The Dallas Mavericks couldn’t defend their home court on Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets. In a game they desperately needed to win as they continue to fight for postseason positioning in the Western Conference, Dallas lost, 117-109, to fall to 11th place and out of the play-in tournament altogether. Perhaps even worse than the fact they now sit 36-38, the Mavs are now 3-7 in games where both Luka Doncic and prized midseason acquisition Kyrie Irving play together.
Unsurprisingly, Dallas fans weren’t happy with the performance, and they let their emotions be heard by booing in the third quarter as they trailed by as many as 18 points. After the game, Jason Kidd empathized with the fans, and said that he thought they should have expressed themselves a little earlier.
“Probably should have been booed in the first quarter,” Kidd said, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “Just the effort in the play, they have a right, they pay to see a better show. It wasn’t there until the second half. We can’t come out like that, especially this time of the year, but I thought, again, the guys at halftime, we made the adjustment, and we fought and put ourselves in a position to get back in the game.”
Kidd’s sentiment about getting booed was not shared by one of his stars, as Irving struck a different tone.
“So? So what? Just the way I feel about it,” Irving said. “I’ve been in New York City, so I know what that’s like. You obviously want to play well, but it’s only five people on the court that can play for the Dallas Mavericks. If the fans want to change places, then hey, be my guest. Got years of work ahead to be great enough to be on this level. But our focus isn’t necessarily on the boos. It should be on our performance and just being there for each other.”
This past week, pop trio Muna stopped by Australia’s Triple J. During their appearance on the show, they performed a cover of a timeless classic for Triple J‘s “Like A Version” segment.
Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On,” Muna shared a stripped-back acoustic cover of the iconic anthem, which first appeared on the Titanic soundtrack.
With Naomi McPherson on piano and Josette Maskin on guitar, Muna’s lead vocalist Katie Gavin delivered her signature, soft, alto vocals over dreamy, transcendent instrumentation.
After the performance, Muna shared a behind-the-scenes video explaining why they chose to cover “My Heart Will Go On” and how they ended up giving it a more minimalistic sound.
“This song is a song that I have always loved,” said Gavin. “Originally, we thought we were going to do a dance version of this song, but then we decided to do more of a folk version, so it kind of went through a couple of iterations. We love Celine, and we thought it was time to give her her flowers, so we really are glad that this song worked.”
You can check out Muna’s cover of “My Heart Will Go On” above.
Spring is a time of rejuvenation. It’s a time of rebirth. It’s a time when the rains wipe away the darkness of winter, making way for the sunny days to come. It’s also a great time to drink beer. Cooler weather is on its way out and warm weather is on its way in. Meaning you can still get away with drinking darker, maltier brews while slowly adding lighter, hoppier beers into the mix.
Today, we’re talking about underrated IPAs, ESBs, bocks, pilsners, kellerbiers, and even black lagers that are perfect for spring sipping. To find them, we once again turned to the professionals for help. We asked a handful of well-known brewers, beer experts, and beer experts to tell us the most underrated beers to drink this spring — keep reading to see them all.
Tröegs Troegenator
Tröegs
Phil Markowski, brew master at Two Roads Brewing in Stratford, Connecticut
When asked about the most underrated beer my mind immediately jumps to the most underrated brewery. For me, that would have to be Tröegs. It’s not that their beers aren’t given any acclaim, it’s just that there’s so much innovation happening in the space right now that’s grabbing folks’ attention, but Tröegs continues to produce a slew of excellent and diverse products. My personal favorites include Nugget Nectar, Perpetual IPA, and the now classic, Troegenator Doppelbock, one of the most authentic American-made bock beers out there. It’s balanced, and approachable yet only as assertive as it needs to be to excite and satisfy. Many breweries come and go while Tröegs has been doing their thing and doing it outstandingly for twenty-five years and counting.
Tasting Notes:
Notes of caramel malts, dried fruits, brown sugar, and light spices make this a flavorful, warming beer for spring.
