Celebrate America’s 250th birthday at these 9 lesser-known parks
The US national parks are far more than just hiking trails and snow-capped peaks. Celebrate America’s 250th at these epic deserts and historic sites, too.
Emily Pennington // WNP
Love national parks but hate crowds? There’s a wealth of diverse public lands across the western national parks for you to stretch out and explore while you’re celebrating the sestercentennial. We’ve got the inside scoop on lakeside lounging, desert daydreaming, family-friendly hiking, and campsites with a view.
From Congress-designated national parks to less-traveled monuments and recreation areas, there’s something for every kind of traveler on this list. Whether you're looking to experience Native American cultures, a craggy riverine canyon, or the summit of a 13er, read on for some epic ways to celebrate our shared heritage, which stretches much further back than 250 years.
Add these lesser-known parks to your 2026 travel list
Great Basin National Park
Location: Nevada
Best for: Hiking, caving, epic stargazing
Situated just off the “loneliest road in America,” this far-flung Nevada park is not one to miss. For starters, Great Basin home to impressive Wheeler Peak, the highest independent mountain in the state, and hikers who like a challenge can rise early and attempt to summit the imposing 13er. Or, for a more relaxed day, spend an afternoon sauntering through ancient giants on a 2.8-mile trek to a bristlecone grove. Those who aren’t afraid of the dark will want to book their tickets early for a ranger-guided tour of Lehman Caves, to check out underground flowstone and shield formations. Or, opt for an easy scenic drive along the park’s main 12-mile thoroughfare (just watch out for surly, high altitude marmots). Cap off the day at this celebrated International Dark Sky Park by craning your neck skyward, watching as the twinkling stars make their slow slide overhead.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Location: Texas
Best for: History buffs, historic architecture
“Remember the Alamo” is a phrase you’re likely to hear whispered as you make your way around the centuries-old Spanish Colonial buildings at San Antonio Missions. Though the Alamo isn’t technically inside the historic park’s jurisdiction, it is managed by the Texas General Land Office and sits roughly 20 minutes (by car) from the national park site. The stunning mission architecture on display at San Antonio Missions is no less stunning, though. Visitors can stroll through immaculately preserved structures from the 1700s—all minutes from downtown San Antonio. Must see spots include: the Mission Reach River Walk, the stone church at Mission Conception, and the ornate carvings of Mission San José.
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Location: Colorado
Best for: Hiking, camping, dune sledding
Tucked away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in southern Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a family-friendly gem, perfect for multigenerational travel groups. Kids will love having the opportunity to rent dune sleds (in the nearby town of Mosca) and zoom down the golden-hued slopes, while parents might simply enjoy cooling their feet in Medano Creek or taking Fido for a stroll (sand up to the first ridge of dunes is dog-friendly). And, since the park is a few hours from the metropolis of Denver, it’s also an epic place to watch the night sky, with minimal light pollution. It’s a fantastic way to explore and celebrate America’s wilderness without fighting the crowds in nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Location: New Mexico
Best for: Indigenous history, hiking, stargazing
Commemorating America’s 250th birthday doesn’t have to mean a whirlwind trip to the National Mall or a hike in Yosemite to follow in John Muir’s footsteps. Sometimes, it can be most impactful when exploring the ancestral cultures who have tended this land for millennia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was at the center of ancestral Puebloan civilization between 850 and 1250 CE, and the scale of what they built here is enough to impress even the most skeptical teen in your group. Start at Pueblo Bonito, an immense structure of more than 600 rooms that rise in terraced, sandstone tiers. Drive the nine-mile loop road to survey the canyon's other great houses, like Chetro Ketl, Casa Rinconada, and Pueblo del Arroyo. Join a ranger-led tour to learn about the wild astronomical alignments built right into these stone walls, solar and lunar cycles essentially carved into the rock. Chaco Culture is also a certified International Dark Sky Park, worthy of staying after hours for an interpretive program at the Chaco Observatory.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Location: Oklahoma
Best for: Boating, cycling, fishing, bird watching
Many people in the heartland might not even realize that there’s a stunning national park site right under their noses in Oklahoma, but Chickasaw National Recreation Area has been welcoming visitors and celebrating the Chickasaw tribe’s heritage for 50 years. Paying a visit to this 9,899-acre expanse of verdant woodlands and a massive lake fit for boating and fishing means celebrating two birthdays in one—the park hit its 50th year in 2026. Wade into Travertine Creek or brave the chilly waterfall at Little Niagara. Either way, you'll understand why they call this the “Oasis of the Plains.” Hike the Bromide Hill Trail for sweeping views across the Arbuckle Mountains, then kayak or cast a line on Lake of the Arbuckles. Interested in cycling? Roughly 30 miles of mixed-use trails make for easy rolling along gentle terrain.
