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10. Gunnison National Park, CO - Beneath a 2,700-ft tall captivating Black Canyon lies the glorious Gunnison River. The dramatic canyon got its name because it receives less than an hour of sunlight a day.

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10. Gunnison National Park, CO - If you're looking for a stunning view, the best hiking trails can be found on either the north or south rims of the canyon.

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10. Gunnison National Park, CO - The park also has an array of adventurous activities to enjoy that aren't for the faint of heart, such as river rafting and rock climbing.

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9. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX - What was once an underwater basin 265 million years ago now makes up one of the most expansive Permian reefs in the world at Guadalupe National Park, just east of El Paso, TX.

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9. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX - This park is known for its fossilized reef mountains and bright white Salt Basin Dunes. Not to mention, it is home to four of the highest summits in Texas!

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9. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX - No trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park would be complete without a visit to the iconic landmark El Capitan. This rock formation is the state's 10th highest peak, standing at 8,085 ft tall.

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8. Congaree National Park, SC - Just established in 2003, this 27,000-acre area of lakes, creeks, and wetlands in Hopkins, SC, is actually one of the youngest national parks in the United States.

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8. Congaree National Park, SC - The park's marshlands are home to a variety of fish, reptiles, and mammals. It is also a prime spot for avid bird watchers.

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8. Congaree National Park, SC - There are plenty of things to enjoy in this wetland wonderland. Canoeing, hiking, and kayaking are all wildly popular for day visitors and campers in Congaree.

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7. Great Basin National Park, NV - You probably thought that, outside of Las Vegas, Nevada was all barren deserts, didn't you? This gorgeous park on the border between Nevada and Utah is truly a sight to behold.

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7. Great Basin National Park, NV - Due to its incredibly low levels of light pollution, the park gives visitors prime stargazing opportunities. It has also been touted as the best place to see the Milky Way in the continental United States.

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7. Great Basin National Park, NV - A can't-miss portion of the park would have to be the famous Lehman Caves. Luckily, they have tours nearly every day (except for national holidays).

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6. Dry Tortugas National Park, FL - It's hard to believe that this tropical paradise with sea turtles and stunning beaches is one of America's least visited national parks.

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6. Dry Tortugas National Park, FL - The Dry Tortugas National Park includes seven islands in the Florida Keys, as well as spectacular coral reefs. As you can imagine, the snorkeling and diving opportunities are endless.

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6. Dry Tortugas National Park, FL - The park is home to the impressive 19th-century Fort Jefferson structure, as well as the popular diving spot Windjammer Wreck, which has the remains of a sunken ship from 1875.

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5. North Cascades National Park, WA - Arguably one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the United States, it is a shame that the North Cascades National Park is in the top five least visited national parks.

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5. North Cascades National Park, WA - The park is a mecca of biodiversity, with gray wolves, grizzly bears, and hundreds of different birds species to be discovered.

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5. North Cascades National Park, WA - If this fantastic photo of the pristine Diablo Lake isn't enough to draw you in, the park also has incredible opportunities for rafting, rock climbing, and hiking for those with an adventurous spirit.

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4. Kobuk Valley National Park, AK - From sand dunes to massive riverbanks, this million-acre national park, just 25 mi from the Arctic Circle, has geological diversity that is out of this world.

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4. Kobuk Valley National Park, AK - While it is a great snowmobiling spot in the winter, the most popular times to visit the park are between mid-June and late July, when the wildflowers are in full bloom.

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3. Isle Royale National Park, MI - Located in the picturesque area surrounding Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park is undoubtedly a midwestern gem.

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3. Isle Royale National Park, MI - Wildlife enthusiasts rejoice! During the warm summer months, this national park is home to several animal species including moose and wolves.

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3. Isle Royale National Park, MI - Beyond its lovely waters and lush forests, the park is also beloved for its old fisheries, lighthouses, and cabins that were built on the island long before it became a national park.

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2. Lake Clark National Park, AK - This pristine park is only accessible by plane, but well worth the trek. The turquoise waters of the idyllic Kontrashibuna Lake are something straight out of a fairy tale.

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2. Lake Clark National Park, AK - There are two active volcanoes in Lake Clark National Park: Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna. The last time these giants spouted lava was in 1876 (Iliamna) and 2009 (Redoubt).

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2. Lake Clark National Park, AK - This is the perfect spot for lovers of the outdoors who have a passion for fishing and wildlife watching. The park has a plentiful population of sockeye salmon and brown bears.

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1. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, AK - With no roads and access only by small planes, this national park is completely isolated from civilization, which only adds to its charm.
(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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1. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, AK - Spanning over 8.4 million acres of land, this national park combines with the Noatak Wilderness to make up the largest contiguous wilderness in the United States. 
(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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1. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, AK - When this was established as a national park in 1980, there were heavy protections placed on indigenous tribes as well as moose, bears, wolves, and birds of prey in the park. 
(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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