15 gems in the national park system you might not know about

From the iconic grandeur of Yellowstone's geothermal wonders to the peaceful rolling hills of Shenandoah, national parks offer breathtaking views and spark our sense of wonder and adventure. But beyond the well-known spots lie lesser-known gems—hidden treasures that are often overshadowed by the more famous and visited parks.

There are many parks and sites within the National Park System (430 to be exact!) that can offer an opportunity for people to explore a rich variety of landscapes.

We put together a list of 15 lesser-known gems worth a visit. This list isn't exhaustive—just a few of the beautiful spots I’d love to check out myself! 

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park 

NPS 

Located at the meeting point of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia, this park blends the natural beauty of its mountains, forests and waterfalls with a rich history. The park marks the historic pass through the Appalachian Mountains that people and animals have journeyed through for thousands of years. Many tribes and Indigenous peoples originally inhabited the area, using the gap for hunting, trade and settlement. But as European colonists began moving through the gap, many Indigenous communities were forced out and displaced. 

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve 

J. Pfeiffenberger, NPS

This park in south-central Alaska is known for its stunning landscapes, which include shimmering lakes, rugged mountains, expansive glaciers and Lake Clark as its centerpiece. The park is also home to a rich variety of wildlife, including brown bears, moose, and caribou. Beyond its natural allure, Lake Clark holds significant Indigenous history. The area has been home to the Dena'ina Athabascans for thousands of years, who have relied on its resources for subsistence and spiritual practices. The Dena'ina's deep connection to this land is reflected in their traditional knowledge and ongoing cultural practices. 

National Park of American Samoa 

Valentine Vaeoso

This unique quintessential tropical park in the heart of the South Pacific protects and preserves rainforest, coral reefs, habitat of fruit bats and the Samoan culture. The park offers secluded villages, rare wildlife and incredible vistas across three volcanic islands—Tutuila, Ta'ū and Ofu. Almost all of the land area of these islands is tropical rainforest, and about 4,000 acres of the park is underwater! It is believed that the first people of the Samoan Islands came from southwest Asia about 3,000 years ago and over time distinct cultural traits emerged to become what they now call fa'asamoa, the Samoan way. 

Big Thicket National Preserve

Scott Sharaga, NPS

This unique preserve in Texas is a biodiversity hotspot where multiple (nine!) ecosystems converge—including pine forests, bayous and wetlands. Big Thicket protects a vast array of wildlife, including several sensitive and endangered species, such as Texas Trailing Phlox, Louisiana black bear and the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. Visitors can enjoy the preserve on land, with nearly 40 miles of trails to hike; and on the water, with many miles of creeks, bayous and rivers flowing through. 

Isle Royale National Park

Paul Brown

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this park in Lake Superior, Michigan, offers solitude and a pristine environment for backcountry hiking, canoeing and scuba diving. It’s an archipelago with one main island and about 400 smaller ones. Isle Royale is home to a fascinating ecosystem, where wolves and moose have been the subjects of one of the longest-running predator-prey studies in the world (since 1958!). Also known as Minong, the island holds deep ancestral significance as part of the traditional cultural lands of the Anishinaabe people.

Congaree National Park 

Simon (walhalla), Flickr

This park in South Carolina preserves one of the largest remnants of old-growth bottomland hardwood forests in the United States. While the park might look like a swamp, it is a floodplain—a low-lying area near a river that only gets covered with water for part of the year. The park's floodplain forests are among the most biologically diverse in North America, providing habitat for various wildlife including bobcats, river otters and many bird species. The name comes from the Congaree people who once lived in the region, whose history has been largely lost to colonial violence. Over time, it’s believed the surviving Congaree assimilated into neighboring tribes. 

Virgin Islands National Park 

David Pinardi

Another tropical island, this time in the Caribbean. The park is a tropical paradise known for its pristine beaches, coral reefs and vibrant marine life. It encompasses over half of the island of St. John and offers visitors a range of activities, from snorkeling and diving in its crystal-clear waters to exploring historical ruins. St. John’s history blends its indigenous Taíno roots with the legacy of Danish colonization and the enslavement of Africans on sugar plantations. The 1733 Akwamu insurrection marked a significant chapter in this history. Today, the island’s culture is a rich mix of local indigenous, African and European influences, with Afro-Caribbean traditions at its core. 

Mojave National Preserve 

Dave Hursey, NPS

This preserve encompasses a vast expanse of diverse desert landscapes, including sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones and rugged mountains. The preserve, in Southern California's Mojave Desert, is home to various desert flora and fauna, including Joshua trees, bighorn sheep and the endangered desert tortoise. But the area also holds a rich human history that spans thousands of years, beginning with the ancestral lands of Indigenous tribes like the Mojave, Chemehuevi and Paiute peoples who thrived in the harsh desert environment. They left behind petroglyphs, trails and spiritual sites still visible today.