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Reader Participation Day: Are You Avoiding National Parks This Year?

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Published Date

August 17, 2016

So, have the stories of tremendous crowds at some national parks this summer convinced you to put off your national park adventure until next year? Or have you merely shied away from the iconic parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon, and instead focused on smaller, less traveled units?

Some park staff think the rush to see the national parks will continue into next year and 2018. Of course, you could be strategic with your planning and avoid the busiest seasons, and their crowds, and still enjoy the parks.

So, how are you coping with the crowds?

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Comments

Submitted by wild places on August 17, 2016 - 8:11am.

Avoiding them altogether. Enjoying visiting less crowded less costly and off the beaten path wilderness areas.


Submitted by Lee Dalton on August 17, 2016 - 8:47am.

I'll be heading for Crater Lake, Oregon Caves, Lassen and a few others in southwestern Oregon and northern California in a few weeks.  Trying to wait until after the normally heavy season in hopes it will be a bit quieter and easier to find campsites.  We'll see.  Honestly, I'm not very optimistic in light of experiences late last fall in YELL and GRTE.

I didn't do much traveling this summer, but not because of possible crowding.  Had other things going on.


Submitted by Ottoman on August 17, 2016 - 8:54am.

Let's see, in May I went to Keweenaw NHP, Pictured Rocks NL and Sleeping Bear Dunes NL. In June I went to Effigy Mounds NM. This August I went to Harry S Truman NHS, Homestead NM, Scott's Bluff NM, Fort Laramie NM, Agate Fossil Beds NM, Wind Cave NP, Jewel Cave NM, Mt Rushmore N Mem., Minuteman Missile NHS, Badlands NP, and Niobrara NSR.
I had no trouble trouble getting into or moving around in any of them. Wind Cave, Jewel Cave and Mt Rushmore were busy but I suspect that was because my trip overlapped the goings on in Sturgis.
There are a dozen or so parks that you can assume will be busy in any year but that also leaves another 400 parks you should be able to get around in just fine. 400. To coin a phrase, get out there!


Submitted by Early riser on August 17, 2016 - 10:28am.

My wife and I are in our 70s. We visited more than 20 national parks and monuments in June and July. The strategy that works for us is to be in the parks in the early morning, before the crowds, tour busses and hot temperatures arrive.


Submitted by mtgnppics on August 17, 2016 - 11:52am.

Went fewer times than usual due to crowds, no place to park.  Hoping things  slow up a little in a couple of weeks.


Submitted by Rebecca Latson on August 17, 2016 - 1:45pm.

Heading to Mt. Rainier National Park in a couple of weeks.  I like to visit the parks either during spring or autumn, not only for the temps and fall colors but also because they currently are less crowded around that time.  Like Early riser's comments, I prefer to be up and out the door even before the crack of dawn, not only to get nice sunrise photos but also to avoid the crowds and tour buses. Late evening is a good time too because by then the tour buses have moved on and many people are back in the lodge or campground or hotel.  I must admit, I've been avoiding Yellowstone - at least this year and probably next, since my travel plans are already made for 2017 unless something unforeseen occurs, because of all the things I've read and heard about huge crowds and people doing stupid things.  Since I am not one to keep my opinions to myself, I figured it would be best for my stress level and peace of mind to just stay away.  Maybe someday...


Submitted by George Sanders on August 17, 2016 - 3:09pm.

I visited one park so far, Glacier NP. I avoided the more popular areas like Logan Pass and Lake McDonald, so I didn't run into the crowds. Acadia NP is also on my travel schedule, but not until late in the season, October, so I should avoid the summer crowds their.


Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on August 17, 2016 - 3:25pm.

George, just an FYI, but October is cruise ship season at Acadia. Can be quite crowded.


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