20 Most Underrated National Parks in the World

Located in the Southern Alps, Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is known for its towering peaks, glaciers, and alpine meadows. Although it is home to New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki (Mount Cook), the park is often overshadowed by the more famous Fiordland National Park. Visitors can hike the Hooker Valley Track for views of glaciers, turquoise lakes, and towering mountain peaks, all in relative peace and quiet.

While Patagonia is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, Los Glaciares National Park is often overlooked in favor of the more accessible Torres del Paine in Chile. This UNESCO World Heritage site features massive glaciers, including the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, and dramatic peaks like Mount Fitz Roy. The park offers hiking, ice trekking, and stunning views, yet it remains much quieter than its Chilean counterpart.

One of the last and largest remaining parts of the primeval forest that once covered much of Europe, Bialowieza Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site shared by Poland and Belarus. This ancient forest is home to the European bison, making it a unique and vital ecological treasure. Despite its historical and environmental importance, the park does not attract as many tourists as one might expect for such a rare and diverse ecosystem.

Kakadu is one of Australia's most biodiverse parks, known for its wetlands, rock art, and native wildlife, including saltwater crocodiles and a vast array of bird species. While it's an important part of Australia's cultural and natural heritage, it often flies under the radar compared to other Australian destinations like the Great Barrier Reef or Uluru. Visitors can explore its stunning landscapes, including dramatic waterfalls, and learn about its Aboriginal significance.

Located in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the best places in the world to see mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Although it is famous among wildlife enthusiasts, it remains relatively underrated compared to more mainstream safari destinations in Africa. Trekking through dense jungle to observe these majestic creatures is a life-changing experience that many miss out on.

Often overshadowed by Yosemite and Yellowstone, Sequoia National Park in California is home to some of the largest trees on Earth, including the famous General Sherman Tree. The park's dense forests, towering peaks, and deep valleys offer a peaceful retreat with fewer crowds than its more famous counterparts. It’s a great spot for hiking, camping, and stargazing.

While Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Parks often steal the spotlight, Tamarindo National Park on the Pacific Coast is a hidden gem. Known for its pristine beaches, mangrove swamps, and protected marine life, it offers excellent opportunities for surfing, snorkeling, and wildlife watching, without the large crowds typically found in more popular parks.

Etosha is one of the best places in Africa to see wildlife in their natural habitat, yet it remains far less crowded than parks like Kruger or Serengeti. The park’s salt pans, waterholes, and dense bush offer a variety of landscapes to explore, and it’s one of the few places where you can see all of Africa’s "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) in such a unique environment.

Garajonay National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site located on the volcanic island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands. The park is known for its lush, misty laurel forests, which are a remnant of the subtropical forests that once covered much of Europe. The island’s remote location means it’s often overlooked by tourists, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful escape surrounded by nature.

Nestled in the Tien Shan mountains, just outside Bishkek, Ala Archa National Park is a hidden gem for hikers and mountaineers. Despite being just a short drive from the capital of Kyrgyzstan, the park remains largely undiscovered by international tourists. With its alpine meadows, rugged cliffs, and crystal-clear rivers, it offers a spectacular backdrop for outdoor activities such as trekking and rock climbing.

The Sundarbans mangrove forest, straddling India and Bangladesh, is home to the Bengal tiger and a variety of other rare species. Despite its unique ecosystem, this UNESCO World Heritage site often gets overshadowed by more traditional wildlife parks. Exploring the labyrinthine waterways and spotting tigers in this vast, waterlogged forest is an experience unlike any other.

Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, is a vast desert landscape in southern Jordan, characterized by towering sandstone mountains, narrow canyons, and ancient petroglyphs. While Petra is undoubtedly Jordan's most famous attraction, Wadi Rum offers a stunning desert experience with fewer tourists. It’s a popular base for Bedouin-led desert treks, stargazing, and even rock climbing.

Known for the striking Bungle Bungles—beehive-shaped sandstone domes that have become an iconic image of Australia—Purnululu National Park is often overlooked in favor of more popular destinations like Uluru. This remote park, located in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, offers visitors a chance to explore ancient landscapes, deep gorges, and indigenous rock art sites, all in isolation.

Though still somewhat popular among adventure travelers, Torres del Paine remains far less visited than parks like Yellowstone or Banff. This Patagonian gem offers stunning vistas of jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and glaciers. Its remoteness and rugged terrain keep the crowds at bay, making it a perfect destination for those seeking solitude in nature.

Kidepo Valley is Uganda’s most remote national park and one of the least-visited safari destinations in East Africa. It’s a hidden treasure, offering expansive savannas, wildlife-filled valleys, and striking mountain landscapes. Despite being one of Africa’s finest safari parks, it receives only a fraction of the visitors compared to Uganda's more famous parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Though Fiordland National Park is technically one of New Zealand’s most famous parks due to Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, it still remains relatively quiet compared to other iconic places like the Great Barrier Reef or Yosemite. The park features dramatic fjords, towering waterfalls, and ancient rainforests, making it a nature lover’s paradise.

Chobe National Park in Botswana is often overshadowed by South Africa’s Kruger Park and Kenya’s Maasai Mara, despite being one of Africa’s top wildlife destinations. Chobe boasts one of the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa, along with abundant lions, leopards, and hippos. The park’s diverse habitats—from floodplains to woodlands—provide a rich array of experiences.

The Valle de la Luna, or Valley of the Moon, is a unique landscape of salt flats, sand dunes, and dramatic rock formations located in the Atacama Desert. Though it is part of the much larger Atacama Desert, Valle de la Luna remains less traveled than other desert destinations, offering surreal views of an otherworldly landscape and stunning sunsets.

Famously the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie Avatar, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China offers otherworldly landscapes of towering sandstone pillars. While it has gained some recognition, it is still less visited than other major tourist spots in China. The park’s dramatic rock formations, misty forests, and glass skywalks make it a must-see for any nature lover.

This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, located in southern Mexico, is one of the most biodiverse regions in North America. Known for its cactus forests, unique landscapes, and ancient agricultural systems, Tehuacán-Cuicatlán is a hidden gem for eco-tourists. The park’s fascinating mix of desert, mountain, and cloud forest ecosystems offers a truly unique experience