You are here

Interesting And Overlooked National Parks In America

Share

It very likely is true that one person's overlooked national park is another's jewel.

What got me thinking about overlooked units was a newspaper clip the good Professor Janiskee sent me. The clip contained a Top 10 list of sorts of "the most interesting (even overlooked) destinations for 2014," as chosen by the editors and writers of Lonely Planet guides.

This is a head-scratching list of the first degree. Not only is the No. 1 destination the Grand Rapids/Michigan's Gold Coast (perhaps that's the overlooked apect), but the Jersey Shore was No. 5, two rungs ahead of Cumberland Island, Georgia (I'm assuming they were referring to the national seashore there...), and five slots above Lanai, Hawaii!

Now, I grew up vacationing on the Jersey shore, and I would much rather visit Lanai than Red Bank.

That said, here is one Traveler's list of the top 10 most interesting/overlooked units of the National Park System:

Alternate Text
Owachomo Bridge, one of three natural bridges at the monument. NPS photo.

1. Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah

This small (~7,600 acres) park in southern Utah no doubt gets overlooked due to the nearby presence of both Canyonlands and Arches national parks. But it's a gorgeous unit that shouldn't be missed. The night skies here are incredible, the small campground (13 sites) intimate and crowd-proof, and the geology and archaeology fascinating.

2. Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, New Hampshire

Covering fewer than 150 acres, Saint-Gaudens easily could be overlooked in its location near Cornish, New Hampshire. But if you treasure the arts, you need to stop by. Here on 148 acres is the home, studios, and gardens of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848–1907), who was considered to be America’s foremost sculptor of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Six historic buildings are open to the public with more than 120 original sculptures on exhibit.

3. Channel Islands National Park, California

Off California's coast, this national park no doubt is overlooked by many because 1) you need to take a ferry ride to reach it, and 2) there is no lodge to call home. But the five islands that make up this national park are unique in their remote setting, contain curious and interesting flora and fauna, and boast some of the world's largest sea caves and rich marine life.

Alternate Text
Blue tangs swarming at Buck Island Reef NM. NPS photo.

4. Buck Island Reef National Monument, U.S. Virgin Islands

Even more remote than Channel Islands National Park -- you need to fly to the U.S. Virgin Islands, then take a boat to reach this national monument -- Buck Island protects what is thought to be “one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea."

5. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

With fewer than 200,000 visitors in 2012 (most recent year data are available), you won't experience crowds here. But you will find some of the steepest canyons in the United States, a raging river running along the canyon floor, two nice campgrounds, and some very, very rugged hiking.

6. Devils Postpile National Monument, California

This geologically, and geograpically, unique park unit gets passed by visitors more interested in skiing at Mammoth Mountain or reaching Yosemite or Sequoia national parks. But it's a jewel in the rough, what with its pile of posts, peaceful and beautiful meadows and stream, and the John Muir Trail that passes through.

7. Golden Spike National Historic Site, Utah

Who wouldn't be interested in the history of Western expansion in the United States and steam-billowing locomotives? The monument's visitation stood at 42,551 in 2012, not a gold rush of any sorts, but still ahead of such notables as John Muir National Historic Site, North Cascades National Park, and Isle Royale National Park.

Alternate Text
This fully-articulated early horse is the only horse fossil found in the Green River Formation. Notice the fish fossils near it. NPS photo.

8. Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming

Located in western Wyoming, Fossil Butte's overlooked dilemma no doubt stems from its location. I lived in Wyoming for nine years, and in Utah for 20, and haven't come within 20 miles of the monument despite my many travels. But those who have made the trip have found incredible fossil resources, and felt the wind rushing across this Plains landscape.

9. Thomas Stone National Historic Site, Maryland

Home to a patriot, this residence 30 miles south of Washington, D.C., sheds some light on 18th century life as well as on a man who realized the Revolutionary War with England was inevitable. Thomas Stone went on to become one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. His grave can be found in the family cemetery on the site.

10. Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Alaska

With just 19 "recreational visitors" last year, it's safe to say Aniakchak is hard to reach, but overlooked? Perhaps, but it's definitely interesting! "The monument is home to an impressive six-mile wide, 2,500-foot-deep caldera formed during a massive eruption 3,500 years ago," notes the Park Service.

Comments

May I nominate Hovenweep in southeastern Utah?


I'll second the nomination of Hovenweep.

I'm tempted to throw Yucca House NM in here, but I suspect that would be cheating .


I nominate Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Pennsylvania.


Coincidentally my screen saver right now is a photo of the Natural Bridges National Monument entrance sign I took in June, 2013. I also visited, among other National Parks, Hovenweep and Yucca House. The visitor's book I signed at the entrance to Yucca House had only four or five other signatures in the last four years. Beautiful places...


I could go on and on and on but here is my short list:

Chaco Culture National Historical Park- Probably not overlooked but definitely undervisited given its remote location.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park - Just really cool

Andersonville National Historic Site - Incredible Museum

Manzanar National Historic Site - So moving

Hovenweep National Monument - Everybody see the trend? This is one of the best little parks!

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument - Painted Hill unit is incredible


All great suggestions. Hovenweep really is awesome. It's uncrowded. There are a variety of sites to visit, so I've had something new to see each of my last few trips there (and I still have Cutthroat Castle to see for the next time! And it has an uncrowded, relaxed campground! It's the only place where I've been the only attendee to an evening program, and mind you, that was 100% attendance that night!

I also would add:

Tonto NM

Gila Cliff Dwellings NM

Big Hole NB

Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS

St. Croix Island IHS

Friendship Hill NHS

Salt Creek Massacre NHS


Fort Bowie NHS - Arizona

Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS - Pennsylvania

Fort Washington Park - Maryland

Ninety Six NHS - South Carolina

Agate Fossil Beds NM - Nebraska

Fort Union NM - New Mexico

Chiricahua NM - Arizona


I will second Gila Cliff Dwellings and nomiinate Navajo NM. Let's not forget Dry Tortugas, Booker T. Washington, and Maggie Walker..

Rick


Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.