Strategies for Experiencing National Parks Undisturbed by Large Groups
You rock up early, plan for weeks, but when you reach the trailhead, it's crowded as fuck.
People everywhere. Cars lining the road. The tranquility you sought? Gone to shit.
If you've ever tried to enjoy the national parks and felt more like a trip to Disneyland, you're not alone (pardon my French).
The wild beasts these parks claim to offer seem to have morphed into jam-packed paths and screaming kids.
But here's the good news:
With a bit of smart planning, you can dodge the crowds and enjoy these places the way they were meant to be: serene, wild, and awe-inspiring.
This guide will show you EXACTLY how we do it.
14 Ways to Escape the Crowds in National Parks
1. Midweek and Off-Season Trips are Key
Most people visit national parks during weekends or holiday seasons. That's when the madness occurs.
Go on weekdays or in the off-season, and it's a completely different story.
More parking. No lines. Quiet trails.
Some parks even drop shuttle systems and reservation rules, so you can explore at your leisure.
For instance, we hiked Avalanche Lake in late spring on a freezing, rainy day.
The white cliffs and deserted trails made it an unforgettable experience-something you'll only get in the off-season.
2. Trade the Populace Parks for Hidden Gems
So, where is the picture above from? Is it Glacier National Park or Rocky Mountain National Park?
Nah, it's North Cascades National Park.
Want to know why that's significant? Here are the numbers:
- Glacier gets about 2.9 million visitors per year.
- Rocky Mountain claims over 4 million.
- North Cascades manages only 40,000.
That's nearly 1% of the visitors compared to Rocky Mountain-for views just as dramatic. Maybe even better.
The mountains are as stunning, the lakes are as brilliant blue, and the difference? No crowds.
That's just one example, but there are so many hidden jewels out there that see a fraction of the traffic.
3. Visit Nearby Alternatives
Have you heard of Dead Horse Point State Park? Probably not.
Located just outside Moab, it offers red rock views and dramatic canyons similar to those in Arches-without the masses. Same goes for much of Utah's public land-state parks, national forests, BLM land-all without the tour buses and overflowing trailheads.
4. Pack Smart, Explore More
Preparation makes the journey less stressful and offers you more free time to explore the parks.
Prepare beforehand.
- Download maps using apps like OnX or AllTrails. The National Park Service app should also be on your device. Don't count on cell service-it's nonexistent in many areas.
- Bring your own food and water. Lines at park restaurants and cafes can waste hours-and a ton of cash-from your trip.
- Pack the essentials such as sunblock, bug spray, and any personal items. Shops and visitor centers tend to get crowded, especially during the day.
The more self-sufficient you are, the less time you'll waste standing in lines-and the more time you'll have for the adventures you came for.
5. Sunrise Starts Mean Empty Trails
Jerry: 30-it's a term we use to describe when the unprepared tourists flood the trails-usually during the late morning or early afternoon.
Think Bluetooth speakers, flip-flops, and no clue about trail etiquette.
And you don't have to be part of that (Why the hell else would you be reading this, huh?).
Wake up early and hit the trail at or before sunrise. It's cooler, quieter, and parking is a breeze.
Oh come on, why sleep in?
There's adventure waiting.
6. Skip the Popular Spots
Most folks follow the signs to the main road, popular overlooks, and well-known photo spots.
These locations get overrun FAST.
But every national park boasts lesser-explored areas.
Chase the Three-Rated Hikes on the park map.
In Glacier, that would mean heading to Many Glacier instead of Logan Pass. In Zion, explore Kolob Canyons instead of Angels Landing.
Same views. Same wildlife. Fewer people.
Fewer people mean easier parking, more wildlife sightings, and a higher chance to hear the wind rustling the trees instead of chatter.
All it takes is a bit of extra preparation to discover spots others miss.
7. Use Less Popular Entrances
The National Park Service doesn't provide detailed visitor counts for each and every entrance-but seriously, think about it.
Most people enter Glacier through its West Entrance-where all the shops, restaurants, and lodging are.
The same goes for the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
A bigger crowd means more amenities.
But, each park possesses lesser-used entrances that lead to the same beauty, without the long lines.
Stray from the beaten path by starting your journey from the back door.
8. Stay Outside of the National Park
Some of our crappiest nights camping have been in national park campgrounds.
We crave the sound of crickets and campfire crackles late at night-not crying babies or inconsiderate campers.
If we have a choice, we don't camp there.
There's nearly always quieter alternatives nearby-forest service campgrounds, dispersed campsites, or even cabins on Airbnb. These provide the peaceful evenings for which we yearn-without the cacophony of humans.
The only exception is when we absolutely must be near a trailhead, ready to begin our hike early.
Read More: Hooking Up Sites: Guide to Free Campsites and Dispersed Camping
9. More Miles, Fewer People
Most park visitors remain on the pavement, exploring roadside overlooks, visitor centers, and only a few popular hikes.
