What to Know Before Visiting U.S. National Parks This Summer
"Known for being among the country's least-visited parks, this remote area typically avoids the large summer crowds seen elsewhere, offering a quieter wilderness experience. Because of staffing and access challenges, visitors should prepare to be self-reliant, check for up-to-date service and access information, and pack necessary food, water, and navigation gear." - Stephanie Vermillion
Stephanie Vermillion
Stephanie Vermillion is a travel journalist and photographer covering culture and adventure for Travel + Leisure Outside, and more.
Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
Our Readers' Favorite National Parks in the U.S. of 2025
"A remote Alaska park that cannot be reached by car and requires small-plane travel, prized by readers for its solitude and pristine, wild landscapes." - Hannah Walhout
Hannah Walhout
Hannah Walhout is a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, where she edits the Discoveries section of the print magazine and develops longer stories focusing on food, wine, and spirits. She has previously worked at Food & Wine and in the writing program at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"A national park in Alaska known for its stunning wilderness and wildlife." - Lydia Mansel
Lydia Mansel
Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s
This Is the Most Underrated National Park in the U.S.
"Lake Clark National Park in Alaska offers stunning scenery with lakes, volcanoes, and wildlife, providing a remote and pristine experience." - Travel + Leisure Editors
Absolutely gorgeous! Of the 5 Alaska national parks I’ve visited, this was my favorite and imo the prettiest. I also saw more bears here than at the more famous and popular Katmai. The flight in had magnificent views as well out the window. The boat tour was cozy and awesome as was our guide/captain. A++
Isaac Hochrein
Google
Phenomenal national park! Just an hour flight from Anchorage but without the crowds. Beautiful blue lakes against a mountainous backdrop make this a spectacular experience.
Ty
Google
Stunning area, truly a unique place on earth. Totally wild and as long as your calm, cool, and collect - the bears really don't bother you or even care that you're there.
Need to take a flight in and out, or at least a boat. Watch the tide, it's crazy how fast it rises. See photos
Max Maier
Google
Nice and remote. A short flight from Anchorage. There are a few was to get here worth the adventure.
Matthew Cowen
Google
Truly one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Saw 15+ different bears here on our 8 hour boat tour on the lake. So amazing.
Jackson Higgins
Google
Really it’s highly overrated it’s just a big tourist trap it’s just trees you can’t even see the “mountains” without paying hundreds of dollars in permits and entrance fees and there’s quotas and planes are expensive. Glaciers are dangerous 10+ meters of snow can pile on you and rivers are dangerous (theyre everywhere!) you might drown. Weather changes fast and it might flood. If you get lost they can’t find you and you’re dead. There’s snow even in the summer and if it so much as gets in your boot you get hypothermia and die. Dont come here. Not worth the time.
Plane rides from ANC to Dillingham claim an average of FIVE LIVES PER YEAR due to high winds and blizzards
If you’re there for the cabin on Twin Lakes it’s not even anything it’s basically just ruins at this point and you’re not allowed to stay in it. And it requires a 10-day or more miserable hike through bogs and stuff with NO WIFI AT ALL
**ON AVERAGE THIS PARK CLAIMS 20 LIVES PER YEAR**
I would recommend Iceland instead which is much much nicer and underrated. There are nonfatal cabins and other things to stay at and I am from the Reykjavík, and I see the northern lights every night so come here instead.
Please please trust me it sucks dont ever come. The mosquitos and black flies are also the size of rabbits. It can get to 0F even in the summer (not even high up!) and snow. Plus brown bears are very dangerous (bear spray is a scam it doesnt work none)
**90% of American brown bears live in AK!!! Go somewhere else!!**
Zena Marie
Google
This was a trip of a lifetime. People always go to Alaska to take a cruise ship around it. We were submerged in an adventure I'll never forget. Lake Clark is an oasis with friendly faces hunting lodges and a beautiful marriage retreat for disabled veterans ran by Ohop. It is worth the travel.
Abd Elhamid Elsayed Halayeb
Google
Clark National Park and Preserve In Alaska, USA, is one of the biggest parks in the state of Alaska, where you can see the nature as it was decades ago. Wild animals are roaming freely and visitors have to be vigilant since wild bear are known to be a menace