There are thousands of national parks in countries all over the world but while some of the big names dominate the spotlight globally, there are many other undiscovered gems that warrant more attention. We've picked 30 of the best that offer unique and unforgettable outdoor experiences, beauty and charm by the bucketload – all without the crowds – and ranked them.

Read on to discover our selection of the most stunning lesser-known national parks and see which one made it to our number one spot...

Our selection is based on thorough research and fact-checking, and the experience of our well-travelled team. The list is unavoidably subjective and also regularly checked and updated.

A mountainous park formed by ancient glacier activity, Durmitor is prized for the height of its 50 or more limestone mountains, deeply carved canyons and spectacular array of icy glacier-fed lakes. 

Durmitor is a playground for outdoor sports enthusiasts, with a major ski resort attracting visitors in the winter months. In the summer, hikers flock to the park for its alpine views and to spot some of the area’s numerous birds and impressive array of butterflies. 

Situated in an area known as the “elbow of the Andes,” this mountainous park sits in the heart of Bolivia. The elevation changes throughout the park, allowing for some exciting biodiversity, which is one of its main draws.

Visitors share the space with over 900 species of birds, as well as giant anteaters, jaguars, ocelot and many other animals. There’s also a lot of payoff in terms of natural wonder, with waterfalls, rainforests and mountain views.

This park in Eastern Canada is divided into two parts. One is a wilderness area full of old growth woodlands, inland wildlife and vast swathes of dark sky. The other is a coastal area located 62 miles (100km) away from the main park.

Both are traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq peoples, who canoed along rivers and left petroglyphs carved on the rocks along their travels. The seaside region is particularly beautiful, with white sand beaches and coastal waters full of sea life.

Rugged and remote, this expansive swathe of natural land is listed as a World Heritage site because of its cultural significance and natural beauty. Traditionally inhabited by the Bininj/Mungguy people, the park features more than 5,000 rock art sites, some dating back 20,000 years, which are among the oldest Indigenous art in the world. 

The non-human aspects of the park are impressive too, with lush rainforests, wild crocodiles and isolated spots to swim in while soaking up the majesty of the park.

Managed by African Parks to protect the local wildlife, Liwonde is a sanctuary for animals that have been relocated to the safety of the park. Today the park is home to hundreds of elephants, as well as cheetahs, black rhinos and other amazing species. 

The wildlife conservation is a highlight of the park, but the landscape is also outstanding. There are miles and miles of dry savannah, as well as forest and the Shire River, which stretches alongside the western side of the park. 

One of several parks on the island of Hokkaido, Akan-Mashu is the traditional home of Japan’s Indigenous Ainu people. It also features some extraordinary volcanic landscapes and wildlife, including Japanese deer, white-tailed eagles and some incredibly rare owls. 

Hot springs, dense forests and crystal-clear lakes also abound here, including a caldera lake – Lake Kussharoa – which visitors can canoe on. They should also be on the lookout for unusual velvety green balls of algae called marimo that form in the lakes.

As the site of Angel Falls – the tallest waterfall in the world – Canaima isn’t a completely unknown entity, but many visitors don’t know that the 12,000-square mile (30,000sq km) park has a lot to offer beyond that one attraction. 

The area is filled with giant table-top plateau rock formations called tepuis that make up the bulk of the park. Hiking, canoeing to Angel Falls and wildlife spotting are the main activities here. Jaguars, giant armadillos and two-toed sloths are just a few of the species that can be seen.

Italy’s Amalfi Coast is considered one of the most gorgeous places in the world and this incredible national park sits just south of it. The area is known for both its historic significance and natural assets, with archaeological sites that date back 250,000 years, as well as remnants of more recent settlements and sanctuaries. 

Beyond that, the landscape is a sight to behold, dotted with sloping river valleys, soaring mountain peaks, stunning waterfalls and hidden beaches with crystal clear waters.

When it comes to national parks, Canada has many standouts, but this smaller park that sits on the southernmost tip of the country is an underrated gem. Surrounded by the waters of Lake Erie, the park’s marshy wetlands are a haven for birdwatchers, as well as wildlife enthusiasts looking to spot beavers and turtles. 

The water surrounding the park's sandy beaches is great for kayaking and canoeing and in the summer it is generally warm enough to swim in.

