The United States National Park system is filled with 434 designated parks. Travelers preparing their National Park bucket list often start with big names such as Yellowstone, Zion, or Yosemite, and for good reason. These parks are a true treasure trove of natural beauty. The landscape, wildlife, and unique vegetation are all reasons people millions of people flock to each of these sites every year.

What about the parks a little further down the list, though? With hundreds of parks to visit, there are always a few that get overlooked. Make no mistake; these parks are just as filled with hidden wonders as their more popular counterparts. With far fewer crowds to compete with, however, these little secrets are just waiting to be explored.

10 Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park rock walls
Via: Photo by Tevin Trinh on Unsplash
Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park rock walls

While the name Black Canyon National Park may not jump out as an inviting place, this little 47-square-mile park is filled with all the best things Colorado has to offer. The title Black Canyon refers to the fact that the sun never hits some of the deeper canyons and cracks that fill the area. While the hikes in this park are classified as strenuous, the views from the vistas reward the brave generously. And with a number of great fishing holes, this little park has something for everyone willing to make the trek.

Related: 10 Tips For Visiting Black Canyon Of The Gunnison (For The First Time)

9 Gates Of The Arctic National Park, Alaska

camping in gates of the arctic national park

National parks are designed to be visited, but the Gates of the Arctic may make that hard to believe. The northernmost National Park in the United States, this park represents some of the last pristine lands, full of archeological and geological artifacts. What this park doesn't have, however, is roads, trails, or facilities of any kind. Visitors leave Fairbanks and may be completely on their own until they return. Considering this is a National Park, this may be one of the best places for people to get away from everything and everyone and enjoy the views in the footsteps of those who came 12,000 years before.

There are no resources inside the park. Leave an itinerary with someone, have a printed map, and bring plenty of extra supplies. This is a truly isolated location.

8 Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

inside the caverns of mammoth cave, kentucky

Literally hiding underground, the Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the longest-known cave system in the world. At just over 53,000 acres, the above-ground landscape is home to rivers, rolling hills, historical buildings, and a variety of native plant and animal life. Underneath the gentle hills are 400 known miles of twisting caves, with as many as 600 unexplored miles connecting to those. With so much square footage to explore, it's impossible to do it all in one go. The park has numerous tours set up for every interest and ability level, including fully accessible parks. Reservations are required, so make sure to go to the Mammoth Cave National Park website to find the perfect match.

Related: What To Expect Visiting The Incredible Mammoth Cave National Park

7 Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Boardwalk in Congaree National Park
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Boardwalk in Congaree National Park

While there are over 400 National parks in America, only one of them can be found in South Carolina. Congaree National Park absolutely represents, boasting the largest old-growth hardwood forest in the country, which can be explored on an elevated boardwalk. Kayaking and canoeing offer alternative ways to explore the flooded forest and the amazing animal life found here. The ancient plant life hides evidence of the people who lived in the forest over 10,000 years ago, making it the perfect secluded getaway to explore both nature and history.

Related: 10 Tips For Planning A Trip To Congaree National Park

6 Lassen National Park, California

Bumpass Hell boardwalk in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
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Bumpass Hell boardwalk in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Lassen National Park holds the unique position of the least visited National Park in California. While millions of people flock to Yosemite, this hidden neighbor to the north often sees less than 500,000. The namesake Lassen Peak is an active volcano and is surrounded by hot springs and numerous lakes. Visitors can follow one of many walkways through the sulfuric mud pots and colorful watering holes or take a more strenuous hike up Lassen Peak itself. Considering the last eruption occurred in 1917, all visitors have to worry about is bringing their cameras to get the perfect shot of the Cascade Mountains.

Related: A Guide To Visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park In Northern California

5 Big Bend National Park, Texas

Stunning sunrise in Big Bend National Park, Texas
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Stunning sunrise in Big Bend National Park, Texas

For those not inclined to fly to Alaska for a remote getaway, the western expanse of Texas has a beautiful park offering the same isolated feeling. With only dirt roads leading to and around the park, this quiet stretch of land is perfect for hiking in solitude. The park follows the Big Bend River that separates the state from Mexico and is popular not only with solo travelers but with hundreds of species of wildlife as well. Black bears, javelina, bobcats, and over 70 other species of mammals wander the park, as well as over 450 varieties of birds. And for those looking for areas of geological interest, the 500 million-year-old rock formations should be enough to excite even the most casual viewer. With more than a little bit of everything, Big Bend has something for every visitor.

4 Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

isle royale national park

Nestled in the middle of Lake Superior in Michigan, from the right angle, Isle Royale looks like it belongs in the ocean. This 45-mile island is a 3-hour boat ride from the shores of the mainland and promises to keep its visitors busy once they arrive. Once on the island, guests can explore the island in a day through various hikes or can take a more in-depth approach and get a backpacking or overnight camping permit. For a different look at the island's beauty, paddle boards, and boats can be rented to explore the interior lakes and access even more remote corners of the island.

The island has been well protected to keep it wild and undeveloped, and rangers as that visitors work to preserve the beauty by packing out what they pack in.

3 Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
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Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

North Dakota is often forgotten on the national park map, especially next to its neighbor Montana, but if it wasn't for The Badlands in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, teeming with bison, canyons, and magnificent rock formations, the national park system may not exist at all. It was this area where Theodore Roosevelt, a young man at the time, landed when he left New York to explore the west and hunt bison. The land that impressed the future president then still stands in all its glory today. Nowadays, visitors can enjoy hiking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, birdwatching, and even stargazing in this unique protected land. While the park may have become somewhat forgotten as newer parks join the ranks, the original beauty of this park and The Badlands it contains continue to inspire visitors today.

Related: North Dakota: Why Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Bison, And Badlands Are Worth It

2 Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park

Lakes are often considered one of the most serene and versatile natural outdoor spaces. Minnesota is home to over 10,000 lakes, and Voyageurs National Park, following the northern board of the state, is home to approximately 30 of them. With so much water, this park is the perfect place for boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, or simply dipping toes in the icy water. The beauty of the water is one that can be enjoyed any time of the year, and in the winter months, guests can explore the land by snowshoeing, skiing, or even snowmobiling.

Be aware that the opposite shore of some of the lakes are in Canada, so guests should keep their passports on them in a protected sleeve in case they accidentally leave the country.

1 New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia
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New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia

Of 434 national parks in the country, this is park number 434. Designated in 2020, New River Gorge National Park is the newest member of the group and, as such, is still being explored in all its glory. Despite its new status, this park is full of ancient formations, including the New River, for which it is named, which is likely one of the oldest in the country. The Appalachian Mountains offer numerous hiking adventures, the New River Gorge is full of steep rock faces to challenge any rock climber's skill, and intense whitewater rafting along the river will keep adrenaline levels peaked. If all of that isn't unique enough to warrant a visit, the ghost towns may tip the scale. Abandoned coal mining towns are scattered around the park, hinting at the many people who died in cave-ins and shootouts in the past.