7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024
7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Congaree National Park South Carolina's Hidden Floodplain Forest
Congaree National Park houses over 170 species of birds, including the elusive prothonotary warbler, which nests in tree cavities within the floodplain forest.
The park's floodplain is home to several "champion trees," including a loblolly pine that stands at an impressive 167 feet tall, making it one of the tallest trees in the eastern United States.
Despite its proximity to urban areas, Congaree National Park has some of the darkest skies on the East Coast, offering excellent stargazing opportunities for amateur astronomers.
The park's unique ecosystem includes over 700 species of plants, with some rare varieties like the cypress-knee sedge that are found nowhere else in South Carolina.
Congaree's floodplain forest acts as a natural water filter, removing pollutants and excess nutrients from the water as it flows through the park, improving water quality downstream.
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- 7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Congaree National Park South Carolina's Hidden Floodplain Forest
- 7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Isle Royale National Park Michigan's Remote Lake Superior Island
- 7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Dry Tortugas National Park Florida's Secluded Marine Wonderland
- 7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Pinnacles National Park California's Unique Volcanic Formations
- 7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Wrangell-St.Elias National Park Alaska's Vast Wilderness Expanse
- 7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Great Basin National Park Nevada's Star-Gazing Paradise
- 7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Dakota's Badlands Experience
7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Isle Royale National Park Michigan's Remote Lake Superior Island
Isle Royale National Park is a remote and rugged island located in the middle of Lake Superior, off the northern coast of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The park is only accessible by ferry, seaplane, or private watercraft, and the weather can significantly influence traveling to and from the island, as well as the experience once on the island.
Despite its remote location, Isle Royale offers a unique wilderness experience, with over 200 miles of hiking trails and scenic views of Lake Superior.
The island is home to two lighthouses, two of which are open to visitors during the summer season.
Isle Royale National Park is considered one of the least visited national parks in the United States, but it is a hidden gem that offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors, including backpacking, hiking, boating, paddling, and diving.
The island is a camper's paradise, with diverse wildlife including moose and wolves.
Isle Royale is the largest island in Lake Superior, spanning over 206 square miles, yet it has a population of just 4-5 permanent residents.
The park has over 165 shipwrecks along its coastline, many of which are accessible to scuba divers and snorkelers, providing a unique underwater exploration experience.
Isle Royale is home to the world's longest-running predator-prey study, which has been ongoing since 1958, tracking the relationship between the island's moose and wolf populations.
The island's rugged terrain and lack of paved roads make it a haven for avid backpackers, with over 165 miles of hiking trails that can only be accessed on foot.
Isle Royale is one of the few places in the United States where visitors can witness the rare phenomenon of the "green flash," a brief, green burst of light observed at the moment the sun dips below the horizon.
The island's remote location and dark skies make it an ideal destination for stargazing, with visitors often able to see the Milky Way and other celestial wonders with the naked eye.
Despite its small size, Isle Royale is home to a diverse array of plant life, including over 1,100 species of vascular plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.
7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Dry Tortugas National Park Florida's Secluded Marine Wonderland
Dry Tortugas National Park is a hidden gem in Florida, offering visitors a unique and secluded marine experience.
The park is only accessible by ferry or seaplane, adding to its remote and exclusive allure.
Visitors can explore the historic Fort Jefferson, a massive abandoned fort, and enjoy world-class snorkeling and scuba diving around the park's stunning coral reefs and vibrant marine life.
Dry Tortugas National Park is located approximately 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, making it one of the most remote national parks in the United States.
The park encompasses an area of 100 square miles, consisting of seven small islands and the surrounding waters, which are known for their exceptional snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities.
Dry Tortugas is home to Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century coastal fortress that covers almost the entire 16-acre Garden Key and is considered one of the largest brick buildings in the Western Hemisphere.
The park is a designated Important Bird Area, with over 200 species of birds documented, including the magnificent frigatebird, the only tropical seabird that breeds in the continental United States.
The park's waters are home to a diverse array of marine life, including over 200 species of fish, as well as coral reefs, sea turtles, and various other invertebrates.
Dry Tortugas is a critical nesting site for several species of sea turtles, including the endangered green sea turtle and the threatened loggerhead sea turtle.
The park's remote location and lack of light pollution make it an excellent destination for stargazing, with visitors often able to see the Milky Way and other celestial wonders with the naked eye.
7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Pinnacles National Park California's Unique Volcanic Formations
Pinnacles National Park, despite being California's newest national park, remains one of its least visited.
The park's unique volcanic formations, created over 23 million years ago, offer a stunning backdrop for summer adventures.
Visitors can explore rare talus caves, witness the majestic flight of endangered California condors, and hike through diverse landscapes ranging from chaparral to oak woodlands.
The rock formations at Pinnacles National Park are remnants of an ancient volcanic field that originated 195 miles southeast of its current location.
Pinnacles' distinctive spires and crags are composed primarily of rhyolite, a volcanic rock rich in silica that cooled and hardened from lava flows 23 million years ago.
The park's talus caves, formed by fallen boulders wedged in narrow canyons, create a unique microclimate that supports rare species like the Townsend's big-eared bat.
Pinnacles National Park hosts over 400 bee species, making it one of the most diverse areas for wild bees in North America.
The park's rock formations continue to erode at a rate of about 1 foot every 10,000 years, slowly reshaping the landscape.
Pinnacles' High Peaks trail features steep and narrow sections with metal handrails drilled directly into the rock, offering hikers a thrilling climbing experience without technical gear.
The park's unique geology creates a rain shadow effect, resulting in a semi-arid climate that supports a mix of chaparral and oak woodland ecosystems.
