4 Out-of-the-Way National Parks Worth Visiting (And a Bonus)

Today I want to share 4 of the National Parks I've loved spending time in over the years.  2 are in Alaska, one in New Mexico, and one that everybody has heard of but I don't think always get into too "deep".  Plus, at the end, I've thrown in a bonus just for fun.  Here we go...

1. Denali National Park, Alaska

Denali National Park has got to be about as far "out-of-the" way as you can get.  A 7-day cruise, a 4-day overland drive, or 6-hour flight just to get to Alaska, and then a 4-hour drive or 6-hour train ride before you're finally there.  But I promise you, 100% worth the time!  Read more about Denali National Park here.

2. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska

Wrangell-St. Elias is the United States' largest national park, covering 13.2 million acres.  The mountains are vast, the forests are thick, the coastline laps up on to it, and a volcano puffs regularly to remind everyone in it's sight that true wilderness can be find here.  Nestled in the middle of it all is the historic Kennecott  Mine site.  The drive there takes you back 100 years and a day there will leave you in awe of what the early Alaskan miners accomplished so far out in the middle of nowhere.  Read more about Kennecott  Mine here.

3. White Sands National Monument

Over the years, we have found the state of New Mexico to be a treasure trove of amazing and beautiful landscape and activity.  But you have to be willing to drive!  White Sands National Monument, with it's mounds of sand rolling away from you as far as the eye can see, and complete silence and solitude make it worth the 4-hour drive south of Albuquerque and we do it time and time again.  Find out why we love White Sands National Monument here.

4.  The Grand Canyon

Everyone, of course, has heard of the Grand Canyon, and dreams of going there one day.  Technically, it does fit the bill of being out-of-the-way and figuratively I'm pleading with you to go out-of-the-way when you get there.  The Grand Canyon is SO MUCH MORE than just walking around the rim or stepping out on to the glass-bottomed overlook.  Picking one of dozens of trails and going down into the canyon will open up a whole new world, an ancient world, that a person can't explain until they've been down in there.  Read more about our hike down into the Grand Canyon here.

Those are 4 of our favorite out-of-the-way National Parks and Monuments.  And, now, the bonus, because it's one we love that's close to home...

Bonus: Golden Spike National Historic Site

No doubt, the Golden Spike National Historic Site is as far out-of-the-way as you can get in Northern Utah.  You will be in the middle of nowhere, and will be able to feel like you're part of history as they re-enact the final connection of the Transcontinental Railroad.  Read more about the Golden Spike here.

That's our list, now we want to hear:

What is your favorite Out-of-the-Way National Park worth visiting?