Happy birthday, National Parks! The US National Park Service (NPS) is celebrating its centennial today! To celebrate along with them, we’ve been working on a whole series on our National Parks. We started with the Top Ten National Parks to visit based on number of visitors, and now we’re pleased to share our favorite of the lesser known National Parks. We hope this inspires you to get outdoors and plan a trip to see a new park!

 

 

Virgin Islands

I had never heard of Virgin Islands National Park until my oldest sister and her husband went to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands for their 20th anniversary trip. Their photos were absolutely stunning, and their stories sparked my interest. If you’re looking for a getaway in the Caribbean with protected natural beauty, look into this park! It actually takes up about 60% of the island of St. John! It has pristine beaches, excellent snorkeling, hiking opportunities a plenty, and boating options in crystal clear blue water. Thought most vacationers opt to stay at a nearby resort, there is one campground in the park.

 

Kenai Fjords

Y’all know Meagan has special love for Alaska, and Stephanie has been dying to go! Kenai Fjords is the smallest National Park in Alaska and is often overshadowed by Denali, but it packs quite the scenic punch. Glaciers, mountains, and the sea, o my! Highlights include hiking up to Exit Glacier in the Harding Icefield and enjoying the views in Resurrection Bay. Don’t miss taking a boat tour for the chance to see exciting wildlife up close, but be sure to spend some time on land as well. Meagan recommends Seward as a great home base. Possible wildlife sighting opportunities include whales, sea  lions and otters, seals, moose,  puffins, bears, and more!

 

Dry Tortugas

This national park in Florida is an absolute gem! It’s the perfect day trip from Key West since it’s just 70 miles to the west and feels even more like the Caribbean escape. You can only go there by seaplane, ferry or private boat, so it’s not crowded. There’s a fort to explore, coral reefs to snorkel, and a pristine beach to relax on. If you want more time on the island, you can also set up camp and experience amazing stargazing since you’re far away from light pollution!

 

Great Sand Dunes

I’m willing to bet you hadn’t heard of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve either! The tallest sand dunes in North America are in Colorado, but you’ll think you’ve been transported to another world. This is a whole different kind of western national park! Don’t miss the chance to go sand sledding or sand boarding. You can wash it all off in refreshing Medano Creek.

 

Congaree

A southeastern wetland perfect for kayaking and canoeing, Congaree National Park also has 2.5 miles of boardwalks and 25 miles of hiking trails. There’s an activity for everyone under the canopy of the park’s hardwood forest, one of the oldest and tallest forests east of the Mississippi River.  We know you’ll love the Spanish moss dripping from the trees! Congaree is also one of our newest National Parks. We recommend visiting in the spring or fall for the best weather and a chance to join the rangers on an “owl prowl.”

View our other stories about the US National Parks here!

What about you? How many of these parks have you been to? What parks would you recommend that aren’t listed here? We love hearing from you in the comments below!

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