12 Tips for Visiting Overcrowded National Parks

In 2023 the National Park Service reported over 325 million visitors to US National Parks. For many outdoor adventure lovers, visiting an overcrowded National Park can be a frustrating experience with long entrance lines, crowded trails, and full parking lots. Believe me, I’ve been frustrated, too!

But there are ways to enjoy peace and solitude in America’s beautiful National Parks. I’ve been traveling the US for over a decade now and in this post, I’ve rounded up my best tips on how to avoid crowds (and recreate responsibly) when visiting our nation’s National Parks.

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1. Plan your trip during the off-season

One of the best ways to avoid crowded National Parks is to visit outside of peak season – summer. Most people use their summer vacation when the kids are out of school to do their road trips. So, if you have the flexibility to plan your trip in the shoulder season (fall or spring or even winter), you’ll face far fewer crowds and less competition for campsites and wilderness permits.

Spring: Visiting National Parks in spring can mean blooming wildflowers, gushing waterfalls, cooler temps, and great wildlife viewing.

Fall: I love visiting the National Parks in Fall because of the gorgeous fall foliage. Plus with kids back in school, the crowds are way smaller in September through November. It’s easier to get campsite reservations too for a fall camping trip.

Winter: While some trails and areas of northern National Parks aren’t as accessible due to snow, many National Parks are great to visit in winter. It’s a great time of year to see a different side of these landscapes covered in a blanket of snow. Other National Parks that are located in the southern parts of the US – like Florida – are ideal in the winter.

Tip: Always do your research to determine the best shoulder season months to visit because seasonal weather patterns, like melting snowpack in the spring, can determine what trails are open during a shoulder season visit.

2. Do your research & plan ahead

One of the best things you can do when visiting an overcrowded National Park is to plan ahead. This means:

The more planning ahead that you do, the less you’ll need to stand around in lines or have to come up with a plan B!

3. Be Flexible

We all know that the best-laid plans can fall apart. So, it’s important to be flexible when visiting crowded National Parks. Have a few different options in case you can’t go through with your original plans for whatever reason.

4. Visit Mid-Week

This is probably common sense, but it’s worth noting. If possible, visit the more popular National Parks during the week to avoid weekend crowds. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the least crowded days to visit National Parks, but really any weekday is better than a Saturday or Sunday.

5. Use less popular entrances

Some National Parks have multiple entrances, but usually only one is considered the ‘main’ entrance. You can avoid long lines and congestion by planning your itinerary around entering through one of the less popular park entrances.

6. Wake up early

My favorite way to tackle crowded trails and scenic drives is to start very early in the morning. When everyone else is just getting their first cup of coffee, I like to already be out the door. Starting early not only helps you avoid crowds, but this time of day is also best for seeing wildlife and unforgettable sunrises.

By hiking in off-peak hours, I’ve had the top of Angel’s Landing in Zion all to myself (note the coffee in my hand in the photo below). Same with Clouds Rest in Yosemite.

7. Utilize the free National Park shuttles

More and more National Parks – like Zion – are now requiring you to use their free Park shuttle to get around instead of driving. I think this is great because it cuts down on traffic and pollution.

Even if a Park doesn’t require you to use their shuttle, it’s a great way to avoid traffic jams and saves you time trying to find a parking spot.

8. Check out a lesser-known National Park

While Zion and Yosemite should be on everybody’s bucket list, remember that there are 423 National Park sites. These include 63 National Parks and 83 National Monuments, along with all of the other types of public land we are so lucky to have.

If crowds really bother you and the only time you can take a vacation is in the busy summer months, perhaps you should check out one of the National Parks that receives fewer visitors. You could also consider visiting nearby National Forests or other types of public lands that will have similar views without throngs of people.

Here are a few less crowded parks that I or my team have visited:

9. Pick less popular or more challenging hikes

If you want to get away from the crowds, choose less popular trails or tougher hikes. The further you hike and the higher you climb, the fewer people you will encounter.

In my experience, the majority of people who visit the National Parks stick to the major lookout points and popular attractions. They don’t venture more than a mile or two from the trailheads.

If you do want to hike a popular trail (which, let’s be real, we all do!), start at sunrise or late in the day. 9am-4pm are typically the busiest hours for National Parks, although this can change based on the park and the season. Waking up early can be tough, but it’s so worth it when you’re already heading back to the trailhead after a quiet morning on the trail while passing the zillions of day hikers. Plus, with such an early start you’ll have time to explore something else (or for an afternoon nap!)

Tip: Instead of googling “best hikes in…” stop in at the Visitor Center and ask a ranger what hike they recommend for getting away from the crowds.

10. Plan a backpacking trip

As I mentioned above, most people who visit National Parks don’t venture more than a few miles from the trailheads. So, if you really want to get away from the crowds, planning an overnight backpacking trip is a great way to enjoy solitude in the backcountry.

Many National Parks require a permit to camp in the background (some are easier to get than others), so be sure to plan ahead and do your research. While the permit process can be a hassle, it cuts down on crowds and ensures you don’t have to fight for a backcountry campsite. If you’re new to backpacking, check out my guides on Backpacking 101 and Planning a Backpacking Trip.

11. Talk with the rangers

National Park Rangers are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to their National Parks. They are an excellent resource for knowing what trails are less popular (but still worth hiking), when to find solitude at a scenic overlook, or where recent wildlife sightings have been.

When you first arrive, stop in at the Visitor Center and chat with the Ranger there. You can also read the bulletin boards, check out the maps, and learn a little bit about the area, its history, and the plants and animals that live there as well. It’s a good reminder that these parks are wild places, home to wildlife as well as the ancestral lands of indigenous people.

12. Stay patient and positive

Remember, if you visit an overcrowded National Park, you’re part of the problem too. Don’t just point the finger at everyone else. As outdoor enthusiasts, we are all contributing to busy parks and trails. By following the tips in this blog post, practicing good trail etiquette, and following Leaving No Trace principles, you can have a positive influence on other Park users and maybe even encourage others to follow suit.

Recognize that everybody is visiting these popular spots – like Old Faithful or Angel’s Landing – because they are unique and worth seeing, crowds or not.

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Planning a National Parks trip? Where are you headed? Do you have any additional tips for visiting National Parks that you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments below!