South Carolina Is Home To One Of The Least Visited National Parks
Spring is here and it’s time to get outside, but apparently, for those in South Carolina, visiting ones of the Palmetto state’s National Parks isn’t in the cards. Congaree National…
The Boardwalk at Congaree National Forest near Columbia, South Carolina
Getty ImagesSpring is here and it’s time to get outside, but apparently, for those in South Carolina, visiting ones of the Palmetto state's National Parks isn’t in the cards.
Congaree National Park in South Carolina comes in as one of the least visited National Parks in the country in 2021, according to data released by the National Park Service.
The top 15 parks on the list of least visited are some of the most beautiful places in the country. But a few of them do have some similar logistics or location challenges. But for many other ones, there’s not much excuse for not celebrating how beautiful our country is.
Let’s take a look at the least visited national parks in the United States so that you can get some spots on your bucket list. We are going to leave off the ones in places like American Samoa, but we’ll leave in Alaska because they are beautiful.
1. Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve - Alaska
Only 7,362 people made it out to Gates of the Arctic in 2021. And that’s not entirely shocking, given there are literally no roads or trails in the park at all.
But that also makes for some of the most amazing visuals our country has to offer. Seriously, go to this website and look at the stunning images.
If you’re an adventurous person, this park is for you.
2. Kobuk Valley National Park - Alaska
Just 11,540 people trekked out to Kobuk Valley in 2021, and for a lot of the same reasons as the last one – it’s in Alaska.
But if you’re wanting to see some caribou crossing a massive river, this place is for you. A half million of them migrate through the sand dunes at Kobuk Valley every year.
3. North Cascades National Park - Washington
There’s no reason only 17,855 visitors should have gone to North Cascades last year. It’s just 3 hours from Seattle and has some of the best hiking in the world.
4. Lake Clark National Park & Preserve - Alaska
Back to Alaska we go, with just 18,278 visitors in 2021, Lake Clark is a hidden gem. It’s one of the highest-rated national parks, and maybe the lack of visitors is what keeps it that way.
If you picture an Alaskan national park, it’s probably this one. There are volcanoes steaming, salmon runs, bears, snow-capped mountains, and beautiful lakes.
5. Katmai National Park & Preserve - Alaska
You’re sensing a theme here, aren’t you? Katmai had 24,764 visitors in 2021.
And those visitors get to see some amazing pristine waters and stunning landscapes. Plus, there’s a BEAR CAM!
6. Isle Royale National Park - Michigan
There were just 25,844 visitors to Isle Royale in 2021, and it’s probably for good reason. While it’s amazingly beautiful, the park is on a remote island in the middle of Lake Superior.
You can only get there by boat or seaplane, and it’s closed from November 1 – April 15 every year. When it is open, it’s a scuba divers dream, with shipwrecks and amazing waters all over the lake.
7. Wrangell - St. Elias National Park & Preserve - Alaska
Back up to Alaska we go for America’s largest national park, at 13.2 MILLION acres. As the NPS says, it’s the same size as Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park and the country of Switzerland… COMBINED!
There’s also a massive concentration of volcanoes and glaciers here. So while 50,189 people visited in 2021, it could be a lot more given its size.
8. Dry Tortugas National Park - Florida
Finally we get to warm weather, which 82,817 people enjoyed at Dry Tortugas in 2021. So, what’s the catch?
Well, it’s the part of Florida that’s really, really hard to get to – 70 miles west of Key West. There are seven small islands and a lot of open water in this national park.
It is the home of the gorgeous Fort Jefferson, but you’ll have to take a boat or seaplane to get there. But the snorkeling and swimming in the area make it so very worth it.
9. Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
Time to put your coat back on, as we head back to Alaska and some amazing glaciers.
Some 89,768 people visited Glacier Bay in 2021, but you’ve almost certainly seen photos of this place in your life. The glacier images are some of the most iconic in the world.
10. Great Basin National Park - Nevada
Back to the lower 48 we go, with the remote – but amazing – Great Basin National Park, which saw 144,875 visitors in 2021.
The Great Basin is considered one of the best star gazing spots in the country, as there’s no light pollution ANYWHERE nearby. There’s also the incredible Lehman Caves that make this spot worth a visit.
11. CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK - South Carolina
To be fair, while Congaree is one of the least visited national parks in the country, it did get substantially more visitors than Great Basin in 2021 – 215,181.
So what did keep people away from Congaree? Well, it’s basically just a giant marshland. It’s the largest old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the Southeast. That makes it extremely flood prone, but wood plank paths throughout make it fairly accessible.
12. Denali National Park & Preserve - Alaska
The tallest peak in North America, Mount Denali (or Mount McKinley… it’s complicated) is the focal point for the national park, and that helped it get 229,521 visitors last year.
But it’s not just the iconic mountain worth visiting. You can see stunning auroras, wildlife and so much more.
13. Voyaguers National Park - Minnesota
Another remote northern park shows up on the list, but there were 243,042 visitors in 2021. Not too shabby really.
The park is a mix of rocks, cliffs, wetlands, forests, streams and lakes, and is an amazing spot to see the Northern Lights.
14. Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Texas
Sure, it’s in Texas, but Guadalupe Mountains got only 243,291 visitors in 2021. Lots of that is because of damage to various parts of the park.
15. Black Canyon Of The Gunnison - Colorado
With 308,910 visitors, Black Canyon didn’t do too bad last year. But the harsh winters make much of the park impassable for part of the year. We would describe this place, but NPS did a way better job:
“Big enough to be overwhelming, still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park exposes you to some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. With two million years to work, the Gunnison River, along with the forces of weathering, has sculpted this vertical wilderness of rock, water, and sky.”
Most Visited National Parks
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Tennessee And North Carolina
Centrally located, and beautifully equipped, the Great Smoky Mountains give a little bit of something for everyone. And it had a whopping 14,161,548 visitors in 2021, almost triple the next closest park.
2. Zion National Park - Utah
The second most visited national park in the country is one of the most picturesque and iconic. You’ve seen images from Zion your entire life, and 5,039,835 people visited it last year.
3. Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming, Idaho, Montana
Yellowstone itself is amazing, and 4,860,242 people agreed in 2021. But realistically, it’s Old Faithful that draws everyone up to Wyoming.
4. Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona
The big ditch out West drew in 4,532,677 visitors last year, and being one of the most recognizable parks in the world sure helped with that.
Looking for something fun to do? North Carolina has several historic sites that provide a fun and educational experience for those of all ages! The sites, which are mostly free or charge a minimal fee to visit include historic buildings, a gold mine, museums, and more. No matter the time period you're interested, in there is something that will suffice.
North Carolina is home to 27 Historic Sites across the state. We've taken the opportunity to tell you about the ones you can easily make a day trip from Charlotte to enjoy. This includes some in the greater Charlotte area, the mountains, as well as closer to the Greensboro area. All destinations should be within driving distance.
Some portions of descriptions are taken from HistoricSites.NC.gov
1. President James K. Polk Historic Site
Located right near Carolina Place Mall in Pineville, NC the James K. Polk Historic Site is located on land once owned by the parents of James K. Polk, the 11th U.S. president.
You can visit for free and see a museum with exhibits on life in this area during Polk's childhood, Polk's rise to fame through politics, the Mexican-American War, and temporary exhibits on a range of topics. You can also take guided tours of the historic cabins on the grounds and experience a small nature trail (temporarily closed for construction), a historically-inspired kitchen garden, and a picnic area.
On the property is also a relocated cemetery where Polk's grandmother is buried along with other family members who lived and died nearby in the 18th and 19th centuries.
2. Reed Gold Mine
Reed Gold Mine is the site of the first documented gold discovery in the United States. In fact, North Carolina led the nation in gold production until 1848, when it was eclipsed by the great rush to California. At its peak over $1 million worth of gold was discovered each year. Today you can visit Reed Gold Mine which is located in Midland. There is an underground mine that is open for self-guided tours, historic structures, a visitor center, trails, monuments, and outdoor exhibits. Admission is free though there is a $3 charge if you want to pan for gold.
3. Town Creek Indian Mound
Town Creek Indian Mound in Mt. Gilead is an archaeological wonder.
While most archaeological sites are investigated for a few years before archaeologists move on to new locations, Town Creek has been the focus of a consistent program of archaeological research for more than half a century. This research has contributed to the scientific understanding of the original inhabitants of our continent and has provided educational opportunities for many graduate and undergraduate students in anthropology.
