One of the nation’s most isolated and least visited national parks is Isle Royale National Park, located on a remote island in Lake Superior. Accessible only by seaplane or boat, the park is also popular for scuba diving and boasts forests, rugged shorelines, and backcountry trails. It is also one of the largest national parks in the country, with 13.2 million acres.
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Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park
If you’re searching for a spectacular national park that is less travelled, then consider Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National park. This vast landscape is devoid of roads yet features pristine ecosystems and untouched wilderness. In this wilderness, people have coexisted with the land for thousands of years. As a result, these rivers are meandering through glacier-carved valleys and caribou migration trails that crisscross this pristine land. Despite its remoteness, the Gates of the Arctic National Park is accessible to adventurous travellers and people with deep pockets.
This wilderness park is home to various wildlife, including wolves, bears, moose, and polar bears. There are no roads in the park, and glaciers have carved its terrain. It was estimated that only 7,362 people would visit the park in 2021.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is just three hours from Seattle and features some of the world’s most spectacular glaciers. The park also offers a variety of year-round activities like river rafting and hiking, as well as short trails for beginner hikers. Its interior is also stunningly beautiful without the crowds and amenities you typically find at other parks.
The park’s lower area is accessible via a ferry. Its limited cell service makes it an exceptionally secluded place to visit. Hiking through the lower part of the park is a great way to escape civilization and feel like time has slowed down. The park is home to black bears, crystal-clear glacier water and impressive mountain ranges.
The North Cascades National Park comprises two distinct units: the north and the south. The north portion is home to two stunning lakes. Diablo Lake and Ross Lake are both stunning but, unfortunately, were formed by hydroelectric dams. As a result, the area’s scenery is somewhat marred by giant high-tension power lines.
Isle Royale National Park
Although Isle Royale National Park is beautiful and a great place to hike, it is also one of the least visited national parks in the United States. In 2017, only 28,196 visitors visited the park, a fraction of the number of visitors to Yellowstone and Yosemite. However, the park’s low visitation doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting.
Isle Royale is a wilderness that offers scuba diving, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. Visitors can also enjoy the waters of Lake Superior. Whether you plan on diving or just enjoying the scenery, you will be glad you made the trip to this park.
It’s not easy to reach Isle Royale, but it is worth the effort. The park’s isolated location makes it a perfect laboratory for research in the natural sciences. For example, the National Park Service and Purdue University sponsored a study of the relationship between timber wolves and moose.
Glacier Bay National Park
The glacier-studded waters and glaciers that line the bay are iconic landscapes, but the region is home to a different kind of wildlife. The Huna Tlingit people, who now live in the modern town of Hoonah, see Glacier Bay as their ancestral home. According to oral history, the advancing ice covered their ancestral home.
The area is home to several wildlife, including lynxes, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, black bears, and bears. Visitors to the national park should plan a trip in July or August to avoid crowds. But regardless of your plans, the scenery is simply breathtaking.
This park offers pristine, untouched landscapes with varying ecosystems and terrain. While there are no roads or facilities, there are countless activities to engage in. There are even a variety of opportunities to rent a canoe and paddle on the pristine waters.
