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The most underrated sites at our national parks — according to a guy who’s seen them all

There are more than 400 National Park Service sites. Here are some of the hidden gems.

Before Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took his great big American road trip, Mikah Meyer did it first.

Meyer is a travel writer and blogger. In 2019, he became the first person to visit all of the National Park Service sites in a single journey — over 400 in total. The full list includes national monuments, battlefields, and rivers — and the 63 national parks that most of us think of when we plan our summer trips.

Now, with ultra-high gas prices, park staffing shortages, and funding cuts to the NPS, Meyer has some guidance for how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly this summer. He told Today, Explained that Americans should start with exploring their own backyard this summer — and think outside the box.

Meyer talked with Today, Explained co-host Sean Rameswaram about the hidden outdoor gems in each region of the US and what his number one spot in the country is. Hint: It’s not one of the heavy hitters.

Below are some of Meyer’s favorites, divided........

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