From vast deserts to breathtaking mountains and lakes, there are a total of 63 different national parks across America.
In 2023, the National Park Service reported 325.5 million recreational visits across its sites, which is an increase of 13 million (4%) from the previous year.
They proved popular destinations for wildlife fans across America and the world, as 20 parks set a record for annual visits and 15 others passed notable visitation milestones.
However, whether it’s due to a lack of campsites or simply being too isolated, some of the parks attracted less tourists than others.
MailOnline has rounded up the 10 national parks that welcomed the least visitors in 2023 – scroll down for the full list.
Taking the number one spot, the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve saw just 11,045 recreational visitors pass through its gates last year
1. Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve, Alaska
Taking the number one spot, the Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve saw just 11,045 recreational visitors pass through its gates last year.
If you’re looking for miles of boundless land, that’s virtually untouched by man, this Alaskan park may be the one for you.
The entirity of its 8.4 million acres of landscape does not have any roads, trails, or campsites – and definitely no cell service.
It’s website paints a serene picture, describing it as, ‘Wild rivers meandering through glacier-carved valleys, caribou migrating along age-old trails, as endless summer light fades into aurora-lit night skies of winter.’
The website also makes it clear that in this park, you’re on your own, advising: ‘There is no cell phone service and there are no amenities, services, or other infrastructure in the preserve.
‘When you depart Fairbanks, Bettles, Coldfoot, or Anaktuvuk Pass you may not see another person until your return to civilization or your pilot comes to pick you up.
‘Visitors must be self-reliant and able to execute self-extraction and communication, should an emergency situation arise.’
2. National Park of American Samoa
Almost 5,000 miles away from mainland US shores, the National Park of American Samoa is located across three islands in the South Pacific
With 12,135 recreational visits last year, the National Park of American Samoa is the second least visited national park in the US.
Almost 5,000 miles away from mainland US shores, it’s located across three islands in the South Pacific.
This tropical paradise is quite a different scene to the Gates of the Arctic, swapping cold mountains for sandy beaches, rainforests and even volcanic slopes – about 4,000 acres of the national park is underwater, offshore from all three islands.
It’s website reads: ‘In keeping with the meaning of the word Samoa – ‘sacred earth’ – the park helps protect ‘fa’asamoa’ – the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the 3,000-year-old Samoan culture.’
But, the reason it’s on the this list may be because most people will need a passport to visit this remote park in the South Pacific.
3. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, Alaska
With more than four million acres of land, Lake Clark has two National Natural Landmark volcanoes and three designated Wild Rivers
Returning to Alaska, taking spot number three on the list is Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, which welcomed 16,728 visitors in 2023.
With more than four million acres of land, it has two National Natural Landmark volcanoes and three designated Wild Rivers.
The park ‘preserves the ancestral homelands of the Dena’ina people, an intact ecosystem at the headwaters of the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world, and a rich cultural wilderness’.
There are no roads so travelling here will require a plane or a boat – it’s located north of Katmai National Park, 65 air miles northwest of Homer, and about 120 air miles southwest of Anchorage.
4. Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
The park is best known for it’s thousands of wild caribou migrate through, as well as the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, which rise unexpectedly out of the tundra and trees
Alaska dominates this list, with the fourth place spot being Kobuk Valley National Parkm with 17, 616 recreational visitors.
Spanning across 1.8 million acres, again you won’t find a campsite or road in sight.
The park is best known for it’s thousands of wild caribou migrate through, as well as the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, which rise unexpectedly out of the tundra and trees.
It’s website adds: ‘The Kobuk River is an ancient and current corridor for people and wildlife.
‘For 9000 years, people came to Onion Portage to harvest caribou as they swam the river. Even today, that rich tradition continues.’
5. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
The fifth least visited park in the US last year was Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, which is an archipelago in Lake Superior – it had 28,965 visitors
The fifth least visited park in the US last year was Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, which is an archipelago in Lake Superior – it had 28,965 visitors.