Hogshead Chin Wag ESB
Hogshead
Jim Bruckner, head brewer at Bootstrap Brewing in Longmont, Colorado
ABV: 5.8%
Average Price: Limited Availability
The Beer:
Chin Wag ESB by Hogshead Brewery. Saying underrated is maybe inaccurate because I know people love this beer, but it’s from a small brewery that doesn’t package and one that I always seem to have to tell people they need to go to. So maybe untried is a better description. Cask conditioned and beautiful, crazy drinkable, and served in imperial pints.
Tasting Notes:
It has great balance across the board; within the malt (equal parts roasty and caramel without being heavy on either), between the malt and hops (exactly what an ESB should be, earthy, spicy hops with a great backbone), and overall (yeast esters aren’t overshadowed by the aforementioned). And let me reiterate, cask-conditioned. Served as it was meant to be.
Anchor Steam Beer just doesn’t get the credit it deserves from modern beer lovers. But this distinctive holdout to a nearly vanished regional style has stood the test of time and should get much more acclaim.
Tasting Notes:
Notes of caramel, slight wafts of Sulphur, and butterscotch. Earthy and citrusy hop notes. It’s a brand and a style.
Lush from Fremont Brewing Company. Whenever I find myself in Washington State, this is the beer that ends up in my fridge. It has a clean base of 2-row malt that allows the hop character to shine.
Tasting Notes:
The palate is filled with notes of tropical fruits (passionfruit and guava) and melon. A smooth, assertive bitterness rounds out the flavor profile, asking you to take another sip (and another one).
One of my favorite beers of all time is the Monkeynaut India Pale Ale by Straight To Ale out of Huntsville, Alabama. I consider it an underrated IPA because it bucks the current trends going on in the space. While many IPAs are trying to push the boundaries of bitterness, haziness, or just plain hoppiness, Monkeynaut has mastered something that most IPAs can’t: balance.
Tasting Notes:
Monkeynaut provides a slightly malt-forward flavor and aroma carefully balanced by a firm but restrained bitterness. As for the flavors, you’ll find bready orange marmalade, citrus zest, spice, and a pleasant lingering caramel sweetness. Deceptively smooth at 7.25% ABV.
BlackStack Fugazi Pilsner
BlackStack
Garth E. Beyer, certified Cicerone® and owner and founder of Garth’s Brew Bar in Madison, Wisconsin
Ah, Fugazi is an Italian pilsner by BlackStack and it’s so damn refreshing. It’s underrated because of its simplicity and most beer drinkers I share it with don’t realize the uniqueness of a spicy hop until they try this beer.
Tasting Notes:
It has a slight lemon zest and sweet fruit flavor to it that but the hops they use still let it carry that classic noble spice characteristic.
Old Man from Treehouse Brewing Company. When I head over to one of the East Coast’s most popular breweries, known for doing their part in the haze craze that we all now exist in, I tend not to order an IPA, or DIPA, or something with the theoretical equivalent of twenty pounds of hops per barrel. Instead, I always start with a pour of their ESB, Old Man.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, aromatic English hops are backed by a toasty, bready, rich malt-forward bouquet. It tastes of well-toasted bread, brown sugar, caramel, and subtle holiday spice with light hop bitterness. Medium-bodied, but lighter and crisp on the finish, it is a great beer that harkens back to a day before we cared about how many pounds of southern hemispheric hops were in your glass.
Mahrs Bräu aU (or just Mahrs U). This is a seriously appreciated beer for those who know it, but it tends to fly under the radar for most; look for it. The ‘U’ is a reference to the word “Ungespundet”. For those who don’t speak German, it translates to “un-bunged”. It’s a reference to the cask remaining unsealed in the secondary fermentation process.
Tasting Notes:
Excellent bready, full character. Excellently lightly carbonated, round, and warming. Great beer regardless of weather.
Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA
Sierra Nevada
Daniel Gadala-Maria, head brewer at Finback Brewery in Brooklyn, New York
Sierra Nevada Torpedo. It’s ubiquitous. You probably passed over it and all the other ‘first wave’ craft beers the last time you went shopping. But that was the generation that defined what a West Coast IPA was.
Tasting Notes:
Torpedo has sharp bitterness, bright citrus, and resinous pine; it offers consistent quality and is affordable, too. Don’t overlook this classic.