Pinnacles National Park is one of the few locations where rock climbers can ascend routes on volcanic breccia, a type of rock formed from angular fragments cemented together.
The park's rock formations create updrafts that provide ideal soaring conditions for California condors, making it a crucial site for the recovery of this endangered species.
7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park Alaska's Vast Wilderness Expanse
Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park in Alaska is the largest national park in the United States, covering an area larger than Vermont and New Hampshire combined.
The park is known for its rugged terrain, towering mountain peaks, including the second-highest peak in the United States, and pristine forests and glaciers, offering visitors a truly remote and challenging wilderness experience.Despite its size and grandeur, Wrangell-St.
Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States, covering an area larger than Vermont and New Hampshire combined at 2 million acres.
The park is home to the second-highest peak in the United States, Mount St.
Elias, which rises to an impressive elevation of 18,008 feet.
Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park is divided into five distinct areas, each with its unique set of visitor services and activities, allowing visitors to tailor their experience.
The park's McCarthy Road, a 60-mile gravel road, is a popular attraction, offering visitors the chance to spot a variety of wildlife, including swans, moose, grizzly and black bears, owls, and eagles.
Despite its massive size and stunning natural beauty, Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park is often considered an underrated and overlooked destination, even among avid national park enthusiasts.
The park's remote location and challenging terrain make it a true wilderness experience, requiring visitors to be self-sufficient and prepared for the inherent risks of exploring this isolated area.
Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park is home to over 1,000 glaciers, including the Malaspina Glacier, which is the largest piedmont glacier in the world, covering an area larger than the state of Rhode Island.
The park's diverse ecosystems support a wide range of plant and animal life, including the Dall sheep, a species known for its impressive spiral horns that can reach up to 40 inches in length.
Wrangell-St.
Elias National Park is a popular destination for mountaineering enthusiasts, with many of the park's peaks offering technical and challenging climbing routes.
The park's remote location and lack of light pollution make it an exceptional destination for stargazing, with visitors often able to witness the Aurora Borealis during the summer months.
7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Great Basin National Park Nevada's Star-Gazing Paradise
Great Basin National Park in Nevada is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, offering some of the darkest skies in the contiguous United States.
The park's Astronomy Amphitheater provides an ideal setting for stargazing events and astronomy programs, allowing visitors to gaze in awe at the endless night sky filled with over 6,000 stars.
With its designation as an International Dark Sky Place, Great Basin National Park is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for stargazing enthusiasts looking to experience the wonders of the night sky.
Great Basin National Park is home to the Bristlecone Pine Tree, which can live for over 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
The park's unique geology includes the presence of over 40 soluble minerals, which have created a vast network of underground caves and caverns, including the Lehman Caves, a popular visitor attraction.
The park's elevation ranges from 5,000 feet to the summit of Wheeler Peak at 13,063 feet, creating a diverse array of ecosystems, from arid sagebrush basins to alpine tundra.
The park's Wheeler Peak Glacier is the only remaining glacier in the state of Nevada, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the effects of climate change on these fragile ice formations.
Great Basin National Park is home to the only known population of the rare and endangered Steamboat Buckwheat, a plant species that is found nowhere else in the world.
The park's Lehman Caves are home to over 300 cave-dwelling invertebrate species, many of which are found only in this unique underground ecosystem.
Great Basin National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, meaning it has been recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association for its exceptional quality of starry nights and nocturnal environments.
The park's Astronomy Amphitheater, located near the Lehman Caves Visitor Center, is equipped with powerful telescopes and hosts regular stargazing programs, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the night sky.
Great Basin National Park is known for its impressive displays of the Milky Way, which can be seen in stunning detail due to the park's remote location and lack of light pollution.
The park's diverse wildlife includes the elusive Pronghorn Antelope, the fastest land animal in North America, which can reach speeds of up to 55 mph.
7 Underrated US National Parks to Visit in Summer 2024 - Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Dakota's Badlands Experience
Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers visitors a chance to explore the rugged beauty of North Dakota's Badlands, with its unique geological formations and diverse wildlife.
The park's North Unit Scenic Byway provides stunning vistas of one of the last remnants of wilderness in the Northern Great Plains.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is home to over 186 species of birds, including the rare Baird's sparrow and the elusive ferruginous hawk.
The park's unique geological formations, including the colorful banded layers of rock, were formed over 65 million years ago during the Paleocene epoch.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park contains one of the largest petrified forests in the United States, with fossilized tree stumps and logs scattered throughout the landscape.
The park's Little Missouri River has carved intricate canyons and buttes over millions of years, creating a maze-like network of badlands formations.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is one of the few places in the United States where visitors can observe wild horses in their natural habitat, descendants of ranch horses that roamed the area in the late 19th century.
The park's Elkhorn Ranch Unit, where Theodore Roosevelt once lived, is accessible only by a 35-mile gravel road, offering a truly remote and authentic experience.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park contains over 100 archaeological sites, including remnants of Native American settlements dating back thousands of years.
The park's unique microclimate supports a diverse array of plant life, including over 500 species of plants, some of which are found nowhere else in North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is home to a thriving population of prairie dogs, with their intricate underground tunnel systems covering vast areas of the park.
The park's unique geological formations create natural acoustics in certain areas, allowing visitors to experience unusual sound phenomena like echoes and amplifications.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park contains several active gas and oil wells, presenting an interesting juxtaposition between conservation and resource extraction.
The park's North Unit features a 14-mile scenic drive that climbs over 2,000 feet in elevation, offering breathtaking views of the Little Missouri River Valley and the surrounding badlands.