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Well-known landmarks and familiar destinations inevitably draw hordes of tourists, resulting in big crowds, expensive lodging, and hard-to-get reservations. Luckily, there are still plenty of amazing places in the U.S. that remain under the radar on the tourist scene, making them less busy and more affordable. Whether you’re looking to spend a night under the stars or in search of a fun city escape, there are benefits to opting for a less-crowded destination.
Taughannock Falls State Park, New York
The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York is an underrated wine region, known for its Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Named for their narrow, finger-like shapes, these lakes were carved out by glaciers 10,000 years ago, leaving behind lakes, gorges, and waterfalls in their wake. One such waterfall is found in Taughannock Falls State Park, named for its 215-foot waterfall, framed by 400-foot cliffs. Hiking trails provide impressive viewpoints of the falls from several overlooks. The adventure doesn’t end when the snow falls. This park is open year-round, boasting cross-country skiing trails, sled riding hills, and skating ponds. Taughannock Creek feeds into Cayuga Lake, an outstanding place to camp or stay in a vacation rental while visiting the region.
Helena, Montana
Often overshadowed by ski resort towns like Big Sky and Whitefish, Helena is one of the most underrated state capitals in the country. Touted as the “Queen of the Rockies,” Helena has been the heart of Montana ever since a mining boom in the mid-19th century. Stop by the nearby Elkhorn Ghost Town, an abandoned silver mine, for a look at what life was once like for these Western miners. Downtown, the Montana State Capitol is open for visitors to marvel at this sandstone and granite masterpiece, which was erected in 1902. Helena also boasts one of the largest city park systems in the country, comprising over 1,000 acres. Visitors can enjoy history museums, hiking trails, craft breweries, and art galleries in this mountain metropolis.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Congaree National Park is one of the South’s best-kept secrets — it was among the least visited national parks of 2022. Its former name, “Congaree Swamp National Monument,” might be partially to blame for this, but the park is not actually a swamp. It’s a floodplain forest and is the largest remaining area of Southern bottomland hardwoods in the country. This flooded forest is otherworldly, and the best way to see it is on the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail, a 15-mile marked canoe and kayak trail. See river otters, turtles, and even alligators during your adventure. For a more leisurely visit, walk the 2.6-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail among the bald cypress and tupelo trees.
Schoodic Peninsula, Maine
Maine isn’t called “Vacationland” for nothing — in the warmer months, tourists flock to this northeastern state for fresh lobster and the rocky Atlantic coastline. Many of these tourists head straight to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island (MDI). Unfortunately, Acadia’s popularity usually results in packed campgrounds, overcrowded hiking trails, and traffic jams on park roads. A great alternative is the little-known Schoodic Peninsula, a remote section of Acadia that’s an hour away from MDI. Despite its large campground, coastal and forested trails for hiking, and unspoiled views of the ocean over pink granite headlands, the Schoodic Peninsula is far less crowded, making it an ideal destination in the height of summer.
Custer State Park, South Dakota
As one of the least visited states in the country, it’s no surprise that South Dakota is home to some highly underrated destinations that many travelers have yet to explore. Mount Rushmore and the nearby Badlands National Park might be the crown jewels of this state’s tourism circuit, but continue southwest toward the Black Hills and you’ll find an equally impressive 71,000-acre nature preserve known as Custer State Park. Here, granite rock faces rise from rolling green hills as hiking trails meander through untamed forests. Keep your eyes peeled for native bison while out hiking or driving — around 1,300 of them live inside the park. For some of the best views of bison and other Custer Park residents (such as bighorn sheep and elk), take the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road at the southern end of the park.
Pecos National Historical Park, New Mexico
Even though the town of Pecos is a mere 30 minutes from Santa Fe, Pecos National Historical Park is relatively unknown. But don’t let its lack of renown fool you — Pecos is a true hidden gem. In the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and bordered by Glorieta Mesa and the Pecos River, the region offers an incredible intersection of Southwestern history and Indigenous culture. Home to the spectacular ruins of a former Mission church, Pecos also features two reconstructed kivas (underground ceremonial chambers), which can be accessed via a one-mile loop through the park. And since Pecos is one of the least visited parks in the U.S., the trail and the rest of the park’s trappings are almost certain to be crowd-free.
Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia
When you hear the phrase, “the home of country music,” what city comes to mind? Likely Nashville, or even Memphis, but according to the U.S. Congress, the answer is Bristol. This quintessential Blue Ridge Mountain town was designated as the official birthplace of country music by Congress in 1998, and you can learn all about this history at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. This Tennessee-Virginia border town is also home to the Bristol Motor Speedway which has hosted NASCAR races since the 1960s. Visitors can also take advantage of Bristol’s ample outdoor activities. Adventure-seekers might visit Bristol Caverns for a thrilling 180-foot descent through three levels of caverns leading to an underground river on the cavern floor.
Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Since it’s more remote than the rest of Michigan, the Upper Peninsula (also known as the U.P.) is less of a tourist draw than other parts of the state. But the region’s thick forests, fresh lakes, and spectacular coastline are reason enough to make the trek up north. With the exception of Mackinac Island, much of the U.P. is blissfully devoid of crowds, making it an ideal place to explore. As it’s a peninsula surrounded by three Great Lakes, many of the U.P.’s offerings are related to water, such as paddling around Les Cheneaux Islands or taking a cruise to see the iconic cliffs along Lake Superior. For a memorable wilderness experience, camping in Isle Royale National Park offers a chance to experience true solitude in this far-flung northern region.
