The Least Visited National Parks in the US in 2022 | CNN (2023)

Editor's note:monthly cardis a travel series from CNN that explores some of the most fascinating topics in the world of travel. In March we go outside.

CNN—

The least-visited national park in the United States is a fair distance from the mainland United States. Almost 5,000 miles away, in fact.

American Samoa National Park in the South Pacific is the only National Park Service site south of the equator. In 2022, it had just 1,887 visits, according to new visitor numbers released this week by the National Park Service.

Compared to 2021, that number is down 78%. The park has had several closures over the past year due to Covid-19, the NPS said.

Spanning three islands with rainforests, volcanic slopes, pristine beaches and thousands of acres of marine habitat, the national park is intertwined with a rich culture.

"In keeping with the meaning of the Samoan word 'sacred land,' the park helps protectsamoano–the customs, beliefs and traditions of the 3,000-year-old Samoan culture,” according to the park's website.

The island park is far from the only uncrowded NPS site.

Nearly 400 of the 424 National Park Service Sites have visitors. And three quarters of all visits are on just 64 pages. so there islarge quantityto explore from less visited places.

Even among the 63 wilderness areas that have “national park” in their name, there are parks that see thousands or tens of thousands of visitors, far fewer than the nearly 13 million who visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2022.most visitedof the 63 national parks last year.

Gates of the Arctic National Park covers 8.4 million hectares in Alaska. Lots of space to spread out...

The massive 665,384 square mile state of Alaska is home to five of the 15 least visited national parks in 2022.

"Alaska's national parks are some of the least-visited for a reason: They're hard to get to," said Peter Christian, director of public and legislative affairs for the Alaska region at the National Park Service.

But while they may be under-visited compared to other parks, some of them have seen significant increases in visitor numbers over the past year, with a 30% to 50% increase from 2021, another step in coping with the dramatic decline in the pandemic .

And a park in Alaska that was underneathLeast visited in 2021- Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: Moved off the list with a 500% increase in visitor numbers thanks to a stronger return of cruise ships. But visits have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, Christian said.

As more travelers head into the busy spring and summer seasons, the less-visited national parks have plenty to offer for those who venture off the beaten track.

15 Least Visited US National Parks in 2022

1.American Samoa National Park- 1,887 recreational visits

Most park visitors will need onePassport to visit this placein a remote part of the South Pacific. Hawaiian Airlines offers twice-weekly direct flights from Honolulu to American Samoa. Travel requirements for Covid-19 were eased late last year and the first cruise in three years arrived in January.

The park has units on three islands and covers 13,500 hectares, of which about 4,000 hectares are marine areas, which are mostly coral reefs.

2.Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska - 9,457 recreational visits

With no roads, no trails, no cell phone service, and no established campgrounds, this expanse is a true wilderness experience. The Park and Conservation Area has six designated wild rivers.

"Visitors are free to roam the 8.4 million acres of outstanding natural beauty," according to the park's website. Visitors must be self-sufficient, flexible and "able to self-extract and communicate should an emergency situation arise". Arrive prepared.

3.Kobuk Tal National Park, Alaska - 16,925 recreational visits

There are no roads, campgrounds or gates for human visitors on this 1.8 million hectare area. According to the National Park Service, half a million caribou migrate through this park, crossing the Kobuk River and Onion Portage. An 8,000 year old tradition of caribou hunting continues to this day.

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve had fewer than 20,000 visitors in 2022.

4.Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska - 18,187 recreational visits

This national park and reserve covers more than 4 million acres and is home to three designated Wild Rivers and two National Natural Landmark volcanoes. The land contains 10,000 years of human history and preserves the ancestral lands of the Dena'ina.

5.Isle Royale National Park, Michigan - 25,454 recreational visits

Isle Royale is an isolated archipelago in Lake Superior offering 165 miles of hiking trails and more than 30 campgrounds. It is open from mid-April to the end of October. The ferry and seaplane service typically operates from mid-May to late September, according to the NPS.