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Location: Colorado
Best for: Boating, camping, fishing, hiking
Most people blowing through western Colorado on their way to Black Canyon of the Gunnison don't stop here, and that's their loss. Curecanti National Recreation Area sprawls across the rolling high-altitude lands above Gunnison, though its three spectacular reservoirs are the main draw. Start with Blue Mesa Reservoir, which is Colorado's largest body of water. Here, you can cast a line for kokanee salmon and trophy-sized trout (valid CO license required). Or, you can savor the scenic route and rent a boat or bring your inflatable kayak. On land, the 3.8-mile Dillon Pinnacles Trail is one of the top treks in the park, a moderate out-and-back that winds past sagebrush and craggy volcanic spires, before opening onto sweeping views of Blue Mesa's cobalt surface. Birders will want to bring their binoculars, too, as Osprey and eagles frequently hunt the reservoir's edges. Many campgrounds dot the cerulean edge of this reservoir, so be sure to book early and stay a few nights.
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
Location: Arizona
Best for: Scenic drives, hiking, desert sunsets
There is exactly one place in the United States where the organ pipe cactus grows in large numbers. It's here at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, pressed up against the US–Mexico border in the remote Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona. This UNESCO International Biosphere Reserve protects more than 500 square miles of canyon-dotted desert landscape held sacred by the Tohono O'odham Nation and the Hia C-eḍ O'odham for thousands of years. Those seeking a mellow excursion should beeline for 21-mile Ajo Mountain Loop Drive, a one-way dirt road that weaves through cactus-studded valleys. Get out, grab your water, and challenge yourself on the 3.6-mile loop up Estes Canyon and Bull Pasture, a challenging climb that earns you sweeping panoramas of the monument's jagged, sun-scorched terrain. Hikers wanting to detour to Arch Canyon won't be disappointed, either. Go between October and April, as summer temperatures routinely exceed 100°F; this is not a place to underestimate the heat.
Santa Fe National Historic Trail
Location: New Mexico (headquarters)
Best for: History buffs, scenic drives, hiking
A key route on the way to total westward expansion, the Santa Fe National Historic Trail is worthy of a several-day road trip, so you and your crew can experience the complex history and cultures that makes this oft overlooked slice of the country so fascinating. Here, over 1,200 miles of American history stretch from the tallgrass prairies of western Missouri to the sunbaked plaza of downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico. It's a living corridor of forts, trading posts, historic wagon ruts (yes, really), and wide-open landscapes that beg to be explored over time, celebrating a dynamic time in America’s history. In Kansas, Fort Larned is the gold standard stop for kids, as living history reenactments bring the frontier army to life in ways that no textbook can. The preserved wagon ruts outside of Dodge City are another must-see stop, as is Bent's Old Fort, in Colorado, which offers ranger-led programs that put travelers inside the adobe walls of one of the Southwest's most important 19th-century trading posts.
Pinnacles National Park
Location: California
Best for: Birding, hiking, rock climbing
Pinnacles National Park, in rural central California, in often overlooked in favor of its more famous cousins, Sequoia and Yosemite, but this park offers some prime terrain for exploring during the shoulder season (spring and fall), when other parks are frigid or snowed in. From March through May, over 80 percent of the park's plants are in bloom, and hundreds of migrating birds flutter their way between the park’s tangerine-hued volcanic spires. Avid hikers won’t want to miss the High Peaks Loop, a strenuous 5.3-mile romp that earns you cathedral-esque views of the park's namesake rock formations. If you're lucky, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of an endangered California condor riding thermals overhead. For an easier walk in the park, Bear Gulch and Balconies Caves are both lovely ways to escape the constant sunshine, just check seasonal closures first, as they shut down to protect a colony of bats during breeding season. Itching to stoke your adrenaline? Pinnacles is revered for its many rock climbing routes, and a number of local guiding services exist to help you ascend the rough volcanic breccia to a breathtaking view.
Pictures from the parks
A picture is worth a thousand words. Get inspired with these spectacular views of hidden gem national parks.
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First-time visitor tips
If this is your first trip to these national park sites, a little preparation can make your visit even more rewarding.
Begin at the visitor center
Rangers can recommend the best trails, scenic overlooks, and current conditions based on your interests and the amount of time you have available.
Give yourself more time than your GPS suggests
Scenic drives, wildlife sightings, overlooks, and unexpected discoveries often become the most memorable parts of the journey.
Respect cultural and historic sites
Many of these parks preserve irreplaceable cultural resources. Stay on designated trails, avoid climbing on historic structures, and leave artifacts exactly where you find them so future visitors can enjoy the same experience.
Plan for changing daylight
Sunset arrives earlier during the fall months, so begin longer hikes with plenty of daylight remaining.
Practice Leave No Trace principles
Packing out trash, staying on designated trails, respecting wildlife, and leaving natural and cultural features undisturbed help protect these extraordinary places for future generations.
Pack appropriately
Check weather conditions and pack appropriately. Always bring more water than you think you need (one liter per one hour per person is a general guidance). Sunshine, even during cooler months, can be intense, so pack your hats and sunscreen wherever you're going.
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