Dead Horse Point, Utah
With a name like Dead Horse Point, it’s no wonder that this Utah state park isn’t teeming with people. But don’t let the name fool you — both the point and the park are worth a visit, providing incredible vistas of the dramatic southern Utah landscape. Although it’s a short drive from two popular national parks — Arches and Canyonlands — Dead Horse State Park isn’t on most people’s travel radar. However, Dead Horse is just as beautiful as its national park counterparts, with far fewer visitors. With miles of biking and walking trails and yurts to rent overnight, the park also provides a one-of-a-kind experience for people who like to travel outside of the box.
The World’s Most Beautiful Reservoirs
There’s nothing like visiting a pretty lake while you’re traveling — but sometimes, everything isn’t quite what it seems. Some of the world’s most breathtaking bodies of water are actually artificial additions to the landscape. Though they’re invaluable as a source of water for agricultural, industrial, or domestic purposes, they often create a plethora of opportunities for leisure, too. Here are some of the world’s most beautiful reservoirs.
Embalse El Peñol-Guatapé – Colombia
There are a slew of reasons why Guatapé is on Colombia’s tourist trail. The houses are decorated with brightly colored bas-reliefs, for one, and a 65-million-year-old lump of granite known as the Piedra del Peñol promises extraordinary views to those who make it up the roughly 600 steps to the top. Without a doubt, however, one of the highlights of that panorama is the Embalse El Peñol-Guatapé, a huge reservoir created in the 1970s as a result of a hydroelectric power station. On a sunny day, you’ll see jet skis, speed boats, canoes, and kayaks out on the lake. It’s also a mecca for water sports enthusiasts, who come here for both the thrill of wakeboarding and water skiing and more relaxing pursuits, such as paddleboarding and fishing.
Zhinvali – Georgia
The ancient Ananuri Fortress complex, a collection of castle and church buildings, is located along the Georgian Military Highway and overlooks a large, gorgeous lake. But this body of water is a reservoir created in the 1980s (when the country was part of the Soviet Union) to both address the need for irrigation and to provide water for Tbilisi’s residents. The Zhinvali dam was built across the Aragvi Gorge, submerging the 12th-century Church of the Holy Cross. If you’re there when the water level is low, climb the castle walls and see if you can spot the top of the church peeking above the water.
Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden – Austria
Travel to the Austrian resort of Kaprun between June and October if you’re keen to see the Wasserfallboden and Mooserboden, collectively known as the High Mountain Reservoirs. To reach these artificial Alpine lakes, you need to board the seasonal Lärchwand inclined lift. At the top, hike the educational Electricity Trail or visit Electricity Adventure World, where you’ll find out more about the connections between the glacier, power plant construction, and electricity generation. If you have a head for heights, you can admire the water from above by scaling one of several via Ferratas.
Lake Suchitlán – El Salvador
The Cascada Los Tercios waterfall and the viewpoint over Lake Suchitlán is only a half an hour’s walk from the sleepy town of Suchitoto. Locals call this body of water Cerrón Grande Reservoir because it came about as a result of the construction of the Cerrón Grande Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Lempa River. Though it provides much-needed electricity for El Salvador, it’s also an important wetland habitat, attracting migratory birds and supporting a wide range of aquatic plants such as water lilies. Lake Suchitlán is also a popular fishing spot, as well as an ideal place to stroll, kayak, paddleboard, or rent a boat.
Lake Jocassee – South Carolina, U.S.
One of the first things you’ll notice when you visit Lake Jocassee is how clear its waters are – after all, it’s fed by streams from the Appalachian Mountains. Yet there’s nothing natural about the lake itself. In fact, this sprawling reservoir didn’t exist before Duke Energy flooded the Jocassee Valley in the early 1970s to build a hydroelectric power station. As the water level rose, local landmarks, such as the Cemetery of Mount Carmel Baptist Church and the Attakulla Lodge Hotel slipped out of sight. Take in the magnificent view at the Jumping Off Rock lookout. Afterward, admire some of the area’s waterfalls – such as Laurel Fork Falls – on a boat trip, paddle serenely out onto the lake in a kayak, or go for a refreshing swim.
Abraham Lake – Canada
Alberta’s largest reservoir is as blue as the natural mountain lakes in the area — which is to be expected since they all take their color from glacial rock activity. Measuring 20 miles from end to end, Abraham Lake formed after the Bighorn Dam was built in 1972, blocking off the North Saskatchewan River. Handily located close to Banff National Park, roadtrippers will enjoy hugging the lakeshore on the David Thompson Highway, giving them breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains. In winter, the lake is especially beautiful. Frozen bubbles form under the ice in a stack as they rise to the surface, the result of trapped methane released by decaying plants on the lake bed.
Blue Lagoon – Iceland
Technically, this lake on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula is formed from wastewater from the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power station. Chock full of silica, algae, and minerals, it’s unsuitable for drinking water — but perfect for bathing! Locals started to bathe here in the 1980s, and it has been improved and extended over the years to form one of the country’s most luxurious spas. In recent years, this breathtaking artificial lake has been named one of the 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic and has earned itself a place on Time Magazine’s list of the World’s 100 Greatest Places. Surrounded by moss-covered lava rock formations and with a hauntingly beautiful view of the industrial complex shrouded by steam, this place is one of the most photogenic spots in Iceland.
Allyn Maycumber Broker/Associate ERA Grizzard Mount Dora Florida 407-467-3862
