Prepare to be Amazed at These 11 Underrated National Parks
The sights you’ll see traveling the beaten path are deservedly famous, but going that route lacks a certain something — while including significant crowds. That’s why charting your unique route along lesser-known paths brings with it a sense of discovery that can fuel the imagination for years.
The national parks in this list include lesser-known natural wonders from the full spectrum this broad, varied country offers. Will you climb volcanoes for the excitement of elevations or seek out underground adventures in legendary Western caves? Are you all about lakes or do you want to feel the awe of standing among sand dunes stretching as far as you can see?
Which one of these 11 underrated national parks will your Renegade take you?
Essential Prep: Guides for many of these parks urge visitors to fill their tank before arriving, so make sure you have a plan for fuel.
Western
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Rangefinder: Northern California, 250 Miles North of San Francisco
RV Accommodations: The Mansantia Lake, Butte Lake and Summit Lake Campgrounds can better accommodate RVs. There are no hook-ups in the park.
Home to the southernmost volcano in the Cascades, you’ll discover adventure in Lassen Volcanic National Park at elevations up to 10,457 feet. Escape into this mountain territory shared with black bears, mountain lions and even the rare Sierra Nevada red fox. Camping from May through October requires reservations, and the 30-plus feet of snow in Lassen every winter affects closing dates, so be sure to check conditions in advance.
Crater Lake National Park
Rangefinder: Southern Oregon, 230 Miles South of Portland
RV Accommodations: Large RVs and vehicles with a tow are allowed but some roads will be difficult to navigate. Mazama Campground is the only campground that allows motorhomes.
Home to the deepest lake in the United States, this breathtaking jewel of the Cascades was formed 7,700 years ago by a violent volcanic eruption. Indulge your urge to explore with numerous trails for hiking and birding, go fishing, or just seek out (and respect) wildlife. MUST SEE: Take your Renegade to any of 30 awe-inspiring overlooks on the historic 33-mile Rim Drive.
Great Basin National Park
Rangefinder: Eastern Nevada along the Utah Border, 230 Miles Southwest of Salt Lake City
RV Accommodations: RVs are allowed at Wheeler Peak Campground (< 24 feet), Snake Creek Campground (< 30 feet), Lower and Upper Lehman Creek Campground (< 40 feet) and Baker Creek Campground (< 50 feet).
This stunning collection of diverse natural environments near the Nevada-Utah border makes clear there’s so much more to this region than desert. From Wheeler Peak rising to 13,000 feet down to underground adventures and cave tours, Great Basin will surprise you. Rare bristlecone pines and wildflowers show off the landscape by day and some of the darkest skies in America offer remarkable stargazing at night.
Canyonlands National Park
Rangefinder: Southeast Utah, 240 Miles Southeast of Salt Lake City
RV Accommodations: RVs are permitted as long as they are not longer than 28 feet long.
Marvel at the picturesque buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Four distinct districts spread over 527 square miles of the park give you ample unique choices for adventure, but if you want to take it all in at once, drive to Grand View Point in the Island in the Sky district for a broad view of all Canyonlands contains.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Rangefinder: Southern Colorado, 230 Miles South of Denver
RV Accommodations: No hook-ups are available, but Pinon Flats Campground can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet long.
The tallest dunes in North America are just waiting for you go sand sledding. But, the park offers diversity beyond the desert. Alpine lakes, forest hikes, wetlands and even tundra await. These Western landscapes are must-visit subjects for photography enthusiasts, with Zapata Falls Recreation Area offering particularly striking contrasts.
Mesa Verde National Park
Rangefinder: Southwest Colorado, 80 Miles Southwest of Telluride
RV Accommodations: Morefield Campground has 15 full hookup RV sites that allow RVs no longer than 46 feet.
Centuries ago, ancestral Pueblo built their lives along the park’s mesas and cliffs, not far from the present-day Four Corners intersection of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Tour the dwellings with ranger-led guides before venturing into this World Heritage Site for your own exploration. Winter in Mesa Verde brings more striking settings to gain historical perspective, but snow conditions can change rapidly so be prepared.
Southern
White Sands National Park
Rangefinder: Southern New Mexico, 50 Miles North of Las Cruces
RV Accommodations: RV camping is not allowed.
Unlike anywhere else on earth, these 275 square miles of desert covered in gleaming gypsum sand provide a humbling escape from the familiarity of typical adventuring. Incredibly, White Sands is home to 800 different animal species despite the harsh conditions — you’ll see their tracks in the sands. Unique geology means unforgettable camping, hiking, bicycling and, yes, sledding. Travel 8 miles along Dunes Drive into the heart of this bucket-list park.
Big Bend National Park
Rangefinder: Southwest Texas near the U.S.-Mexico Border, 370 Miles West of San Antonio
RV Accommodations: There are full hookup RV camping areas that are operated by Aramark.
Lose yourself at this crossroads of countries and cultures in far west Texas. Indigenous people, miners, pioneers, Spanish explorers and more have lived, worked and traveled through this part of the country. Scenic drives abound, with more than 100 miles of paved roads and other paths available to feed your wanderlust. Watch the landscape change before you and immerse yourself in the fauna, flora, geology and wildlife that has attracted people for centuries to this spot far removed from the everyday.
Upper Midwest
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Rangefinder: Western North Dakota, 130 Miles West of Bismarck
RV Accommodations: Most of the campsites at Cottonwood and Juniper Campground are suitable for RVs; however, there are no hook-ups.
Roosevelt came here as a young man in 1883 to hunt bison, and the impression these lands made on the future president changed the course of America. Open prairies intersperse with rugged landscapes to house an abundance of wildlife. Deer, elk, bison and pronghorn — the fastest land animal in North America — are just some of the sightings possible. Visit the South Unit for a 48-mile scenic drive through the Badlands.
Badlands National Park
Rangefinder: Central South Dakota, 60 Miles East of Rapid City
RV Accommodations: Cedar Pass RV and Campground has some sites that are designated for RV camping and some even have electric hookups.
Bison, bighorn sheep, black-footed ferrets and more call these 244,000 acres home, and your visit includes several ways to explore them all. Families will find programs targeted for kids, and experienced hikers have no shortage of challenging trails to follow. You also could let your Renegade be your guide as you enjoy spectacular sights from any of the 12 overlooks on the Badlands Loop Road.
Eastern
Shenandoah National Park
Rangefinder: Northern Virginia, 75 Miles West of Washington, D.C.
RV Accommodations: RV camping is not allowed.
Waterfalls, wildflowers and woods dot these 200,000-plus acres waiting for your adventurous soul to arrive and explore. Enter the park on Skyline Drive to begin jaw-dropping travel through these protected lands nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains. Fishing, rock climbing, hiking, biking and backpacking await the spirited traveler looking for more.
Now that you have a fresh batch of travel inspiration, start planning that next expedition, then share favorite photos of your Renegade crew from your next national park visit!
