Five Remote US National Parks Accessible by Boat or Plane

Some of America’s most extraordinary national parks remain untouched due to their remote locations, accessible only by boat or plane. These parks offer dramatic landscapes, rich wildlife, and rare ecosystems far from crowds and commercial tourism. Reaching them requires careful planning, but the reward is a true wilderness experience, where visitors can explore pristine coastlines, rugged mountains, and protected habitats that showcase the raw beauty of the United States’ most isolated natural treasures.

Road trips through national parks are woven into the fabric of American travel. Yet for landscapes that still feel untamed and elemental, the journey must leave the road behind and continue by boat or seaplane. In 2024 alone, nearly 332 million visitors explored destinations managed by the US National Park Service. While the system was created to safeguard vast wilderness, many of its most famous parks now greet drivers with packed parking lots and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

For travellers craving space and silence, a different path exists. A small number of US national parks can only be reached by water or air, filtering out the masses before the adventure even begins. Arriving this way instantly shifts perspective. “When you come in by sea or sky, you feel that these places don’t bend to human convenience,” says Crystal Jones, senior tour leader at Intrepid. “The effort it takes to get there is part of the experience and the reward is something increasingly rare: genuine wilderness.”

From sunlit islands rising from the Caribbean to vast Arctic tundra above the polar circle, these five national parks remain unreachable by road. Off the coast of southern California, Channel Islands National Park is often likened to the Galapagos of North America. Spread across five volcanic islands between 20 and 70 miles offshore, the park shelters dramatic cliffs, hidden coves and hiking trails, along with 145 plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Access is limited to ferries or private boats departing from Ventura or Oxnard.

Stepping ashore may feel briefly busy, but solitude arrives quickly. Former park superintendent Russell Galipeau notes that within minutes of leaving the dock, visitors can find themselves completely alone. With no cars allowed, exploration happens on foot, by kayak or aboard private boats.

The islands also hold deep human history. Archaeological discoveries suggest they may have served as a stopping point during early migrations from Asia to the Americas. Kayaking is especially popular, particularly around Santa Cruz Island and Scorpion Beach. However, the exposed coastline demands respect for shifting currents and wind conditions. Offshore, whale-watching tours regularly encounter dolphins and more than 20 whale species, including humpbacks, sperm whales and orcas.

Those curious about the underwater world can snorkel through kelp forests or join guided marine tours. Overnight stays are possible at campgrounds, though visitors must arrive fully self-sufficient, there are no services once you land. Far to the north, Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve sits above the Arctic Circle, roughly 250 miles northwest of Fairbanks. As the northernmost US national park, it offers no roads, marked trails or established campsites. Entry is only possible by small aircraft or long-distance hiking.

Covering 8.4 million acres, the park is a sweeping expanse of tundra, boreal forest, wild rivers and jagged peaks within the Brooks Range. With no infrastructure to fall back on, the National Park Service advises visitors to be fully prepared for survival and emergency situations. It is also the least visited national park in the country, drawing fewer than 12,000 people most years.

For Cory Lawrence of Off the Beaten Path, the experience begins before landing. Flying over the region reveals its true scale, with chances to spot moose, Dall sheep, wolves, wolverines and even bears from above, a reminder of how untouched the landscape remains. In the Caribbean Sea, 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park protects a vast marine ecosystem where water dominates the map. Nearly all of its 100 square miles lie underwater, including part of the world’s third-largest barrier reef.

Seven small islands rise above the surface, crowned by Fort Jefferson, a massive 19th-century military structure that once held a conspirator in President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Visitors arrive by private boat, ferry, charter or seaplane, each approach revealing the fort seemingly floating on turquoise waters.

“It’s rare to find Civil War history, presidential intrigue, birdlife, sea turtles and thriving marine biodiversity in one place,” says geographer and architectural historian Thalia Toha. Dry Tortugas is also one of the few spots along the US East Coast where the Milky Way can be seen clearly without a telescope.

Snorkelling around Garden Key reveals coral growth among old naval piers, now transformed into fish habitats. Loggerhead Key offers equally vibrant reefs, while divers can explore the remains of the Windjammer Avanti, a shipwreck from 1907 preserved in shallow waters.

Camping is allowed, but visitors must bring everything they need. At night, the stars reflect off the calm sea, creating an almost surreal sense of isolation.

In Lake Superior, Isle Royale National Park forms a rugged archipelago of more than 450 islands. Open only from mid-April to October, this Unesco Biosphere Reserve invites hikers, paddlers and divers into a forested landscape shaped by water and time. One of the world’s largest lake islands, Isle Royale has been inhabited by Native Americans for over 8,000 years.

Access comes via ferry or seaplane, with accommodations ranging from rustic cabins to first-come campgrounds. While day trips are possible, careful coordination with transport is essential. Kayaking Washington Creek offers prime wildlife sightings, including moose, beavers and otters. For hikers, the Greenstone Ridge and Minong Ridge trails traverse the island’s spine, offering challenging routes and sweeping views.

Back in Alaska, Katmai National Park & Preserve spans nearly four million acres of rivers, volcanic landscapes and the scarred Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, formed by the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. Despite its dramatic geology, Katmai is best known for its brown bears. Around 2,200 roam the park, and viewing platforms at Brooks Camp provide one of the world’s best opportunities to watch them during the summer salmon run.

Each year, the park even hosts “Fat Bear Week,” a global online competition celebrating its most impressive residents. Reaching Katmai requires careful planning, with access limited to boats or seaplanes. Yet visitors say the effort transforms the experience. Arriving somewhere with no roads in or out, Jones explains, creates a connection that no documentary can replicate. Those who stay longer can fish, take scenic flights, hike historic passes or climb Observation Mountain for expansive views across river valleys and volcanic terrain, a fitting finale to some of the wildest journeys the US has to offer.

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Source: BBC‍