There are fewer species of mammals here, just 18, than on the mainland because the animals have to cross at least 14 miles of Lake Superior. Wolves and moose are among the notable native animals.

The Cedar Trail winds through giant ferns and moss-covered cedars in North Cascades National Park.

6.North-Cascades-Nationalpark, Washington - 30,154 recreational visits

Peaks crowned by more than 300 glaciers rise above this alpine landscape. More than 1,600 plant species have been identified on this land, ranging from temperate rainforest to an arid ponderosa pine ecosystem. There are more than 400 kilometers of trails.

7.Katmai National Park and Reserve, Alaska - 33,908 recreational visits

Katmai is an important habitat for thousands of brown bears. According to the Park Service, Katmai, one of the top bear-viewing spots in the world, is home to about 2,200 brown bears. Brooks Camp on the Brooks River is one of the most popular spots to see bears feeding on salmon.

Most of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & ​​​​​​Preserve is a rugged interior with limited visitor services.

8.Wrangell-St. Elías National Park and Reserve, Alaska - 65,236 recreational visits

The largest national park in the United States, Wrangell-St. Elias covers 13.2 million acres, or about the size of Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and Switzerland combined, the park service says. Most of the park is remote and visitor services are limited. There are some maintained trails in the Nabesna and McCarthy frontcountry areas.

9.Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida - 78,488 recreational visits

About 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas is mostly open water with seven small islands. Garden Key is home to one of the country's largest 19th-century forts, Fort Jefferson. Accessible by boat or plane, the park is home to around 300 species of birds. Bush Key is closed February through September each year to allow terns and browns to breed undisturbed.

10Great-Basin-Nationalpark,Nevada - 142,115 recreational visits

Mountain peaks meet hot desert valleys here. Great Basin National Park is home to 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, ancient bristlecone pines, nearly 40 caves, and a wide variety of plants and animals. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 13,000 feet with trails for all skill levels.

The Virgin Islands National Park, pictured in Trunk Bay, has seen a nearly 40% drop in visitor numbers over the past year.

11Virgin Islands National Park- 196,752 recreational visits

About two-thirds of the island of St. John in the United States is a national park with sandy beaches, abundant marine life, native Taino petroglyphs, and sites related to the island's turbulent history of slave labor. There are more than 20 hiking trails in the park, which is typically busiest from November through April.

12Congaree-Nationalpark, South Carolina - 204,522 recreational visits

The landscape of Congaree National Park is "defined by the presence of flooding and blazing," the park service says.

Flooding of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers regularly blankets the park's ancient hardwood forest, and the pine forest relies on brushfires to clear out competing vegetation. Canoeing and kayaking are popular ways to explore the park. There is a marked 15 mile canoe trail.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the four highest mountains in Texas.

(Video) The least visited National Park in the contiguous United States and the most epic

13Guadalupe-Mountains-Nationalpark, Texas - 219,987 recreational visits

This park features the four highest peaks in Texas and the world's longest Permian fossil reef. The Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness has more than 80 miles of hiking trails, including a drive through the Salt Basin Dunes, which rise 100 feet from the desert floor.

14Travelers National Park, Minnesota - 221,434 recreational visits

Dubbed “Water, Islands and Horizons” Park, Voyageurs spans 218,055 acres, 84,000 of which are water. There are more than 500 islands and four major lakes, as well as more than two dozen smaller lakes in the park that are best explored by boat. Voyageurs shares its northern border with Canada, and lucky visitors may even see the Northern Lights.

15.Two-Pinnacles-Nationalpark,California - 275,023 recreational visits

Pinnacles was formed in volcanic eruptions around 23 million years ago. Talus Caves and high rock towers attract hikers and climbers; There are over 30 miles of hiking trails and hundreds of climbing routes.

While Pinnacles is among the top 15 least-visited national parks, according to a note on the park's website, it gets very crowded on weekends, holidays, and in the spring. Be there early to avoid the crowds.

CNN talks to 8-year-old climber alongside El Capitan

03:01 - Fuente:CNN

(Video) Top 10 Most Visited National Parks in the United States