The Most Difficult National Parks to Visit in North America

The Most Difficult National Parks to Visit in North America

Alexander Humboldt National Park

Alejandro de Humboldt National ParkRudolf Ernst/Getty Images

Cuba's most famous national park occupies a rainy, mountainous section of Guantanamo province on the northeast corner of the island. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is brimming with flora and fauna (like endangered tree snails) and is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse tropical islands on the planet. The park can be visited as a day trip from Baracoa, a charming, ocean-front village that deserves a few days in its own right, but the nearest major airports are in Holguin and Santiago de Cuba, each several hours away by car/bus. As most flights to Cuba fly into Havana, visitors could catch a domestic flight to Holguin or Santiago de Cuba. From there, hire a taxi or take the Viazul tourist bus to Baracoa then hire a private taxi to the park. Don't miss these never before seen photos of Havana.

Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands National ParkSeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images

The Caribbean may be known for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, but beautiful beaches are only the beginning of what Virgin Islands National Park has in store for park-goers. A must-see within the national park is Trunk Bay, considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but anyone visiting the island should allow plenty of time to explore its other attractions. Visitors can hike to old sugar plantation ruins, volunteer with endangered sea turtle conservation efforts, or explore ancient petroglyphs carved by the indigenous Taino people that occupied the island. There are two options for visiting the park: flying to St. Thomas and taking a ferry to St. John, or joining a cruise, such as SeaDream, which visits the national park as part of the cruise itinerary.

Gates to the Arctic

Gates of the Arctic National Park AlaskaGlovTech/Getty Images

Situated entirely north of the Arctic Circle, Gates to the Arctic national park in Alaska is the northernmost national park in the United States. We're talking pure, untouched wilderness so there are no roads, no trails, and no established campsites. If you're thinking that this extremely northern location means the park has nothing more than snow and ice, think again! About 8.4 million acres of wild rivers, caribou-studded valleys, and alpine lakes await adventurous visitors. Due to 24-hour sunlight in the summer, the park serves as the summer destination of many migratory birds. Note that cell phones do not work here so park visitors must be strong hikers and competent in wilderness survival skills. If not, they should hire a local guide service or outfitter to accompany them. These 16 photos prove that Alaska is every bit the winter wonderland you dream it to be.

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