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Underrated National Parks to Visit This Summer

It seems like everyone leaves the country to travel come summertime, but the U.S. is home to so many natural wonders that it would be a mistake to overlook the fauna and flora in your own backyard, especially during the warmer months. While you’re probably already pretty well acquainted with the likes of the Grand Canyon or Yosemite National Park, the United States is actually home to 61 protected national parks all across the country and that diversity allows for something for everyone – beyond the well-known parks in the southwest.

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Whether you’re looking to go hiking, boating, birdwatching, or something in between, here are a handful of underrated national parks to visit this summer, from Kentucky to Hawaii.

National Parks to Visit This Summer

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Just a quick drive from Bowling Green, Kentucky, you’ll find the longest known cave system in the world (with more than 400 miles explored), with an abundance of hiking, biking, camping and water trails for visitors. We recommend booking a park ranger-led cave tour, which takes visitors deep into the cave system and a part of the Green River valley. Choose between easy-going historic tours or challenge yourself with a “wild cave tour,” which takes six hours and five miles to complete.

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You don’t need to go to Joshua Tree to get up close and personal with the charming desert landscape. Saguaro National Park, which straddles either side of the city of Tucson in Arizona, is home to the nation’s largest cactus: the saguaro. Visitors are able to set up camp at the year-round campsites, trek the hiking trails and even go horseback riding on the Cactus Forest Trail.

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Tucked between the Ohio cities of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a refuge for all kinds of native flora and fauna, which visitors can see on one of the many hiking trails, with over 125 miles of trails at your feet that range from level ground to very challenging. Interestingly, the park includes a variety of both naturally-occurring and man-made features, including the 65-foot Brandywine Falls waterfall and the Talus caves among the boulders in the forest.

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If you find yourself in Arkansas this summer, do yourself a favor and visit the state’s best-kept secret: Hot Springs National Park. Unofficially, it predates Yellowstone National Park, which is thought to be the oldest national park in the country. Here, you’ll find clusters of geothermal pools and even an on-site microbrewery. Yes, after exploring the great outdoors all day you can reward yourself with a beer from Superior Bathhouse Brewery, which actually uses real water from the springs.

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Home to both the dormant Haleakal Volcano and endangered Hawaiian geese, Haleakal National Park is considerably biodiverse and a wonder for nature lovers. The remote national park offers spectacular sunrise views, so be sure to get there early to appreciate it before planning the rest of your trip.

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Snow-capped rocky mountains bleed into sparkling turquoise Hidden Lake at Glacier National Park. Come for the view to write home about, but stay for the abundance of nature-focused activities available in the northwest Montana park. Here, you’ll find over 700 miles of hiking trails, backcountry camping, boating and ranger-led programs like bird walks and after-dark astronomy tours.

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Shenandoah National Park is situated within the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, just 75 miles from Washington D.C., and is home to an impressive 100-mile section of the long-distance Appalachian Trail that boasts wetlands, waterfalls and more. Here visitors are invited to test their hand at backcountry camping or spend the day hiking the picturesque walking trails with a park ranger.

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Capitol Reef National Park is often overlooked by the three other national parks in Utah, but if you find yourself in the area make sure to visit. Located in the south-central desert, Capitol Reef boasts canyons, unique rock formations and the Waterpocket Fold, which is a particularly striking geologic monocline made from golden sandstone and spanning nearly 100 miles in length. Visitors can choose from level (easy) walking trails, more challenging paths and even multi-day hiking excursions.

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Maine is home to many natural wonders, but if you only have time to visit one spot, make it Acadia National Park. The 47,000-acre park, which runs along the coastline of the Atlantic ocean, offers insane seaside views and a handful of great, family-friendly activities including ranger-guided biking tours, boating, climbing and more.

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This North Dakota national park was named for “conservationist” President Theodore Roosevelt as a way to honor his legacy and passion for public land. The park covers over 70,000 acres where visitors can choose from a variety of activities, including everything from camping among the bison to hiking through the park’s badlands and canyons.

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Kaitlyn McInnis, Khareem Sudlow