Breanna Swiech ‘26, Copy Editor
The National Parks have much to offer in terms of amazing vacations, hiking, and scenery, but some are more underrated than others. Hopefully, this noncomprehensive list will give these parks more recognition, and shine a light on some well deserving places filled with natural beauty. And always remember, when traveling to parks, they are giving you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In return, visitors should follow the ‘leave no trace’ rules and support the park if possible as shortages and lack of funding make it more and more difficult for them to function regularly.
North Cascades:
North Cascades is one of the most underrated national parks in the U.S.. Filled with snowy mountains, evergreen forests, and crystal lakes, this park is the once-in-a-lifetime hiking paradise of which nature-enthusiasts dream. The Cascades are often skipped over in favor of Washington’s more famous national parks, like Mount Rainier and Olympic; however, it might be because it is so undervisited that it is the most beautiful. Given that North Cascades is the seventh least visited national park, according to National Geographic, it is the perfect place for a peaceful hiking trip. The only noises are the whispers of trees, twinkling water, and leaves rustling as the warm sun shines on your face. It also exhibits an amazing range of wildlife, such as mountain goats and black bears. While there are many walks for non-hikers, the Easy Pass and Fisher Creek Trails are great hikes for those with some experience. It is about seven miles round trip, but within that you will see the most beautiful views of a lifetime, and hopefully encounter a mountain goat or two.
Bryce:
Most national park enthusiasts have heard of Utah’s very own Bryce, but oftentimes it gets overshadowed by the glowing reputations of Zion, Arches, and Grand Canyon. However, this remarkable landscape is worth the visit. While many non-hikers might find a scenic drive through the landscape beautiful, there are also several moderate level hikes that are worthwhile trips. The Navajo Loop Trail and Queen’s Garden Trail are must-dos when visiting. Bryce is so distinct from our own Michigan, yet just as wondrous. The vast landscape is peppered with spires of rock called hoodoos, and the color is like a living, breathing embodiment of the sunset. Bryce is also the perfect night skies park, which means that any visit should be accompanied with some stargazing. It is simply one of those places that remind you how vast the world is and how much there is to explore.
Great Basin:
Among all of the Yosemites of the world, the Great Basin fades into the background. I mean, who wants to go to a great basin in boring, old Nevada, right? The name itself just suggests boredom and a barren landscape. However, visitors of this park will find much more than they expected. Great Basin holds everything from a 13,063 foot summit of Wheeler Peak and the Lehman Caves to diverse wildlife. Baker Creek and Wheeler Peak also offer great scenic hiking options, especially a breathtaking view of the mountains. Even though Great Basin is the tenth least visited national park, it deserves more credit than it is given, and is a phenomenal place for a nature trip this year.
Badlands:
South Dakota is not the most interesting state, and for this reason, sometimes Badlands gets glazed over in favor of more iconic states and national parks like Montana and Yellowstone. However, Badlands holds a fascinating history in its landscape: the sunset-colored rocks are filled with fossils from prehistoric animals. In fact, some travelers find some almost every year, and the visitor center has a wall with all of the people and fossils that were found. The landscape is much more than a few rocks, though, and is actually a beautiful grassland that is home to prairie dogs, bison, bighorn sheep, and, unfortunately, rattle snakes—so keep an eye out where you are walking. There are plenty of hikes in the Badlands, but even if you are not a hiking person, there is still much to explore. Badlands gives you an opportunity to see a fossil preparation lab, where visitors can meet paleontologists and learn about the processes of working with and identifying fossils. There is also the Badlands Loop Drive, which will give visitors a tour of the sites if they do not want to hike.
All national parks hold great opportunities to experience the natural world, but especially if you want to see nature without the constant presence of visitors, going to an underrated national park is a great option. Hopefully, you have the chance to visit a national park or go hiking somewhere interesting this summer. Adventure on, SL!
Lyon Life 