Gates of the Arctic, Alaska, Takes the Crown as the Quietest National Park in the UK

Gates of the Arctic, Alaska, ranks as the quietest US national park, with as few as 10,518 visitors annually

ESTA-America.com has conducted research into 62 national parks across the US, analysing the area size (km2) and the number of visitors each year to reveal the quietest national parks in the nation.

The US is home to some of the world’s most famous national parks. From the waterfalls of Yosemite, to witnessing the geologic history of the Grand Canyon, visiting one of these parks may feature on many people’s bucket lists. With an estimated 210,000 square kilometres of the US protected by national parks, there are many options to choose from when looking for a holiday to put you back in touch with the great outdoors.

With social distancing becoming the new normal, planning a holiday may revolve around factors that were never prioritised before, such as how busy the destination is going to be. With so many locations to choose from, ESTA-America.com has revealed the top quietest national parks in the country for your next trip.

Top ten quietest national parks in the US

  • Gates of the Arctic
  • Lake Clark
  • Wrangell–St. Elias
  • Kobuk Valley
  • Katmai
  • Isle Royale
  • North Cascades
  • Denali
  • Glacier Bay
  • Death Valley

With as few as 10,518 visitors each year, Gates of the Arctic in Alaska ranks as the quietest US national park with over four million visitors less than Yosemite. Lying north of the Arctic Circle, it is the northernmost park in the US, as well as being the second largest, spanning over 7.5 million acres. Known for its intact ecosystems where people have lived with the land for thousands of years, there are no roads in or out of the park, and so visitors must schedule flights to get to this remote destination.

With a scene of glaciers, volcanoes, forested coasts, and brown bears, Lake Clark in Alaska is the second-quietest US national park. With only 17,157 visitors each year – that’s two visitors per km2 – it’s no wonder it’s one of the least visited parks, as the only way to access it is either by plane or boat.

Other rankings in the top ten include Isle Royale in Michigan, with 11 visitors per km2 each year ranking it sixth, and North Cascades in Washington following in seventh with 19 visitors per km2.

The famous Death Valley, Nevada, ranks the tenth quietest national park in the US. With a haunting name and reputation, Death Valley is also America’s lowest, hottest, and driest national park. Named the largest national park outside of Alaska, Death Valley is reserved for the most curious thrill-seekers, as temperatures as high as 49°C (120°F) won’t keep tourists from witnessing the extremes of Death Valley for themselves.

Seven out of ten of the top quietest national parks in the US are located in Alaska

With the lowest population density and the largest land area in the country, it’s no surprise that Alaska is home to 70% of the national parks on the top ten list, including the largest US national park. Wrangell-St Elias not only ranks third with two visitors per km2 each year, but it’s also the largest, spanning over 8.3 million acres, it is equivalent in size to Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined.

Jayne Forrester, Director of International Development at ESTA-America.com comments: “As the world slowly opens up to travel once more, and we start looking forward to our next trip, it’s safe to say that many people will be itching to tick a few dream destinations from their bucket list off – such as a US national park.

“We know that travelling again may come with some new deal-breakers, such as being able to socially distance. With this top list of the quietest national parks to choose from, you not only get to enjoy a tranquil and once-in-a-lifetime trip, but you don’t need to worry about overcrowding as the majority have less than 20 visitors per km2 each year.”

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