Planning a trip to a National Park? Hiking a popular 14er? Visiting an outdoorsy town with lots of popular outdoorsy adventures? You’re not the only one. Outdoor adventures are becoming increasingly more popular each year. I’m happy to see so many people enjoying the outdoors, but sometimes this can have a negative impact on both nature and your sanity.
Read my 15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors to find more solitude and peace in the most beautiful parts of the world. Just remember, the outdoors is for everyone. Most people are out there for the same reasons you are. Share the space and be kind to others.
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15 Ways to Avoid Crowds in the Great Outdoors
I have created a list of 15 tips which will help you master the art of avoiding crowds. My husband and I love being outside in nature. Our favorite outdoor activity is hiking! We have been on many hikes in popular places like Yosemite National Park (California), Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina & Tennessee), Sedona (Arizona), and Shenandoah National Park (Virginia).
Yes, we have been stuck in the crowds and found it a bit miserable. It happens to everyone. But we have also been able to hike to amazing waterfalls, stand on top of awesome mountain summits, and watched many sunrises without anyone else in site. Sometimes it’s luck, but most of the time it’s because we have a strategy.
Below I explain all the tips we use to help us avoid the crowds in popular outdoor places. Hope you find this blog post meaningful and helpful!
1. Start Early (Sunrise)
My husband and I enjoy summiting a mountain and watching sunrise. It’s usually the best chance of having a whole place to ourselves. We are usually hiking while most people are sleeping. This is our favorite method to help avoid crowds!
I understand it can be difficult to wake up at an ungodly hour, but it will be worth it to watch a beautiful phenomenon (which happens every day, yet we take for granted) without being surrounded by lots of people.
And if you’re afraid of hiking in the dark (like me), find someone who will join you! There are some spots that are popular sunrise spots, so you probably won’t be alone. But the crowds will be less crazy as compared to later in the day.
2. Stay Late (Sunset)
If you are totally against waking up super early to start your adventure, try going later in the afternoon. My husband and I also enjoy hiking to watch sunset. Most people are heading home and ending their day around 3 PM to 5 PM. So, while you are hiking to the top of a mountain to catch sunset, most people are making their way back down to the trailhead.
Watching sunset is usually more appealing to people rather than watching sunrise, so you still might run into a few people. However, the spot you decide to watch sunset from will likely be less crowded (especially if you had to hike a good distance to get there).
3. Stay Close but Stay Remote
If you want to avoid crowds, avoid popular touristy hotels, lodges, and campgrounds. Especially places inside a National Park or a busy town/city. Find places that are close to the National Park, State Park, or wherever you are exploring, but far enough away to avoid crowded lodging places.
A more remote location means less people, less traffic, and affordable accommodation. An even better (and more adventurous) option would be to find public land nearby to camp for free! If you have a truck camper, decked-out overlanding vehicle, RV, or van, this would be a great option, especially if you are only staying for a few days.
4. Avoid Popular Places… duh
Ok, that may seem obvious. But many people don’t think about all the other National Parks that are out there besides the most popular ones, like Yosemite and Great Smoky Mountains. I think it would have a tremendously positive effect if everyone was spread out more when visiting different National Parks. Instead of everyone visiting a handful of the popular ones, everyone could also visit the many less-popular National Parks.
It’s understandable why the popular ones are so popular. They have plenty of easy, well-maintained trails for all fitness levels along with pristine lodging options, nice bathrooms, and big parking lots. If you want to avoid the crowds, avoid the National Parks with all those fancy amenities!
Here is a list of the least popular National Parks. They are all unique and worth checking out in our opinion!
- Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
- Great Basin National Park, Nevada
- Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
- North Cascades National Park, Washington
- Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
- National Park of American Samoa
- All the National Parks in Alaska
5. The More Challenging, the Fewer People
This isn’t always the case, such as Half Dome, Angel’s Landing, and Old Rag. However, the good thing about these hikes is that they now require a permit. With that being said, the hikes that do require permits have a more controlled system for managing crowds. There will still be a decent amount of people on the trail if you go during the prime time (10 AM to 3 PM), but they are not as crowded as they used to be due to the permit system!
