Written by EMILY PENNINGTON
America’s national parks are more popular than ever, with attendance doubling at many locations in just the last ten years.
Most tourists never venture further than one mile from their car, so with a bit of planning, ingenuity, and exercise, a clever visitor can have a great spot all to themselves, or darn close to it.
Here are our top picks for how to escape the crowds and find a slice of pristine wilderness in some of the country’s most visited national parks.
Mineral King
Found in Sequoia National Park
Sure, you’ll have to drive an hour down a rugged dirt road to get to Sequoia’s Mineral King area, but you’ll be rewarded with views of the Sierra Nevada Range and hiking and backpacking opportunities.
The trail up to Franklin Lakes is an awesome day hike or overnight trek. Serious adventurers might want to tack on a 3-4 day journey over Franklin Pass to secluded Kern Hot Springs.
East Inlet Trail
Found in Rocky Mountain National Park
Situated on the far less traveled, western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, the East Inlet Trail is a great jumping off point for hikers seeking big mountain vistas and solitude.
The trail starts with Adams Falls, then steadily climbs up through a mountainous valley, with views getting better the further your climb.
It’s a 16-mile round trip to Spirit Lake, and an even farther overnight trek for those who want to travel to Fourth Lake and over Boulder Grand Pass.
Kolob Canyon
Found in
Zion National Park
Located in the park’s northern, higher elevation section, Kolob Canyon has all the fabulous red rock and big vistas that you’d expect from Zion, but with far fewer crowds.
Take a scenic drive along East Kolob Canyon Road, then go on a hike amidst towering, rust-colored fins and escarpments on the La Verkin Creek Trail.
Serious trekkers won’t want to miss Kolob Arch (15 miles round trip – mostly flat) as a long day hike or a mellow backpacking trip along a gently burbling creek.