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[Herald Economy = Reporter Ham Young-hoon] After a quiet stretch last fall and winter, visits by Korean travelers to the United States are picking up again. In America, national parks remain top destinations for anyone looking to reconnect with nature.
Go USA is spotlighting not only the headline national parks but also the many lesser-known national and state parks that protect rugged coastlines, sweeping wetlands, highlands and marine reserves—essentially sending a friendly invitation to Korean travelers to explore beyond the usual spots.
On March 21, for World Forest Day, Go USA highlighted several underrated parks where you can dig deeper into nature, history and ecology for a richer travel experience.
The National Park Service and state park systems manage a vast portfolio of natural assets—from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from inland wilderness to polar landscapes. Each park reflects its own terrain, climate and history, and many offer scenic viewpoints, guided programs and hands-on activities that bring those stories to life.
▶ Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania–New Jersey
The Northeast packs mountain scenery, early American history and cultural landmarks into short travel distances. Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire traces dramatic mountain terrain along Flume Gorge and Echo Lake, and the Alpine Trail captures that classic New England mood.
Minute Man National Historical Park in Lexington, Massachusetts, preserves the site tied to the opening shots of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775. The battlefield, historic buildings and living-history programs make the past feel immediate.
The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, spanning Pennsylvania and New Jersey, is loved for its deep valleys, waterfalls and stretches of the Appalachian Trail. In Connecticut, Weir Farm National Historic Site—where painter J. Alden Weir once worked—offers a peaceful blend of art and nature.
▶ Harpers Ferry, Niagara Falls, Assateague and other Mid-Atlantic highlights
The Mid-Atlantic region pairs iconic natural sites with coastal scenery and historic landmarks. Niagara Falls State Park in New York is the nation’s oldest state park; boardwalks put you up close to the falls, and the Maid of the Mist boat tour is the classic, pulse-racing way to feel their power.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia—immortalized by John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”—preserves the site of John Brown’s 1859 raid at the meeting point of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers.
Assateague State Park in Maryland is famous for coastal marshes, sandy beaches and the wild horses that roam between island and shore. In Washington, D.C., Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is the nation’s only park focused on aquatic plants and is an unexpectedly rewarding seasonal stop. Nearby, Valley Forge National Historical Park in Pennsylvania lets visitors walk the grounds of George Washington’s winter encampment and explore Revolutionary War history along its trails and museums.
▶ Florida, Tennessee, the Carolinas
The South offers everything from out-island seclusion to primeval forests and desert canyons. Dry Tortugas National Park, west of Key West, sits on islands reachable only by boat or seaplane—a perfect combo of marine life and a historic fort.
Congaree National Park in South Carolina protects one of the largest intact hardwood forests in the Southeast and features boardwalks that bring you close to swamp and forest ecology. Big Bend National Park in Texas wows with desert canyons carved by the Rio Grande and is also a top stargazing spot.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, is a biodiversity hotspot with abundant wildlife, wildflowers and about 90 preserved historic structures. Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina showcases the coastal forests, beaches and a historic lighthouse that capture the character of the southern shore.
▶ Great Lakes region: Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin
The Midwest’s identity is tied to the Great Lakes and its freshwater riches. Isle Royale National Park, an isolated archipelago in Lake Superior, offers a peaceful, off-the-grid nature experience.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, is an urban-adjacent escape with waterfalls, forest trails and a scenic tourist train. The Towpath Trail along the Ohio and Erie Canal combines nature walking with a history lesson on 19th-century inland transportation and industry.
Indiana Dunes National Park near Chesterton blends towering dunes, Lake Michigan beaches and prairie habitats—ideal for plant and birdwatching. Mackinac Island State Park, Michigan’s first state park, covers more than 80% of the island and preserves forts, limestone caves, cliffs and carriage roads.
Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo, Wisconsin, draws hikers to its distinctive rock feature known as the “Devil’s Door.” Illinois Beach State Park brings together beaches, dunes and wetlands along Lake Michigan for a classic lakeshore day.
▶ The Dakotas, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho
Mountain country showcases a striking mix of plains, high peaks and desert. Custer State Park in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota includes grassy mountain terrain home to roaming bison and offers the scenic Needles Highway drive.
