America’s Best National Parks You’ve Never Heard Of Your Business and Your Life

America’s Best National Parks You’ve Never Heard Of

The weather is heating up all over America and what better way to take advantage of the sunshine than a visit to a local, state or national park.

While there are 58 National Parks in the U.S., very few of them recieve the recognition they deserve. If you live close, you know what gems these parks are. If you don’t, perhaps you should think about taking a trip to visit some of these under appreciated national treasures.

Press “Start” to take a look at some of the best, least visited National Parks in the United States.

The Best U.S. National Parks You Never Heard Of

The weather is heating up all over America and what better way to take advantage of the sunshine than a visit to a local, state or national park.

Press “Start” to take a look at some of the best, least visited National Parks in the United States.

Photo:FLICKR/Accretion Disk Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

The Grand Canyon isn’t the only National Park in Arizona. Saguaro National Park, surrounded by the Rincon and Tucson Mountains, boasts 91,440 acres of pristine wilderness. Visitors can hike into the Sonoran Desert or up into the Rincon Mountains, which includes peaks like Mica Mountain that reaches an elevation of 8,664 feet . The park gets its name from the saguaro, a large cactus native to the region. Many other kinds of cactus, including barrel, cholla, and prickly pear are also features of the park. Saguaro rangers maintain 150 miles of hiking trails year round, although back country hiking is discouraged during the hot summer months. http://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm

Photo:www.squidoo.com/Gary Oldman Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Voyageurs, Minnesota

Not ideal for those prone to sea sickness, Voyageurs is a water-based park, accessible only through boat, kayak or canoe. The multiple lakes, islands and shorelines of the park give visitors an unparalleled view of the forests and wilderness as well as the waters themselves which are home to hundreds of undisturbed species of fish. Boaters can explore the forests of the park through the interconnected waterways- but if you want experience the park at its fullest, try to come in the Spring, Summer of Fall, as dropping Winter Temps freeze lakes and rivers, rendering much of the park inaccessible. http://www.voyageurs.national-park.com/

Photo:FLICKR/Omakakii Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Wind Cave, South Dakota

This is your chance to go spelunking . Wind cave is the fifth longest cave in the world- and explorers are still finding new passages and rooms today. The so far discovered 135 miles of caves provide endless opportunities to see unique stalactites and stalagmites – just don’t get lost! Besides the cave, the park is also home to over 28,000 acres of prairies, forests and wilderness. The Mixed-grass prairie is one of the few remaining in the U.S. and is home to bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs. http://www.wind.cave.national-park.com/

Photo:FLICKR/Kovalchek Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Great Basin, Nevada

This park is equipped to handle any visitor. It’s got it all- glaciers, caves, mountains, lakes, and deserts. Visitors can satisfy their call to adventure 13,000 feet in the air, or 200 feet below the surface. The car-friendly park allows visitors to cruise to the top with ease and easy hiking trails provide awesome views of every type of wilderness. Visitors can also glimpse some of the oldest trees in the states- 5,000 year old bristlecone pine trees. Guests will find that this ‘Great Basin’ is full of flourishing plants animals and life of all kinds. http://www.great.basin.national-park.com/

Photo:www.activetravels.com/Jim Scurlock Isle Royal National Park, Michigan

Isle Royale, Michigan

Located in northwest Lake Superior, this island park is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Once there, visitors can explore the 165 miles of forest trails, inland waterways and vast coastline. Off-trail hiking is permitted but should be for experienced hikers only as dense vegetation, bogs and swamps make it too easy to lose your way. Visitors feel free to stay in one of the many campgrounds on the island- though many of them are only accessible by boat. The island is also home to species such as moose and wolf and gives visitors a chance to observe them in their untouched habitat. http://www.isle.royale.national-park.com/

Photo:wildnatureimages.com Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska

The largest national park in the country is also home to 9 of the 16 highest mountains in North America. Over 13 million acres of hiking, fishing, camping, rafting and generally surviving make this park one of the most exciting. The two roads of the park allow adventurists to see much of the interior wilderness. If you don’t want to drive through uncertain weather and road conditions, guests can take scenic plane rides to truly appreciate the vastness of the park. Visitors can also see the remains of a copper mine, now a historic landmark. Depending on the season, guests can expect to encounter caribou, moose, grizzly and black bears, mountain goats, gray wolves, coyotes, red foxes, and wolverines. http://wrangellstelias.areaparks.com/

Photo:FLICKR/Jeffrey Pang North Cascades National Park, Washington

North Cascades, Washington

The park, part of a larger National Park Complex, is home to over 300 glaciers that feed into the numerous waterfalls and lakes. As there are few permanent ranger stations or roads, this park is most popular with backpackers and mountain climbers. One of the most popular destinations in the park is Cascade Pass, which was used as a travel route by Native Americans. It is accessible by a four-mile trail at the end of a gravel road. Because of its wilderness setting, the park is home to wolves, lynx, moose, wolverines, and many other rare or endangered species. http://www.north.cascades.national-park.com/

Photo:http://www.panoramio.com/mwakio1 National Park of American Samoa, Pago Pago, American Samoa

National Park of American Samoa, Pago Pago, American Samoa

This park may take a bit more planning to visit. Located in a remote part of the Southwest Pacific Ocean the park is definitely worth the trouble of getting to. Still in its early stages of development, the park remains almost completely untouched by outside influences. The rich, historical Samoan culture thrives here in a landscape of numerous volcanoes, mountain ranges, tropical rainforests and coral reefs. Visitors have a chance to scuba dive, scale mountains and explore indigenous wildlife. If you do visit, remember that the park is entirely on lands leased from the ten Samoan villages containing the true landowners. Be respectful of their land and culture. http://www.nps.gov/npsa/index.htm

Photo:tgartworks.com/. Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

This park wins the award of the least visited National Park in America . The fact that it’s located some 25 to 40 miles above the Arctic Circle may have something to do with it. It’s a trek to get to no doubt, but the payoff is great. The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes cover 25 miles of the park and temperatures can climb to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer! The park is also known for the huge amounts of caribou that migrate through during the winter and summer months. While there are no designated roads or trails, visitors can go backcountry camping, hiking, backpacking, and dog sledding. But when the park is roughly the size of Delaware State, you better know where you’ve going! http://www.nps.gov/kova/index.htm

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