32 Underrated National Parks Perfect for Avoiding Summer Crowds

30. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota: Painted Canyons and Prairie Calm

Set in North Dakota’s Badlands, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a quiet triumph of wild beauty. Bison graze undisturbed, wild horses roam freely, and colorful rock formations ripple across the horizon. Visitors can hike through juniper-studded canyons, kayak the Little Missouri River, or simply absorb the endless prairie sky. Unlike more hyped parks out west, this one moves at its own pace—and invites you to do the same. It’s a place of personal reflection, just as it was for Roosevelt himself. If you’re seeking open space, big skies, and the freedom to wander without a crowd, this is it.