20 United States national parks that are totally underrated

Badlands National Park is a gem on the western side of South Dakota. Its unique topography is unlike anything else the state has to offer, and it’s not commonly seen throughout the rest of the country, either. 

Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Whether it’s because it’s hard for people to get to or not enough people have visited, a little more fanfare is required for this mountainous national park. 

There’s much more to Nevada than Las Vegas and Reno. Take Great Basin National Park, for example. It’s got mountains, evergreens, water, and wildlife, all of which make for beautiful views across the entire park. 

White Sands National Park is just one of many hidden gems in the Southwest. Most people focus on the Grand Canyon when it comes to national parks in that region, but places like White Sands are also totally worth checking out. 

Whether you’re there to see one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, do some leaf peeping, or catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, Voyageurs National Park is a fabulous place to visit. Close to the Canadian border, it’s about as far north as you can get without leaving the United States. 

Part of the reason we conjure images of cacti in our heads when thinking of the Southwest is because of places like Saguaro National Park. Located in Arizona, this piece of land is bursting with enormous cacti after enormous cacti. 

Some of our best national parks are on the outskirts of our country. North Cascades National Park in Washington just about touches Canada. It’s got mountains and gorgeous water, essentially a hiker’s paradise. 

Off the coast of Southern California is Channel Islands National Park. It looks like nothing else in the United States, and it’s perfect for a day trip. It’s a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the Los Angeles area. 

If you want to see a quintessential Texas vista, visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It’s vast and beautiful, and it’s a perfect place to go for a hike or to camp, especially if you’re fond of a rugged landscape. 

The United States is so diverse and beautifully represented in its many landscapes. A totally different national park worth visiting is Congaree National Park in South Carolina. It’s woodsy, lush, and full of classic national park activities. 

Another underrated national park in California, Lassen Volcanic National Park is beautiful at all times of year. In the winter, you can snowshoe and ski, and in the summer, you can hike and fish. There’s plenty more to do, too, all with a stunning backdrop. 

It’s pretty clear why Rocky Mountain National Park gets so much of Colorado’s attention, but Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park deserves some celebration, too. It’s within driving distance of several other national parks, so consider making a road trip out of a visit. 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is home to the North Dakota Badlands. While these badlands don’t get as much recognition as the ones in South Dakota, they’re still quite beautiful, and the national park has loads of other pretty views you’ll want to see, too. 

There are so many national parks in Utah that at least one had to be buried. But don’t take Capitol Reef National Park’s lack of publicity as a sign that it isn't worth visiting. It is a national park, after all. 

Yes, even Ohio has beautiful landscapes. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the state’s most beautiful places. Full of gorgeous waterfalls, Cuyahoga Valley is an excellent place to go hiking. 

Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park packs lots of diverse topography into a relatively small space. Among the highlights are beautiful waterfalls and incredible caves. Part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s a national park you’ll be glad you visited. 

Another Utah national park you want to see, Canyonlands National Park is just gorgeous. It’s not too far from Arches National Park, so try to carve out time to see both while you’re in the area. 

We love a rhyming national park. Lake Clark National Park is in Alaska, so, of course, it’s beautiful. It goes unnoticed by many because it’s hard to get to for most Americans. Some of the other ones have famous mountains and fjords. But Lake Clark has two volcanoes, so you don’t want to miss that. 

In the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, the National Park of American Samoa is incredibly difficult to get to for most Americans. More so than any other national park. But if you can get there, you definitely should go. 

If you can’t get to American Samoa, try visiting Dry Tortugas National Park instead. Located near the Florida Keys, it’s very remote but very beautiful. It’s great for snorkeling, camping, swimming, and diving.