The U.S. National Parks are one of the most incredible things America has ever done for its citizens and incoming tourists. They preserve nature and wildlife in their most beautiful natural state. From majestic mountains to humbling redwoods, here are the most underrated national parks you must add to your travel bucket list. Have you been?
1. Glacier Bay, Alaska
The park is located within a World Heritage Site that spans over 25,000,000 acres, making it one of the largest international protected areas in the world. The park is a never-ending source of exploration and creativity. The park is accessible by boat or on foot for visitors’ convenience.
2. Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Exit Glacier, Harding Icefield, and the coastline are the three primary features of this park. To protect its fjord and rainforest habitats, the Harding Icefield, abundant wildlife, and historical and archeological remnants, the park was first designated a national monument in 1978 and then a national park in 1980. Brown and black bears, moose, sea otters, harbor seals, humpback whales, and killer whales are just some of the marine and terrestrial creatures that call this area home.
3. Crater Lake, Oregon
Crater Lake is the park’s centerpiece and draws visitors by its stunning blue color and pristine water. A relic of the extinct volcano Mount Mazama, the lake is located inside the park’s boundaries, along with the surrounding hills and woods. It is one of the cleanest lakes on the earth and the deepest lake in the United States.
4. Redwood, California
Along the coast of northern California is a complex of many state and national parks known as the Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP). The United RNSP covers 139,000 acres and comprises California’s Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks, all founded in the 1920s. The park’s most prominent feature is the coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), the tallest tree species on Earth. It is wholly contained within the counties of Del Norte and Humboldt.
5. Badlands, South Dakota
This park has impressive rock formations that house one of the most extensive fossil beds on the planet, where ancient horses and rhinos lived. But today, it’s home to bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets because of the park’s 244,000 acres of protected grassland. The park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities such as hiking, camping, stargazing, and wildlife watching.
6. Sequoia, California
Its giant sequoia trees make it famous, especially General Sherman, the world’s largest tree by volume. The General Sherman tree grows in the Giant Forest, home to five of the world’s ten largest trees. The Generals Highway connects the Giant Forest to Kings Canyon National Park’s General Grant Grove, home to the General Grant tree and other giant sequoias.
7. Dry Tortugas, Florida
Fort Jefferson, a huge but unfinished coastal stronghold, is the park’s focal point. With over 16 million bricks, Fort Jefferson is the largest brick masonry construction in the Americas. The park protects Fort Jefferson and other Dry Tortugas islands, the most western and isolated of the Florida Keys.
8. Haleakala, Hawaii
Haleakala (East Maui) Volcano last erupted between 1480 and 1600 AD and is a featured attraction in the park. Numerous hiking routes provide opportunities for quiet reflection and breathtaking views. The park is home to more endangered species than any other in the National Park Service. Campsites and chalets are available for overnight guests.
9. White Sands, New Mexico
Part of the largest gypsum dune field on the planet is preserved at this park, making it one of a kind. The 275 square miles (710 square kilometers) of desert that make up the dune field have been enveloped by wave-like dunes of gypsum sand. One of the park’s most captivating sights lies in the striking contrast between the brilliant white sand and the vibrant blue sky, leaving visitors in awe of its breathtaking beauty.
10. Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico, nestled within the Guadalupe Mountains, boasts the captivating Carlsbad Cavern as its main attraction. With its vast network of caves, the park attracts 40 million visitors annually, offering self-guided hikes and elevator access for exploration.
11. Wrangell-St. Elias, Alaska
Wrangell-St. Elias is an exciting location for adventurers of all kinds, thanks to its vast geography. Visitors can enjoy various outdoor pursuits like rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and fishing. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest national park in the United States, covering an area of about 13 million acres. The park is famous for its stunning views of Mount Wrangell’s sporadic smoke eruptions.
12. Congaree, South Carolina
This park is famous for its vast collection of old-growth hardwood trees, with over 80 species thriving here. Designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1983, the park offers hiking and guided tours along the Cedar Creek canoe trail. The best times to visit are spring and fall to avoid swampy and mosquito-prone conditions during warmer months.
Want To Escape the Crowds? Here Are 11 Underrated Tourist Spots in the World
Going to tourist spots to mingle and party is one thing; relaxing is another, and for some, noisy and overcrowded places just defeat the purpose of it all. If you want to discover some hidden gems that are often overlooked by tourists, look no further than this list. And a friendly note: Don’t spread the word yet if you don’t want too many people flocking to these places.
Want To Escape the Crowds? Here Are 11 Underrated Tourist Spots in the World
Your Children Will Thank You When You Visit These One of These 11 Kid-Friendly Travel Destinations
Traveling as a family is more than just a leisure activity. It’s an exciting journey filled with discovery, bonding, and memorable moments that children carry into adulthood. That’s why finding a place your kids will also love should be a priority. Users from an online forum say that beyond the hustle and bustle of urban places, the world is filled with family-friendly spots that provide immersive experiences for kids and relaxation for parents.
Your Children Will Thank You When You Visit These One of These 11 Kid-Friendly Travel Destinations
Cascading Paradise: 10 Magical Waterfalls You Can Actually Swim In
Summer is that time of year when many outdoor enthusiasts travel outdoors to find a refreshing place to take a dip after a long hike. Yes, you could jump into a chlorinated pool; however, there’s nothing like jumping into a swimming hall surrounding an abundance of natural beauty. Read below as we discover 10 magical waterfalls you can actually swim in.
Cascading Paradise: 10 Magical Waterfalls You Can Actually Swim In
All Aboard: 10 of the Most Beautiful Train Stations Around the World
Whether modern or contemporary, the architecture of some train stations in the world simply can’t be matched. From their dome-like structures to stained glass windows, the most gorgeous train stations were designed to make a lasting impression amongst visitors. Join us as we discover 10 of the most beautiful train stations around the world.
All Aboard: 10 of the Most Beautiful Train Stations Around the World
The Best Things Baby Boomers Brought the World
Generally speaking, every generation is known for their contribution to the world and society more generally. And baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, have brought a lot to the world – whether during their youth, their adult years, or even now. Ranging from innovations in technology to societal activism, and environmental awareness, there’s no discounting the positive things that boomers have done for the world. Often, younger generations tend to focus on the negative – we look to the past and immediately consider everything that older people and previous generations have done wrong. And sure, that’s kind of normal. Times change quickly, and the differences tend to be pretty stark between generations, thus, throughout history, most generations tend to look to the past and criticize previous generations. However, as we all know, hindsight is 20/20. It’s easy to look back and criticize previous generations with the knowledge that we have today. Sure, sometimes criticism is warranted, but often, it’s a little unfair, so it’s essential that we look back and consider context too. So, we’re going to look at some of the best and most valuable things that baby boomers have achieved and brought to the world – some of which are general and others a little more specific, but they all deserve a mention!