Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey

OutsideMay 15

Go Here, Not There: 5 Less-Crowded Alternatives to the Most Popular National Parks

Looking to avoid the crowds at Zion or the Smokies? Our national parks columnist shares the intel on overlooked parks that rival the most popular spots.

Desert landscape with rock towers, slot canyons, cliffs, arches

22 things in this story

Capitol Reef National ParkSightDesert landscape with rock towers, slot canyons, cliffs, arches
Grand Wash TrailTrailWanders through a canyon with 200-foot-tall walls
Elsewhere
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlaceGatlinburg, United StatesMost visited park, most biodiverse in America
Appalachian TrailTrailGatlinburg, United StatesCruises through high-elevation spruce-fir forest
Rocky Mountain National ParkHotelEstes Park, United StatesProtects high-elevation peaks, glaciers, and backcountry lakes
Congaree National ParkSightHopkins, United StatesHome to oldest and tallest tree canopies east of Mississippi
Fork Swamp TrailTrailHopkins, United StatesHike follows oxbow lake formed by hurricane
Cedar Creek Canoe TrailTrailHopkins, United StatesPaddle between stands of 500-year-old bald cypress trees
Congaree RiverSightHopkins, United StatesForms the border of the park
Palmetto OutdoorPlaceHopkins, United StatesOffers guided day trips
Bluff CampgroundHotelHopkins, United StatesRequires mile-long hike, sits above floodplain
North CascadesSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesSteep and rugged Cascade Range with many glaciers
Mount BakerSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesHighest peak in the park
Lake DiabloSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesMassive lake with glaciated peaks on the horizon
Thunder Knob TrailTrailSedro-Woolley, United StatesTraces edge of Thunder Arm of Lake Diablo
Colonial Creek CampgroundHotelSedro-Woolley, United StatesMultiple day hikes begin from campground
Sourdough MountainSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesRocky peak with a historic lookout cabin
Diablo LakeSightSedro-Woolley, United StatesLarge lake flanked by Pyramid and Colonial peaks
Colonial Creek North CampgroundHotelSedro-Woolley, United States38 sites tucked into a pine forest
Temple of the SunSightCapitol Reef National Park, United States
Temple of the MoonSightCapitol Reef National Park, United States
Cathedral ValleySightCapitol Reef National Park, United States

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OutsideApr 23

Arches National Park Just Nixed Reservations. Here's How to Avoid the Crowds.

Arches no longer requires timed entry tickets, which means crowds are coming back in a big way. Here's how to see the famous red rocks without the Disneyland-style lines, according to a Utahn.

15 things in this story

Capitol Reef National ParkSightThe park is approximately 60 miles (100 km) long on its north–south axis and just 6 miles (10 km) wide on its east-west…
Elsewhere
Arches National ParkSightMoab, United StatesTimed entry ticket requirement ended
Delicate ArchSightMoab, United StatesHike for sunrise with few other humans
Devils Garden CampgroundHotelMoab, United StatesCamp for less crowded dawn, dusk, or night views
Broken Arch TrailTrailMoab, United States2.3-mile roundtrip for great sunset views
Sand Dune ArchSightMoab, United StatesShort spur trail from Broken Arch Trail
Tower Arch TrailTrailMoab, United States2.6 miles roundtrip, somewhat strenuous
Tower ArchSightMoab, United StatesRemote arch requiring 4WD and dry conditions
Fiery FurnaceSightMoab, United StatesPermit or ranger-led tour required for this backcountry section
Arches Visitor CenterSightMoab, United StatesPermits/tickets for Fiery Furnace must be picked up here
Grand Staircase-Escalante National MonumentSightCannonville, United StatesThe Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument (GSENM) is a United States national monument protecting the Grand…
Kolob CanyonsSightVirgin, United StatesSection of Zion with twin arches
National Bridges National MonumentSightBluff, United StatesNatural bridges, not arches, two hours south of Arches
Moab Dark Sky ToursPlaceMoab, United States
Eye of the Whale ArchSightMoab, United States

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Capitol Reef National Park

In the coverage2 stories

Go Here, Not There: 5 Less-Crowded Alternatives to the Most Popular National Parks

Arches National Park Just Nixed Reservations. Here's How to Avoid the Crowds.