Admission is free but guided tours are $2 per person. During your visit, you can tour the historic structures, trails, monuments, and outdoor exhibits.
4. NC Transportation Museum
The N.C. Transportation Museum is a historic site located in Stanley, NC. Admission for adults is $6 and is cheaper for children and seniors. The site was once home to Southern Railway’s largest steam locomotive repair facility in the southeast and currently features a museum featuring all types of transportation history – railroading, automotive, aviation, and more.
Historic structures you can see on your visit include Barber Junction Depot which is an authentic train station built in 1898. The Bob Julian Roundhouse is the largest still remaining roundhouse in North America and houses locomotives, passenger rail cars, and a full-size replica Wright Flyer.
On Saturdays, visitors can also participate in train rides which take place at 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm for a minimal additional charge. The museum also hosts several events throughout the year including The Polar Express, Wine & Dine on The Rails, and A Day Out With Thomas.
5. Fort Dobbs
Fort Dobbs is located in Statesville near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Ft. Dobbs State Historic Site provides a window into the tumultuous period of history known as the French and Indian War which took place from 1754-to 1763. It's the only state historic site associated with the period.
On your visit, you can enjoy the newly renovated Blockhouse, visitors center, nature trail, and Petit Sutler shop.
6. Horne Creek Living Historial Farm
Once known as the Hauser family farm but not referred to as Horne Creek. A visit to the farm enables visitors to experience farm life in North Carolina's northwestern Piedmont around the turn of the century. The site features the family's original farmhouse, a tobacco curing barn, a corn crib, adjacent fields under cultivation, and even a heritage apple orchard. Programs are offered such as old-fashioned ice cream socials and an annual corn shucking frolic.
7. Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum
Originally called the Palmer Memorial Institute and founded in 1902 by Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown. Now visitors can experience the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum. The Institute transformed the lives of more than 2,000 African American students. Now visitors can explore where boys and girls lived and learned during the greater part of the 20th century. The museum delves into the larger themes of African American history, women's history, social history, and education, emphasizing the contributions African Americans made in North Carolina.
8. Alamance Battle Ground
Alamance Battleground State Historic Site is located on the land which once hosted a battle between the Regulators and the royal governor William Tryon's militia in 1771. The battle was fueled by growing anger over expensive land, embezzlement of tax money, and collusion between creditors and public officials. That anger led small farmers in piedmont North Carolina to form associations, write petitions, and seek peaceful redress of their grievances. A lack of response from the royal government only deepened the Regulators' resolve, and rising frustration later gave way to violence. The Regulator movement ended with their defeat at Alamance, but their struggle sent shockwaves through North Carolina and Colonial America, creating tensions that would reignite during the American War for Independence.
Today you can visit the Battle Ground in Burlington and tour a residence on the property called The Allen House as well as check out the visitor center, a three-quarter-mile nature trail, the James Hunter Monument, and the 1880 granite column commemorating the battle.
9. Zebulon Vance Birthplace
A visit to the Zebulon Vance Birthplace in Weaverville, NC is your chance to explore daily life on an early 1800s plantation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Step inside a 1790s slave dwelling and hear the stories of the women and men who were enslaved by the Vances. Take a tour through the reconstructed birthplace of Zebulon B. Vance to discover how the environment and society of Western North Carolina shaped his political career.
Tucked into the picturesque Reems Creek Valley, the site features seven historic and reconstructed buildings as well as a visitor center with interactive exhibits. Visitors can take a guided tour of the site, browse our exhibits, and conclude their visit with lunch in our picnic shelter—featuring panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains
10. Thomas Wolfe Memorial
You can visit Thomas Wolfe's mother's boardinghouse in Asheville, North Carolina. Now known as the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, it has become one of literature's most famous landmarks. Named "Old Kentucky Home" by a previous owner, Wolfe immortalized the rambling Victorian structure as "Dixieland" in his epic autobiographical novel, Look Homeward.
The site is open Tuesday-Saturdays and guided tours of the historic "Old Kentucky Home" are offered daily at the bottom of each hour.
Ts to the setting for this great novel.
