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Many of the 63 national parks around United State We’ve seen an explosion in visitor numbers during and after the pandemic, which has often resulted in campsites being booked, dead-end trails, and on-time entry requirements in an effort to limit crowds.
However, the big-name national parks are just one category of public land that falls under the National Park Service. And designation doesn’t necessarily mean trumped-up scenery and activities—many lesser-known National Historic Sites, monuments, recreation areas, and seashores also make excellent places to explore the diverse natural beauty and attractions of the United States, but without the big-ticket crowds.
Regardless of the official designation, each of the 424 sites in the national park The system provides visitors with a variety of opportunities for inspiration, relaxation, recreation, and education, said Cathy Cooper, NPS public affairs specialist.
Here are five suggestions for less crowded alternatives to national parks this busy summer season.
If you are looking for The scenery of the coastline is remarkable Acadia National Park In Maine, mind you…
Pictured is Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan’s Upper Peninsula)
It’s a wild, rocky coastline surrounded by lush forests and stunning cliffs–but on Lake Superior, not the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. Pictured Rocks’ 42-mile shoreline is a stunning destination for those looking for hiking, camping, and waterfront recreation.In 2022, Lakeshore National Park received about a quarter as many visitors as Acadia National Park. The namesake rocks, sandstone cliffs covered in vibrant colors of mineral deposits, rise up to 200 feet from the water and can be explored via boat tour, kayak, or hiking trails.
Acadia National Park in Maine, May 14, 2021 (John Tully / The New York Times)
If you are looking for The beauty of the wooded mountains Great Smoky Mountains National Park In North Carolina and Tennessee, mind you…
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia)
The opportunity to hike and camp in the densely forested Appalachian Mountains is a major draw to Great Smoky mountains The national park, which was the most visited national park in 2022, attracted nearly 13 million recreational visitors. Find a similarly stunning setting at the 24,000-acre Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, which welcomed just under 750,000 visitors last year. The Gap, a natural route through the Appalachian Mountains, was a trade route for Native Americans, and later a route for pioneers heading west. In addition to 85 miles of trails rich in lookouts, waterfalls, and wildlife, take a tour of Hensley Settlement or Gap Cave, home to stunning stalagmites and bats.
Pictured at Lake Rocks National Seashore in Michigan in July 2021 (Steven Heltner/The New York Times)
If you are looking for River cruise through a geological marvel Grand Canyon National Park In Arizona, keep in mind…
Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado and Utah)
Rafting through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River is an interesting activity for many. As such, it’s a trip that can require extensive advance planning; Last year, the park welcomed more than 4.7 million visitors. Offering a similar experience of racing rapids, towering canyon walls, remote mountains and wild desert (and only 350,000 visitors in 2022), rafting the Green and Yampa Rivers through Dinosaur National Monument is relatively epic and much more accessible. As its name suggests, the national monument is a destination for ancient dinosaur fossils and petroglyphs.
A rafting trip in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park in March 2023 (Raymond Chung/The New York Times)
If you are looking for Hoods from the other world Bryce Canyon National Park In Utah, consider…
Chiricahua National Monument (Arizona)
Hodos, the name for the towering rocky spiers, is the main attraction of Bryce Canyon National Park, which has the largest number of these rock formations on the planet—and more than two million visitors annually. The hoodoos at Chiricahua National Monument in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona lack Bryce Canyon’s signature orange hue, but are still numerous, striking, and crowd-free; The park welcomed just over 600,000 visitors in 2022.
Hodos, eroded spiers of rock dating back tens of millions of years, are seen from the Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, May 9, 2023. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)
If you are looking for Wildlife spotting opportunities Rocky Mountain National Park In Colorado, keep in mind…
Point Reyes National Seashore (California)
The Pacific coast setting and wide-open grasslands of Point Reyes in the West Marin District might not seem like an obvious alternative to the towering peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park. But if wildlife spotting is your passion—a big draw for some of the 4 million Rockies visitors in 2022—Point Reyes is a suitable option. The seaside received half as many visitors as the national park last year and is home to the Tule Elk Sanctuary, along with seals, large-scale bird species, and, in certain seasons, migratory gray whales.
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