10 ways to avoid crowds at National Parks

[@nationalparksprincess3216]

All great tips! I live by them all, and the starting really early is always the best 😊

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

So true!

[@Johnnyohhh1952]

All excellent tips - especially the before 9 am / after 4 pm rule. Super helpful advice thank you for making these sir!

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christyliebel9500]

Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! Excellent advise. Words to live by. Thank you.

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

You are so welcome!

[@DarthV3622Fkm]

Thank you for your excellent advice. You really should have ten times more subscribers. Your advice is golden.

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

Wow, thank you!

[@Schi8694]

We Always stay at the lodge if they have one. October is the month we generally visit, and we always try to visit during the week. Good tips. We do most of them.

[@overwatchxrescue]

Great tips! Avoiding weekends and especially long weekends is definitely a great strategy.

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

Thanks.

[@jonathantitus2629]

Very nicely described--I can't agree more as because of my schedule as a school teacher we often must travel in June and July and sadly in a couple instances crowds made for less than ideal visits. I only hope most will not follow your advice :)

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

If you visit in peak season, a bit more work (like getting up early) is needed but you can still enjoy many places without too many people. There are exceptions like Zion which is crowded even early.

[@rdavis2857]

Thanks for the info with reservations

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

You are welcome! It now takes more planning to visit the most popular parks.

[@travis303]

I just avoid the crowds by avoiding the crowded parks. I just go to the less visited parks

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

Agree - every national park has a claim to fame. Some are just as pretty and unique as the more crowded ones.

[@AdamSmith-gs2dv]

Just dont go to a National Park. I went to Big South Fork National Recreation Area today and there was no one there. I personally liked it more than the Smokies, it has way more unique features (especially the arches) that the Smokies dont have with a fraction of the people

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

You are right, Big South Fork is a lot like the Smokies without the crowd or the traffic. See this video of what we did there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWbOmmhuar18pNU

[@MoonShine-o5n]

Or.. go to National Monuments which are just as pretty or prettier. Or hike in the wilderness areas close to the park. I’m not going to parks that require reservations a year in advance lol.

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

Yes, there are some national monuments that are just as pretty. For example, Jewel Cave is (in my opinion) prettier than the nearby Wind Cave.

[@jshepard152]

The parks belong to the early risers. Hit the gates about 6am and there will be no crowd. Often you don't even have to pay.

[@JourneytoAllNationalParks]

Totally agree.