7 National Park Alternatives to Yellowstone, Zion, and More
National parks are having their moment. With many seeing record numbers this year and the amount of yearly visitors rising by over 53 million from 2013 to 2019, it can feel like a fool’s errand to attempt an off-grid adventure amid throngs of other visitors. Not only are campgrounds booking up months in advance—at some parks, popular trails feel as jammed as Friday traffic in Los Angeles.
The good news is that, out of the country’s 63 national parks, only a dozen or so draw constant crowds. Many others remain off of many Americans' radars. We’ve selected a few of our favorite lesser-known national parks, and which destinations they make great alternatives to. That being said, every one of these parks is bucket list-worthy on its own merits.
GettyCapitol Reef National Park, Utah
A great alternative to: Zion and Arches
Capitol Reef is home to one of the world’s most unique geological wonders: the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust. Formed millions of years ago, when a fault line shifted and exposed thousands of acres of rust-tinted sandstone and slate-gray shale, the resulting rugged cliffs and arch formations are the red rocks Utah is known for. Grab a cinnamon bun or freshly baked mini-pie in the historic village of Fruita, located within the park’s borders, then stroll through verdant orchards and hunt for petroglyphs near the visitor center. Hikers won’t want to miss the 1-mile jaunt up to Hickman Bridge, nor the chance to squeeze through a narrow slot canyon in Cottonwood Wash. Stay in nearby Torrey for the best BBQ and wild-west themed hotels (seriously).
GettyRedwood National Park, California
A great alternative to: Olympic
A rare temperate rainforest can be found in Redwood National Park, home to a sprawling expanse of ancient trees, furry green moss, and sword ferns. Come here for forest bathing at its finest—the trees found here are the tallest living things on earth, and many of them are over 2,000 years old. The area is a patchwork of both state and national parks, with some of the largest remaining tracts of old growth redwoods in the world, brushing up against the ragged Pacific coastline and the mighty Klamath River of Northern California. Listen for mating bugles at Elk Meadow before going for a short hike up to Lady Bird Johnson Grove—then drive south to the Tall Trees Trail to see, you guessed it, the tallest trees on the planet. June through September are the park’s least rainy months.
GettyBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
A great alternative to: Rocky Mountain and Grand Canyon
Black Canyon of the Gunnison is Colorado’s least visited national park, but it’s not for lack of scenery. Within the park’s borders, the powerful current of the Gunnison River has worn away at the area’s dark, metamorphic rock for the last 2 million years. It's left behind a near-vertical canyon of marbled gneiss and schist that’s over 2,700 feet deep. Go for a scenic drive along the park’s South Rim, stopping at Gunnison Point and Painted Wall for some of the best views into the vast, narrow ravine. Adventurous souls might want to grab a permit and scramble down into the canyon via the Gunnison Route, an 1,800-foot off-trail descent to the cool, flowing waters of the river below.
GettyGates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska
A great alternative to: Denali
Arctic, as it's often called, will make you work to get there. The entirety of the park lies above the Arctic Circle, and there are no roads or developed trails within its borders. Visitors must either hike, raft, or fly in (most charter a bush plane out of Fairbanks). The reward for all that effort is the privilege of getting up close and personal with the truly untrammeled wilderness of the Brooks Range, home to caribou, muskox, and grizzlies. Witness the shark’s fin spires of the Arrigetch Peaks, watch the tundra erupt in early fall colors, and stay up late trying to spot the northern lights—just make sure to plan your visit from June to September, when planes are running and the park is at its most temperate.
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GettyLassen Volcanic National Park, California
A great alternative to: Yellowstone and Yosemite
California’s breathtaking national parks are no great secret. Each year, millions of tourists flock to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Joshua Tree. Lassen Volcanic, one of the state’s least visited parks, is a great place to explore craggy high peaks, chilly alpine lakes, and forests full of towering ponderosa pines—without all the hubbub. Plus, the park is home to eight different hydrothermal areas, with boiling aquamarine hot springs, hissing steam vents, and burbling mudpots, much like the ones found in Yellowstone. Avid hikers won’t want to miss out on summiting Cinder Cone, a now dormant volcano with tremendous views of Lassen Peak and the Fantastic Lava Beds, while families will love the stunning wildflowers and raised boardwalks of Bumpass Hell, the park’s largest hydrothermal area.
GettyNew River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
A great alternative to: Great Smoky Mountains
As America’s newest national park (Congress voted it in at the beginning of 2021), New River Gorge has a lot of hype to live up to. Luckily, with its breathtaking views, epic rock climbing routes, and world-class whitewater rafting, it’s a park that exceeds expectations. Tucked away in southern West Virginia, the area truly has something for everyone, from well-appointed cabins at Adventures on the Gorge, to fly-fishing excursions, to climbing and rappelling classes. If you’re an avid rafter, plan to go in October when the season is at its peak.
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GettyNorth Cascades National Park, Washington
A great alternative to: Glacier and Mt. Rainier
Skirting the Canadian border and less than three hours from Seattle lies a wonderland for mountain lovers. Over 400 miles of trails crisscross the park’s massive half-million acre expanse, skirting high peaks, glaciers, deep sapphire lakes, and verdant pine forests. After taking a scenic drive along Route 20, the park’s main highway, stop off at the electric teal waters of Diablo Lake and the family-friendly trail out to Rainy Lake. Consider spending a few extra days off grid at the Lodge at Stehekin, nestled in a hike, fly, or boat-in town located within the national park’s borders.
