Sort of Legal

US and Canadian National Parks are incredible.  They are national parks for a reason: their natural beauty is unparalleled.  

Turquoise colored alpine lakes at Banff in Alberta, Canada
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Waterfalls and half-dome at Yosemite in California, USA
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Glaciers at Glacier National Park in Montana, USA.
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The rainbow colored geothermal features at Yellowstone in Wyoming, USA.
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The slot canyons in Zion it Utah, USA.

They are sights worth seeing, sights that can make you feel so small and connected to nature that they change your life perspective.  

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BUT, in peak season US and Canadian national parks can draw zoo-like crowds requiring shuttle buses from parking lots and large groups sprawling across the trail with no self-awareness.

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The easiest way to avoid these crowds?  Go during off-peak season.  There are two realities that make this difficult: (1) you might not be able to get off work or get your kids off school during off season; and (2) some parks, like Glacier, have such short park is accessible, that you have no choice but to go in the couple month season.  You can risk it a little and go at the veeeerrry beginning or veeeeerrry end of season, which will help.   

Or, follow some of these tips to help you enjoy quiet time in nature even during busy season.

START EARLY.  

Like, really, early like get to the trailhead between 6:30AM and 8:00AM at the latest, depending on how popular it is.  9AM isn’t cutting it. 

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Anecdote:A few days ago, friend and I tried getting to the trailhead of a trail in Glacier a little before 9AM and the lot was already marked as FULL.  (Rumor has it: it may not have been entirely full then but it did deter us).  Faced with the possibility of taking a shuttle with a bunch of people to hike what I guessed would be an over-crowded trail, I had high blood pressure for the first time in my life. 

Fortunately, I was with an easy going friend who agreed to avoid the shuttle and try a different trail than intended. We go to enjoy some quiet woodsy miles before hitting other people at one of the water feature areas.  Still, a good reminder of the importance of early starts.

I know, still, cringe, waking up early on vacation.  Ask around, I am not known as being a morning person, but I have never regretted the times I’ve forced myself from a warm bed or sleeping bag, chugged coffee, and hit the road early.  It’s the best way to beat the crowd and as a bonus, you get to see things in soft morning light which has a beauty to it that you don’t get mid-day.  

OR START LATE.

Late starts likewise decrease the number of people on the trails, though, in my experience, there are still more people on trails late than there are early.  And, you need to be extra cautious about timing your hike correctly so you don’t end up walking back in the dark.  (Side note: headlamp is one of the 10 Safety Essentials for Day Hikes.) Still, starting late can be an effective option for avoiding crowds.

GO THE EXTRA MILE. 

A lot of people just want to get THE shot – you know, the same one you’ve seen all over Instagram and Pinterest – and go back on their merry way.  Go beyond that one spot and you will be rewarded…often with just as picturesque views that you can actually enjoy without the crowds of people.

At every busy park I’ve been to, I’ve been amazed at how quickly a crowd dissipates at even ¼ mile past a viewpoint…and even more a mile past the view point…and at two miles, you’re typically around other hikers who are mostly self-aware and have trail etiquette.  

Similarly, sometimes, you can just park further away from a busy site and walk. It won’t help you avoid crowds at the scenic sight but you can at least avoid the long line just to park at places like Yellowstone.

CHOOSE LESS POPULAR TRAILS.  

National parks are typically expansive but often people end up doing the same trails.  Try some of the less traveled trails.  They are still in the same natural environment as the most well-known hikes so they are still going to be scenic.  

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There are, of course, some hikes that are just worth doing regardless of how popular they are like the tea houses from Lake Louise in Banff.  But check your map, talk to some people (locals if you can), there may be other routes to the same scenic points or add-on miles with even more scenery.  

BE REALISTIC. 

Be realistic and don’t be an a-hole.  You’re still at a popular park so you can’t expect not to see anyone else.  If you want that experience, try a more remote destination like deep in a national forest…or make your trip a backpacking trip (though in a busy park, you will still see people, just fewer people).

Don’t let other people ruin your experience.  Instead be buoyed at how many people wantto enjoy nature and the efforts both the US and Canada have gone through to ensure people of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy our respective countries natural beauty.  To go with a California term, that’s pretty rad.