Have you ever missed out on something because you thought it would be too crowded? I have. I’m sure you have heard horror stories from friends, coworkers or family members. “Don’t go there! Its always crowded”
Anyone with a bad experience will tell you to avoid the place at all costs. They advise you to erase it from your bucket list. It is not worth fighting the crowds, they say. I know I have taken advice like this. I have avoided amazing places because I thought there would be too many people there for me to enjoy it.
But guess what? It’s not always crowded!
There are times when there are no crowds at all. In fact, I have visited the busiest destinations in the US and successfully avoided seeing another soul. There are ways to avoid crowds no matter where you go. If you are willing to do a little extra work or forgo a little convenience, you can have that peaceful nature experience you want. I have spent years avoiding crowds at the busiest of destinations. I’ve tried many tricks and tactics. Today, I’m sharing my secret to avoiding crowds everywhere.
Travel During the Shoulder Season
Shoulder season refers to the period of time between a place’s peak season and offseason. You will still receive most amenities, but without bumping as many elbows.
For most places, shoulder season is in Spring or Fall. Choose to travel in May, June, September or October to any destination with warm weather. Or plan a ski trip in November or March.
I almost exclusively travel to places in their shoulder season. An added bonus is that accommodations are usually less expensive during this time. That’s good for your wallet!
Visit In Less Than Ideal Weather
Have you ever hiked in the rain? I’m not talking about a torrential downpour, but a light rain is completely doable. Most visitors avoid outdoor destinations if the weather is less than ideal. Even a light drizzle will keep some travelers at home.
I find that dramatic weather can actually improve my hike. Exploring snow covered trails, or hiking during a foggy afternoon can be the most memorable experience. Remember to come prepared with the correct gear, shoes and clothing. You can hike in cold weather, hot weather or any kind of precipitation. Its worth it to have a little extra space for yourself.
Set the Alarm to avoid crowds
There is no better way to avoid crowds than to be the first to arrive. I have found that if I start a hike or visit a park before 8AM, I am one of the only people there. It would be even better to start before sunrise. It’s very common to arrive at a completely empty parking lot early in the morning. Wake up early, enjoy your hike and you will be done by the time everyone else arrives. You will have the pleasure of leaving when everyone is fighting for a parking space.
This tip comes with a caveat, though. Make sure your destination is not popular for sunrise views. Your plans may backfire if everyone is there for a sunrise shot. Do a google search to gauge the crowds for sunrise at your choice destination. Overall, I’ve had the best luck arriving early.
Find Lesser-known Parks and Trails
If you want to experience a destination without being elbow to elbow with other visitors, consider visiting a lesser known area. Each region has its most famous spots, overlooks and trails. These places get all the recognition, and also all the crowds.
I can assure you, the other trails or parks in the area are probably just as good, if not better. Choose to visit a State park instead of a National Park. Choose the path less traveled by hiking a lesser-known trail. You may find that you enjoy it more than the popular destinations.
A Little Logistics Can Go A Long Way
I have found that the busiest places are always the most easily accessible. Travelers prefer convenience and ease. If you want to enjoy some peace and quiet, consider visiting a destination that is not easy to get to. Some destinations are often overlooked because of their remoteness or vast wilderness.
For instance, Dry Tortugas National Park off the coast of the Florida Keys is only accessible by boat or small plane. Channel Island National Park in California is only accessible by park boats. These destinations require lots of advanced planning, but you will be rewarded with a peaceful adventure.
Be Up For A Challenge
Casual hikers and visitors are less likely to traverse a challenging trail. I have found that once you pass the 3 mile mark on a trail, you will see less people. Choose a trail that has a high elevation gain, or rock scrambles. I tend to seek out these trails, just because I love a challenge.
When I’m heading towards the hardest trails, I have noticed that families with small children, or casual visitors will choose a different path. Give yourself a challenge to look forward to, and you can be sure to avoid crowds of people.
