Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve in Alaska is one of the largest and most remote in the national park system. The more than 8 million acres of wilderness do not contain any roads, trails, or visitor services, making it a destination for independent, intrepid explorers seeking solitude.

Gates of the Arctic National Park

Sometimes you can't judge a place by its name, but in the case of Death Valley National Park, its ominous name is fitting. This California national park is known as both the hottest place on earth, and the driest place in North America, as summer temperatures often top 120°F, and the valley is usually too unpleasant to visit by May.

Death Valley National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is located 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, and is accessible only by seaplane or boat, as it is predominantly open ocean with a few small islands and landmarks, including Fort Jefferson. There are sights below the water's surface, including marine life, coral reefs, and multiple haunting shipwrecks.

Dry Tortugas National Park

The U.S. Virgin Islands are a tropical destination that you don't need a passport to visit, and they boast six national parks spanning across the three islands. Virgin Islands National Park, which covers two-thirds of the island of St. John, has snow-white beaches, plantation ruins, sea turtle nesting sites, and stunning coral reefs.

Virgin Islands National Park

Only about 26,000 people visited Isle Royale National Park in 2019, probably because this underrated national park is only accessible by ferry, private boat, or seaplane. Composed of one large island and over 200 smaller islands in Lake Superior, the departure points in Minnesota and Michigan are a significant trek from nearby major cities.

Isle Royale National Park