Road trips are a classic way to explore US national parks, but some of the country’s most remote parks can’t be reached by car. To truly get away from the crowds, you’ll need a boat or seaplane. These destinations offer a sense of wildness that’s hard to find in more popular parks.
In 2024, over 331 million people visited US National Park Service sites. While these parks preserve America’s natural beauty, some of the most famous ones can feel crowded. For travelers looking for peace and solitude, parks that require travel by air or sea are perfect.
“Arriving by boat or plane immediately makes you aware that these places are on their own terms,” says Crystal Jones, a senior tour leader at Intrepid. “Getting there is part of the adventure, and it rewards you with something rare: true wilderness.”
Here’s a look at one of these hard-to-reach parks.
Channel Islands National Park, California
“It may feel busy when you first step off the boat, but within minutes you can be completely alone,” says Russell Galipeau, the park’s former superintendent. Cars aren’t allowed here, so exploring is done on foot, by kayak, or with a private boat.