Death & Taxes from Moonlight Brewing Company. I’m not sure it is actually underrated but definitely underappreciated. People don’t often think of dark lager beers, and they are really missing out.
Tasting Notes:
Rich with smooth chocolate and coffee notes and just a hint of lager yeast character, this beer is just as refreshing on a hot summer day as it is comforting on a cool spring night.
When you are a child who has been abused by people who are supposed to protect you, how do you feel safe?
That question is the heart of Bikers Against Child Abuse International (B.A.C.A.), an organization dedicated to creating “a safer environment for abused children.” With specific training and extensive security checks, the frequently big and burly members of B.A.C.A. serve as protectors of chid abuse survivors, giving vulnerable children people to call on when they feel scared, and even showing up in court when a child asks them to.
In short, they become an abused child’s “biker family,” and they let the child—and everyone else—know that no one messes with their family.
As the B.A.C.A. mission statement says:
“We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live. We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization. We work in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We desire to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.”
B.A.C.A. members do whatever they can to make abused kids feel safe, which is huge for children who have been hurt, especially by the adults who are supposed to love and protect them.
First, they set up an initial ride to welcome a child into the biker family. Kids are offered a vest and a patch, which they have the option of accepting or not—there’s never pressure put on a child. They take a photograph with the child, which the child keeps to remind them that they have family to call on whenever they feel afraid. They serve as escorts when kids feel frightened to go somewhere. They show up at court hearings to help kids feel less intimidated. They come to kids’ houses when called to help support the family or serve as a deterrent for further abuse.
Though B.A.C.A. absolutely does not physically confront perpetrators, simply their presence provides the message that a child has a band of protectors behind them. Watch these bikers in action:
2019 Bikers Against Child Abuse International informational video. Visit www.bacaworld.org or find us on Facebook – Bikers Against Child Abuse International
And check out the B.A.C.A creed to see how dedicated these folks are to this work:
“I am a Member of Bikers Against Child Abuse. The die has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past has prepared me, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by the faith in my works, and lean on the strength of my brothers and sisters. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with power.
My fate is set, my gait is fast, my goal is the ultimate safety of children. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are tried and true, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and showed up for all wounded children. I must go until I drop, ride until I give out, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me, for He will see my B.A.C.A. backpatch and know that I am one of His. I am a Member of Bikers Against Child Abuse, and this is my creed.”
When Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi both landed their high jumps at 2.37 meters, they were in the battle for Olympic gold. But when both jumpers missed the next mark—the Olympic record of 2.39 meters—three times each, they were officially tied for first place.
In such a tie, the athletes would usually do a “jump-off” to determine who wins gold and who wins silver. But as the official began to explain the options to Barshim and Tamberi, Barshim asked, “Can we have two golds?”
“It’s possible,” the official responded. “It depends, if you both decide…” And before he’d even told them how sharing the gold would work, the two jumpers looked at each other, nodded, and then launched into a wholesome and joyful celebration guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.
Just watch:
None
— (@)
(If you are unable to view the video above, check it out on NBC’s YouTube channel here.)
The two jumpers have been competing against one another for more than a decade and are friends on and off the field, so getting to share the gold is a win-win—literally—for both of them. It’s also a historic choice. According to the BBC, the last time competing track and field Olympians shared the gold medal podium was in 1912.
The friendship and camaraderie between the two athletes are palpable and their immediate decision to share the gold truly embodies the Olympic spirit.
“I look at him, he looks at me, and we know it,” Barshim said, according to the CBC. “We just look at each other and we know, that is it, it is done. There is no need.”
“He is one of my best friends,” he added, “not only on the track, but outside the track. We work together. This is a dream come true. It is the true spirit, the sportsman spirit, and we are here delivering this message.”
Barshim was the silver medalist in the event in the Rio 2016 Olympics, and Tamberi suffered a career-threatening injury prior to those games, which took him out of medal contention.
“After my injuries, I just wanted to come back,” Tamberi told CNN. “But now I have this gold, it’s incredible. I dreamed of this so many times. I was told in 2016 just before Rio, there was a risk I wouldn’t be able to compete anymore. It’s been a long journey.”
