You may have noticed that for a couple of decades now, our best-known national parks have been getting more and more crowded. That became even more so during the pandemic, and it affected outdoor recreation areas in general. The great outdoors was among the few places that weren’t closed or under severe restrictions, so people flocked to them. That trend hasn’t changed since, and you might be wondering what some great places that aren’t too crowded yet are. If you are, we have some suggestions for you.

These locations were chosen because they offer the same natural beauty and recreational opportunities as more popular spots without the overwhelming crowds. Whether you’re looking for serene beaches, quiet mountain escapes, or peaceful national parks, each destination provides a chance to enjoy the outdoors more intimately. Here’s a list of 20 better vacation ideas for travelers who don’t like crowds.

Amelia Island, Florida

Many of Florida’s beaches are crowded, especially in the summer when people seek relief from the heat and in the winter when they’re fleeing the cold. Amelia Island doesn’t get as mobbed as many of the others, mainly because you have to take a ferry across a sound to get there.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Isle Royale is one of the least-visited of our national parks, and here’s why: it’s in Lake Superior, you can only get there by boat or seaplane, and the boat trip isn’t short. Once there, you can enjoy miles of wilderness trails that offer many scenic lake views and chances to see wildlife.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

If you’ve ever been to Jackson in the summer, you’ll think I’m out of my mind when I say this place isn’t too crowded. But I’m talking about Jackson Hole, the long valley running north and south of town and including the town. (Mixing the two up is a common mistake.) You can find a ton of solitude by using Jackson Hole to access places like the Gros Ventre Range, the Mount Leidy Highlands, and the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Acadia National Park can get crowded; it receives over 4 million visitors annually. However, Bar Harbor, the town just outside the park, doesn’t get that terribly crowded except on holiday weekends in the summer. Go enjoy the park despite the crowds, and then head to town for a little peace and quiet. How often is that the order of things?

San Juan Islands, Washington

The beaches, lakes, and trails of Olympic National Park get really busy in the summer since the park is so close to Seattle, and the scenery is spectacular. For a quieter ocean experience, take a trip out to one of the pretty San Juan Islands; it’s only $15 for a day pass to any of them.

Stanley, Idaho

Stanley is one of the most scenic mountain towns I’ve ever been to. It’s in a pretty valley with a lot of wide-open meadows, and the aptly named Sawtooth Range, the “Sierra Nevada of the Rockies,” towers above the town. Why is it so uncrowded? Just look at a map; you’ll see it’s far from any major population centers, and there are no interstate or U.S. highways that take you there.

Ogden, Utah

In the winter, Ogden gets super-busy because of its ski resorts. In the summer, though, the crowds are gone, and some of the resorts stay open to serve as a base for enjoying the summertime views and wildflower meadows of the northern reaches of the Wasatch Range.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

This national park consists almost entirely of lakes and islands. There’s a visitor center you can drive to, but if you want to see the real park, you have to get on a boat. My wife and I once hired a local operator to take us across to one of the larger islands, where we spent a weekend hiking and camping. We didn’t see any other people until when the boat operator returned to take us back.

Block Island, Rhode Island

Cape Cod and Nantucket draw the majority of the summer seagoing crowd in New England, and that’s just fine with the residents of this town and the visitors who love it. All the beaches are open to the public, and the focus on conservation makes this place a haven for migratory birds. The town does swell in the summer, but not so much that it loses its small-town charm.

Black Hills, South Dakota

On summer holiday weekends, destinations here can get really crowded. I’ll be happy if life never again takes me through Deadwood, to Mt. Rushmore, and along the Needles Highway on the 4th of July. At other times, those places aren’t too bad, though (the Needles Highway has spectacular scenery), and there are plenty of other places where you can get away from the crowds.

New Bern, North Carolina

If you ask where the uncrowded summer beach towns are in North Carolina, you’ll probably get an odd look or a laugh. New Bern, though, is about 40 miles inland from the Bogue Banks. The Neuse River offers swimming, boating, and fishing without the coastal crowds and prices, and New Bern is in a charming setting. When you do want to go to the beach for the day, the drive is less than an hour.

