When planning a trip to the National Parks, it’s easy to focus on the well-known spots—Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, and the Grand Canyon are just a few that often dominate travel itineraries. However, there are several underrated National Parks that don’t get the same level of attention but offer incredible experiences. From remote desert landscapes to lush canyons, these lesser-known gems provide unforgettable adventures with fewer crowds. Here’s a look at six underrated National Parks that are well worth the visit.
How to Choose Which Underrated National Parks to Visit First
If you’re inspired by this list but not sure where to begin, here’s a quick guide based on your location, interests, and seasonality:
- Best for underground exploration and a spring or fall visit – Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Easy to pair with Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
- Perfect for stargazing, high alpine hiking, and solitude – Great Basin National Park, Nevada. Best in late summer.
- A striking stop on a summer road trip, known for colorful formations and wildlife – Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Easily combined with a Mount Rushmore trip.
- Ideal for summer scenic drives, panoramic lake views, and snow-free hiking – Crater Lake National Park, Oregon.
- Great for a winter road trip with other California desert parks like Joshua Tree or Mojave – Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada.
- Accessible for East Coast travelers looking for hiking, climbing, or whitewater rafting in a rugged, forested setting – New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia.
Discover these Underrated National Parks
These underrated National Parks offer unique experiences, stunning landscapes, and a sense of tranquility that can be hard to find in the more crowded destinations. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a stargazing enthusiast, or someone seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures, these six underrated national parks will quickly earn a place in your heart. Let’s take a closer look at each one and why they deserve more recognition.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Why It’s Often Overlooked
Carlsbad Caverns is located in southern New Mexico, far from major cities or well-known travel routes. From the surface, the landscape appears flat and arid, making it easy to overlook.
Why It’s Worth the Visit
What makes Carlsbad Caverns National Park unique is hidden underground. With over 100 limestone caves, this park features some of the largest and most visually stunning chambers in the world. The Big Room alone is nearly 4,000 feet long and filled with incredible rock formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and draperies. The silence and size are awe-inspiring, and it’s hard to grasp the scale without seeing it firsthand.
Top Hikes and Experiences
- Natural Entrance Trail – A 1.25-mile steep trail that descends into the caverns through a dramatic entrance.
- Big Room Trail – A 1.25-mile mostly flat loop through the park’s largest underground chamber.
- Bat Flight Program – From May through October, watch thousands of bats exit the cave at dusk.
Crater Lake National Park
Why It’s Often Overlooked
With one central feature—Crater Lake—it’s easy to assume the park has limited variety. Winter also closes much of the park, making it accessible mainly in summer. Its remote location in southern Oregon means it’s not on the way to other major destinations, so many travelers skip it altogether. Plus, those who do visit often only stop for a quick viewpoint photo, missing the deeper hiking, boat tours, and scenic drives that reveal why it’s one of the most underrated National Parks in the U.S.
Why It’s Worth the Visit
Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon is home to the deepest lake in the United States, formed by the collapse of a volcano over 7,000 years ago. The vibrant blue water and dramatic caldera cliffs are breathtaking. The lake changes with light and weather, making it a photographer’s dream. In summer, you’ll find panoramic hikes, boat tours, and scenic drives that offer a new perspective at every turn.
Top Hikes and Experiences
- Rim Drive – A 33-mile loop around the caldera with more than 30 scenic overlooks.
- Garfield Peak Trail – A 3.4-mile out-and-back hike with one of the best views of the lake.
- Cleetwood Cove Trail – The only legal trail to access the lake, where you can swim or catch a boat tour to Wizard Island.
Death Valley National Park
Why It’s Often Overlooked
Death Valley National Park is often overlooked due to its foreboding name and dangerously high summer temperatures, which can deter unprepared visitors. Many assume the park is lifeless, but it’s actually full of vibrant geology, unique wildlife, and otherworldly landscapes. When visited in cooler months, it reveals itself as one of the most underrated National Parks—with colorful badlands, massive sand dunes, salt flats, and some of the darkest night skies in the U.S. Its harsh reputation keeps crowds away, making it ideal for solitude and exploration.
Why It’s Worth the Visit
Death Valley is a land of extremes, known for being the hottest, driest, and lowest place in North America. But beyond the statistics lies a surprising range of beauty: colorful badlands, salt flats, towering sand dunes, volcanic craters, and starry night skies. It’s one of the best national parks for photography, geology, and winter exploration.
Top Hikes and Experiences
- Zabriskie Point – A short walk to one of the most famous sunrise and sunset views in the park.
- Badwater Basin – Explore vast salt flats 282 feet below sea level.
- Mosaic Canyon – A moderate 4-mile round trip through smooth, narrow marble canyons.