What a beautiful display of sportsmanship, excellence, and genuine human connection. This is what the Olympics are all about. Love to see it.
These days, we could all use something to smile about, and few things do a better job at it than watching actor Christopher Walken dance.
A few years back, some genius at HuffPo Entertainment put together a clip featuring Walken dancing in 50 of his films, and it was taken down. But it re-emerged in 2014 and the world has been a better place for it.
Walken became famous as a serious actor after his breakout roles in “Annie Hall” (1977) and “The Deer Hunter” (1978) so people were pretty shocked in 1981 when he tap-danced in Steve Martin’s “Pennies from Heaven.”
But Walken actually started his career in entertainment as a dancer. He took his first dance lessons at the age of three. “It was very typical for people—and I mean working-class people—to send their kids to dancing school,” he told Interview Magazine. “You’d learn ballet, tap, acrobatics, usually you’d even learn to sing a song,” he later explained to Interview magazine.
As a child, he also studied tap dance and toured in musicals. He even danced with a young Liza Minelli. “I’d been around dancers my whole life, having watched my parents make musicals at MGM, and Chris reminded me of so many of the dancers I knew growing up,” Minelli said according to Entertainment Weekly. “He’s talented in every way.”
Craig Zadan, Executive Producer of “Peter Pan Live!,” agrees with Minelli. “I think that if he had been around in the heyday of MGM, he would have been a big star of musicals on film,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
His dance moves were put center stage in 2001 in Spike Jonze’s video for Fatboy Slim’s song “Weapon of Choice.” Walken says he did it because one day he’ll be too old to cut a rug. “You think, ‘Well, do it now!’ You know, you get too decrepit to dance,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
A retired merchant navy engineer in England has found a treasure that would have made his country’s most popular folk hero proud. Graham Harrison, a 64-year-old metal detector enthusiast, discovered a gold signet ring that once belonged to the Sheriff of Nottingham.
The discovery was made on a farm in Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire, 26.9 miles from Sherwood Forest. The forest is known worldwide for being the mythological home of Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men. A central road that traversed the forest was notorious in Medieval times for being an easy place for bandits to rob travelers going to and from London.
Today, the forest is a designated National Nature Reserve. It contains ancient oaks that date back thousands of years, making it an important conservation area.
“It was the first big dig after lockdown on a glorious day. We were searching two fields. Other detectorists kept finding hammered coins but I’d found nothing,” Harrison said according to the Daily Mail. “Then I suddenly got a signal. I dug up a clod of earth but couldn’t see anything. I kept breaking up the clod and, on the last break, a gold ring was shining at me. I broke out into a gold dance.”
Gold Ring that Belonged to Real Sheriff of Nottingham.nnRead more: https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/sheriff-nottingham-0016568u00a0u2026pic.twitter.com/K7rhf2E62O
Harrison sent the ring to the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme to have it authenticated. After doing some research they found that it was once owned by Sir Matthew Jenison, who was the Sheriff of Nottingham between 1683 and 1684.
The first accounts of Robin Hood, then known as Robyn Hode, first appear in the 12th century, a few hundred years before Sir Matthew served as sheriff.
But there’s no doubt that the archer and leader of Merry Men would have been delighted to know that an everyday guy came into possession of the Sheriff of Nottingham’s ring.
Sir Matthew was knighted in 1683 and acted as a commissioner to examine decaying trees in Sherwood Forest. He was later elected to Parliament in 1701. However, a series of lawsuits over shady land dealings would eventually be his ruin and he’d die in prison in 1734.
The gold signet ring bears the coat of arms of the Jenison family, who were known for getting rich off a treasure trove of valuables left for safekeeping during the English Civil War. The valuables were never claimed, so the Jenisons took them for themselves.
Harrison decided that he would sell the ring to someone who appreciates its importance.
“There can’t be many people who’ve found anything like that. I’m only selling it because it’s been stuck in a drawer,” Harrison said. “I hope it will go to someone who will appreciate its historical value.” It was sold at auction by Hansons Auctions for £8,500 ($11,115).
