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Amazing Vistas, Fewer People - Great Alternatives to Crowded US National Parks
Apr 11 2025
National Parks across the United States make up some of America’s greatest natural attractions. Soaring trees, peaks and waterfalls, lush everglades, and canyons of almost unfathomable vastness draw millions of visitors each year. Created in 1872, Yellowstone in Wyoming is considered the world’s very first national park, and started a trend of protecting these beautiful wilderness areas for future generations of visitors. But, like all good things, they come at a cost, and recently that cost has been vast numbers of visitors that rival the vastness of the parks themselves - especially at popular viewpoints. But America’s spectacular landscapes extend beyond the borders of its national parks, and today we’re sharing alternative destinations for you to get out and experience the splendor of the US wilderness, away from the crowds.
Instead of Zion National Park, try Snow Canyon State Park, 50 miles east of Zion National Park, but a world away in terms of crowds. Snow Canyon State Park, nestled in the heart of southwestern Utah, holds the region's best-kept secret. This breathtaking landscape spans a 5-mile canyon embraced by towering cliffs, offering a vista akin to those found in national parks. Snow Canyon is, like Zion and Bryce Canyon, a textbook in geologic history. The canyon cliffs, composed of burnt red and cream sandstone, are the petrified remains of 180-million-year-old sand dunes, while more recent volcanic cinder cones and lava fields scatter across the higher elevations. Encompassing 7,400 acres and situated north of St. George, this easily accessible park offers an entrance fee significantly lower than Zion, making it a must-visit destination.
These parks share similar features like granite cliffs, lush forests, impressive waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees that rival the iconic landscapes found in Yosemite. The scale of the landscapes and the majestic beauty of Sequoia’s General Sherman Tree and Kings Canyon's depth make them reminiscent of the awe-inspiring sights within Yosemite National Park. They’re not without crowds, but you won’t find the same traffic jams Yosemite is becoming known for. The Sierra National Forest borders Yosemite National Park, so some areas might share similar landscapes and natural features, including granite peaks, alpine lakes, lush forests, and meadows.Though it may not have the sheer scale or fame of Yosemite, it provides another quieter, less crowded alternative.
Canyonlands National Parks in Moab is stunning… but crowded. You now need a timed entry pass to enter its neighbour Arches during Peak Season, and line-ups at park gates for both can be long. Good thing the park's vastness allows for solitude in less-visited areas. Instead of the “Islands in the Sky” district of Canyonlands, drive an hour south of Moab to Needles. This more remote area of the park features jaw dropping canyon scenery and a multitude of highly rewarding and quiet hiking trails, plus a chance to spot petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock on the drive into the park. Another option for vast canyon vistas is nearby Dead Horse Point State Park. Grizzly name, but unmatched views of the Colorado River carving through the depths of the canyon, especially at sunset.
America’s oldest national park, Yellowstone is beloved. And full of visitors, particularly in the high season, when traffic jams become the norm. Check out Custer State Park in nearby South Dakota. Known for its scenic drives, wildlife viewing (especially bison herds, mountain goats and bighorn sheep), and granite peaks, this park offers a taste of the wilderness without the crowds of larger national parks. And it’s easy to do in a day with the Black Hills and Mt Rushmore. Or spend time in the Tetons, an easy jaunt if you’re staying in Jackson Hole. The tetons draw their fair share of crowds, but fewer than Yellowstone. 
Rocky Mountain National Park with its overall accessibility and proximity to major cities tends to attract larger crowds, especially in popular areas of the park during peak seasons. If it’s jaw dropping alpine scenery you’re after, instead of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, what about the North Cascades National Park in mountainous Washington state? Known for its rugged, glacier-covered peaks, dense forests, and numerous alpine lakes, North Cascades is characterized by its dramatic, jagged ranges and pristine wilderness. A drive along scenic highway 20 won’t see logjams or waits at the park gate, and hiking there in the fall season is an unforgettable experience. A day tour to Leavenworth from Seattle is another great way to experience the epic scenery of the Cascades, plus enjoy a quaint "Bavarian" mountain village too!
Instead of Zion National Park, try Snow Canyon State Park
Instead of Zion National Park, try Snow Canyon State Park, 50 miles east of Zion National Park, but a world away in terms of crowds. Snow Canyon State Park, nestled in the heart of southwestern Utah, holds the region's best-kept secret. This breathtaking landscape spans a 5-mile canyon embraced by towering cliffs, offering a vista akin to those found in national parks. Snow Canyon is, like Zion and Bryce Canyon, a textbook in geologic history. The canyon cliffs, composed of burnt red and cream sandstone, are the petrified remains of 180-million-year-old sand dunes, while more recent volcanic cinder cones and lava fields scatter across the higher elevations. Encompassing 7,400 acres and situated north of St. George, this easily accessible park offers an entrance fee significantly lower than Zion, making it a must-visit destination.Instead of Yosemite, try Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
These parks share similar features like granite cliffs, lush forests, impressive waterfalls, and giant sequoia trees that rival the iconic landscapes found in Yosemite. The scale of the landscapes and the majestic beauty of Sequoia’s General Sherman Tree and Kings Canyon's depth make them reminiscent of the awe-inspiring sights within Yosemite National Park. They’re not without crowds, but you won’t find the same traffic jams Yosemite is becoming known for. The Sierra National Forest borders Yosemite National Park, so some areas might share similar landscapes and natural features, including granite peaks, alpine lakes, lush forests, and meadows.Though it may not have the sheer scale or fame of Yosemite, it provides another quieter, less crowded alternative.Instead of Canyonlands, try Dead Horse Point State Park
Canyonlands National Parks in Moab is stunning… but crowded. You now need a timed entry pass to enter its neighbour Arches during Peak Season, and line-ups at park gates for both can be long. Good thing the park's vastness allows for solitude in less-visited areas. Instead of the “Islands in the Sky” district of Canyonlands, drive an hour south of Moab to Needles. This more remote area of the park features jaw dropping canyon scenery and a multitude of highly rewarding and quiet hiking trails, plus a chance to spot petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock on the drive into the park. Another option for vast canyon vistas is nearby Dead Horse Point State Park. Grizzly name, but unmatched views of the Colorado River carving through the depths of the canyon, especially at sunset.Instead of Yellowstone, try Custer State Park
America’s oldest national park, Yellowstone is beloved. And full of visitors, particularly in the high season, when traffic jams become the norm. Check out Custer State Park in nearby South Dakota. Known for its scenic drives, wildlife viewing (especially bison herds, mountain goats and bighorn sheep), and granite peaks, this park offers a taste of the wilderness without the crowds of larger national parks. And it’s easy to do in a day with the Black Hills and Mt Rushmore. Or spend time in the Tetons, an easy jaunt if you’re staying in Jackson Hole. The tetons draw their fair share of crowds, but fewer than Yellowstone. Instead of Rocky Mountain National Park, try the North Cascades
Rocky Mountain National Park with its overall accessibility and proximity to major cities tends to attract larger crowds, especially in popular areas of the park during peak seasons. If it’s jaw dropping alpine scenery you’re after, instead of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, what about the North Cascades National Park in mountainous Washington state? Known for its rugged, glacier-covered peaks, dense forests, and numerous alpine lakes, North Cascades is characterized by its dramatic, jagged ranges and pristine wilderness. A drive along scenic highway 20 won’t see logjams or waits at the park gate, and hiking there in the fall season is an unforgettable experience. A day tour to Leavenworth from Seattle is another great way to experience the epic scenery of the Cascades, plus enjoy a quaint "Bavarian" mountain village too!