Beyond the Beaten Path: Uncovering America’s Hidden Treasures

As summer travel season heats up, many of us are forced to rethink our vacation plans due to soaring gas prices. Mikah Meyer, who visited over 400 National Park Service sites in one journey in 2019, offers a solution. His expertise on lesser-known gems scattered throughout national parks and monuments is especially timely given current NPS challenges.

Meyer’s emphasis on exploring beyond popular destinations is refreshing. In an era where social media has turned national parks into Instagrammable backdrops, he prioritizes authenticity over likes and followers. By venturing off the beaten path, visitors can experience America’s natural wonders without chaos.

The Northwest region boasts some of Meyer’s most highly-recommended sites. The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Oregon is a hidden gem featuring incredible red stripes that cut through the earth like nowhere else on the continent. While Mount Rainier and Olympic National Park draw crowds, the Painted Hills Unit offers an otherworldly experience within driving distance from Seattle or Portland.

In contrast to Saguaro, Meyer suggests venturing south to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, where cactuses are “way cooler looking” and epic hikes await. This raises an important question: do we prioritize grandeur over intimacy when it comes to national parks?

Some regions, like the Southeast, benefit from skipping crowded destinations altogether. Buck Island Reef National Monument in the Virgin Islands is a natural turtle nesting ground accessible by snorkel trail. This under-the-radar gem offers an unparalleled experience and a chance to witness sea turtles up close.

Throughout his recommendations, Meyer emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity. By highlighting lesser-known sites within driving distance from major cities, he shows that exploring America’s national parks doesn’t have to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or pricey road trip. This approach underscores the NPS’s mission: making these natural wonders accessible to all Americans.

Meyer’s number one pick is Dinosaur National Monument in Utah. While many might expect him to choose Zion, Bryce, or Arches – America’s most iconic national parks – he surprises with a monument that’s “not on most people’s radar.” With fewer than 7% of visitors drawn by nearby Rocky Mountain National Park or Zion, this hidden gem offers an unspoiled experience.

Meyer’s enthusiasm for Dinosaur is infectious. His love letter to this underappreciated site is a testament to the NPS’s vast and varied offerings. As we grapple with challenges facing national parks – from climate change to overcrowding – it’s essential to recognize that these sites are not just tourist attractions but vital components of America’s natural heritage.

Meyer reminds us there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for exploring national parks. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or armchair enthusiast, his recommendations offer a refreshing respite from the usual suspects. By embracing the lesser-known and venturing off the beaten path, we can experience the raw beauty of these sites while contributing to their preservation for future generations.

If tomorrow Congress upgraded Dinosaur National Monument to national park status, it would likely attract millions of visitors. But what if instead of upgrading a site’s status, we focused on amplifying its unique charms? By celebrating America’s hidden treasures and sharing them with the world, we might just discover that the true value lies not in grandeur but in intimacy – and sometimes, the best experiences are the ones we least expect.