Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Yosemite—these are often the top ranked and best-known national parks in the United States. There are 63 national parks in the U.S. and 433 national park sites in total, but every year the most visited parks have to control over-tourism by requiring timed-entry reservations, which means planning far ahead for your trip.
Why not spread the love around by visiting national parks that aren’t Yellowstone? They might be lesser-known or lesser-Instagrammed, but they still hold all the wonder that comes with the National Park Service.
The atmospheric Ledges Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Photo by Brandon Withrow
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Near Cleveland, Ohio)
Sitting between Cleveland and Akron is Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Beyond its Midwestern setting, Cuyahoga isn’t particularly well known. The park, which started as a recreational area, was created as a result of an environmental cleanup, when then-President Nixon created the EPA and signed the Clean Water Act.
At only 33,000 acres, there are plenty of trails running through it, like the iconic Ledges Trail, which offers picture perfect views in the fall, The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, which is a great multi-use trails for bikes, as well as several waterfalls, like the Brandywine Falls. When you’re done hiking, stop at Peninsula in the park for pub food at Winking Lizard or Fishers.
Cowles Bog Dunes, overlooking Lake Michigan
Photo by Brandon Withrow
Indiana Dunes National Park (Near Chesterton, Indiana)
If you’re on a road trip to Chicago looking for a scenic detour along the way, then Indiana Dunes National Park is your perfect stop. (Yes, Indiana.) The national park sits next to the Indiana Dunes State Park, doubling your opportunity to hike the forested dunes along the blue waters and beaches of Lake Michigan.
Check out the Three Dunes Challenge: Mount Jackson (176 feet), Mount Holden (184 feet), and Mount Tom (192 feet). The trio is the equivalent of 55 stories. The anchor town for the park is Chesterton, which is quaint and has easy parking, along with several local restaurants for meals.
Sweeping views from Hawksbill Summit at Shenandoah National Park.
Photo by Brandon Withrow
Shenandoah National Park (Near Front Royal, Virginia)
D.C. and Baltimore residents will already be familiar with Shenandoah National Park, but it still doesn’t get the love that it should on a broader scale. Shenandoah is a stunning landscape that rivals the beauty of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With 200,000 acres of land, wildlife (like the endangered Shenandoah Salamander), and 500 miles of trails with stunning views, this park has it all. There are plenty of day hikes and backcountry hiking options. Skyline Drive, which runs through the park, also offers fantastic views.
The town of Front Royal has plenty of hotels and food options if you’re not into camping. You can also stay in the park, at Skyland Lodge.
The astonishing Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde.
Photo by Brandon Withrow
Mesa Verde National Park (Near Durango, Colorado)
Mesa Verde National Park has over 600 Pueblo cliff dwellings, with Cliff Palace being the most famous. Built into the sheer rocks around 800 years ago, these homes offered protection from the elements and would-be attackers. (Their location also required the Pueblo people to free climb the cliff face to leave.) Ranger guided tours to Cliff Palace take you down by steps, where you can see the structures up close, then leave by climbing large wooden ladders.
Just an hour away is Durango, with plenty of restaurants for lunch or dinner.
The Painted Desert, entering Petrified Forest National Park.
Photo by Brandon Withrow
Petrified Forest National Park (Near Holbrook, Arizona)
About four hours south of Mesa Verde is Petrified Forest National Park, which has a striking red and purple landscape and scattered Triassic fossils. It often gets overlooked due to being so close to The Grand Canyon, but it offers a stunning drive with petrified wood, petroglyphs, and wildlife. The park is accessed through the colorful Painted Desert, which has sweeping views of buttes and hills. Petrified National Forest is also a short drive to Meteor Crater Natural Landmark, the largest impact crater in the U.S., which was created approximately 50,000 years ago.
When you let yourself venture off the expected path of national parks, you’ll open up a whole new world. Whether you’re in search of stunning waterfalls, unique history, or scenic drives, these lesser-known parks can make for a truly unforgettable vacation.
