There are thousands of national parks in countries all over the world but while some of the big names dominate the spotlight globally, there are many other undiscovered gems that warrant more attention. Here we reveal 30 national parks that offer unique and unforgettable outdoor experiences, beauty and charm by the bucketload – and without the crowds.
This park in Eastern Canada is divided into two parts. One is a wilderness area full of old growth woodlands, inland wildlife and vast swathes of dark sky. The other is a coastal area located 62 miles (100km) away from the main park. Both are traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq peoples, who canoed along rivers and left petroglyphs carved on the rocks along their travels. The seaside region is particularly beautiful, with white sand beaches and coastal waters full of sea life.
America’s West is home to some of the world’s most famous national parks and while Nevada’s Great Basin flies under the radar in comparison, it’s just as spectacular. Marked by mountains with ample hiking trails, Great Basin is particularly special because of its ancient bristlecone pine trees, the oldest non-clonal species on Earth, with the oldest of them all estimated to be about 4,700 to 5,000 years old. The park also boasts the famous Lehman caves, accessible by guided tour.
Rugged and remote, this expansive swathe of natural land is listed as a World Heritage site because of its cultural significance and natural beauty. Traditionally inhabited by the Bininj/Mungguy people, the park features more than 5,000 rock art sites representing some of the oldest Indigenous art in the world. The non-human aspects of the park are impressive too, with lush rainforests, wild crocodiles and isolated spots to swim in while soaking up the majesty of the park.
Located on the rocky Jasmund peninsula on the island of Rügen, this park is best known for its dramatic white chalk cliffs, known as the Königsstuhl or “King’s Chair.” While the cliffs get all the attention, it’s also worth seeing Jasmund’s bountiful flora and fauna, specifically the ancient beech forests, different varieties of birds and protected orchids that bloom in meadows throughout the park. The area attracts many hikers, who can explore serene forest trails or take a coastal route for some breathtaking views.
Managed by African Parks to protect the local wildlife, Liwonde is a sanctuary for animals that have been relocated to the safety of the park. Today the park is home to hundreds of elephants, as well as cheetahs, black rhinos and other amazing species. The wildlife conservation is a highlight of the park, but the landscape is also outstanding. There are miles and miles of dry savannah, as well as forest and the Shire River, which stretches alongside the western side of the park.
One of several parks on the island of Hokkaido, Akan-Mashu is the traditional home of Japan’s Indigenous Ainu people. It also features some extraordinary volcanic landscapes and wildlife, including some incredibly rare owls. Hot springs and crystal-clear lakes also abound here, including a caldera lake – Lake Kussharoa – which visitors can canoe on. They should also be on the lookout for unusual velvety green balls of algae called marimo that form in the lakes.
As the site of Angel Falls – the tallest waterfall in the world – Canaima isn’t a completely unknown entity, but many visitors don’t know that the 12,000-square mile (30,000sq km) park has a lot to offer beyond that one attraction. The area is filled with giant table-top plateau rock formations called tepuis that make up the bulk of the park. Hiking, canoeing to Angel Falls and wildlife spotting are the main activities here – the park is home to cougars, jaguars, giant armadillos and two-toed sloths, to name a few.
The only inhabited nature reserve in Spain, Picos de Europa is not as famous as Teide National Park in the Canary Islands, but it’s got some pretty phenomenal mountain terrain. The park contains 11 villages, making it the only inhabited nature reserve in the country. The park's showstopping features are its pristine meadows, impressive mountains and forests laden with wildlife including brown bears and Iberian wolves. Hiking is very popular in the park, while you can also see much of it by car.
Bogs don’t always get a lot of fanfare, but the wetlands of Connemara National Park in Ireland are lovely enough to redeem the spongy, peaty lands’ soggy reputation. This park in the west of Ireland has plenty of bogs, as well as pretty mountains, grasslands and wooded areas to explore. The flora attracts some interesting fauna, including many bird species. Camping is encouraged, with visitors setting up “wild camping” sites so that they can intimately commune with the wilderness.
