9 National Parks That Will Be Overrun With Tourists This Summer (And Where to Go Instead)

Summer is fast approaching, which means it's the perfect time to plan your next vacation, and what better place than a beautiful national park? Unfortunately, many others probably have the exact same plan.

Tourists can easily obscure the beauty of nature, and many parks are notoriously busy during this time of year. But other places may offer the quieter experience you're looking for.

So, if you're stepping up your travel game, here are some of the busiest national parks and alternative places that you can visit so you don’t waste time — and money — on your next vacation.

The most visited national park is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina. It received 13.29 million visitors in 2023 alone.

As the name suggests, the trails offer stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains, but it's often busy. That can be hard no matter what, even if you're traveling for nearly free. 

Go here instead: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

If you want to see the Appalachian Mountains without the fuss of the busy park, consider Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

It spans Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia, and offers equally breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountain range. There is also the opportunity to explore caves at this site, as well as to learn about its rich Native American history.

Colorado is a state known for its stunning mountain ranges and breathtaking nature scenes, which is why 4.12 million people made the trek to the Rocky Mountain National Park in 2023.

The park has gorgeous mountains, pristine bodies of water, sprawling meadows, and unique native wildlife — a perfect mix for outdoor lovers. However, it will also be crawling with tourists come springtime.

Go here instead: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

If you want to get a look at the Rockies from a distance, make a trip to another Colorado park: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

The sand dunes are nestled under the Rocky Mountains, so you can still see all of the mountains’ imposing glory at a distance. You can also enjoy activities such as sand sledding, hiking, backpacking in the surrounding forests, and visiting wetlands, grasslands, and lakes.

Visiting Grand Canyon National Park is on many people’s bucket list, so the park receives a major influx of sightseers every year — 4.45 million in 2023. You can expect it to be packed in the warmer months.

Go here instead: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

However, the Grand Canyon isn’t the only stunning canyon and registered national park you can visit. If you are willing to travel to Colorado, you can see the Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park.

This park has deep canyons that are just as gorgeous as its more famous counterpart, but less packed with tourists. There’s also a river running through the canyons that you can hike to, fish in, or enjoy by kayak.

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison also earns praise for its dark and clear skies, where you can see as many as 5,000 stars at night.

Yosemite National Park is one of the nation’s most famous parks. In 2023, 3.89 million people took in its breathtaking views.

This park is famous for its waterfalls, steep hiking and climbing opportunities, and gorgeous native California flora. The biggest drawback, however, is the busy and crowded feel.

Go here instead: Devils Postpile National Monument

Devils Postpile National Monument has Rainbow Falls, which plunges more than 100 feet. The cooling of basalt lava helped form a huge wall of columns.

Yellowstone National Park was the first place in the U.S. to earn that designation. More than a century later, visitors still flock to the park for its variety of geological wonders.

Here, you will find geysers and hot springs, but also waterfalls, forests, and other natural wonders. It is crowded during the spring and summer months — 4.5 million people visited in 2023.

Go here instead: Lassen Volcanic National Park

If you like the geysers of Yellowstone, chances are good that you will enjoy Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. It has lakes, volcanoes, and steaming fumaroles.

The Bumpass Hell Trail leads to a large hydrothermal area that’s only open to visitors in the summer and fall. It takes two hours to hike there and back from the main park.

Utah is another state that provides exceptional landscapes in its national parks, the most popular of which is Zion National Park.

Not only is it steeped in rich history, but the vibrantly colored sandstone cliff faces are marvelous. The park attracted 4.62 million tourists in 2023, so expect it to be busy again this spring.

Go here instead: Capitol Reef National Park

Zion is far from the only geological beauty to see in Utah. Capitol Reef National Park has equally stunning cliff edges, domes, and canyons. You will also find monoclines, which are folds in rock strata.

Spring and fall are the busy seasons here, so you’ll enjoy a quieter summer trip if you choose to visit then.

Olympic National Park in Washington State showcases the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer, including glacial mountains, rainforests, beaches, valleys, and old-growth forests.

Spring is a busy time to visit, though. In 2003, nearly 2.94 million people visited.

Go here instead: Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park has many of the same attractions as Olympic, including rainforests, glacial mountains, and old-growth forests. You’ll also discover meadows, waterfalls, and an active volcano.

Acadia National Park in Maine offers a variety of activities, including hiking and cycling, visiting historic structures, bird-watching, and stargazing.

The biggest draw, though, are the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where you can swim or go boating. In 2023, 3.86 million people visited.

Go here instead: Isle Royale National Park

For a quieter spring trip, go a little west to Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park.

This park is on Lake Superior and offers many aquatic activities, including fishing, swimming, paddling, canoeing, and kayaking. You can also go scuba diving and see intact shipwrecks.

If you’re less of an outdoorsy person and more of a history buff, you have probably thought of visiting Lincoln Memorial National Park in Washington, D.C.

This is a very busy place, with 8.09 million people visiting in 2023.

Go here instead: Multiple options

You don’t need to visit the capital to learn about the country’s history, however. There are plenty of other national historical landmarks to visit and learn about, such as:

• Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in New York
• Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia
• Taos Pueblo World Heritage Site in New Mexico

There is certainly no shortage of national parks in this country. So, if you're seeking solitude, there is bound to be a perfect place for you to visit this coming season.

So, don’t be afraid to change your plans and explore something new. And before you leave, grab a credit card that helps you earn travel rewards or other perks.