America’s most underrated national parks
If you were to ask people across the country
about national parks, places like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Great Smoky
Mountains immediately come to mind. But the United States has 405 national
parks, each offering views to leave you gobsmacked. These are 10 of those
national parks you may not know about, but will want to see as soon as you can.
1. Great Basin National Park – Nevada
Those willing to take a four-hour drive from Salt Lake City will be
rewarded near the Utah/Nevada border. Great Basin boasts the gorgeous Wheeler
Peak, which looks like it should be in the Rockies. A guided tour of the Lehman
Caves shows off Mother Nature’s glittering brilliances in these marble caverns.
And stargazers will love it here as this park is among the darkest in the lower
48 states, making it perfect for people looking to just stare at the night sky.
2. Biscayne National Park – Florida
Thinking of vacationing in Miami? You’ll find one of the country’s top parks in
Biscayne National Park. Within the 173,000 acres of crystal-clear waters you’ll
find the third largest coral reef in the world. Like to snorkel? How about
doing it while manatees swim by, along with over 200 different species of fish.
Oh, and there are 72 shipwrecks in the park. Yeah, there’s a lot to discover at
this place.
3. White Sands National Monument – New Mexico
White Sands National Monument might only be 90 minutes away from El Paso, Texas, but it sure feels like another planet.
The dunes of White Sands came to be after westerly winds brought in the sands
over a couple of millennia. This is the place for hikers looking for killer
challenge by taking on Big Dune Trail, a one-mile trail that gives you a look
at the natural surroundings.
4. Colorado National Monument – Colorado
There’s no shortage of beautiful views in the red-country of the
Southwestern US, but the Colorado National Monument is something special. You
can hike through the eroded cliffs and peaks of this beauty of a park, but you
can easily see its majesty from the comfort of your car on the 23-mile Rim Rock
Drive.
5. Isle Royale National Park – Michigan
This island in the middle of Lake Superior is as good a reason
as any to cross the watery border by boat during a stay in nearby Thunder Bay,
Ontario. Hikers can explore trails on a preserve that’s the only known place
where you’ll find moose and wolves coexisting without the presence of bears.
Just make sure to bring some insect repellant, since the insects in the area
are as dense as you would’ve seen in the 1800s. Small price to pay to see such
an unspoiled oasis.
6. Olympic National Park – Washington
If lush rainforests, glacier-topped mountains and waterfalls are
your thing, then a trip to Olympic National Park is in order. There’s something
for anyone to fall in love with at this park tucked into the Olympic mountain
range.
7. Mojave National Preserve – California
You can find some solitude in Southern California? Yes, it’s
indeed possible at this gem of a park that stretches out to an astounding 1.6
million acres. Whether you want to check out some volcanic cinder cones, tall
sand dunes or the world’s largest Joshua tree forest, the Mojave National
Preserve is sure to leave you breathless.
8. Theodore Roosevelt National Park – North Dakota
What does it take to change a scrawny youngster with glasses
into a rugged adventurer and president? Well, all it took Teddy Roosevelt to
have that transformation was to explore the stout badlands that are full of
wild horses, shaggy buffalo and bighorn sheep. And if see all that doesn’t do
it for you, a horseback ride along (and sometimes through) the Little Missouri
River will revitalize you.
9. Big Bend National Park – Texas
Still in El Paso after checking out White Sands? Good, now it’s
time for you to drive a little over four hours south to see the spectacle that
is Big Bend National Park. This place is perfect for a campout under dark skies
that shine bright with stars. But only after you take in all the river,
mountain and desert terrain of Big Bend’s 800,000 acres.
10. Haleakala National Park – Hawaii
Vacationing in Hawaii has a habit of washing all
the cares away. But to truly get away from it all you’ll want to spend some
time at Haleakala National Park on Maui. Guests can take on the hike to get to
the summit of Mt. Haleakala. You could also just stroll down the eight-mile
Kuapo Gap Trail, which takes you all the way down to the coastline. There’s
even some great freshwater swimming holes to take a dip in during your stay.
