Titan Medical Group provided this article.
Need help deciding what bucket list destination you want to explore on a travel assignment for this upcoming year? Let’s make that easier and tell you some of the most underrated, breathtaking, and adventurous National Parks to explore on a travel assignment!
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Nearby cities: Columbia, Orangeburg
This National Forest is the place to escape the busy city life and enjoy some time in nature. Known for the tallest trees in the Eastern United States, this dense forest area is the perfect escape to get some hiking, kayaking/canoeing, fishing, or picnicking! Congaree National Park will be the fix you need to enjoy relaxation in the great outdoors. March through May are the best times to visit the park; however, summertime is also a great option if you prepare with bug spray!
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Nearby cities: Grand Junction, Montrose, Delta, Gunnison
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is the star of the underrated National Parks. Black Canyon has about 4 million fewer visitors per year than the Rocky Mountains, but that doesn’t take away from its immense beauty. Looking down upon the deep & dramatic canyons that are over 600 meters deep is a must-do item on any National Park lover’s bucket list!
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Nearby Cities: Gatlinburg, TN; Pigeon Forge, TN; Cherokee, NC; Knoxville, TN
The Smoky Mountains are every outdoor adventure lover’s dream! From hiking to skiing to exploring the wondrous waterfalls hidden within the mountains, you can’t go wrong taking a visit here! There are also many hidden historical buildings and artifacts within the trails. The peak season to visit the Great Smoky Mountains is Spring or Fall!
Redwood National Park, California
Nearby Cities: Trinidad, CA; Klamath, CA; McKinleyville, CA; Eureka, CA
This national park is known for the world’s tallest trees! Many of these beautiful redwood trees throughout the park are nearly 2,000 years old and over 300 feet tall! This park offers some unique beaches and coastlines and numerous beautiful hiking trails that take you through and to wonderous scenic overlooks. Get away from the big cities of CA for a bit and escape to Redwood National Forest to take in its beauty!
Everglades National Park, Florida
Nearby Cities: Homestead, FL; Key Largo, FL; Leisure City, FL; Naples, FL; Miami, FL
This national park is unlike any that you’ll see throughout the United States. This park’s vast landscape makes it a sight to see for travelers from around the world. Everglades National Park is 1.5 million acres of subtropical wilderness! Located at the southern edge of Florida, this park will give you sights you have never explored. You can take a boat and sometimes even a kayak to explore the wildlife here at this park! According to the National Park Service, the park, an American treasure, also a World Heritage Site, and an International Biosphere Reserve, protects an unparalleled landscape that provides essential habitat for numerous rare and endangered species. To convince you more to visit this beautiful park, Everglades even made the Top 4 in the Best National Parks ratings in 2022!
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Nearby Cities: Seattle, WA; Burlington, WA; Mount Vernon, WA
While this park is pretty remote, it’s definitely worth the visit. It’s known to be one of the most underrated parks of the National Parks! While driving a car through the park to see the overlooks and overall spectacular sights is a great option, you’ll have to put hiking boots on and walk along the trails to explore the beautiful park’s full effect. With Olympic and Mount Rainier being in this same state, North Cascades offers the fewest number of visitors, allowing you to see this park with little to no traffic!
Acadia National Park, Maine
Nearby Cities: Bangor, Maine & Portland, Maine
Located in coastal Maine, Acadia National Park will leave you in awe of its various amounts of different landscapes! This park has large rugged cliffs along its coastline and miles of forested trails; this Maine gem is the perfect place to get outside! Hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, and kayaking are some of the numerous activities that leave any outdoor lover wanting to come back! It may be remote, but it is 100/10 worth the visit!
We hope you enjoyed this list of National Parks to visit in 2023 and you were able to add a couple to your list. Are there any others that you think travel nurses should visit that didn’t make our list? Comment below.
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