One hundred and thirteen years ago, the United States Antiquities Act was signed and set the stage for the conservation of millions of acres of land, now totaling 58 national parks. Five of them are holy grails, but there are similar parks of equal splendor – and untrampled by tourists.
# 1. In 2018, the Grand Canyon received 6.38 million visitors. You have to agree that that is pretty crowded. But a drive due north will bring you to Bryce Canyon National Park with milder summer temperatures and as many ah-ha sights and hikes.
#2. Not to be left behind the ‘Canyon’, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park managed 11.4 million visitors in 2018. Way to busy if you ask me. Again, head six hours north and discover the Shenandoah National Park. Spanning 105 miles, stop at two spectacular waterfalls in this old mountain range and hike hundreds of trails to your heart’s delight.
#3. Rocky Mountain National Park has seen a record number of visitors lately, to the tune of 4.5 million. But due west is the Great Basin National Park with comparable arid terrain and many less visitors. It is high ground and chilly at the best of times but a hiker’s dream. As a bonus, visit the Lehman Caves.
#4: Zion National Park is breathtaking but there is something similar. Three hours northeast is the Capitol Reef National Park with a beautiful scenic drive and plenty of stops for photos – if hiking is not your thing. Here within lies a bonus as well: In-season visitors can pick their own fruit (cherries, pears and apricots) on a local farm.
#5. Yellow Stone National Park is big, but still crowded in places with 3.8 million visitors in 2018. Head east to the lesser known Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. Home of bison and a big portion of the ‘Badlands’, this park offers scenic views, wildlife and impressive rock formations.
Other notable alternatives include the Kings Canyon National Park rather than Yosemite National Park; Fundy National Park rather than Arcadia National Park and the North Cascades National Park instead of the Olympic National Park.
Tips:
– Wear comfortable hiking boots
– Bring plenty of water
– Pack something warm to wear