America's Least Visited National Parks

There are several I'd like to visit, though I doubt I'll have that opportunity. But it seems to me that wild nature is worth preservation regardless of a human presence. To some extent just the knowledge that wild places still endure is reassuring enough even without a visit from me.

Of those I've only been to Isle Royale (twice). The last time I was there my niece actually saw a wolf. Not sure how true it was since the article has the list in a different order but we were told by the ranger (you get a speech by the ranger once you step off the ship) it is the least visited park but the most re-visited. Not much elevation change obviously but if you're expecting flat smooth trails you'll soon find that doesn't exist on the island.

Wow, I've been to two in the top six ... just in the past two summers.

In Sep 2007 my buddy and I did a 5 day trek on the western side of Isle Royale, from Windigo. We did not see another human during the middle 3 days, and finally saw a moose 2 miles from the ferry on the last day.

Actually, we did see a moose on the drive to catch the ferry starting out from Minnesota's north shore. A huge bull stood majestically by the side of the road to our left. I rolled to a stop on the right shoulder, but it bolted into the forest before I could snap a pic.

Just as I got back up to speed on the road a squirrel dashed under my car, and was flattened before I could react. I turned to my friend in my best imitation of Boris Badenov and said "Ve got Moose AND Squirrel!"

Finding humor in that unfortunate rodent's demise probably makes me a bad person.

I’m a loser haven’t been to any of them. I’ve always wanted to get in a canoe and cruise around voyagers.

Have only visited one on the list, have been there many times - Great Basin NP, NV.


Ancient Bristlecone Pine



Mount Washington



Enjoyable ridge walk

I'm kind of surprised to see Great Basin on the list though, admittedly, I've been in the area many times but have never gone there. (Making a note to rectify that.)

I have Isle Royale on my list (finally) for 2025. Even though I live in Michigan, it will actually take me longer to get there than pretty much anywhere else in the continental U.S.