California has a lot of outstanding national parks to compete with, which is why this awe-inspiring coastal park is not as globally known as some of the state’s other natural areas. 

The park consists of five of the eight Channel Islands that sit just off the mainland near Los Angeles. Even though they’re a stone’s throw from one of the most populated regions of the US, the park itself is wild and rugged and only accessible by boat, offering a perfect chance to escape into nature.

Scotland’s Cairngorms might not be as famous as more popular UK parks such as Snowdonia in Wales, but it is Britain’s largest park in size and one of the best for climbers, thanks to the peaks and outcrops of the Grampian mountains. 

The park is a delight year-round, with opportunities to hike, golf and bike in the summer and ice-climb, ski and take dog sled rides in winter. Cairngorms boasts an impressive diversity of landscapes, with scenic driving routes, moorlands, peatlands and wooded forests.

The name of this park in Albania translates to “good valley” in Italian, which is an apt title for this picturesque part of the country that's often nicknamed the “miracle of the Alps.” 

The park is protected and relatively remote (especially by European standards), which makes for an unspoilt landscape of pristine glacial springs, waterfalls and rugged rock formations. One of the park’s most popular attractions is the Cave of Dragobia, which is accessible via a rugged hiking trail.

America’s West is home to some of the world’s most famous national parks and while Nevada’s Great Basin flies under the radar in comparison, it’s just as spectacular, boasting some of the least polluted and clearest night skies in the US. 

Marked by mountains with ample hiking trails, Great Basin is famed for its ancient bristlecone pine trees, the oldest non-clonal species on Earth, with the oldest of them all estimated to be about 4,700 to 5,000 years old. The park also boasts the famous Lehman caves, accessible by guided tour.

Tasmania’s Freycinet National Park doesn’t have a landmark like the famous Uluru rock monolith, but it makes up for it with some sublime coastal views. The must-see attraction here is the curved white sand coastline of Wineglass Bay and the long narrow peninsula has plenty of other gems along its shores. 

It’s not all beaches and turquoise waters: Freycinet also has some interesting terrain in the form of the Hazards, a range of pink granite mountains that form a spectacular backdrop to the surrounding area.

America’s national parks aren’t all in the continental US – this park takes up about two thirds of the island of St. John as well as nearby Hassel Island in the Virgin Islands. The cultural history of St. John runs deep, with petroglyph sites created by the Indigenous Taino peoples and colonial-era plantation ruins on the island. 

Those looking for natural stimulation can also get their fill with sandy white beaches, hiking trails and opportunities to snorkel among unspoilt coral reefs.

Picos de Europa is not as famous as Teide National Park in the Canary Islands, but it’s got some pretty phenomenal mountain terrain. The park also contains 11 villages, making it the only inhabited nature reserve in Spain. 

The park's showstopping features are its pristine meadows, impressive mountains and forests laden with wildlife including brown bears and Iberian wolves. Hiking is very popular in the park, although you can also see much of it by car.

Germany has three national parks in the Wadden Sea in the northwestern part of the country, near Denmark. This one is remarkable in that it contains the world’s largest continuous area of mudflats, formed as a result of the ultra-flat shorelines. 

The salt marshes and sand dunes give the park a distinctive look and also create a home for a unique collection of plants and animals, with seals, porpoises, starfish and birds that can be spotted as visitors explore on foot or by bike.

The Cuyahoga River is best known for running through the city of Cleveland, but it’s also the focal point of this natural wonderland in the American Midwest. The snaking river has carved a deep and fertile valley that’s perfect for moments of quiet reflection. 

The park’s proximity to both Cleveland and Akron makes it ideal for day hikes and bike trips or a refreshing paddle down the river. Cuyahoga is also a great family park with lots of learning opportunities for kids.

The largest protected area in west Namibia has a little bit of everything. Its most striking feature is the expansive Namib Desert, the oldest desert lands in the world, which also boasts the highest dunes, reaching up to 984 feet (300m). 

Then, to the east you’ve got the mighty Naukluft Mountains, with the coast and Sandwich Harbour, which is filled with flamingoes, pelicans and other sea birds to the west. With massive canyons, fields of sand dunes and African wildlife, Namib-Naukluft showcases Namibia’s diverse landscapes.

Wales is full of incredible natural splendour, all of which is on full display in this national park, known for its rolling countryside, green grass, waterfalls, wild forests and famous Black Mountains range. 

