Most Underrated National Parks

National Parks are pieces of public land dedicated to preserving the natural wonders of our country. They truly belong to the people, and it is hard to overstate how great that is. The word is out though, and the National Park System is seeing record visitation numbers. Although, there are still plenty of hidden gems to be found if you are willing to travel off the beaten path. To some, these parks may be familiar, but surprisingly, each one falls outside of the Top 10 most visited National Parks by yearly visitation. With a little effort, these three parks can offer some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the lower 48 states. And luckily, each park either allows you opportunities to hike away from the more touristy areas (Sequoia) or is simply hard to get to (Glacier and Big Bend). In my opinion, this is exactly what makes (and keeps) each park so underrated.

Glacier National Park

Northern Montana - 13th in Visitation

Located on the border of Montana and Canada, a five hour drive north of Bozeman, MT, Glacier National Park is a true gem. With scenery formed by large glaciers carving through the Rocky Mountains during the last ice age, it is home to an assortment of simply stunning glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife.

Although the number of its namesake glaciers in the park has consistently shrunk over the last 100 years (80+ in 1850 to 26 in 2015), the park is still an oasis of alpine scenery. Whether you are driving on the Going-to-the-Sun road or hiking the Highline Trail, you will not be disappointed. To fully experience the park, I recommend at least a two day visit as the park is surprisingly large (and only has one road connecting its East to West sides). After you visit, you will quickly realize why Glacier rises to the top of many people’s lists of favorite National Parks.

Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park

Central California - 23rd in Visitation

Located in Central California, and a mere two hour drive east of Fresno, you would think that Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park would be more popular than it is. Even though it is closer to a major city than both other parks on this list, what makes this park so great is that main roads only reach about the western third of the park. The rest of the park is reserved for beautiful hiking trails through groves of Giant Sequoias and through the mountains of the High Sierra. You simply can’t go wrong.

In the western half of the park, you can visit some of the largest and oldest living organisms on the planet. The sheer scale of the Giant Sequoia is something to behold. It earns being called awesome. In the eastern half of the park, you can hike around gorgeous granite peaks that rival its more popular cousin to the north (Yosemite). You can even hop on the famous Pacific Crest Trail or, for the more experienced hiker, climb the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, Mount Whitney. With this variety of stunning sights, it’s a wonder that Sequoia & Kings Canyon is still relatively unknown. Make the journey to go visit while it still is!

Big Bend National Park

West Texas - 37th in Visitation

Located in far west Texas on the Rio Grande border between Texas and Mexico, Big Bend National Park is the most remote park on this list. A 5 hour drive southeast from El Paso, TX and a 6.5 hour drive west from San Antonio, Big Bend National Park is a stunning natural wonder partly because it is so remote.

Known for its vast canyons along the Rio Grande, the granite peaks formed from the remnants of an extinct volcano in the Chisos Basin, and the darkest skies of any national park in the lower 48, Big Bend has a multitude of outdoor landscapes to please any adventurer. It’s unique desert landscape will undoubtedly capture the heart of anyone that is willing to make the journey.

Although they may not see the most visitors of the National Parks in the lower 48, each park above will let you see some of the most majestic sights of any National Park. Each park is absolutely worth the journey, and I promise that each one will be an unforgettable visit.

Do you agree with my choices? Do you have any National Parks that you think are underrated? Let me know on Twitter at @outdoorsyguides.

Most Underrated National Parks in the Lower 48