Tips to Experience National Parks with Reduced Visitor Numbers
Heard the national parks are as packed as a mosh pit? You ain't alone, buddy. Those wild places you thought'd be a breath of fresh air? More like the Backstreet Boys at a One Direction concert.
But fear not! This guide is your ticket to avoid crowds and experience these places like they were meant to be – all calm, wild, and awe-inspiring, not Disneyland on steroids. Check it out:
Beat the Flock: National Park Strategies
1. Work those Midweek & Off-Season Hustles
People go parkin' on weekends or kid's vacation breaks. That's when the crowds hit hard. Weekdays and off-season? Quiet as a library – better parking, no lines, and quiet trails. Some parks even ease up on shuttle systems and reservation rules.
For example, we happened upon Avalanche Lake in late spring – just us, white cliffs, and empty trails. A one-of-a-kind off-season experience you'll never see during high season.
2. Swap the Marquee Parks for Secret Jewels
Ever wonder where the above snap is from? You guessin' Glacier or Rocky Mountain, huh? Nope, that's North Cascades. Why does that matter anyway? Take a look at the numbers:
- Glacier – 2.9 million annual visitors
- Rocky Mountain – Over 4 million
- North Cascades – A measly 40,000
That's nearly 1% of the crowd compared to Rocky Mountain, for views just as amazing (or perhaps even better). The mountains, the lakes – no crowds! Just one option, but there are hundreds of other parks seein' a fraction of the people.
3. Drop by the Neighborhood Alternatives
Ever heard of Dead Horse Point State Park? Probably not. It's just outside Moab – round the corner from Arches. Same red rock views, same dramatic canyons. We're talkin' a personal favorite from our Utah Road Trip – and like mo' crowds than none at all. Every major national park's got nearby public lands like state parks, national forests, BLM land – places with views but none of the pesky tour buses.
4. Smart Packin', More Explorin'
Plan ahead to skip the chaos and get more park for your buck.
- Download maps – OnX and AllTrails are our faves.
- Grab snacks and water – fill your pockets and save cash and time from messin' with cafes and restaurants.
- Pack the essentials – sunblock, bug spray, personal goodies. Skip the crowded gift shops and visitor centers.
The self-sufficient life is where it's at. Y'all'll spend less time waitin' and more time havin' fun.
5. Rise 'n' Shine, Trail Blazers
"Jerry:30" – that's our term for unprepared parkgoers (read: oblivious tourists). They hit the trails around 10 or 11 a.m. – poor souls with Bluetooth speakers, bad shoes, and no idea about trail etiquette.
Wake up early and start your hike at or before sunrise. The air's cooler, the trails are quieter, and parking's a breeze. Why climb in bed when there's adventure on the horizon?
6. Say No to Popular Spots
Most of us go where the signs point. Main roads, the big trailheads, that Instagram photo op. Those spots get crowded quick. Skip those top few hikes listed on the park map. In Glacier, that might mean journeyin' to Many Glacier instead of Logan Pass. In Zion? Explore Kolob Canyons instead of Angels Landing.
Same views, same wild creatures – just way fewer humans.
7. Use lesser Known Entrances
The Feds don't keep tabs on each entrance's passersby – but we all know it ain't hard to spot the prime spots. Most parkgoers'll enter through the main gate – the West Entrance in Glacier, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. That's where the shops, restaurants, and lodgin' are. However, there are lesser-used entrances that lead to the same breathtakin' scenes – minus the traffic jams. Take the road less traveled, and you'll hit the trail way earlier than the crowd.
8. Stay Outside the Park
Some of the worst campin' nights of our lives have happened in national park campgrounds. We like to camp where we can hear crickets, not cryin' babies or annoying park neighbors. Find better options nearby – like forest service campgrounds, dispersed sites, or VRBO cabins. The only time we camp in the park is when we've gotta be there early for a hike.
9. Take the Longer Stroll
Most parkgoers stick to the pavement – roadside lookouts, the visitor center, and easy, popular hikes. If you wanna get away from all that, head out on a longer trek – 6 miles or more – or choose a lesser-known route. Leave 90% of the crowd behind in the first few miles. We adore AllTrails to find lesser-explored routes – scopes 'em based on distance, difficulty, and traffic level to land the perfect trails.
10. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
Nothing ruins a trip faster than showin' up ill-prepared. Some parks require timed entry, parking permits, or backcountry reservations – especially during peak season. Others have trail closures, wildlife restrictions, or campfire bans that change week to week. The magic words: Research, Research, Research!
11. Use Timed Entry to Ya Advantage
Timed entry can feel like a hassle, but if you play it right, it can work in your favor. Here's how:
- Roll in before the gates open. Most parks don't check reservations until around 6 or 7 a.m. If you show up at 5 a.m., no reservation needed. Better still, that's when you wanna start your hike.
- Grab a late time slot. It means an easier afternoon hike or sunset at a scenic lookout. Crowds thin out as the day goes on.
- Watch the reservation system. If there are tons of open slots for a day, that means fewer people are planin' to attend. Use that as a sign – it could be the perfect time to go.
12. Evade Visitor Centers During Peak Hours
Visitors Centers – they're a tourist trap. Crowded, loud, and long lines. If you gotta grab a souvenir t-shirt or sticker, the visitor center's got ya covered – and supports the park directly! That said, if you ain't tied to gettin' something from the park, shop Etsy for variety. If ya must attend, show up right when they open or just before they close – not at "Jerry:30."
13. Chat with Park Rangers 'bout Hidden Gems
Rangers've seen a thing or two, and they love to share their secrets. Find 'em hikin' in the park and ask 'em what trail they'd do on their day off or where they go to avoid crowds. Rangers are local experts – insider info ya won't find on brochures.
14. Set Sight on Backpackin' Trips
Backpackin' is one of the best ways to leave the crowd behind. Parks have sections people rarely venture – access to the quietest, wildest parts of the park. Yes, it takes effort, but that's exactly why folks don't do it. Plan a backpackin' trip for that raw, natural national park experience you won't find nowhere else.
Stay tuned for more parkin' tips, parkbuddies! Happy trails and happy campin'!
- To avoid the crowds in national parks, consider visiting during the week or off-season as parking, trails, and services are quieter.
- Instead of popular parks like Glacier or Rocky Mountain, explore lesser-known parks with fewer visitors, such as North Cascades.
- Check out nearby alternatives like state parks, national forests, or BLM land for red rock views and canyons without the tour buses.
- Plan ahead by downloading maps, packing essentials, and grabbing snacks and water to skip the chaos and spend more time enjoying the park.
- Wake up early and start your hike at or before sunrise to beat the crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures and quiet trails.
- Skip popular spots listed on park maps and instead explore lesser-known trails and scenic areas with fewer people.
- Use lesser-used park entrances to reach breathtaking scenes without the traffic jams.
- Stay outside the park in forest service campgrounds, dispersed sites, or VRBO cabins for a quieter, more peaceful camping experience.
- Take longer hikes or choose lesser-known routes to leave 90% of the crowd behind in the first few miles.
- Prepare for your trip by researching park requirements, trail closures, wildlife restrictions, and campfire bans.
- Use timed entry to your advantage by arriving early, grabbing a late time slot, or watching the reservation system for open slots.
- Avoid visitor centers during peak hours by showing up right when they open or just before they close.
- Chat with park rangers about hidden gems, as they are local experts with insider information.
- Consider embarking on backpacking trips to access the quietest, most wild parts of the park for a truly unique and remote national park experience.
