If you’re seeking some of nature’s best-kept secrets, research the many units operated by the U.S. National Park Service to find unforgettable experiences away from the hustle and bustle.
By Scott & Van Russell
September-October 2025
U.S. national parks are among the country’s most special treasures. Exploring the natural beauty of these varied facilities can provide tranquil moments and breathtaking landscapes. However, as their popularity soars, so does the number of visitors, which might overwhelm the experience for many RVers.
If you’re looking to tread off the beaten path and explore quieter, more secluded areas, consider several under-the-radar destinations we’ve discovered. These hidden-gem parks offer stunning scenery with the added benefit of fewer tourists, allowing for a serene and personal encounter with nature. We’ve also provided visitation tips to help you skip the crowds, so you can get back to nature with a little less chaos.
When National Parks Become Too Popular
A young bison causes a Yellowstone traffic jam.
The last few years have seen an enormous rise in the popularity of outdoor travel and recreation. This comes as no surprise to RVers, who now must plan trips further in advance and have less flexibility to change plans on the fly. The surge of enthusiasm for exploring the outdoors has also led to record-breaking national park attendance. In fact, many people worry that the parks are being loved to death. This is why many national parks have implemented timed entry tickets and limited reservations for certain popular park trails or experiences.
While it’s gratifying to see more people eager to get outside and enjoy nature, this creates a challenge for RV travelers who enjoy a more serene nature experience. With long entrance lines, no place to park, traffic jams, and packed hiking trails, many national parks can end up feeling more like an amusement park than a tranquil adventure. By being selective about when and where you choose to go, you can increase the odds of having a better national park experience.
Smart Strategies For Dodging Crowds
Opt for Off-Peak Seasons
Planning for your national park adventure can significantly improve your experience. For example, try to avoid peak visitation dates. Most parks experience significantly fewer visitors during the shoulder seasons of the year — typically autumn and spring. These less popular seasons often boast comfortable weather and a fraction of the visitors, allowing for a more serene experience.
Every park has a different shoulder season, so do a little research to find the perfect time for your trip. As a bonus, most national parks with park entry reservation requirements don’t use a reservation system during these times of the year.
If you’re open to a more unusual experience, why not explore a national park in winter? There’s nothing quite like being immersed in a snow-covered landscape, per- haps trying cold-weather activities like snowshoeing and snowmobiling, which will add a new level of adventure to your visit.
Yosemite National Park makes a great facility to check out during these seasons. The Yosemite Valley rarely gets much snow, so you can still enjoy most of the park activities in the off-season. Special winter activities such as ice skating can be enjoyed within the park. You won’t find big crowds in the winter, but you will discover extreme beauty during your trip.
Visit at Nonpeak Hours
Many travelers consider the season when trying to escape crowds, but they often forget about the time of day. During peak visitation seasons, consider entering a national park early in the morning or later in the day around dinner time. These nonpeak times can give you a great advantage when attempting to skirt the crowds.
Not an early bird? While arriving at a national park at dawn can sometimes help beat the crowds, a large number of other visitors may have the same idea. Rather than joining the early risers, we have found that our family’s sweet spot is entering the park in the late afternoon. Arriving around dinnertime and lingering until after sunset lets us enjoy less-populated areas and fantastic photography opportunities. We love to pack a picnic dinner and scope out a quiet and scenic spot in the park to relax and enjoy our meal.
Discover Hidden Park Areas
A hiker soaks in the splendor of Acadia’s Schoodic Peninsula.
Before heading out on your national park trip, invest some time in research to find the lesser-known areas within each facility you plan to visit. Seasoned park-goers and locals often share their favorite secluded spots, and these recommendations can lead you to peaceful corners tucked away from the places most visitors explore. For example, in Acadia National Park, our family’s favorite secret gem is the Schoodic Peninsula, about an hour’s drive from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center on Mount Desert Island. This separate part of Acadia is equally beautiful, but few visitors ever discover it, so you can enjoy the park in peace.
Make RV Reservations Early
If you are planning to camp inside or near a national park, make your camping reservations as soon as possible. The popularity of the parks spills over into the campgrounds, and securing a spot can be a huge challenge. Privately owned campgrounds outside of national parks can be booked solid up to nine months to a year in advance. Campgrounds within the parks all have different reservation windows. Find out when the reservation window opens in the park you plan to visit; be sure to log in and be ready to book right at the opening time. Some popular national park campgrounds sell out within minutes of the start of the booking window, so being prepared can mean the difference between scoring a site or missing out for the season.
