10 U.S. National Parks That Won't Be Crowded This Summer

Thinking about an American national park trip this summer but worried about the crowds?
While half a dozen of the most popular parks now require reservations just to get in, and others are plagued by bumper-to-bumper traffic between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there are still a handful of natural treasures that haven't (yet) been discovered by the masses.
Here are 10 national parks where you might actually find yourself alone along a trail, beside a lake, or on a mountain peak:
It's not as wide or deep as the Grand Canyon, but many landscape aficionados say this narrow gorge in western Colorado is even more dramatic. Among its claims to fame are the steepest cliffs (more than 2,700 feet), the oldest rocks (1.8 billion-years) in North America, and a Gunnison River with gnarly Class V rapids that only the most experienced paddlers can run.
What to do: Gazing into the depths from viewpoints along Rim Drive Road; easy hikes on the south rim and more challenging trails into the inner canyon.
Where to stay: Drive-up campgrounds on both rims and at East Portal in the canyon bottom; various overnight options in nearby Montrose (20 minutes).
How to get there: 1.5-hour drive from Grand Junction, CO and five-hour drive from Denver.
This archipelago of five wild islands is renowned for its rich underwater life, from bright orange Garibaldi (California's state fish) to six species of seal and migrating whales. There's plenty on land too: Remote beaches, wilderness trails, ranching history and rare endemic species like the island fox.
What to do: Diving and snorkeling, board surfing and sea kayaking, day hikes and multiday backpacking.
Where to stay: The only place to overnight in the national park are primitive campgrounds at Scorpion Canyon on Santa Cruz Island and Water Canyon on Santa Rosa Island. On the mainland, Ventura and Santa Barbara offer plenty of lodging options.
How to get there: Island Packers runs ferries from Ventura Harbor to all five islands, with almost daily service to Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and Anacapa between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Some boats are large enough to carry personal kayaks and camping equipment.
The haunt of 'Swamp Fox' Francis Marion during the American Revolution, the largest old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the Southeast offers an almost untouched mosaic of woods and wetlands believe Charleston and Columbia.
What to do: Paddling the park's wilderness canoe/kayak routes along the Congaree River and Cedar Creek; hikes ranging from the short Boardwalk Trail to the 12-mile out and back Kingsnake Trail.
Where to stay: Two developed campgrounds and lots of backcountry camping. Loads of accommodation options in nearby Columbia, SC.
How to get there: Half-an-hour drive from downtown Columbia and two-hour drive from Charleston.
The only part of the Lower 48 states that truly looks and acts like the Caribbean, the Dry Tortugas are a group of small tropical islands at the far western end of the Florida Keys (no, the chain doesn't end at Key West). The park harbors coral reefs, copious bird colonies and massive Fort Jefferson, a Civil War-era bastion that's also the largest brick structure in the western hemisphere.
What to do: Diving and snorkeling, beach camping, sea kayaking, birdwatching, self-guided tours of Fort Jefferson, swimming in warm tropical waters.
Where to stay: Primitive campground on Garden Key beside Fort Jefferson. Otherwise, take your pick of the digs in Key West.
How to get there: Without your own boat, the only ways to reach Dry Tortugas is the daily Yankee Freedom ferry from Key West (2 hours, 15 mins) or flights with Key West Seaplane Adventures (40 mins).
It's quite a schlepp to get there, but the payoff for those who make the long drive to Great Basin is experiencing what much of the American West was like before it was 'conquered.' Nevada's second highest mountain (13,065-foot Wheeler Peak) rises high above a landscape spangled with wildlife, wild caves, and 5,000-year-old bristlecone pines (the world's oldest trees).