March Historica & Coin Auction. 24 March u2014 25 March. The Sheriff of Nottinghamu2019s gold signet ring #Historica #Auction @HansonHistoricannCheck out HansonsAuctions’s video! #TikTok https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLmGN476/u00a0pic.twitter.com/cbdwbWrqdH
Let’s hope that the man who sold the ring does what Robin Hood would have done with a piece of jewelry that adorned the hand of a nobleman whose family came into money by taking other people’s loot. Surely, he’d take the proceeds from the auction and give them to the poor.
Coi Leray added none other than Busta Rhymes on her new song, “Players,” for an added verse of the remixed hit.
“It never ends, the way we doing it and how we f*cking them up again / Look how we got them, DJ Saige killing them with the blend,” Busta breaks out in his lyrics.
The remix addition also felt a little like fate, as “Players” previously got a mashup from DJ Saige with Busta Rhymes’ 1997 song, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.”
Leray samples Grandmaster Flash’s 1982 song, “The Message,” on “Players.” The song marks her fourth in Billboard‘s Hot 100 songs chart — and could very well enter the Top 10. (It already has in the UK and Australia, according to the publication.)
“I started working with more writers towards the end of last year,” she also shared with Billboard about the creation process of “Players,” which included a collaborative session. “I worked with writers in the past, but I remember I was a little stubborn — like, ‘I don’t need nobody to write for me.’ My pen game is amazing but this year is the first time I learned structure to a song. Like the verse, pre-chorus, bridge, hook.”
Check out Coi Leray’s “Players” remix with Busta Rhymes above.
The words “Meta” and “TikTok” are borderline inescapable these days. Even more so, now that some members of congress are pushing to ban TikTok in the US. Surely, this can be a little bit hard to follow, but a TikTok user explained it in a catchy way.
A TikTokker by the username pommetato recreated Taylor Swift‘s “You Belong With Me” video to detail why TikTok may get banned. In the video, the content creator is singing to the tune of “You Belong With Me” as Meta, who is trying to persuade a TikTok fan to come back to Meta.
“He’s got the FYP / But I gave you Reels / I leaked your data eight times / Don’t think that that’s a big deal,” she sings.
Elsewhere in the clip, she repeats conspiracy theories, while acting as Meta and coming to her own defense.
“Can’t you see that TikTok uses your wifi / and your camera to steal data from your eyes / but not me / Please come back and use me,” she sings on the parody’s chorus.
Swift herself has not commented on the TikTok clip, or on the matter of the potential TikTok ban, however, Swifties have taken to TikTok in droves, as they are sharing outfits, song transitions, and anecdotes from Swift during the ongoing Eras tour.
The weather is changing and the days are finally getting longer, which means one thing: it’s time to start booking your summer vacation. And what is more quintessentially summer than a trip to one of the United States National Parks? But with travel forecasted to be up this summer – with over 75% of Americans planning on a summer vacation – you might be wondering if there is any place left to find some solitude.
According to the National Park Service, recreational visitation over their 424 park sites reached nearly 312 million in 2022. But the NPS also points out that of those visitors, 26% visited just the top eight national park sites. And, most interesting to me – 25% of visits occurred in the least visited 331 sites. You read that right – less people visited over 331 National Park sites than just the top 8 alone.
So while you may hear a lot about over-tourism and overcrowding at these natural wonders, that isn’t always exactly accurate. For many parks, it’s not accurate at all. If you looking for a trail or two to yourself this summer at a national park, start planning to visit one of these, top 10 Least Visited US National Parks in 2022:
1 – NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICAN SAMOA – 1,887 visitors
There is a new park at the top of the least visited list this year – one that you may have trouble finding on a map – National Park of American Samoa. Located on the US territory of American Samoa in the South Pacific (over 2,600 miles southwest of Hawai’i) the park is truly unique among any other national parks in the system. Encompassing a tropical island ecosystem that is rich in both natural and cultural resources, the park is spread across the islands of Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta‘ū.
With just 1,887 visitors last year it’s not just likely you’ll have a trail to yourself – it’s virtually guaranteed.
