For those looking to escape the bustling crowds and explore some of the United States’ more remote and untouched natural wonders, these five national parks offer a perfect retreat. From the Arctic Circle to the South Pacific, each park provides a unique experience steeped in natural beauty, history, and solitude.
1. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs National Park is a unique blend of nature and history. The park’s forested mountains surround the city of Hot Springs, where visitors can explore 43 thermal springs and 26 miles of hiking trails. This park has a long history as a health destination, with thermal waters believed to cure various ailments. Visitors can tour the ornate bathhouses along Bathhouse Row, many of which date back to the Victorian era.
2. Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
Indiana Dunes National Park, with its 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, offers a surprising escape into nature. The park’s dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forests are home to a rich variety of plant and animal life. Visitors might be lucky enough to hear the “singing sands,” a rare phenomenon where the quartz crystals in the sand create a ringing sound when walked on. The park also boasts over 60 historic structures, including homes from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
3. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Located in the rugged badlands of North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and history buffs. The park is split into three units—South, North, and Elkhorn Ranch—each offering a unique landscape of wind-carved badlands, wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. The park is a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt, whose time spent here inspired his conservation efforts that ultimately protected millions of acres of American wilderness.
4. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska
For those seeking true wilderness, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska offers an unparalleled experience. Entirely above the Arctic Circle, this vast and remote park is a place of extremes—endless daylight in summer and prolonged darkness in winter. The park’s tundra is home to caribou, wolves, grizzly bears, and a stunning array of plant life. It’s a landscape that offers a glimpse into a world before human settlement, where nature reigns supreme.
5. National Park of American Samoa
Far removed from the mainland United States, the National Park of American Samoa is a tropical paradise. Spread across three islands—Tutuila, Ta’ū, and Ofu—this park protects a rare paleotropical rainforest and vibrant marine life. With over 350 species of birds, 250 species of coral, and 950 species of fish, it’s a dream destination for birdwatchers, snorkelers, and divers. The park’s remote location and pristine beauty make it one of the most unique and least visited in the National Park System.
Exploring the Remote Corners of America’s National Parks
These remote national parks offer a chance to connect with nature in its most untouched form. Whether you’re soaking in the thermal waters of Arkansas, hiking through the dunes of Indiana, tracking wildlife in North Dakota, experiencing the vast tundra of Alaska, or exploring the tropical reefs of American Samoa, each park promises an adventure far from the usual tourist paths.