What to do: Hiking, camping, stargazing, ranger-guided tours of Lehman Caves, winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Where to stay: Five front country campgrounds for RVs, cars and tents. A few modest motels in nearby Baker, NV and various lodging choices in Ely, NV (one-hour drive).
How to get there: Around a four-hour drive from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, and six hours from Reno.
Many people cruise U.S. Highway 180 along the edge on their way between El Paso and Carlsbad Caverns. But few stop to discover its diverse desert flora and fauna, or summit one of the Lone Star State's four highest peaks.
What to do: Canyon and mountain trails, multiday backpacking trips, sand dunes, Frijole Ranch Museum.
Where to stay: 10 backcountry wilderness campgrounds, RV/tent campground at Pine Springs and Dog Canyon, equestrian camping at Frijole Ranch, multiple overnight options in El Paso.
How to get there: Highway 180 from El Paso, TX (1.5 hours) and Carlsbad, NM (1 hour).
Another national park that you can only reach via boat or floatplane, Isle Royale floats along the upper edge of Lake Superior, much closer to the Ontario shore than the Michigan mainland. Renowned for its moose and wolf inhabitants, the park offers gorgeous woods-and-water landscapes and splendid isolation.
What to do: Kayak, canoe and boat camping; day hikes and multi-day backpacking and bikepacking trips; wildlife watching.
Where to stay: Rock Harbor Lodge, Windigo Cabins, waterfront and inland campgrounds.
How to get there: Ferries from Copper Harbor (3.5 hours) and Houghton (6 hours) on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Grand Portage in Minnesota (1.5-2 hours). Seaplane from Houghton (35-45 mins).
Tucked up in California's remote northwest corner, Lassen marks the transition between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Cascade Range. This geothermal wonderland is home to numerous volcanoes, geysers, smoking fumaroles, and hot springs.
What to do: Auto touring along the main park road; day hikes to lakes, waterfalls and thermal features; stargazing after dark; horseback riding.
Where to stay: Historic Drakesbad Guest Ranch, cabins and glamping at Manzanita Lake, five campgrounds.
How to get there: Lassen lies around a three-hour drive from airports in Sacramento, CA and Reno, NV.
In addition to more glaciers (circa 300) than any other national park in the Lower 48 states, North Cascades boasts dozens of jagged snowy peaks, wild rivers, tranquil lakes, and among the highest biodiversity of any U.S. park. With no road access, the only ways to explore North Cascades are hiking or horseback trips from adjoining Ross Lake or Lake Chelan national recreation areas (NRAs).
What to do: Hiking dramatic portions of the Pacific Crest Trail; climbing peaks that few others have summited; boating and swimming in the adjacent NRAs.
Where to stay: Backpack camping in the national park. Ross Lake Resort, North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin, drive-in and boat-in campgrounds in the NRAs.
How to get there: The North Cascades Visitor Center in Ross Lake NRA is around a 2.5-hour drive from Seattle.
Named for the 17th- and 18th-century French explorers and trappers who frequented the region, Voyageurs is a watery wonderland along the boundary between Minnesota and Canada. Both the mainland and islands are covered in wildlife-rich boreal forest, while the park's many waterways are ideal for both motor- and muscle-powered boating.
What to do: Houseboating, kayak camping and scenic boat tours; hiking mainland and island trails; various winter activities including driving the park's two ice roads.
Where to stay: Boat-accessible campgrounds, Kettle Falls Hotel, many lodging options along Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake outside the park.
How to get there: 2.5-hour drive from Duluth and five-hour drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul.
There are exceptions to the rule — like bus tours along Denali Park Road, scenic boat tours at Kenai Fjords, cruise ships in Glacier Bay, the salmon-fishing grizzly bear viewpoint in Katmai — but Alaska's nine national parks offer plenty of wide-open spaces and wilderness places.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Travel + Leisure

