4 Underrated National Parks for Your Next Trip

Nature lovers can't get enough of America's national parks. But while many travelers opt to check out popular landmarks like Half Dome at Yosemite or Old Faithful at Yellowstone, there are other jaw-dropping destinations worth putting on your radar. Here are four underrated national parks for your next trip.

Dry Tortugas National Park sits approximately 70 miles from Key West and covers 100 square miles of tropical beauty. This remote destination consists of seven small islands and boasts the third largest reef system in the world. Famous for stargazing, enjoy the experience at Dry Tortugas and camp at the Garden Key for $15 a night. The park's entrance fee for a casual day of exploring runs $15 per person.

For avid hikers, head to the North Cascades National Park in Washington. Located three hours from Seattle, this spot offers hundreds of trails featuring spectacular glacial views. If you'd rather take in the mountains without all the legwork, campground rates start from absolutely free to $16 a night.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas mixes the typical green landscape with its picturesque desert terrain. You can traverse more than 80 miles of trails, including the Guadalupe Peak Trail that leads you to the highest point in Texas. Luckily the entrance fee isn't as steep at an affordable price of $7 per person.

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve in Alaska has been hailed as one of the country's best by the nation's park service. So it may come as a surprise to find it's the second least-visited national park in the U.S. With activities such as kayaking, biking, hiking and power boating, even the most devoted adventurer will be left satisfied. How much is it to scope out the park's turquoise lakes and stunning mountains? Absolutely nothing.

So, for your next summer trip to the great outdoors, skip the crowds and visit one of these locales instead.