Writer/historian Wallace Stegner said that our national parks are “the best idea America ever had. That may be true, but going to a super-popular national park on a weekend during the busy season might end up seeming like one of the worst ideas you’ve ever had.
Visitation at national parks has been rising for decades now, but it has totally exploded over the past five years. We don’t have a wand to wave and make the crowds go away, but we can share some tips that can help you avoid the worst of the crowds. Let’s get started!
Get an Early Start
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Even in the most popular national parks, things typically don’t get too busy until around 9 or 10 in the morning. If you go out earlier, there will be less traffic and trails won’t be crowded. Plus, more wildlife will be active and the low-angle sunlight makes the scenery more beautiful.
Go Out Late in the Day
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The majority of visitors wrap up their days between 4 and 5 so they can get ready for dinner. When the days are long in the summer, the hours after 6 P.M. can be a wonderful respite from the crowds.
Visit Midweek
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Weekends are almost always busier than weekdays are. Typically, the lightest-usage days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so if you can arrange to visit on those days, you should do it.
Take the Shuttles
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Some national parks– Yosemite and Zion are two examples– have free shuttle buses during the busiest seasons. Taking the shuttle won’t make the park less crowded, but you’ll waste less time sitting in traffic and searching for parking spots.
Put on Your Hiking Shoes
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Being told to take a hike is a good thing in a national park. You’ll see amazing things windshield tourists never do, and the farther from the car you go, the fewer people there will be.
Put on a Backpack
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A way to find even less human community is to load a pack with camping gear for one or more nights in the backcountry. Once you’re a few hours into the wilderness, you might not see any other people.
Avoid the Popular Trails
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The most popular trails tend to be short and easy and/or lead to famous features. Check maps and guides for other great trails that see far less traffic. This is how to discover hidden gems.
Skip the Trails and Make Your Own Way
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If you’re experienced in off-trail travel and the terrain is suitable for it, this is the best way to find solitude in our national parks. An additional bonus is that you’ll see things few or no other people ever will.
Visit Less-Popular Parks
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While some of the parks are really busy during peak visitation periods, there are many that are lesser-known and/or more remote. These parks get fewer visitors and can yield great rewards.
Go in the Off-Season
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Summer is the peak visitation time for most national parks because kids are out of school and the weather’s good. Try visiting a “summer” park after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. Activities might be more limited, but you’ll find less crowding, a totally different face of the park, and, usually, lower lodging rates.
Explore the Surrounding Area
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Many national parks are surrounded by beautiful scenery managed as national forests and other bodies. You’ll find a lot of great things to see and do in these surrounding regions and avoid the worst of the crowds. Yellowstone and Yosemite are just two great examples of this.
Do Some Research!
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A lot of people end up doing what everyone else does because they didn’t plan ahead and don’t know what to do once they arrive. The internet makes it easier than ever to do some research and plan out your visit. This way, you can see the main sights but also make time for places that are quieter.
The 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World That Everyone Must See
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There’s no way you could ever come up with a definitive list of the world’s most beautiful places. However, if you ask around, some places come up a lot more frequently than others do.
The following are some of the places that people mention over and over again, not in any particular order.
30 Breathtaking Places You Must See Before You Die
The Two Best Scenic Wonders in Each of the Mountain States
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The Mountain States– Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico– have some of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in the United States. Because they’re so big, it can take a lot of time to visit them, so it helps to be able to plan for some specific destinations.
Following are our choices for the top two must-see outdoor locations in each of these seven states.
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