an hour ago

• Travel + Leisure

As a Floridian, I've Tested Dozens of Sandals—and I'm Packing This Supportive Platform Style on Every Trip

As a Floridian, I live in sandals almost year-round. When it gets really hot outside, the last thing I want to put on my feet are socks and sneakers. You might think that sandals are too flimsy and unsupportive to wear for all-day walking, but I've found they can be just as supportive as sneakers, while doubling as a stylish yet comfortable swap for heels for an evening out. If you're traveling carry-on only, packing versatile sandals is a huge pro for saving serious luggage space. Comfortable walking sandals do exist, and no, they don't all look like clunky podiatrist-prescribed orthopedic shoes. As a former cruise ship performer and current travel writer, I've tested dozens of sandals in my lifetime—and I own more than 30 pairs at this moment. When I test a new pair of sandals, I'm comparing them against years of personal trial, so I was surprised at how well the Kuru Loma Sandals performed, given the stiff competition they were up against. I wore the Kuru sandals exploring all 66 acres of Sarasota's John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, including the Ca' d'Zan mansion, the Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens. It's a lot of walking, and the Lomas delivered. The campus is so big you really need several days to explore it, but if you want to try and see it all in a day, it can be done with the right comfy footwear. I was initially hesitant about investing in a platform shoe because I typically prefer my sandals to be thin, lightweight, and packable to save space and weight in my carry-on. However, the platform sole is made out of lightweight, foam-like material that is virtually weightless. Another crucial aspect I noticed about the Kuru Lomas is the way they hugged my heels each time I took a step. The cork footbed cups your heel pad, while the platform material flexes to absorb impact. Our heels are the first thing to strike the ground when we walk, and they take the brunt of the impact of the stride, which is why the cushioning on these sandals is so important to absorb some of that impact. I also loved the impressive arch support in these shoes. I have the kinds of arches that don't touch the ground when I stand, so I need a high level of arch support from my shoes and sandals. Luckily, the same design that cups my heel when I walk in these Kuru platform sandals also cradles my arches and makes them supportive enough for all-day wear. The adjustable straps and flexible design add to the comfort of these shoes because I can get the perfect fit without the shoe being too tight or loose. And, the elastic cross strap on the Lomas is perfect because it wraps my foot and gives it the flexibility to move without a rubbing effect that could cause blisters. Finally, the Loma cork footbed wicks away moisture, which adds to the shoe's overall comfort by preventing wet, sweaty feet (that can lead to blisters). Since roaming the Ringling Museum, I've worn these shoes a lot more on daily walks and uneven terrain. They're still one of the most comfortable pairs of sandals I own. That said, the Velcro strap is starting to wear with heavy use, so I'd love to see a buckle option for durability. As an avid sandal wearer with above-average standards for arch support and long-wear comfort, I can say that the Kuru Lomas are worth buying. I recommend them if you're headed somewhere hot where you'll be on your feet all day. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Yahoo

2 hours ago

• Yahoo

Blue Origin preps for next crewed rocket launch: What time and where to see liftoff in Texas