Congaree may not attract the same number of visitors as Yellowstone or Zion national parks, but when visitors see its trees they never forget them. The park hosts the most significant intact collection of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern US. The ecosystem is nourished by the Congaree and Wateree Rivers, which create a unique landscape in this natural area of South Carolina. The park is filled with boardwalks so that visitors can walk among the bald cypress trees.
Green fields and otherworldly mountains are hallmarks of the Chinese countryside, both of which are abundant in this park located in the northeastern region of Guangxi Zhuang. The Li (or Lijiang) River flows through the park, creating some unforgettable vistas. Limestone mountain peaks complement the river, which is best enjoyed on a boat cruising along the water as it winds through the electric green landscape.
The mountains of southern Poland make up one of the most beautiful parts of the country and they can be fully enjoyed in this alpine park. Brown bears and grey wolves roam among the jagged peaks and deep lakes, while hikers can explore the area via more than 170 miles (274km) of trails. The mountains also shelter some pretty serious cave systems, with more than 600 caves to discover, including the 11-mile (18km) long Wielka Sniezna.
Italy’s Almalfi Coast is considered one of the most gorgeous places in the world and this incredible national park sits just south of it. The area is known for both its historic significance and natural assets, with archeological sites that date back 250,000 years, as well as remnants of more recent settlements and sanctuaries. Beyond that, the landscape is a sight to behold, dotted with sloping river valleys and soaring mountain peaks.
When it comes to national parks, Canada has many standouts, but this smaller park that sits on the southernmost tip of the country is an underrated gem. Surrounded by the waters of Lake Erie, the park’s marshy wetlands are a haven for birdwatchers, as well as wildlife enthusiasts looking to spot beavers and turtles. The water surrounding the park's sandy beaches is great for kayaking and canoeing and in the summer it is generally warm enough to swim in.
Situated in an area known as the “elbow of the Andes,” this mountainous park sits in the heart of Bolivia. The elevation changes throughout the park allowing for some exciting biodiversity, which is one of its main draws – visitors share the space with over 900 species of birds, as well as giant anteaters, jaguars, ocelot and many other animals. There’s also a lot of payoff in terms of natural wonder, with waterfalls, rainforests and mountain views.
California has a lot of outstanding national parks to compete with, which is why this awe-inspiring coastal park is not as globally known as some of the state’s other natural areas. The park consists of five of the eight Channel Islands that sit just off the mainland near Los Angeles. Even though they’re a stone’s throw from one of the most populated regions of the US, the park itself is wild and rugged and only accessible by boat.
Scotland’s Cairngorms isn’t as visited as more popular UK parks such as Snowdonia in Wales, but it is Britain’s largest park in size and one of the best for climbers, thanks to the peaks and outcrops of the Grampian mountains. The park is a delight year-round, with opportunities to hike, golf and bike in the summer and ice-climb, ski and take dog sled rides in winter. Cairngorms boasts an impressive diversity of landscapes, with scenic driving routes, moorlands, peatlands and wooded forests.
The name of this park in Albania translates to “good valley” in Italian, which is an apt title for this picturesque part of Albania that's often nicknamed the “miracle of the Alps.” The park is protected and relatively remote (especially by European standards), which allows for pristine glacial springs, waterfalls and rugged rock formations. One of the park’s most popular attractions is the Cave of Dragobia, which is accessible via a rugged hiking trail.
Tasmania’s Freycinet National Park doesn’t have a landmark like the famous Uluru rock monolith, but it makes up for it with some sublime coastal views. The must-see attraction here is the curved white sand coastline of Wineglass Bay and the long narrow peninsula has plenty of other gems along its shores. It’s not all beaches and turquoise waters: Freycinet also has some interesting terrain in the form of the Hazards, a range of pink granite mountains.