HOW TO GET THERE:
The trip to National Park of American Samoa isn’t for the faint of heart – and explains the low visitation. You’ll need to arrive on one of just two flights per week from Honolulu (which are nearly another 6 hours in air) or arrive on one of the few cruise ships that make stops on the island of Tutuila – the largest of the islands that make up the territory. Once on the island you’ll need to rent a car to explore the park and if you have the time and intrepidness to visit the park units on Ofu or Ta‘ū you’ll need to book a flight or boat well in advance.
WHAT TO DO:
There are incredible hiking trails in the park, ranging from easy to extremely difficult. Spend the day hiking up Mount ‘Alava before relaxing on the rocky coastline at Pola Island and then swing by Goat Island Cafe for a drink or make a reservation at Tisa’s Barefoot Bar for a drink and meal with a view.
WHERE TO STAY:
Your options are pretty limited on the island of just over 45,000 people and nearly no tourism. Tradewinds Hotel is a great option with a pool, air conditioning, a restaurant and rental cars available. Sadies by the Sea is another great option as it sits, of course, on the sea. There is no camping allowed in the park, but there are homestay options available through the park service.
2 – GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE – Alaska – 9,457 visitors
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is the second-largest national park in the United States and up until this year is generally always the least visited of all NPS sites. Located entirely north of the Arctic Circle, to say this park is remote would be almost an understatement. Without any roads or facilities, the park is one of the most difficult national parks to access, requiring visitors to fly in or hike extremely long distances to reach the park’s interior. However, for those who are committed enough to the journey, the park offers unmatched opportunities for wilderness exploration and recreation in a pristine wilderness.
HOW TO GET THERE:
As I mentioned, this is all wilderness, with no roads or even trails into the park. So while you technically can hike in via long distances, for the majority of intrepid travelers there is really just one popular option – flying in. Many visitors take an air taxi from one of the small villages nearby – many of which also have no roads and require a flight.
WHAT TO DO:
Many visitors will opt for guided tours for a day or longer with experienced guides. In order to independently visit you’ll need to be truly self-sufficient. Once in the park, visitors have over 8.4 million acres to roam, rivers to float, animals to admire, and birds to watch.
WHERE TO STAY:
Experienced outdoors people may opt to camp – backpacking or pack-rafting in the park. But as it is a virtually untouched wilderness this is only for the experienced or travelers with a guide. There is one all-inclusive lodge – Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge on the edge of the park, and some lodging options in the towns of Anaktuvuk Pass and Bettles.
3 – KOBUK VALLEY NATIONAL PARK – Alaska – 16,925 visitors
Like Gates of the Arctic, Kobuk Valley National Park has no roads or trails. Accessible only by plane or boat, Kobuk Valley National Park is home to the largest active sand dunes in the Arctic, the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, covering an area of 25 square miles and reaching heights up to 100 feet. With only 16,925 visitors in 2022, it is a great place to explore for those seeking a true wilderness experience.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Getting into Kobuk Valley is very similar to Gates of the Arctic – and many travelers visit both on the same trip. With no roads to access the park, you’ll need to take an authorized air taxi into the park from Kotzebue or Bettles. Many air taxis will visit Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley in one trip. There are listings of authorized air taxis on the national park website here.
WHAT TO DO:
Kobuk Valley is known for its impressive sand dunes, and large untouched wilderness area. Once in the park, you can enjoy boating, floating, fishing, and flight-seeing.
WHERE TO STAY:
You can backcountry camp or backpack within the park – popular sites are near Great Kobuk Valley Sand Dunes – or stay in nearby Kotzebue.
4 – LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE – Alaska – 18,187 visitors
The next least-visited park is – no surprise here – also in Alaska. Renowned for its scenic beauty, imposing mountains, crystal-clear lakes, glaciers, and coastal fjords, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is incredibly diverse. With landscapes ranging from tundra to temperate rainforest, and ample wildlife including black and brown bears, moose, wolves, eagles, and caribou – this park has something to offer everyone.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Like many of the parks on this list and many locations in Alaska, Lake Clark is not on the road system, meaning you will need to fly in. Getting to Lake Clark is slightly easier than Kobuk Valley or Gates of the Arctic as it is in closer proximity to Anchorage and Homer – both spots where you can begin your trek to the park. The park service notes that it’s important to nail down your destination within the park before booking any flights as different locations require different aircraft that can’t be switched during your trip.