Blue Origin is preparing to send its next group of passengers on a brief spaceflight high above Earth. Reaching the very edge of space, the six people on board the company's New Shepard spacecraft will be treated to some stellar views and a few minutes of weightlessness after getting off the ground in West Texas. When they land, the space tourists will join an exclusive club of more than 60 others who have embarked on a similar expensive venture across 12 previous human spaceflights Blue Origin has provided. As for the rest of us? Well, we'll have to watch them have their fun from solid ground. Blue Origin, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, doesn't sell tickets for the public to watch a rocket launch in person. But areas around the launch site, including a town just south of it, may provide a few ideal places to catch the liftoff and spaceflight. Here's everything to know about Blue Origin's next human spaceflight and how to potentially see it in person. Billionaire Jeff Bezos, best known for founding Amazon, is the founder of the private space technology company Blue Origin. Bezos himself even boarded Blue Origin's New Shepard for its maiden crewed voyage in July 2021, which came after the spacecraft flew on 15 flight tests beginning in 2012. For nearly four years since its first crewed mission, the New Shepard spacecraft has served as a powerful symbol of Blue Origin's commercial spaceflight ambitions amid a growing space tourism industry. In addition to sending space tourists on brief joy rides to the edge of space, Blue Origin has also increasingly sought to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX. Blue Origin's massive New Glenn rocket, which flew on its inaugural flight test in January 2025 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, is also being developed for future spaceflights. At 320 feet tall, the spacecraft rivals SpaceX's 400-foot Starship in size. Blue Origin's next crewed launch, known as NS-33, could get off the ground as early as 8:30 a.m. CT Saturday, June 21, the company announced. Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launches take place from the company's private ranch facility known as Launch Site One. The facility is located more than 140 miles east of El Paso near the U.S.-Mexico border. Blue Origin does not provide any public viewing areas for launches at or near its facility, which is located in a remote desert. Spectators, though, have been known to pull over on U.S. Route 54 to gather on spots to the side of the highway that offer good views of New Shepard getting off the ground. Van Horn, the nearest town, is located about 30 miles south of Launch Site One in Culberson County, Texas. While the town is too far away to see the launch pad itself, it is likely the best place to see a New Shepard rocket soar into the sky. The town's visitors bureau advertises Blue Origin on its homepage and its brochure as an attraction, but does not list any suggested public viewing locations for launches. However, here is a list of public places in and around Van Horn – some listed as attractions on the visitors' bureau website – where spectators might be able to see a rocket taking off: Van Horn city park, 3rd and Austin Streets Okey D. Lucas Memorial Park, 1804 W. Broadway St., Van Horn Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located about 60 miles north of Van Horn in Dell City and 40 miles north of the launch site, the park bordering New Mexico has the highest point in Texas. Scenic overlook: a pull-off spot located off the westbound lane of Interstate 10 about four miles west of Van Horn that provides an elevated view over U.S. Route 54. Here's a look at the passengers on the next Blue Origin New Shepard spaceflight, known as NS-33: Allie Kuehner, an environmentalist who serves on the board of Nature is Nonpartisan, a nonprofit organization advocating for bipartisan solutions to environmental issues Carl Kuehner, who chairs Building and Land Technology, a real estate development, investment and property management firm Leland Larson, a philanthropist and former CEO of School Bus Services and Larson Transportation Services – both family-owned public transportation businesses based in Oregon Freddie Rescigno, Jr., CEO of Commodity Cables, an electrical company he founded in 2001 Owolabi Salis, an attorney and a financial consultant Jim Sitkin, a retired lawyer from California Each spaceflight on a New Shepard vehicle lasts about 11 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown. Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space, the 60-foot-tall New Shepard rocket is topped with the gum drop-shaped crew capsule. The spacecraft operates completely autonomously, meaning no pilots are aboard. During its ascent, the spacecraft reaches supersonic speeds surpassing 2,000 mph before the rocket booster separates from the crew capsule. At that point, those aboard the capsule become weightless as the spacecraft continues toward its highest point on its brief voyage above the Kármán Line – the 62-mile-high internationally recognized boundary of space. While experiencing a few minutes of microgravity, passengers have the opportunity to unstrap themselves from their seats to gaze out the capsule's large windows and take in a stunning view of Earth. Meanwhile, the rocket booster heads back to the ground while firing its engines and using its fins to slow and control its descent to land vertical about two miles from the launchpad. The capsule itself eventually begins what Blue Origin refers to as a "stable freefall' – plummeting back to Earth as three massive parachutes deploy and the capsule makes a soft landing in the desert, sending up plumes of dust. Contributing: Jennifer Sangalang, USA TODAY Network Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Is there a Blue Origin rocket launch today? Where to watch from Texas

Yahoo

2 hours ago

• Yahoo

Summer travel predicted to break records for the Fourth of July

AAA projects a record 72 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the nine-day Independence Day holiday period — from June 28 to July 6 — with new highs expected for both drivers and air travelers as summer travel reaches peak season. The auto club forecasts nearly 62 million people will drive over the Fourth of July weekend, representing an increase of 1.3 million from last year. Air travel is expected to rise more than 1% over last year's record numbers. "The top 10 heaviest travel days in TSA history have all happened within the past year, and we expect to see more heavy volumes this summer," said Kristie Jordan Smith, a Transportation Security Administration official at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. How technology at airports is reducing wait times The Independence Day travel period is expected to be the summer's busiest travel stretch. Airport officials are implementing new technology to reduce wait times. At DFW, customs officials report wait times are down 25% thanks to enhanced passenger processing technology that uses facial recognition, now operational at nine airports nationwide. CBP will soon test a program allowing customs to review X-ray images of checked bags from London flights, eliminating the need for connecting passengers to clear security twice in Dallas. "This program streamlines and improves the travel experience for our customers, saving them time and reducing the complexity of clearing security while continuing to maintain the highest security standards," said Jim Moses, Senior Vice President DFW Hub Operations at American Airlines. DFW is the airline's largest hub. AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said travel demand reflects both practical and emotional factors. "We're seeing travel in record numbers because travel isn't just an economic and practical decision, it's also an emotional decision," Diaz said. "People don't have to spend a lot of money when they go on these trips, but people want to get away and not be home." According to Priceline, top summer destinations include Las Vegas, Orlando, Tokyo and London. SpaceX Starship upper stage blows up Hurricane Erick approaches Mexico with destructive winds, major storm surge AI's extreme human imitation makes it act deceptively, cheat and lie, "Godfather of AI" says