Some Of The Least Visited National Parks In America Are Located In Alaska, And Here’s Why You Should Visit

According to 2022 National Park Service visitation data, these three wildly remote National Parks in Alaska are some of the least visited national parks in America, and they're some of the most beautiful, yet highly underrated, places in the country. With over 22,000 combined square miles, there is no shortage of adventure to be had in any of these brilliantly beautiful places. Getting there might be a bit more difficult than visiting the parks located along the state's the road system, but the remote locations of these parks is a large part of what makes them so special. If you have a wanderlust for the Last Frontier, you need to plan a visit to these national parks in Alaska ASAP!

1. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska

The 6,297-square-mile Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is located southwest of Anchorage, along the western shore of Cook Inlet.

With the incredible abundant salmon streams that offer world-class fishing opportunities, many are surprised to learn that the annual traffic to this park is only around 18,000 visitors. In fact, in 2022, it was the third least-visited of the 63 national parks in the United States.

But as you can expect, getting there isn't as easy as it is get to other parks in the state, which is likely the reason for the limited number of visitors. With no roads leading in, a float plane or a boat is your best option for visiting.

In addition to fishing, the wildlife viewing in Lake Clark National Park is by far one of the best experiences that you will ever have in your life. Get up close and personal with bears during the day, and stay at a luxury lodge in the evening. This enormous national park is what vacation goals are made for!

2. Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

The 2,735 square-mile Kobuk Valley National Park is one of the most unexpected places that you'll find in the entire state of Alaska.

Home to the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes - the largest, active high-latitude dune field on the planet - this national park is the second least-visited among the 63 national parks in the system. In 2022, for example, only 16,925 people visited this vast Alaskan park. But those lucky few who did enjoyed hiking, backpacking, fishing, skiing, dog mushing, and snow machining.

In addition to the sand dunes, the Kobuk River is an enchanting part of this widespread national park. With abundant fishing opportunities, visitors can stay busy for days.

The Kobuk River caribou herd is another big attraction when visiting this special area. In fact, over a half-million caribou migrate through the park each year.

Getting to this incredibly remote park is not easy. There are no roads leading into this vast national park, so your best best is to take a small plane from the nearest town of Kotzebue.

3. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Known as one of the last "truly wild places on Earth," the phenomenal Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the northernmost National Park in the United States.

At more than 11,750 square miles, Gates of the Arctic is the second largest national park in the United States (Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the biggest). However, it is the least visited of the 63 U.S. national parks, registering only 9,457 visitors in 2022.

Although there are no roads into Gates of the Arctic National Park, that shouldn't stop you from visiting. Limestack Mountain is a stunningly beautiful attraction inside the park that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime.

In addition to there not being roads into the park, there are also no "official" established trails inside the park - but there are game trails and natural routes over the landscape. This makes it an excellent location for backcountry hiking and overnight backpacking.

The lakes, glaciers and mountains inside the park will give you the biggest dose of eye candy in your lifetime. You must experience this least visited national park in Alaska for yourself.

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