It’s open only from mid-April to the end of October, which may be a reason for it’s lower number of guests.
Online, the park is described as ‘a rugged, isolated island far from connected communities,’ boasting to offer adventures for ‘backpackers, hikers, boaters, paddlers, and divers’.
There are only 18 mammal species on the island, which includes wolves and moose, this is because animals have to cross the 14 mile lake to reach the mainland.
6. Katmai National Park & Preserve, Alaska
According to the Park Service, Katmai National Park is home to an estimated 2,200 brown bears, as well as being an important habitat for salmon
With 33,763 recreation visits, Alaska’s Katmai National Park & Preserve is one of the world’s best bear viewing spots.
According to the Park Service, it’s home to an estimated 2,200 brown bears, as well as being an important habitat for salmon.
Brooks Camp, which is within the park, attracts visitors from all over the world who want to see one of the bears in real life – flocks of fishermen also enjoy visiting this part of the park.
It also has a fascinating history and was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
7. North Cascades National Park, Washington
The park offers an alpine landscape, just three hours away from Seattle – visitors can explore jagged peaks with more than 300 glaciers
Jumping up to 40,351 visitors in the past year, is North Cascades National Park in Washington.
The park offers an alpine landscape, just three hours away from Seattle – visitors can explore jagged peaks with more than 300 glaciers.
However, the National Parks website urges adventurers to remember that winter storms may bring downed trees, flooding, trail washouts, and avalanche hazards.
Mountain weather can change rapidly and a pleasant outing can quickly be transformed into a survival ordeal, so it’s important to be prepared.
8. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, Alaska
Welcoming 78, 305 recreational visitors in 2023, it’s also America’s largest national park, stretching across 13.2 million acres
With almost double the amount of visitors as North Cascades National Park, eighth place goes to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska.
Welcoming 78, 305 recreational visitors in 2023, it’s also America’s largest national park, stretching across 13.2 million acres.
The park’s website says it is the same size as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined.
However, a lot of the park is backcountry with an extreme landscape – river crossings, glacier travel, thick brush, extreme weather (cold and hot), rock fall, mudslides, avalanches and bugs are just some of the hazards listed online.
But there are some maintained trails in the McCarthy and Nabensa frontcountry areas.
9. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands and is accessible only by boat or seaplane
Despite being on the least-visited list, Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida is among the 20 parks that managed to break visitation records in 2023.
It saw 84,285 people trek across its landscape, many of which to visit Fort Jefferson – one of the nation’s largest 19th century forts.
The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands and is accessible only by boat or seaplane.
As well as being home to Fort Jefferson, it’s best known for its ‘picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area’.
10. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Finally, the tenth least visited US national park of the previous year was Great Basin National Park in Nevada, which saw 143,265 recreation visits
Finally, the tenth least visited US national park of the previous year was Great Basin National Park in Nevada, which saw 143,265 recreation visits.
It’s best known for being home to the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, the highest natural point in the state of New Mexico.
The park also boasts the longest cave system in the state of Nevada – Lehman caves, where visitors can embark on tours.
There are five different front country campgrounds on offer, as well as further primitave and backcountry camping options.
So, if you’re a national park fanatic who wants to step it up and try one of their lesser-known options, these ten are your best bet.
The new data comes just after a couple who visited all 63 national parks across America, revealed which they think are the best – as well as the reasons why.
Matt and Karen Smith, from Seattle, took to Instagram to share their list of must-sees with their 141,000 eager followers.
The keen travelers picked winners across various categories including ‘most diverse,’ ‘best wildlife sightings’ and ‘most underrated.’
But the duo ultimately named Grand Teton in Wyoming as having ‘the best of everything.’
Death Valley was listed as ‘most other-wordly park’ with its sprawling desert landscape before the award for ‘most epic hiking trails’ was shared between the Glacier and Mount Rainier national parks.