America’s national parks aren’t all in the continental US – this park takes up about two thirds of the island of St. John as well as nearby Hassel Island in the Virgin Islands. The cultural history on St. John runs deep, with petroglyph sites created by the Indigenous Taino peoples and colonial-era plantation ruins on the island. Those looking for natural stimulation can also get their fill with sandy white beaches, hiking trails and opportunities to snorkel among coral reefs.
Germany has three national parks in the Wadden Sea in the northwestern part of the country, near Denmark. This one is remarkable in that it contains the world’s largest continuous area of mudflats, formed as a result of the ultra-flat shorelines. The salt marshes and sand dunes give the park a distinctive look and also create a home for a unique collection of plants and animals, with seals, porpoises, starfish and birds that can be spotted as visitors explore on foot or by bike.
Nothing puts the “ice” in Iceland like this astonishing park that surrounds the Vatnajokull glacier. This is wild country both above and below the ground, with volcanic geothermal activity going on beneath the ice cap on the surface and shaping the land around it. That combination of fire and ice makes for powerful rocky landscapes, glacial rivers, black volcanic sands and unique wildlife built to withstand the conditions of this magical part of the world.
The Cuyahoga River is best known for running through the city of Cleveland, but it’s also the focal point of this natural wonderland in the American Midwest. The snaking river has carved a deep and fertile valley that’s perfect for moments of quiet reflection. The park’s proximity to both Cleveland and Akron makes it ideal for day hikes and bike trips or a refreshing paddle down the river. Cuyahoga is also a great family park with lots of learning opportunities for kids.
The largest protected area in west Namibia has a little bit of everything. Its most striking feature is the expansive Namib Desert, representing the oldest desert lands in the world. Then, to the east you’ve got the mighty Naukluft Mountains, with the coast and Sandwich Harbour, which is filled with flamingoes, pelicans and other sea birds to the west. With massive canyons, fields of sand dunes and African wildlife, Namib-Naukluft showcases Namibia’s diverse landscapes.
Banff and Jasper get most of the accolades when it comes to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, but nearby Kootenay National Park in British Columbia also deserves some attention. The vibe of Kootenay is more laid-back than its more famous cousins and while its landscape isn’t quite as dramatic, it’s rich with vast forests, rivers and lakes and, of course, mountains. The area is also chock-full of hot springs, with the commercial Radium Hot Springs just outside the park.
Named after Bulgaria's Pirin Mountains, this park has some postcard-perfect mountains and protected coniferous forests, but its claim to fame is the 100-or-so glacial lakes that sit within its boundaries. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to the park year-round, exploring by foot or bike in the summer, with opportunities to ski and snowshoe once snow hits the ground.
Located in the otherworldly Lapland, Sarek is jam-packed with mountain peaks and peculiar-looking deltas that give the land a spectacularly eerie look. Getting to Sarek can be a bit of an ordeal and a trip to the park is not for the faint of heart, with visitors having to either hike or ski in. Once there, adventurers can hike on unmarked trails and truly feel like they’re at one with the wilderness.
Western Australia is home to some pretty wild looking topography and the Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park are a prime example. The desert’s “pinnacle” formations are limestone spires that stick straight out of the ground and there are thousands of them to behold. With a lake filled with equally strange formations built by micro-organisms, as well as coastal dunes, flowering plants and gorgeous beaches, this park is truly one of a kind.
Wales is full of incredible natural splendour, all of which is on full display at this national park, known for its rolling countryside, green grass, waterfalls, wild forests and famous Black Mountains range. It’s a peaceful place for walking and a favourite for birdwatchers hoping to spot a red kite. There are also remnants of castles in the park, for those who want a little architecture mixed in with their nature fix.
A mountainous park formed by ancient glacier activity, Durmitor is prized for the height of its 50 or more limestone mountains, deeply carved canyons and array of icy glacier-fed lakes. Durmitor is a playground for outdoor sports enthusiasts, with a major ski resort attracting visitors in the winter months. In the summer, hikers flock to the park for its alpine views and to spot some of the area’s numerous birds and impressive array of butterflies.