TheDailyMail Travel
There are hundreds of other national parks to choose from scattered about the US ranging from Civil War-era paradises to scenic beaches. Here is a look at some of the best our 50 states have to offer, with fewer visitors!
Can’t face the crowds at Yosemite and Yellowstone? These eight lesser-known national parks offer stunning scenery but with far fewer visitors
Fed-up of the seemingly endless influx of travelers at Yosemite and Yellowstone?
Good news – there’s hundreds of other national parks to choose from, scattered about the US.
Each emanate their own unique majesty, with sights that hold their own with more notable attractions. They show that while the façade of Mount Rushmore and the Grand Canyon will forever be draws, there’s plenty more to our nation’s parks.
Haters of long lines will be happy to know there are several options for park-goers, each with shorter waits, fewer crowds, and more time to soak in the natural attractions.
And with sights ranging from Civil War-era forts set in tropical paradises to pristine, white sand beaches, some might surprise you. Here DailyMail.com takes a look at some of the best – and less traveled – the 50 states have to offer.
With sights ranging from Civil War-era forts set in tropical paradises to pristine, white sand beaches, some might surprise you. Pictured: Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park of Florida, a former US military coastal fortress built during the Civil War
1. Channel Islands National Park – California
The first of several offshore installments to make the list, Channel Islands National Park is coastal California’s version of the quintessential national park.
It offers sights distinct to the more-represented mainland, all on a chain of eight islands that allows for up-close encounters with dolphins and whales.
Opportunities to kayak through the spectacular caves that encircle the islands are also abound, in a place often referred to as ‘The Galapagos of North America.’
A fitting nickname for a hidden gem of the wide-stretching Pacific, the nationally recognized park is located just off the California coast.
The first of several offshore installments to make list, Channel Islands National Park is coastal California’s version of the quintessential national park.
It offers sights distinct to the mainland, all on a chain of islands that allows for up-close encounters with dolphins and whales. Opportunities to kayak through the caves that encircle the islands are also abound, in a place often dubbed ‘The Galapagos of North America’
A fitting nickname for a hidden gem of the wide-stretching Pacific, the nationally recognized park is located just off the California coast. It offers stunning ocean views, jutting rock cliffs, and wildlife you can’t find elsewhere, but is one of the least visited parks due to its accessibility
It offers stunning ocean views, jutting rock cliffs, and wildlife you can’t find elsewhere, but is one of the least visited National Parks due to its remote nature and accessibility.
Still, the Channel Islands are a must for campers and wildlife enthusiasts alike, thanks to its untouched landscape and chances to swim in an idyllic paradise.
Outdoor Union, one of the country’s most respected travel publications, lists the islands amongst the best camping spots in all of the Golden State.
2. White Sands National Park – New Mexico
One of the more picturesque entries to this list, White Sands National Park is located in the great state of New Mexico, completely surrounded by the white sand dunes of the White Sands Missile Range.
The glimmering white dunes were once the proving ground for the world’s first atomic bomb (code named Trinity), detonated in 1941.
The bomb boasted the same design as the ‘Fat Man’ detonated over Nagasaki, but did not mire the desert’s natural beauty.
