Carolina
How much: Free!
Visitors per year: 143,843
What not to miss: The boardwalk loop is a great way to see the park if you only have a few hours. There are a few other trails to get away from the already low crowds.
Pro tip: Keep an eye out for bugs and wildlife along the boardwalk and other trails.
Great Basin
Where: Baker, Nevada
How much: Free!
Visitors per year: 144,846
What not to miss: Lehman Cave is a must-see. Take a hike along the Alpine Lake Loop and take a side trip up to see the Bristlecones before heading back down. If you’re feeling really ambitious, climb Wheeler Peak, the highest peak in Nevada.
Pro tip: Book tickets for the cave tours on here or at the visitors center. Campgrounds are first come, first serve and super awesome. And finally, eat at Kerouac’s in Baker. It is so good!
Carlsbad Caverns
Where: Carlsbad, New Mexico
How much: $10 per person
Visitors per year: 466,773
What not to miss: Do a self-Guided Tour through the Big Room or take a guided tour and squeeze through passageways in the Hall of White Giants. You can do hiking aboveground as well.
Pro tip: I would take a guided tour to see more of the cave. They need to be booked 48-hours ahead of time and can be booked on the same website as Lehman Cave.
Hopefully this has inspired you to see more of the parks, well known or not, and enjoy what they all have to offer.
Have you been to any of these parks? What is your favorite underrated park?
