Are National Parks Getting Too Overcrowded To Visit? 

Are National Parks Getting Too Crowded To Visit?

It’s well-known that some national parks have been victims of their own popularity in the last few years. Traffic congestion and lack of parking are two of the biggest problems cited by visitors and park wardens in the past year. It seems everyone wants to get out and enjoy the diverse natural experiences that our amazing national parks have to offer. However, it’s pretty difficult to commune with nature when you’re sitting in traffic, unable to find a parking spot.

The situation seems desperate in some cases. There was even a popular video of visitors fighting over a parking spot in Yellowstone National Park that made its way around social media. And humans aren’t the only ones losing their cool over the crowds.

Every year, tourists get injured and/or killed by fed-up bison in national parks when they get too close. In a recent attack that resulted in serious injuries to a man and a boy, park officials noted that the bison had spent the day grazing with constant crowds of people approaching him for photos. The bison showed amazing self-restraint all day. However, by the end of the day, the bison was starting to show definite signs of agitation before finally charging at a man and boy who ventured too close.

The crowds at national parks have left many Americans wondering if it’s even worth checking them out anymore.

What were the busiest national parks in 2022?

The National Park Service reports that in 2022, national parks received 312 million recreation visits. That adds up to 15 million more visitors than they had in 2021. It’s a real onslaught of people for the parks to deal with. But let’s look closer at the numbers. All told, the US has 424 national park sites, including national monuments. Of all of those parks, just eight parks got 81,120,000 (26%) of the total visitors in 2022. So it seems a few parks are getting a lot of usage.

Furthermore, visitors tend to flock to these parks for a few key attractions close to parking lots and roadways. This mass migration to certain areas leaves many of the thousands of square miles of these parks unused.

The most popular parks in the US

These eight parks attracted 26% of national park visitors in 2021. Each of them offers a spectacular and unique natural experience that everyone wants to enjoy. However, nobody goes to a national park to experience the crowds. It’s safe to say that most of us visit these amazing places to escape crowds and enjoy the wonders of nature in relative solitude.

1. Great Smoky Mountains NP, 12.94 million visitors
2. Grand Canyon NP, 4.73 million visitors
3. Zion NP, 4.69 million visitors
4. Rocky Mountain NP, 4.30 million visitors
5. Acadia NP, 3.97 million visitors
6. Yosemite NP, 3.67 million visitors
7. Yellowstone NP 3.29 million visitors
8. Joshua Tree NP, 3.06 million visitors

While these parks are definitely busy, you definitely shouldn’t avoid them. There are ways you can still enjoy these parks without having to endure crowds.

1. Try visiting in shoulder seasons or during the off-season

National parks are often busiest in the summer months. If you visit between November and May, you’ll avoid the biggest crowds.

2. Arrive early in the morning

Most people arrive at the parks mid-morning to early afternoon. That can mean that you can often find parking and avoid the crowds by arriving before 9 am.

3. Use the least popular entrances

National parks are often huge. As a result, they usually have multiple entrances. Where possible, find out which entrances are the least popular. When it’s practical, you might be able to use an alternate park entrance to beat the crowds.

4. Leave the crowds behind and explore less popular areas of the park

As mentioned before, crowds usually flock to the same breathtaking park attractions. It’s said that the majority of park visitors stay within 100 feet of a roadway. However, most parks have multiple attractions that are worth visiting. Plan your trip ahead of time on the NPS website and with RV LIFE Trip Wizard to find places off the beaten path.

National parks that don’t get crowded

Alternatively, you can always visit one of the 416 national park sites that aren’t as popular. They all boast at least one thing that’s so amazing that the National Park Service thought it was worth preserving. Here are 11 less popular national park sites that you’ll want to check out.

1. Isle Royale, Michigan
2. Dry Tortugas, Florida
3. Saratoga NHP, New York
4. Wrangell-St. Elias, Alaska
5. Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon
6. City Of Rocks, Idaho
7. Lava Beds National Monument, New Mexico
8. Congaree, South Carolina
9. Guadalupe Mountains, Texas
10. Voyageurs, Minnesota
11. Gila Cliff Dwellings, New Mexico

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Related articles:

• Are National Park Permits Required In 2023?
• The 5 Quietest National Parks For RV Camping
• Camp In Peace & Quiet At The 3 Least-Visited National Parks

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