It’s a peaceful place for walking and a favourite for birdwatchers hoping to spot a red kite. There are also remnants of castles in the park, for those who want a little history and architecture mixed in with their nature fix, and on clear night it offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in the UK.

Located on the rocky Jasmund peninsula on the island of Rügen, this park is best known for its dramatic white chalk cliffs, known as the Königsstuhl or “King’s Chair,” which famously inspired the romantic painter, Caspar David Friedrich.

While the cliffs get all the attention, it’s also worth seeing Jasmund’s bountiful flora and fauna, specifically the ancient beech forests, different varieties of birds and protected orchids that bloom in meadows throughout the park. The area attracts many hikers, who can explore serene forest trails or spectacular coastal routes.

Named after Bulgaria's Pirin Mountains, this park has some postcard-perfect mountains and protected coniferous forests, but its claim to fame is the 100-or-so glacial lakes that sit within its boundaries. 

Outdoor enthusiasts flock to the park year-round, exploring by foot or bike in the summer, with ample opportunities to ski and snowshoe once snow hits the ground.

The mountains of southern Poland make up one of the most beautiful parts of the country and they can be fully enjoyed in this alpine park, with its jagged peaks and stunning rock formations. 

Brown bears and grey wolves roam among the rugged rocks and deep lakes, while hikers can explore the area via more than 170 miles (274km) of trails. The mountains also shelter some pretty serious cave systems, with more than 600 caves to discover, including the 11-mile (18km) long Wielka Sniezna.

Nothing puts the “ice” in Iceland like this astonishing park that surrounds the Vatnajokull glacier. This is wild country both above and below the ground, with volcanic geothermal activity going on beneath the ice cap on the surface and shaping the land around it. 

That combination of fire and ice makes for powerful rocky landscapes, glacial rivers, black volcanic sands and unique wildlife built to withstand the conditions of this magical part of the world.

Bogs don’t always get a lot of fanfare, but the wetlands of Connemara National Park in the west of Ireland are lovely enough to redeem the spongy, peaty land’s soggy reputation. The park also boasts plenty of pretty mountains (including Benbaum, the highest peak in County Galway), as well as expansive grasslands and wooded areas to explore. 

The flora attracts some interesting fauna, including many bird species. Camping is encouraged, with visitors setting up “wild camping” sites so that they can intimately commune with the wilderness.

Located in remote and otherworldly Lapland, Sarek is jam-packed with mountain peaks, glaciers, deep valleys and peculiar-looking deltas that give the land a spectacularly eerie look. 

Getting to Sarek can be a bit of an ordeal and a trip to the park is not for the faint of heart, with visitors having to either hike or ski in. Once there, however, adventurers can hike on unmarked trails and truly feel like they’re at one with the wilderness.

Western Australia is home to some pretty wild looking topography and the Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park is a prime example. The desert’s “pinnacle” formations are limestone spires that stick straight out of the ground and there are thousands of them to behold. 

With a lake filled with equally strange formations built by micro-organisms, as well as coastal dunes, flowering plants (from August to October) and gorgeous beaches, this park is truly one of a kind.

Green fields and otherworldly mountains are hallmarks of the Chinese countryside, and both are abundant in this park located in the northeastern region of Guangxi Zhuang. 

The Li (or Lijiang) River flows through the park, creating some unforgettable vistas. Limestone mountain peaks complement the river, which is best enjoyed on a boat cruising along the water as it winds through the electric green landscape.

Banff and Jasper get most of the accolades when it comes to the Canadian Rocky Mountains, but nearby Kootenay National Park in British Columbia also deserves some attention. 

The vibe of Kootenay is more laid-back than its famous cousins and while its landscape isn’t quite as dramatic, it’s rich with vast forests, rivers, lakes and, of course, mountains. The area is also chock-full of hot springs, with the commercial Radium Hot Springs just outside the park.

Congaree may not attract the same number of visitors as Yellowstone or Zion national parks, but when visitors see its trees they never forget them. The park hosts the most significant intact collection of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern US, a fact that has landed it our number one spot.

The ecosystem is nourished by the Congaree and Wateree Rivers, which create a unique landscape in this natural area of South Carolina. The park is filled with boardwalks so that visitors can walk among the bald cypress trees.

Now check out the earliest photos of the world's national parks