Generally speaking, most hikes that have a difficulty rating of strenuous and a technical rock scramble will result in fewer people. If it is both a long and strenuous hike, expect most of trail to yourself. This leads us into the next tip.
6. Go on a Nice Loooooong Hike
Most people go for the short 3-miles-or-less hikes. As you get past 5 miles the crowds slowly thin out. As you get up to 10 miles, you will hardly see anybody. If you are camping out in the backcountry, you will be more likely to have the whole place to yourself!
There are exceptions such as popular backpacking trails. An example is the beginning of the Appalachian Trail (heading northbound). But again, as you go further along the trail, the crowds slowly dissipate.
7. Avoid Peak Season & Major Holidays
Warm weather, sunny and longer days, school’s out, everyone seems happy, more free time for vacations. What more could you ask for? Summer is the prime time for vacationing which means… people. Lots and lots of people. Big, gigantic crowds of people.
With that being said, avoid planning outdoor adventures and trips during peak season! Also, avoid major holidays, especially at the typical popular touristy destinations. It’s just not worth it to us if you are stressed out driving through lots of traffic, trying to find a parking spot, and dealing with others who have zero trail etiquette (if hiking is on your agenda).
If possible, take trips during the “offseason”. This is the time of year when fewer people are traveling. Usually around late fall through the winter to early spring when the weather is not very ideal for outdoor activities.
Some popular winter spots, such as ski resorts, will likely be crowded. Also, when the trees start popping fall colors, lots of “leaf peepers” will come from around the world to see their beauty. Don’t think you will completely avoid crowds in the offseason anywhere you go. Some places are popular because of winter activities or fall-time hiking.
If taking a trip during the summer is the only time you have. Go for it! If you want to go snowboarding at an awesome yet popular ski resort. Go for it! If you want to see the beautiful fall colors in the mountains of Vermont. Go for it! Be sure to use the other tips in this article to help avoid crowds.
8. Visit Popular Spots on a Weekday
The most popular days people like to take trips and go on outdoor adventures is on the weekends and most days during the summer due to kids being out of school and families taking vacation-time. With the exception of the summer season, the weekdays are typically the best days to go to avoid crowds. However, you will likely encounter lesser people on a weekday during the summer as compared to a weekend during the summer. Either way, try to plan adventures for the weekday if possible!
9. Icky Weather is Your Best Friend to Avoid Crowds
Quick disclaimer: Do not go on any outdoor adventures in dangerous weather!! Use your brain and be smart.
To avoid crowds, try hiking during less ideal weather, like gentle rain, fogginess, colder-than-usual temperatures, or light snowy conditions. It’s amazing what a light drizzle of rain can do to keep people inside. This is your time to shine and get outside!
10. Plan Your Trip in Advance
Not much of a planner? Well, either find an itinerary on the internet already made or learn how to plan out your day. I promise this will help you avoid crowds if you are smart. It requires some strategic planning by seeing the most popular spots early in the morning and later in the afternoon then including all the other less popular spots in the middle of the day.
Have multiple back up options in case the place you wanted to go to is overly crowded. It’s best to leave if the parking lot is full than to stress about making your own parking space (which usually means destroying vegetation). There is always another option nearby! Be creative and flexible.
Do lots of research! There is a plethora of information on the internet. Know the ins and outs of the place you plan to visit and always have back up plans in case the original plan does not go… as planned.
Social media can be a good resource. However, don’t trust everyone who makes a reel or picture post. It’s easy to misconstrue things to seem more appealing. Everyone and their momma (including us lol) are making reels like “top 3 hikes to do in [insert National Park]”. They will typically be about the most popular hikes.
However, if you find a solid content creator who posts informative and real content, then it could be beneficial. I always do further research if I find something on social media just to be sure I have a good understanding of the location and things to do there.
11. Explore the Surrounding Area of Popular National Parks & State Parks
Have you ever thought about what adventures are outside of National Parks or State Parks? There is so much more to do and so much more beauty to see if you think outside the box! Try to look at hikes or other outdoorsy activities in National Forests, State Forests, less-popular State Parks, wilderness areas, and bureau of land management areas (public lands).
