Many popular US national parks, such as Yosemite, Arches, and Glacier, are experiencing surging visitor numbers, often outpacing their infrastructure and threatening the natural environments they aim to protect. While some parks, like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park, are highly frequented, a significant portion of Americans (72%) surveyed prefer less crowded experiences, driven by desires for relaxation, unique exploration, and sustainable visitation. The National Park Service system encompasses over 400 sites, offering numerous less-visited options that still provide spectacular scenery and diverse experiences. Western National Parks, a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, has launched new itineraries highlighting 72 lesser-known parks and monuments, emphasizing their status as "hidden gems" that offer more intimate experiences and fewer crowds.
Instead of the most-visited top 10, several alternative parks are recommended for summer travel. North Cascades National Park in Washington, just 2.5 hours from Seattle, features mountains, alpine lakes, and over 300 glaciers but receives only 1% of the visitors compared to nearby Olympic National Park. Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, accessible only by boat or seaplane, is one of the least-visited national parks and provides a peaceful experience across 450 islands in Lake Superior, open from mid-April through October. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine, established in 2016, offers a network of rivers and streams, moose sightings, and is a certified International Dark Sky Park. Dinosaur National Monument, though a national monument and not a national park, is highlighted for its 23 species of prehistoric fossils and receives significantly fewer visitors than parks like Rocky Mountain National Park or Zion National Park.
To further avoid crowds, visitors are advised to consider "shoulder season" travel, which typically means late May through early June and mid-September through October. During these periods, weather remains excellent, trails are fully open, and lodging in gateway towns can be 25-40% cheaper. The most effective strategy to avoid crowds, even in popular parks, is to start early; most visitors arrive between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., so arriving at sunrise can offer two to three hours of solitude, better wildlife viewing, optimal photo lighting, and easier parking at popular trailheads.
