Six of the Least Crowded National Parks Worthy of Your Time.
You remember the beauty of the last national park you visited, and you’d like to share the experience. Unfortunately, you also remember the crowds outnumbered the wildlife. Fear not. These 6 lesser-known destinations let you have the best of both worlds:
1. Arches. Located in southern Utah, the stunning sandstone arches are an amazing scene. Two not to be missed are Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch, the latter of which happens to be the park’s largest. Because of the terrain, hiking is the main activity of choice.
2. Badlands. Truly a marvel of nature, Badlands offers two or three experiences in one park. Not only do you see beautiful buttes and canyons, but also there is the vast prairie land to experience. Because of the lay of the land, you’re sure to see wildlife ranging from bison to coyotes.
3. Big Bend National Park. This is truly the park for the water enthusiast. Located in western Texas, river rafting on the Rio Grande is a popular attraction. Canoeing and kayaking are perfect ways to take in the breathtaking views. The park, situated on more than 3/4 of a million acres, got its name because of the very large bend in the river.
4. Biscayne. Primarily accessible by boat only, Biscayne National Park is located about 20+ miles from Miami as part of a coral reef. Anyone with a love of marine life will feel right at home viewing the many varieties of fish, turtles, stingrays and more in the crystal clear waters. Many of the keys that make up the park are perfect for fishing, camping, and hiking.
5. Cape Breton Highlands. This is one of the more versatile parks you’re likely to ever encounter. Apart from its stunning views of coastlines, highlands, and plateaus, Cape Breton offers a little something for everyone. Whether you want to hike, play on the beach, or even ski, you can do it all here. Interestingly enough, Cape Breton was once home to Alexander Graham Bell who once said there wasn’t a place anywhere more beautiful.
6. Congaree. This South Caroline gem is considered the oldest floodplain forest in North America. It boasts of 75 species of trees and a variety of animals which can be viewed from just about anywhere in the park. It’s also one of the youngest, earning its place as a national park in 2003.
So if you’re looking to experience the excitement of camping without the headache associated with large crowds, these places are for you. These six lesser-known gems will provide you with hours of enjoyment, not to mention memories that will last forever.