Our national parks are incredible places and true treasures, but let’s face it– a lot of them are overrun with windshield tourists who turn the roads into parking lots and rarely exit their cars except to step out and get an “epic” selfie. But there are still some national parks that offer the Call of the Wild, and if that’s something you hear, you’ll love the parks in this article.
Gates of the Arctic, Alaska
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One of only two U.S. national parks entirely above the Arctic Circle, Gates of the Arctic has no roads within it or leading to it. Basically, the only way to get to this unspoiled wilderness of tundra and towering peaks is by charter plane.
Kobuk Valley, Alaska
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This is the other Arctic U.S. national park. Although it’s best known for its sand dunes, there’s much more to see, including the world’s largest caribou migration. As with Gates of the Arctic, you can only reach this park by plane.
Lake Clark, Alaska
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Lake Clark isn’t in the Arctic, but it might as well be since the only access is by boat or seaplane. It’s an important habitat for salmon, and you’ll see a lot of other wildlife here in addition to beautiful mountains that include an active volcano.
North Cascades, Washington
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Every national park has wonders awaiting those willing to lace up their boots and go hike to them, and North Cascades is no exception. Where it is an exception, though, is that most national parks have paved roads giving people easy access to some of the highlights. Again, North Cascades is an exception. You have to work to experience the best here.
Kings Canyon-Sequoia, California
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To many visitors, the highlights of these parks are the justifiably magnificent groves of Giant Sequoias, the largest trees on the planet, that you can just drive up to. Most of these parks, though, are in the backcountry of the High Sierra, and just a fraction of park visitors ever set foot in that backcountry.
Death Valley, California
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There are parts of Death Valley NP that are routinely mobbed, even in the scorching summer. Despite that, this largest national park in the Lower 48, about the size of the state of Connecticut, has untold adventures waiting for the intrepid who are willing to park the car, get out, and walk.
Glacier, Montana
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Although the roads, parking lots, and marquee trails here are congested all summer, this park has hundreds of miles of trails going deep into the backcountry where relatively few people go. You can also make your own adventures by exploring off-trail and scaling the peaks and ridges.
Grand Teton, Wyoming
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Only a handful of trails here ever get crowded, and even they start to thin out the farther and higher you go. For example, if you hike up Cascade Canyon, most crowds will disappear after Inspiration Point, and if you go up North Fork Cascade Canyon, you may have it all to yourself.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado
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A lot of people stop at overlooks to admire this deep, dark canyon, but only a tiny percentage ever take one of the routes into its depths. Your reward for doing so will be solitude and a well-earned sense of awe when you’re finally beside the raging Gunnison River and the steep walls enclosing it.
Zion, Utah
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Super-popular Zion Canyon doesn’t offer much solitude or true adventure, though the Virgin River Narrows is an exception in the adventure department. For more great adventure opportunities, park at a turnout on the East Side and go exploring up a wash, canyon, or slickrock slopes.
Capitol Reef, Utah
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What crowds there are here are concentrated in a relatively compact area in the center of the park. Unpaved roads into the remote northern and southern portions of the part offer exciting adventures in places like Cathedral Valley, Muley Twist Canyon, and the Halls Creek Narrows.
Badlands, South Dakota
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There aren’t a lot of established trails in this park, and most of them are pretty short. You can just get out and wander among the formations, using dry washes as “trails.” One area that’s particularly great for this is Sage Creek Basin, where there are no formal trails at all. Be wary of bison that you may startle when rounding a bend!
Voyageurs, Minnesota
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Exploring this park means having your own boat or hiring a boat taxi to reach the islands that make up the land-based parts of this park. On those islands, you can hike on seldom-trod trails to lakes, overlooks, and more.
Isle Royale, Michigan
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Isle Royale is out in Lake Superior and only reachable by boat, ferry, or seaplane. This makes it one of the least-visited national parks in the country, so it’s perfect for seeking adventure and solitude.
Guadalupe Mountains, Texas
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The Guadalupes are home to the 9 of the 10 highest peaks in Texas, including the highest, Guadalupe Peak. A lack of roads penetrating the park makes this one a drive-by for most people, rendering it a hiker’s paradise for uncrowded trails and adventure.
The Two Best Scenic Wonders in Each of the Mountain States
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The Mountain States– Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico– have some of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in the United States. Because they’re so big, it can take a lot of time to visit them, so it helps to be able to plan for some specific destinations.
Following are our choices for the top two must-see outdoor locations in each of these seven states.
The Two Best Scenic Wonders in Each of the Mountain States
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
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Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border makes a lot of lists of the most beautiful places in America. There’s also a lot to do there, with a wide range of outdoor recreation, great dining, resorts, nightlife, and more. If it’s your first time going or if you’re going back, consider adding some of the following places to your itinerary.
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