Fishing Frenzy

You remember the beauty of the last national park you visited, and you'd like to share the experience. Unfortunately, you also remember the crowds outnumbered the wildlife. Fear not. These 6 lesser-known destinations let you have the best of both worlds:

1. Arches. This gem can be found in the southern landscape of Utah. It's best known for its stunning sandstone arches, two of which are Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch, the park's largest. Because of the sheer beauty the park has to offer, along with the landscape, hiking remains the most popular activity.

2. Badlands. Truly a marvel of nature, Badlands offers two or three experiences in one park. Not only do you see beautiful buttes and canyons, but also there is the vast prairie land to experience. Because of the lay of the land, you're sure to see wildlife ranging from bison to coyotes.

3. Big Bend. Located on more than 800,000 acres of west Texas land, Big Bend was named for the enormous bend in the Rio Grande River. Speaking of which, if you visit, you'll want to raft the river for an experience no amusement park thrill ride can match. This is the perfect place for water enthusiasts, who can canoe and kayak in addition to the rafting experience.

4. Biscayne. Primarily accessible by boat only, Biscayne National Park is located about 20+ miles from Miami as part of a coral reef. Anyone with a love of marine life will feel right at home viewing the many varieties of fish, turtles, stingrays and more in the crystal clear waters. Many of the keys that make up the park are perfect for fishing, camping, and hiking.

5. Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Looking for different experiences at different times of the year? This Nova Scotia wonder is just the ticket. Believe it or not, depending on the time of year, this is one place where you can hike in the fall, play on the beach in the summer, or even ski in the winter. Once home to Alexander Graham Bell, Cape Breton offers breathtaking views of the highlands and coastlines regardless of the time of year.

6. Congaree. This South Caroline gem is considered the oldest floodplain forest in North America. It boasts of 75 species of trees and a variety of animals which can be viewed from just about anywhere in the park. It's also one of the youngest, earning its place as a national park in 2003.

If checking out some of North America's national parks sounds like the ticket this summer but crowds do not, you can't go wrong with any of the above-named destinations. You're likely to discover a whole new world (or world's) you never knew existed.