Quieter Parks For A More Tranquil Visit
To truly escape the masses, plan a trip to one of the U.S. national parks that attract fewer visitors to begin with. For example, instead of joining the almost 13 million annual guests at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you might enjoy the tranquility and stunning mountain peaks of North Cascades National Park in Washington.
Here are four other great national parks that offer a more out-of-the-way experience.
Channel Islands National Park, California
Channel Islands National Park, California
The first of three Golden State parks highlighted in this article is off the coast of Southern California. The Channel Islands serve as a pristine marine sanctuary, ideal for those looking to escape the busy California mainland. In fact, when we arrived, its stunning, one-of-a-kind scenery made us feel as though we had completely left the country.
This secluded five-island cluster can be reached only by boat or plane, contributing to its lower visitation statistics. The boat ride out to the islands was just as exciting as the island adventure itself. We viewed a pod of whales, as well as countless dolphins that played behind the boat’s wake. It was an incredible experience.
Once on the islands, you can enjoy aquatic activities such as kayaking through sea caves or snorkeling to witness the vibrant underwater life. On land, hiking trails offer panoramic views of the ocean and rugged rock shoreline. The isolation of these islands means you’ll likely encounter interesting wildlife and quiet, undisturbed beaches. If you are lucky, you will get to view the Channel Islands fox, which can only be found here.
Here are a few insider tips for planning a trip to the Channel Islands. Since transportation is very limited, book your boat reservation as far in advance as possible. Consider bringing motion-sickness medication just in case the boat ride is rough. You also can tent camp overnight with a reservation. There are no facilities on the islands, so you will need to bring your own food, water, and supplies along.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
California’s Lassen National Park is unworldly, with its potent geothermal activity and volcanic landscapes. Despite its lesser-known status, it’s a spectacular destination for witnessing the Earth’s raw underground power. The park’s terrain varies from boiling mud pots to clear mountain lakes. We enjoyed viewing steam vents and listening to the bubbling geothermal mud. This park is less visited because of its isolated location and limited visitation season.
Lassen receives an extreme amount of snowfall. When we visited in June, the park road remained closed due to snow. In fact, the snow was still up to the roof on the side of the visitor center. To get around these obstacles, we traveled to each park entrance and went as far as we could to see the most of each area.
This park is another hidden treasure, full of stunning mountain lakes, wildflower meadows, and intriguing volcanic features.
Pinnacles National Park, California
Pinnacles National Park, California
Pinnacles National Park provides a break from the everyday bustle with its otherworldly rock formations and fallen-rock talus caves. Despite its beauty, it remains one of the state’s less-frequented natural areas, due to its rural location. This park is a joy to photograph; from the iconic Bear Gulch Reservoir to countless wild rock formations, every explorer should find something to enjoy.
Traverse the high peaks through a series of well-laid trails, or marvel at the geologic wonders while exploring deep into the heart of the caves. For climbers, the park’s spires and rock faces present an enticing challenge. Keep an eye on the sky for the chance to spot the majestic California condor in its natural habitat. It’s also helpful to bring headlamps or flashlights for hiking through and exploring the many talus caves within the park. This hidden park is one not to miss!
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Stretching across the water-laden, mini-island landscapes near the border of the United States and Canada, Voyageurs National Park is a haven heavily centered around a network of lakes and waterways. This park’s rural location in a northern part of the U.S. helps to keep visitation low.
Embark on an adventure through these waters that French-Canadian voyageurs navigated in the 18th and 19th centuries. In fact, our family’s favorite activity was renting a boat and exploring the park’s numerous waterways and islands; kayaks are also available for rent. For a special overnight experience, consider renting a houseboat for a cozy stay out on the water. And anglers will love the park’s many fishing opportunities. Don’t miss the chance to visit the historical Kettle Falls Hotel, featuring a steeply angled floor and skewed bar. For those who prefer solitude, numerous islands and private wooded park shorelines cater to tent campers; reservations are available through obtaining a park permit.
Voyageurs is almost all on the water, so if you want to stay on land, your park explorations will be limited. In addition, the mosquitoes can be brutal, so don’t forget the bug spray. The park waterways are like a maze, and cellphone service is limited. Always make sure to bring a map along on your boat excursions.
What’s On Your List?
These national parks represent just a sampling of our family’s favorites when we wish to avoid the crowds. Many other hidden gems await discovery. Of course, some state parks and national scenic areas are just as spectacular as the national units, offering additional options to explore. With a little planning and research, you can locate a less popular facility to savor the serenity of nature during your next RV trip.
National Park Service
The National Park Service manages 433 units throughout the United States, the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. In addition to the designated national parks, the NPS also oversees monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House.
The official NPS app can be downloaded free from the App Store and Google Play.