WHAT TO DO:
Lake Clark has some established trails, incredible bear viewing, boating, fishing, and birding. The park preserves over 4 million acres of diverse habitats – with nearly endless landscapes to explore.
WHERE TO STAY:
You can opt to camp or backpack in the park, or stay in one of the many private lodges, cabins, or bed and breakfasts within park boundaries. Many people also opt for day trips and find easier lodging outside of the park.
5 – ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK – Michigan – 25,454 visitors
You might be surprised that a park in the continental US cracks the top 5 least visited National Parks. You might also be surprised that the park is in Michigan (or that Michigan had a National Park at all). Isle Royale, a remote island located about 15 miles off the coast of Michigan is somehow still under many’s radar. Home to a variety of wildlife, Isle Royale has been the site of an ongoing study of wolf and moose populations since 1958, making it one of the longest-running studies of its kind in the world. With a gorgeous and rugged, rocky coastline, beautiful still waters, and over 165 miles of hiking trails, the park is the perfect respite for a nature lover who isn’t interested in a long haul flight.
HOW TO GET THERE:
As an island, unsurprisingly the only way to access Isle Royale is by boat, ferry, or seaplane. While the park is technically in Michigan, there are ferries from Michigan and Minnesota that will shuttle you over Lake Superior to the island. From Minnesota you can leave from Grand Portage or Grand Marais and from Michigan there are options from Houghton or Copper Harbor. There are routes to the east end – Rock Harbor as well as the west end – Windigo.
WHAT TO DO:
The 50-mile-long island boasts 165 miles of trails, fishing, scuba diving, great canoeing, and kayaking, as well as ranger programs and guided boat tours.
WHERE TO STAY:
There are 36 campgrounds within the park as well as Rock Harbor Lodge – the only full-service lodge on the island.
6 – NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK – Washington – 30,154 visitors
Emily Hart
I’ve visited 59 of the current 63 major US National Parks solo (unsurprisingly my last 4 are all high on this list) and I am constantly asked for recommendations on the most underrated parks to visit. My answer is always North Cascades. Hands down. Despite being only a 2-hour drive from Seattle, with some of the most dramatic mountain landscapes I have ever seen, it still consistently remains one of the least visited National Parks year after year.
With incredible wildlife, crystal blue waters, and over 400 miles of hiking trails – it is a hidden gem in plain sight.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Finally, a park that can be driven to! North Cascades is just 108 miles from Seattle with many visitors arriving via State route 20.
WHAT TO DO:
North Cascades is definitely a hiking park. With over 400 miles of trails to explore it is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts. There are also gorgeous lakes where you can boat and fish, incredible birding opportunities, bicycling, horseback riding, and mountaineering.
WHERE TO STAY:
I love to camp when I visit North Cascades — some of the six campgrounds are drive-in and can be reserved in advance on recreation.gov. There are also plenty of lodging options nearby the park and in Ross Lake National Recreation Area.
7 – KATMAI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE – Alaska – 33,908 visitors
You’ve surely seen video or photos of Katmai National Park and Preserve, whether you’re aware of it or not. Famous for being home to one of the largest concentrations of brown bears in the world, the park has an estimated population of around 2,200, many of which you’ve probably seen on social media. Visitors to the park can observe the bears fishing for salmon in the Brooks River and grazing in their natural habitat. The park is also home to a number of active and dormant volcanoes, including Mount Katmai, which last erupted in 1912.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Katmai is located on the northern Alaska Peninsula, and can only be accessed by plane or boat. Many visitors opt for a flight into the park, with many air taxis available and even a commercial flight from Anchorage to King Salmon. Brooks Camp – the most popular destination in the park – can also be accessed by boat from the villages of Naknek and King Salmon.
