Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska is one of the least-visited parks in the US [Image by National Park Service, Alaska on Flickr]Looking for peace and quiet in US national parks this summer? As travelers have experienced, the most popular parks have too many visitors. For those wishing for a quiet adventure in nature, the following parks are perfect for those seeking peace and quiet. Meanwhile, Alaska stands out for a number of gorgeous, least-visited national parks. Read on to find out more.
Least visited US national parks in Alaska
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska [Image by NPS Natural Resources on Flickr]The Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska nabs the prize as the least-visited park in the US. While its stunning scenery makes it a beautiful park to visit, it only had slightly over 11,000 visits during 2023. Meanwhile, the park is located north of the Arctic Circle.
Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Kobuk Valley National Park in Alaska also makes the quiet list with only 17,600 visitors in 2023. Moreover, this park also nestles north of the Arctic Circle and is a worthy visit for its caribou migration and stunning sand dunes.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Bear at Lake Clark, one of the quieter US National Parks [Image by Brian Dewey on Flickr]Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is mostly empty of visitors, even though it is a mere 100-mile drive from Anchorage. However, the reason for this lack of explorers is that there are no roads into the park and it can only be accessed by a small plane or a boat. However, once they get there, visitors can experience stunning mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes, streams and more natural wonders.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska
This breathtaking national Park is perfect for travelers seeking peace and quiet among seven of the 20 tallest mountain peaks in the US. Moreover, the Wrangell-St. Elias also hosts magnificent glaciers and the largest subpolar ice field in North America.
Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Brown bear at Katmai National Park, Alaska [Image by Marshmallow on Wikimedia Commons]Nestling to the southwest of Lake Clark, Katmai National Park and Preserve offers exciting kayaking adventures, exploring its diverse terrain and visiting its famous brown bears as they catch their salmon dinner at Brooks Falls. Despite these wonderful attractions, the park only received 33,763 visits last year, mainly due to having to head there by float plane or boat.
Least visited US national parks in other states
Isla Royale National Park, Michigan
This Michigan national park saw less than 29,000 visitors in 2023. Despite this, Isla Royale National Park offers visitors miles of hiking trails to enjoy, along with spectacular wildlife, including wolves, moose and other animals. Meanwhile, the reason for so few visitors is that this park is also only available by boat or plane.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Scenery in North Cascades National Park, Washington [Image by effhollett on Flickr]For those travelers seeking peace and quiet in Washington state, North Cascades National Park in the north offers many opportunities for adventure. Moreover, it also reveals glorious natural beauty without the crowds. In 2023, this scenic park saw slightly over 40,000 visitors, with many heading there in the summer months.
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
This amazing national park is also only accessed by seaplane or boat. However, it is only 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. Here, families can enjoy a glimpse into history at places like Fort Jefferson. Moreover, it also reveals some of the best snorkeling in its surrounding crystal clear waters.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Lake in Great Basin National Park [Image by Jrmichae on Wikimedia]This Nevada park only saw 143,265 visitors in 2023 despite its stunning scenery. At Great Basin National Park, visitors can explore the Lehman Caves, stroll in the ancient bristlecone pine groves and experience some of the darkest night skies anywhere in the world, making it a perfect haven for stargazers.
Enjoy a quieter visit to the US National Parks this year by choosing one of these iconic and scenic options. Find out more about the parks on the NPS official website.