- Dante’s View – A dramatic overlook 5,000 feet above the valley floor.
Great Basin National Park
Why It’s Often Overlooked
Located in remote eastern Nevada, this park sees far fewer visitors due to its distance from major highways and cities.
Why It’s Worth the Visit
Great Basin National Park is one of the quietest and most rewarding places in the country, making one of the most underrated National Parks. It features 13,000-foot peaks, ancient bristlecone pine groves, underground marble caves, and some of the darkest skies in the continental U.S. You can summit a mountain, explore a cave, and stargaze—all in one day, often without encountering crowds. Its remote location keeps it off most travelers’ radars, but those who make the journey are richly rewarded.
Top Hikes and Experiences
- Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive – A high-elevation drive with mountain views and access to multiple trailheads.
- Bristlecone & Glacier Trail – A 4.6-mile round trip to see some of the oldest trees on Earth.
- Lehman Caves Tour – Ranger-led tours through highly decorated marble caves.
- Astronomy Programs – The park is an International Dark Sky Park and offers telescope viewing and ranger talks.
Badlands National Park
Why It’s Often Overlooked
South Dakota isn’t typically thought of as a top-tier National Park destination, and Badlands can be overshadowed by nearby attractions like Mount Rushmore or the Black Hills. Many travelers simply drive through without exploring. South Dakota is not typically known for dramatic national park landscapes, and the name “Badlands” can be misleading.
Why It’s Worth the Visit
Badlands National Park surprises visitors with eroded buttes, striped rock layers, fossil beds, and abundant wildlife. The colors shift throughout the day, and the park is especially photogenic at sunrise and sunset. It’s also one of the best parks for spotting bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs up close.
Top Hikes and Experiences
- Badlands Loop Road – A 39-mile scenic drive with incredible overlooks.
- Notch Trail – A 1.5-mile hike featuring a log ladder and panoramic views of the White River Valley.
- Fossil Exhibit Trail – A short interpretive walk with fossil displays and educational signage.
- Door and Window Trails – Easy walks to viewpoints perfect for first-time visitors.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Why It’s Often Overlooked
As one of the newest national parks—officially designated in 2020—New River Gorge National Park is still flying under the radar, especially for travelers outside the East Coast. But don’t let its low profile fool you. This park is packed with adventure and scenic beauty, making it one of the most underrated National Parks in the country.
Why It’s Worth the Visit
New River Gorge in West Virginia is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With forested ridges, a deep river canyon, and the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, the park offers world-class rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and scenic hiking. It’s a great destination for a long weekend or fall foliage road trip.
Top Hikes and Experiences
- Endless Wall Trail – A 2.4-mile loop with dramatic cliffside overlooks of the gorge.
- Long Point Trail – A 3.2-mile round trip to one of the best views of the bridge.
- Bridge Walk Tour – Walk on a catwalk underneath the New River Gorge Bridge, 850 feet above the river.
- Fayetteville – A welcoming outdoor town with gear shops, restaurants, and a vibrant local culture.
Best Time to Visit These Underrated National Parks
| National Park | Best Season | What to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Carlsbad Caverns | Spring, Fall | Mid-summer heat |
| Crater Lake | July–September | Winter road closures |
| Death Valley | November–March | Summer (dangerous heat) |
| Great Basin | August–September | Spring (lingering snow) |
| Badlands | May–September | Cold, icy winters |
| New River Gorge | Spring–Fall | Winter (icy, slippery trails) |
Park Specific Crowd Tips and Permits
- Carlsbad Caverns: Advance reservations are recommended for cave entry. The Bat Flight Program is seasonal and popular—arrive early for seating.
- Crater Lake: Summer crowds are concentrated along Rim Drive. Consider sunrise or sunset visits to beat the crowds. Boat tours must be reserved in advance.
- Death Valley: Visit popular spots like Zabriskie Point and Badwater Basin early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds and heat.
- Great Basin: One of the least visited parks. Cave tours require reservations, especially in summer.
- Badlands: Easy trails get busier midday. Start early to avoid crowds and take in cooler temperatures.
- New River Gorge: Expect more visitors on summer weekends and fall color peaks. Hike midweek or early mornings for a quieter experience.
Final Thoughts: Why These Underrated National Parks Matter
While they might not get the same attention as Yellowstone or Zion, these six National Parks offer some of the most rewarding and diverse experiences in the entire park system. From underground wonders and alpine summits to desert landscapes and ancient forests, they prove that the National Park Service’s beauty runs far deeper than the marquee names.
Whether you’re planning your first National Park trip or your fiftieth, consider adding one of these underrated gems to your itinerary. You’ll likely find fewer crowds, more serenity, and unforgettable moments that stay with you long after the trip ends.