Boysen State Park in Wyoming centers on Boysen Reservoir and the Wind River, where red rock formations meet water views. Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado protects North America’s tallest dunes and is also an International Dark Sky Park—perfect for sunset and stargazing sessions.
Mesa Verde National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserves ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings carved into canyon walls. Bear Lake State Park in Idaho—often called the “Caribbean of the Rockies”—draws visitors with its striking turquoise waters.
▶ Western Oregon and Washington: Space Needle and Rainier
The Pacific Northwest pairs volcanic peaks, temperate rainforests and rugged coastline. Olympic National Park in Washington packs alpine terrain, temperate rainforest and freshwater lakes along with Pacific beaches and tidal pools.
From a plane window over Seattle, Mount Rainier often sits beside views of the Space Needle. Mount Rainier soars to roughly 4,400 meters (about 14,436 feet) and features glaciers, wildflower meadows and the popular Paradise visitor area.
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is home to the deepest lake in the U.S., with rim overlooks that deliver breathtaking views. Smith Rock State Park near Terrebonne, with volcanic spires and deep canyons, is a favorite for hiking and scenic watching.
▶ California dreaming
California’s parks offer an incredible range of landscapes. Humboldt Redwoods State Park protects the world’s largest stand of old-growth redwoods and features a scenic drive of roughly 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) through towering trees.
Lassen Volcanic National Park showcases geothermal features, fumaroles and lava flows—evidence of active geology. Pinnacles National Park is famed for volcanic rock formations and talus caves and serves as a key conservation area for the endangered California condor.
Channel Islands National Park is reachable only by boat or small plane and preserves relatively untouched marine ecosystems, from sea caves to kelp forests. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers coastal cliffs, stands of Torrey pines, beaches, lagoons and coastal grasslands overlooking the Pacific.
▶ Alaska’s wild heart
Alaska’s parks are all about remote wilderness and adventure. Gates of the Arctic National Park lies entirely above the Arctic Circle and is accessible only by air; there are no roads or formal trails, so the landscape remains pristine.
Katmai National Park and Preserve contains the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes—an otherworldly volcanic landscape—and supports large brown bear populations that showcase Alaska’s rugged wildlife. Denali National Park and Preserve centers on Denali, North America’s highest peak, and unrolls vast, dramatic vistas.
Wood–Tikchik State Park, the nation’s largest state park, protects lakes, rivers and mountain terrain. Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska’s first state park, is reachable by boat or plane and features fjords, glaciers and coastal wildlife.
▶ Hawaii, I’m coming
Hawaii blends volcanoes and tropical ecosystems. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park includes Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, where lava fields, fumaroles and volcanic formations let you observe living geology up close.
Haleakalā National Park is known for its massive volcanic crater and high-elevation terrain—and it’s one of the island’s most famous sunrise spots. Kalaupapa National Historical Park preserves the history of people affected by Hansen’s disease on a cliff-enclosed peninsula.
Waimea Canyon State Park and Kōkeʻe State Park feature red cliffs, canyons, forests and waterfalls, with hiking trails that reward visitors with expansive views.
▶ Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
The Caribbean territories mix tropical ecology with colonial-era heritage. San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico preserves forts like Castillo San Felipe del Morro and other defensive structures from centuries past.
El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, with lush trails, waterfalls and lookout points. Virgin Islands National Park on St. John covers most of the island and combines beaches, coral reefs and remnants of sugarcane plantations for a layered historic-and-natural experience.
Buck Island Reef National Monument offers snorkeling trails that bring coral reefs up close. Christiansted National Historic Site preserves Danish colonial architecture that tells part of the island’s story.
▶ Guam, Saipan, American Samoa
War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam interprets World War II history through museums and memorials and offers self-guided tours built on oral histories.
The National Park of American Samoa spans three islands and showcases tropical rainforest, coral reefs and dramatic coasts; traditional village life and culture are part of the park experience.
American Memorial Park in Saipan honors wartime history with monuments and a bell tower and pairs nicely with nearby Micro Beach and Garapan for a full day of exploration.
Fred Dixon, president and CEO of Go USA, encourages visitors to explore beyond the headline national parks and include nearby state parks and local attractions for a fuller sense of America’s landscapes. He also recommends traveling during less crowded times for a more relaxed and meaningful visit.
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