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Visitor Accessibility Comparison
Level of difficulty required to access the featured national parks.
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I've Visited 30 National Parks Across the U.S.—This Is the Most ...
Key PointsIsle Royale National Park in Michigan offers remote wilderness, rich wildlife, and stargazing without the crowds.Its location in Lake Superior combined with the boat- or plane-only access keeps visitor numbers low.The park is ideal for backpacking, paddling, and aurora viewing thanks to its rugged terrain and dark skies.On a clear, warm May night in Michigan, I sat atop a rock and eavesdropped on howling loons as the northern lights shimmied above a mirror-still lake with no other soul in sight.It’s the kind of secluded awe national park travelers dream about, but it’s increasingly tough to find in well-trodden showstoppers like Zion, Arches, and Great Smoky Mountains national parks. That’s why I’ll forever urge nature lovers to follow my footsteps to Michigan’s far-flung Isle Royale—arguably the most underrated national park in the U.S. It’s also among the country’s least-visited.The 850-square-mile Isle Royale National Park is in an isolated stretch of Lake Superior. This archipelago, with one main island and hundreds of tiny islands, is reachable via a multi-hour ferry ride or seaplane from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern Minnesota. The journey to get here keeps many travelers away.While Zion sees around five million annual visitors, Isle Royale draws fewer than 30,000. Those who do make the journey are in for a treat. The isolated, car-free getaway is the ultimate backcountry escape, with thick fir and spruce forests, boggy swamps, and wildlife like moose, wolves, and beavers, plus my favorite Great Lakes soundtrack: an all-night symphony from the local loons.Here’s how to visit the underrated Isle Royale National Park, including what to do, when to go, and how to reach this isolated archipelago.What to Know Before VisitingSun streaming through trees on Isle Royale.Credit: Matt Champlin/Getty ImagesIsle Royale isn’t like most other national parks. Visitors arrive via ferry or seaplane and explore this wilderness, which is almost entirely backcountry, on foot or by watercraft.For accommodations, you can book the Rock Harbor Lodge, which has two on-site restaurants. Or, try reserving one of the two rustic Windigo Camper Cabins.Many overnight at the park’s nearly 40 first-come, first-served campgrounds, which are sprinkled across the island. Others boat over from the mainland and sleep on their vessels.Isle Royale National Park is open from mid-April through October; it’s closed from the late fall into winter due to the region’s unpredic...
3 Hidden Spots You Didn't Know Existed in Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake is a destination that sparks adventure and wanderlust. While thousands of people experience its top sights each year, many lesser-known attractions in Crater Lake National Park remain secret. These hidden gems deserve a spot on almost every traveler's itinerary—especially if a quiet, peaceful adventure is what you are after.
11 national parks to visit this summer to avoid the crowds
Here are the best options from alternative entrances to less popular parks. From Maine to California, here are the least-visited National Parks.
Can I Vist And Exaporaet The National Parks Alone?
While solo travel can imply solitude, many parks provide guided walks and activities, allowing for social interaction. Pro tips from experienced solo travelers, like NPCA staff member Abbey Robertson, illuminate the journey ahead.
