10 Most Underrated National Parks in the USA
#10 — Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota)
- Annual visitors: Under 600,000
- Often overshadowed by neighboring Badlands National Park
Highlights:
- One of the longest cave systems in the world
- Rare boxwork formations found nowhere else
- Above ground: large roaming bison herds
Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall Recommended duration: 1 full day (creators did 2 different day tours)
#9 — Pinnacles National Park (California)
- Annual visitors: Under 350,000
Highlights:
- Cave hikes (when open)
- One of the only places to get a close view of endangered California condors
- Striking rock formations
- Variety: lakes, caves, peak hikes, and strong wildlife sightings
Best time to visit: Spring (April–May) or fall (October–November) — summer gets very hot Recommended duration: Full day (sunrise to sunset)
#8 — Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)
- Annual visitors: ~400,000
- Small park, easily paired with nearby White Sands National Park
Highlights:
- One of the largest cave chambers on Earth — described as "mind blowing"
- Some of the best stalactite/stalagmite formations in the world
- Bat flight at sunset — bats exit the cave en masse (skip if you dislike bats)
Best time to visit: October–April (cooler desert temps) Recommended duration: 1–2 days (1 day if combining with White Sands)
#7 — Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)
- Annual visitors: ~500,000
- Often overlooked due to proximity to Yosemite and Redwoods
Highlights:
- Described as a "mini Yellowstone" — significant geothermal activity
- Boiling mud pots
- Cinder cone volcano hike
- Scenic lakes
- One of the most beautiful drives in California
Best time to visit: July–October (avoids snow/slippery slopes); winter visits possible with snowshoes/yak tracks, though much of the park closes Recommended duration: 2–3 days
#6 — Kings Canyon National Park (California)
- Annual visitors: Under 600,000
- Located less than 1 mile from Sequoia National Park
Highlights:
- Feels like "a little Yosemite" — massive granite domes
- Roadside waterfalls
- Meadows for exploring
- Backpacking with close bear sightings
Best time to visit: Late spring through early fall (summer = most beautiful meadows, but can get extremely hot) Recommended duration: 1–2 days for highlights/drive-throughs; 2–3 days for hiking
#5 — Canyonlands National Park (Utah)
- Annual visitors: ~800,000 (about half of neighboring Arches National Park)
Highlights:
- Some of the best photography opportunities in the world
- Designated Dark Sky Park — excellent for stargazing/astrophotography
- Quiet, peaceful, remote camping
- Extensive backpacking routes across multiple park sections
- Schaefer Trail — off-roading route through the canyons back to Moab (or take a Pink Jeep tour if you don't have an off-road vehicle)
Best time to visit: Spring or fall (shoulder seasons) — September visit was ~90°F and uncomfortable for hiking Recommended duration: 1–2 days for hiking; longer for backpacking
#4 — Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)
- Annual visitors: 1.3 million (still far less than neighboring Zion National Park)
- Part of Utah's "Big Five" national parks but the least visited
Highlights:
- Scenic drives
- Off-roading opportunities
- Hidden arches for hiking/exploring
- Working orchards inside the park where visitors can pick fruit
Best time to visit: Spring or fall (winter is extremely cold, summer is extremely hot)
#3 — Channel Islands National Park (California)
- Annual visitors: ~300,000
- Located in Ventura County — a local favorite for the creators
Why it's underrated: Requires more planning — ferry access, campsite reservations, ferry availability, and packing in your own water for overnight island stays
Recommended islands:
- Santa Cruz Island (top recommendation for first-timers): sea cave kayaking tours, strong hiking trails, Channel Islands foxes, abundant bird life
- Anacapa Island: 1 day is sufficient (creators have a separate multi-day camping video on this island)
Activities: Paddleboarding, snorkeling (wetsuit recommended — water is chilly), kelp forest viewing
Best time to visit: Late spring to early fall — avoid seagull breeding season (approximately April–May; verify exact dates)
#2 — Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)
- Annual visitors: ~700,000 (mostly via cruise ships — difficult to access otherwise)
Highlights:
- Massive glaciers with frequent calving — described as more impressive than glacier viewing in Antarctica or Svalbard
- Significant wildlife presence
Best time to visit: June–August (peak cruise season) Recommended duration: 1–2 days (cruise passengers typically get only 1 day; an expedition ship allows for a longer visit — recommended if possible)
#1 — North Cascades National Park (Washington)
- Annual visitors: ~30,000 — by far the lowest on this list
- Likely underrated due to difficult access from Seattle/Vancouver (a passport may be needed if routing through Canada)
- Dramatically less visited compared to nearby Mount Rainier National Park
Highlights:
- Alpine lakes with extremely turquoise water
- Glacier-covered peaks — compared to the Swiss Alps
- Remote, rugged backcountry backpacking
Best time to visit: July–October (note: late season, especially September–October, often brings wildfires — monitor conditions) Recommended duration: 2–3 days minimum; creators suggest 4–5 days for a more relaxed pace, since most notable hikes are 3–10 miles each (one major hike per day rather than stacking multiple hikes)
Quick Reference Table
| Rank | Park | State | Annual Visitors | Best Time | Min. Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Wind Cave | South Dakota | <600K | Late spring–early fall | 1 |
| 9 | Pinnacles | California | <350K | Apr–May / Oct–Nov | 1 |
| 8 | Carlsbad Caverns | New Mexico | ~400K | Oct–Apr | 1–2 |
| 7 | Lassen Volcanic | California | ~500K | Jul–Oct | 2–3 |
| 6 | Kings Canyon | California | <600K | Late spring–early fall | 1–3 |
| 5 | Canyonlands | Utah | ~800K | Spring/Fall | 1–2+ |
| 4 | Capitol Reef | Utah | 1.3M | Spring/Fall | — |
| 3 | Channel Islands | California | ~300K | Late spring–early fall | 1+ |
| 2 | Glacier Bay | Alaska | ~700K | Jun–Aug | 1–2 |
| 1 | North Cascades | Washington | ~30K | Jul–Oct | 2–5 |
Video by The Lover's Passport (Giselle and Steven)