If you want to get away from it all, strap on your boots and head out on a long hike-6 miles or more.
You'll leave 90% of the crowds behind in the first few miles.
AllTrails is a helpful resource when hunting for off-the-beaten-path routes. Sorting by distance, difficulty, and traffic level streamlines the search.
In search of the lesser-reviewed trails?They're often the best ones.
The farther you go, the fewer people you'll meet.
10. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Outcomes
A trip doomed to fail starts without proper planning.
Research ahead of time.
Some parks require timed entry, parking permits, or backcountry reservations-especially during peak season. Others have trail closures, wildlife restrictions, or campfire bans that can change from week to week.
But with just a touch of digging, you can pin down the details to make your trip smoother-(and quieter)-than a mouse.
FAST FACT: Quiet Hours: Ensure the peace and quiet of nearby campers by observing Quiet Hours, typically from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Exceptions allowed for emergency situations or when a ranger is nearby.
PRO TIP: Never use AI to plan your adventures
11. Capitalize on Timed Entry
The timed entry system can feel like a burden, but it can be advantageous in your favor.
Here's how:
- Show up before the gates are staffed. Most parks start checking reservations around 6 or 7 a.m. Roll in at 5 a.m., and you're good to go without any tickets. And that's when you want to be hitting the trail, anyway.
- Go later in the day. Grab a late time slot for a peaceful afternoon hike or catch sunset panoramas at picturesque vistas. The crowds thin out as the day progresses.
- Observe the reservation system. If a day has lots of open slots, that means fewer people plan to visit. Use that as a cue-it could be the perfect opportunity to go.
The timed entry system can present obstacles for some. But with careful planning, it becomes a tool to bypass the crowds.
12. Shun Visitor Centers During Peak Hours
The Visitor Center is a tourist trap. Cramped, noisy, and replete with lines.
If you crave a souvenir, the visitor center boasts solid choices-and buying there directly helps support the park-($).
That being said, if you don't need to buy within the park, Etsy offers a more abundant selection. It depends on what you're seeking.
If you must go, arrive when they open or before closing-not at Jerry:30, when everyone else rolls in.
13. Engage Park Rangers about the Hidden Gems
You could go to the visitor center for tips-but we prefer chatting with rangers on the trail.
You could say they've done considerable research, partnered with detailed studies-but the fact is, they walk the park every chance they get, so they know a thing or two.
Ask them what trail they would do on their time off or where they go to avoid the crowds.
After all, these locals know the secrets these parks hold-stuff you won't find in park brochures.
14. Plan a Backpacking Trip
Backpacking is one of the best ways to leave behind the chaos of the crowds.
Most park visitors remain in the vicinity of the parking lots. Fewer still spend the night in the backcountry. This small fraction is what makes backpacking so special-you gain access to the quietest, wildest parts of the park.
Remote backcountry locations are only reachable via extended hikes.
The true adventure unfolds in alpine lakes and remote valleys deep within the parks.
Yes, it requires more effort. Obtaining the necessary permits, camping gear, and a solid plan can seem intimidating-but that's exactly why people don't go there.
Read More: Backpacking Tips for a Memorable and Safe Adventure
If you're after experiencing a national park in its rawest form, this is how you do it.
- The crowded national parks feel more like a trip to Disneyland, which is a common experience.
- National parks are filled with jam-packed paths and screaming kids, making the promised wildlife hard to find.
- With smart planning, it's possible to avoid the crowds and enjoy the national parks the way they were meant to be – quiet, serene, and awe-inspiring.
- Going on weekdays or during off-seasons can be a key strategy to beat the crowds in national parks, resulting in more parking, no lines, and quiet trails.
- Some parks even drop shuttle systems and reservation rules when less crowded, allowing exploration at one's leisure.
- For instance, hiking Avalanche Lake in late spring on a freezing, rainy day offered an unforgettable experience with white cliffs and deserted trails, only available in the off-season.
- Choosing lesser-known national parks like North Cascades over popular ones like Glacier or Rocky Mountain can provide equally stunning views with fewer crowds.
- In certain locations, such as Dead Horse Point State Park outside Moab, Utah, one can find red rock views and dramatic canyons without the masses found in Arches.
- Packing smart can help make the journey less stressful and offer more free time to explore the parks.
- Preparation includes downloading maps, bringing one's own food, and packing essentials like sunblock and bug spray to avoid wasting time in lines.
- Waking up early to hit the trail at or before sunrise ensures cooler, quieter trails with ease in parking.
- Skip popular spots like main roads, popular overlooks, and well-known photo spots to discover lesser-explored areas with fewer people.
- Using less popular entrances can lead to the same beauty without long lines, as most people enter through the most convenient entrances.
- Staying outside of the national park, at forest service campgrounds or dispersed campsites, or even cabins on Airbnb, can provide peaceful evenings with fewer crowds.