12. Go Off the Beaten Path with a 4×4
My husband and I have not had the privilege of doing such a fun activity yet, but we are working on it! Going off the beaten path in a 4×4 vehicle is one of the best ways to find beautiful places without the crowds. Not everyone has a vehicle that can withstand unmaintained and untamed dirt roads.
Be careful and have a good understanding of not only the driving route, but the hiking route (if that’s something you plan to do). Typically trails in the middle of nowhere, with no civilization for miles, are not well maintained and not marked. Always carry a map and compass!
13. Ask Locals about “Hidden Gems”
We’ve all heard the term “hidden gems” all over social media. They’re usually lesser-known beautiful places which means no crowds. Of course, due to social media giving away all these “hidden gems” (yes, we are guilty), those lesser-known places are becoming more known therefore more crowded.
If you want to find a true hidden gem, ask a local who has lived in the area for years. And if you do end up finding a true local spot, don’t geotag or put the exact coordinates on the internet. Keep it lowkey.
For us, we have learned not to put a true hidden gem’s location on social media. If there are already blog posts and articles about a spot, I’ll create a blog post for educational purposes. I assume people who actually take the time to research a spot will be more likely to respect that area.
But on social media, nah. We’re not putting exact coordinates to a true local spot on social media. In conclusion, do your research and ask around for “secret” places!
You can also use a handy dandy old fashioned guidebook (updated version if possible). They may have some great information about hidden gems!
14. Have Patience and Kindness
This has nothing to do with how to avoid crowds. However, it is important to show patience and kindness if you end up in a very crowded spot. It can be frustrating having to share beautiful places with a bunch of screaming kids or inconsiderate people who don’t understand personal space. Some people are completely oblivious to their surroundings.
But at the same time, everyone visiting these beautiful places are there because, I’m assuming, they think nature is pretty awesome and want to see it for themselves. That’s why you’re there, right!?
Sharing is caring. Be courteous to others. Share the space. People are there to make memories with their families, look at jaw-dropping scenery, and just be outside and away from their day jobs. National Parks, State Parks, and other popular outdoorsy places are amazing, and everyone has a right to visit those places.
15. Please, Leave No Trace
Again, this doesn’t have anything to do with avoiding crowds in popular places, but because of massive crowds in popular outdoor places, nature is taking a beaten. It honestly breaks my heart, not only due to overtourism in itself, but some people who visit these beautiful places have no respect. I have seen so many spots vandalized and trashed. It’s sad.
Then there are people who will park in places you aren’t supposed to park and destroy sensitive vegetation just because the parking area is full. If that’s the case, have a plan B and C, and move on! It’s not the end of the world if you can’t hike that one trail and see that one thing. There is always something else nearby that you can do then try coming back to it later when the crowds have dwindled down.
If there is a sign that specifically says stay on the main trail, please do. I know social trails exist, especially in the west side of America, and bushwacking to a spot is a thing. However, if the ecosystem in a certain location is at risk, usually a sign and rope will be put up to prevent people from walking in that area. Let’s listen to the signs (or at least use common sense to not cross a barrier).
One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone litters. It infuriates me so much. If you are the type of person to purposely litter, you deserve a long life in jail. It’s honestly not funny how people trash beautiful, natural places. It ruins the experience for everyone else to see used tissue paper, candy wrappers, and plastic water bottles everywhere. It’s SO EASY to pack out your trash. Just stuff it in your backpack or in your pants’ pockets or carry it. Just don’t throw it on the ground. And if you see a trash can is overflowing, then don’t use that trashcan. Find another one. It’s not that hard! Some people are just lazy and have no respect. Please don’t be that person.
I could continue to rant about how people do not understand trail etiquette and Leave No Trace principles, but I might save that for another blog post. And it’s not that new outdoorsy people don’t know the proper trail etiquette or Leave No Trace principles, it’s that most of it is common sense yet people still do stupid things like throw trash on the ground and feed wild animals. Before you go outdoors for a full mother nature experience, please Leave No Trace!
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