Molokai, Hawaii

Get away from the crowds in Hawaii? You’re kidding, right? Actually, I’m not, and Molokai Island is the place for you if you don’t need all the amenities and accommodations you get on the better-known islands. Enjoy pristine beaches, lovely waterfalls, and the tallest sea cliffs in the world.

Yachats, Oregon

The summer heat, humidity, bugs, and crowds of beach towns are not for everyone. If you’re looking for a summer beach destination that isn’t too summery, try Yachats. As it is along most of the Oregon coast, the scenery is spectacular, but it’s usually cloudy and cool, with temperatures rarely climbing above 70 F. That doesn’t exactly draw the masses, but the scenery is beautiful!

Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah

If this place were close to one of the southern Utah national parks or an off-road route most people use to connect them, and it would be jam-packed almost all the time. Instead, it’s out in a remote part of the state that gets far less traffic. A trail takes you to and under three huge natural bridges.

Chincoteague, Virginia

The geography of Chincoteague prevents it from getting much larger than it already is, so although the town can be “full,” you might not find it “mobbed” unless you go to one of the popular ice cream parlors on a summer evening. Chincoteague has a lot of historic charm, and it’s the gateway for Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, which itself provides access to Assateague Island National Seashore on the Atlantic coast. 

Bob Marshall Country, Montana

You absolutely should see Glacier National Park, but after you do, if you want more mountains with fewer people, look to the south. “The Bob” is one of the largest roadless tracts in the U.S., and it consists of three contiguous federally designated wilderness areas. This is a realm for hikers and horseback riders; roads lead to trailheads, but none penetrate into the wilderness.

Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming

This is one of the largest national forests in the country and also one of the most spectacular. It’s largely east and southeast of Yellowstone National Park, and it includes some of the wildest, most remote, and most rugged mountainous terrain in the Lower 48. If you go in deep enough, expect to see more grizzly bears than people; my friend and I once saw 20 in a single day while climbing a mountain in the stunning Sunlight Basin!

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

A U.S. highway passes next to this park, which is close to Carlsbad Caverns, but the roads into the park only access trailheads and campgrounds, so this is a place for hikers. As such, this park that contains Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas, is one of the least-visited in the system.

Seneca Rocks, West Virginia

The south peak of Seneca Rocks is the highest peak east of the Mississippi that can only be reached by technical climbing. When I was younger and dumber, I free-soloed it, though it was far easier than the route you saw Alex Honnold do in Free Solo!

If you aren’t a rock climber experienced in multi-pitch trad climbing, you can still reach this awesomely exposed summit by hiring a guide at the famous Seneca Rocks Climbing School just across the road. Still not your thing? A trail takes you to a viewing platform on the northern peak, which is actually the higher of the two.

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

The Great Lakes are the oceans of the Midwest, and their many beaches receive a lot of visitors in the summer. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is remote and requires a lot more driving for most people, so its many beaches and parks are not that crowded. Don’t forget to visit the unforgettable Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

We Spent Three Days on Mackinac Island and This is What It Was Like

Stepping onto Mackinac Island feels like entering a storybook setting. It has a Norman Rockwell meets Disneyland’s Main Street type of feel, which had us immediately enchanted, soaking in the nostalgic charm and timeless beauty around every corner.

Recently, my family and I were invited to come and experience what Mission Point Resort has to offer on Mackinac Island. Not having been before, we weren’t sure what to expect of an island where cars weren’t allowed, but we were (very!) pleasantly surprised by the charm and quaintness the island offers.

Here’s what it was like to spend a few days in this laid-back Michigan town.

We Spent Three Days on Mackinac Island and This is What it Was Like

12 Cool Facts About the U.S. Highway System

The open road has stories to tell. The Interstate Highway System, the iconic blue signs, and the crucial Highway Trust Fund come into focus in this article, showcasing the interconnected web that binds the nation. Join us on this road trip through time, where Ladybird Johnson’s vision for highway beauty meets the milestones and stories etched into the asphalt of the U.S. highway system. 

12 Cool Facts About the U.S. Highway System