National parks are incredible places for discovery, yet oftentimes we think about visiting only the most popular: Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, and a few others. Yet the National Park Service maintains and protects hundreds of parks, national lakeshores and seashores, recreation areas, walking trails and more, all for you to take in and enjoy. So before you book your reservation for a busy park this summer, check out this list of 10 underrated national parks to visit instead.
While this list certainly isn’t exhaustive, it might just spark your imagination. Assateague Island National Seashore is located in Assateague Island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. It’s a beautiful spot for nature lovers to hike, bike, camp, stargaze, fish and even go crabbing, but it’s most known for its special four-legged animals: wild horses! Horse lovers will enjoy visiting the national seashore to view and photograph the majestic creatures, who, according to local legend, are descendants of shipwreck survivors in the late 17th century (but were more likely intentionally brought to the island for tax evasion purposes).
There are two herds — the Chincoteague ponies of Virginia and the Maryland herd — so travelers can rest assured knowing that no matter which state they visit, they’ll be able to see the horses roaming free across the scenic landscape and beaches. Ever wonder what the Milky Way looks like? Travelers heading to Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area overn.