WHAT TO DO:
Katmai is all about bear viewing first and foremost. According to the NPS website “Bears are everywhere in Katmai. Few places on earth have as many bears as Katmai or offer comparable bear viewing opportunities.” Many visitors opt to bear watch from Brooks Camp, where the bears can be seen feeding on salmon in the Brooks River. Hiking, boating and fishing are also popular activities at the park.
WHERE TO STAY:
You can opt to camp in the park (surrounded by an electric fence to keep out the bears) or stay in one of the authorized park lodges or at a privately owned wilderness lodge – many of who provide tours. There are also lodging opportunities in the surrounding communities of King Salmon, Naknek, Homer, Kodiak, and Anchorage.
8 – WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE – Alaska – 65,236 visitors
Wrangell-St. Elias, another Alaskan park, is the largest national park in the United States. The park service famously notes that its 13.2 million acres are the size of Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined. Home to towering mountains and glaciers, the park is very remote, with much of the park virtually untouched by visitors.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Unsurprisingly, as the largest national park in the United States, there are lots of options for visiting Wrangell-St. Elias. There is actually a paved road (that can be driven to from Anchorage) that will take you to the main visitor center near Copper Center Alaska at mile marker 106.8 on Richardson Highway. From there you have two dirt road options to choose from that will give you more park access – Nabesna Road and the McCarthy Road. Be aware that many car rental companies do have restrictions on driving these roads.
Many visitors also see the coastal Yakutat area by cruise ship or flight. There are also shuttle buses that can transport to Glennallen and to McCarthy.
WHAT TO DO:
In the Yakutat coastal area, visitors will be awed by glacier viewing, in the McCarthy Road and Kennecott area visitors will be transported back into history at Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark, and in the Nabesna road area, outdoor opportunities and hiking abound.
WHERE TO STAY:
There are many backpacking opportunities in the park and several lodging and camping options in the nearby communities of Copper Center.
9 – DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK – Florida – 78,488 visitors
Dry Tortugas National Park is just 70 miles off the coast of Key West but feels like you’ve entered into another country completely. Garden Key is home to the massive Fort Jefferson – the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. Visitors can take a ferry or seaplane to the 14-acre island to experience history, diving, snorkeling, and bird watching.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Like many parks on the list, you can only access Dry Tortugas via boat or seaplane – another reason it is likely to never feel crowded on the island. There is a ferry that runs from downtown Key West as well as seaplanes that will accommodate day or half day trips to Garden Key. There is also a process where private boats can acquire permitting to stop in the park.
WHAT TO DO:
Garden Key is small – just about 14 acres – so you can see it all fairly quickly. I’d spend time walking through Fort Jefferson and learning the history of the island before heading into the water to snorkel, swim or paddle.
WHERE TO STAY:
There is one campground on Garden Key that is first-come, first-serve and can only be accessed from the ferry. There are no rentals or supplies available so you must bring in everything (and out) that you will need. Otherwise, stay in Key West – I love Parrot Key Hotels & Villas.
10 – GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK – Nevada – 142,115 visitors
Emily Hart
Rounding out the list of least visited National Parks is one many people have likely never heard of: Great Basin National Park. Near the border of Utah in Nevada, the park is very remote despite being in the continental United States and one of just two parks on this list that can be driven to without entering or crossing another country. Home to groves of ancient bristlecone pines (some over 5,000 years old!) the park also contains many caves including Lehman Caves which are open for guided tours. The designated wilderness area is also a Dark Sky Park, with great conditions for stargazing.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Great Basin is extremely remote – with the nearest airport 142 miles away (in Cedar City Utah). Visitors all drive into the park through desert landscape with extremely limited services and connectivity. There is no public transportation to the park, so planning your road trip is key.
WHAT TO DO:
There are dozens of miles of hiking trails within the park – through bristlecone pine forests and up tall peaks. Visitors come to birdwatch, wildflower spot, and stargaze at this designated Dark Sky Park. You can also opt for a guided tour of Lehman Caves.
WHERE TO STAY:
The park has five developed campgrounds, as well as dispersed camping available on BLM land outside of the park. The nearest town is Baker, Nevada, and has motel and short-term rental options.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
