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Top 10 Hidden Gems of the National Park Service

While iconic parks get a lot of love (and crowds), there are more than 430 national park sites across the country. As you plan your next adventure, check our top 10 alternatives to popular national parks.

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (Alaska)

Beautiful mountains, clear lakes, and flowing rivers. With bears, moose, and eagles, it's a great spot for animal lovers and photographers. Hike, fish, and kayak. Since the park is less crowded, you can enjoy the solitude of nature. Lake Clark is a great less crowded alternative to Denali National Park or even Yellowstone National Park.

Three bears in the foreground with a mountain in the background. — NPS / K. Lewandowski

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)

This park is known for its steep, dramatic cliffs and the deep canyon carved by the Gunnison River. Enjoy breathtaking views from numerous overlooks, hike, climb, or take a trip down to the river for fishing and kayaking. The park also has unique rock formations and colorful walls that change with the light. Black Canyon offers a peaceful escape into nature.

View point of a river cutting through a canyon with steep rocks on either side at sunset. — Overlook at Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Share the Experience / Ryan McGinley

Devils Postpile National Monument (California)

or those looking to beat the summer crowds at Yosemite, head to Devil's Postpile National Monument. Explore the unique basalt columns that look like giant stone pillars. Hike to the 101-foot-high Rainbow Falls. In the summer, you can enjoy picnicking, hiking, and even fishing in the nearby streams. Devils Postpile offers a fun outdoor adventure for everyone!

A rainbow arcs towards a waterfall surrounded by rocks and trees. — Photo by Share the Experience / Kat Connor

Mojave National Preserve (California)

With more Joshua trees than Joshua Tree National Park, this preserve is a hidden gem. The preserve is also home to wildlife like bighorn sheep and desert tortoises. Springs often bring blooms of wildflowers. Take scenic drive, hike up sand dunes, or camp under the stars. It's a great spot to experience the beauty of the desert!

A person hiking on the top of a sand dune with mountains in the distance — Kelso Sand Dunes at Mojave National Preserve
NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Great Basin National Park (Nevada)

Nevada's hidden gem! Stunning mountain landscapes, ancient bristlecone pines, and beautiful caves. Visitors can hike to vistas, including the famous Wheeler Peak, the second-highest point in Nevada. The park is also home to the Lehman Caves, where you can see stalactites and stalagmites. Great Basin has some of the darkest and clearest night skies in the lower 48 states and is a great place for stargazing.

A night sky over mountains and a lake. — NPS / David Caldwell

Cedar Breaks National Monument (Utah)

While Utah's national parks are filled with crowds, this hidden gem features the same colorful sandstone, hoodoos, and hiking. The park has expansive canyon views, vibrant wildflowers, and stunning sunsets. It's a popular spot for birdwatching in the fall and spring. Winter brings a stark contrast of snow on red rocks and is a great place to snowshoe.

sunsetting over a red, sandstone canyon. — Share the Experience / David Caldwell

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (Oregon)

John Day Fossil Beds is famous for its colorful rock layers and fossils. Visitors can explore exciting trails that lead through unique formations. The park showcases a rich history of prehistoric plants and animals. Enjoy activities like hiking, birdwatching, and photography. Thinking about seeing Badlands National Park? Consider John Day Fossil Beds instead.

Yellow flowers in the foreground, banded, colorful hills and mountains in the background. — Share the Experience / Donald Feltham

Antietam National Battlefield (Maryland)

History buffs won't want to miss out on Antietam. This national battlefield is an important historic site in Maryland and was the location of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War in 1862. Visitors can walk the fields, take a tour, and observe the many monuments honoring those who fought. The park has trails, historic buildings, and a visitor center with exhibits and a movie about Antietam. It's a great alternative to Gettysburg National Military Park.

A white building in the background with four cannons in the foreground. — NPS photo

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (Tennessee)

Known for its rich history as a key route for settlers moving west in the 1800s. Visitors can hike on trails with views of mountains and valleys. Explore scenic roads, caves, or enjoy a laid back picnic area under the trees. Cumberland Gap offers a mix of nature and history and is a great alternative for the Smoky Mountains or Shenandoah National Parks.

A sunset over ridges of mountains. — NPS / Harold Jerrell

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (Maine)

If you love the adventures and scenery of Acadia, head to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is a beautiful place to explore nature! You can hike on scenic trails that lead you through forests and along rivers. There are plenty of spots for birdwatching and watching wildlife, like moose and deer. In the summer, you can go fishing or canoeing in the calm waters. In the winter, the area turns into a snowy wonderland where you can snowshoe or cross-country ski.