Travel when school is in session
Summertime is the perfect time for a family vacation. School is out of session, and families have the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. If you are able to plan a vacation during the school year, you will likely have a little more elbow room at your destination.
Warm weather destinations that offer swimming are usually the busiest when kids are off of school. Any lake or swimming hole will be packed with children playing. Pay attention to the local school calendar at your destination. Plan your trip around their calendar, trying to avoid visiting any outdoor destinations during a day school is closed.
Avoid Long Weekends and Holidays
If you are seeking time to enjoy the serenity of nature, I would advise against visiting on a long weekend or holiday. The majority of travelers will visit destinations on a weekend when they are off of work and school. National holiday weekends like Memorial Day or Labor day are probably the worst times to visit a park.
Even more so, a holiday or long weekend are the absolute busiest times. To avoid crowds, steer clear of these times at all costs. If you have no choice but to visit on a holiday weekend, try to arrive as early as possible or choose a day with less than ideal weather.
Skip Sporting Events
This is one of my favorite tricks to avoid crowds. If you’re like me and couldn’t care less who wins the Super Bowl, consider visiting a park or hiking a trail instead. There always seems to be some sporting event that is keeping people inside and glued to their TV. You can choose to be outside instead!
During Playoff Hockey or March Madness, head out to your favorite trail. On MLB Opening day, visit your favorite park. I love using this trick in my everyday life as well. I usually try to do my grocery shopping during Football Sundays. It’s so much less crowded when everyone is home watching the game.
Use Holidays to your Advantage
Certain holidays in the US call for everyone to do the same things. On Thanksgiving, we eat a big dinner with family or friends. On the Fourth of July, we have a cookout and watch fireworks. Consider starting a new tradition with your loved ones and go for an outdoor adventure instead. Many parks are still open on these days. The trails are less crowded, in some cases. You can enjoy the quiet serenity of nature while everyone else is home.
Keep in mind, some amenities might be closed on these days, like gas stations. Please plan accordingly.
Talk to a Local
First hand information is always best. If you know someone that lives nearby your destination, reach out and ask about the best time to visit. They may have some valuable information that you would never know otherwise. Locals will have the best tips for when to visit, where to visit and the best restaurants or accommodations. They will be able to offer advice on the best ways to avoid crowds in the area.
If you don’t personally know anyone in the area, try reaching out on Instagram or finding a local blog. There could be the added bonus of making a friend to hike with!
Google Saves the Day.. Again
Do you know that Google shows real-time crowd information? If you look up a location on Google, you can see the busiest times, slowest times and how busy it is right now. You can change the graph to show each day of the week. It’s not always 100% accurate, but it shows a good ballpark of how busy a place will be. You can get an idea of the busiest times to visit during your trip. Use this tool to plan your trip or schedule any hikes.
Plan Around Large Events
It will benefit you and your travel plans to do a quick search for large events that are scheduled near your destination. I have made this mistake too many times to count.
During summer months, there are lots of festivals and parades in towns. Avoid traveling to a destination when there is a music festival or a concert. Crowds from these events tend to spill out into all areas nearby. I’m all about a good festival or concert, but if you are looking for peace and quiet, consider choosing a different time to visit.
Go to the Source
Before traveling to a park or town, be sure to check out their website first. There will be notifications about closures, events or busy times. National Parks will provide a lot of information for your visit on their website.
For smaller parks or state parks, visit their facebook page. I have noticed they will update their facebook page before their website. Look for large events, or park closures. Avoid these areas if a huge gathering is on the calendar.
If all else fails, pick up the phone. Give the park a call to get advice about busy times. Park staff are usually very helpful with planning your trip.
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em
You can’t always win. Sometimes the crowds are unavoidable. If you want to see the most popular views, or travel to a popular destination you’re gonna have to deal with crowds. There might be a time when you need to visit a National park on Memorial Day weekend. Here’s my advice- embrace it!
There have been times I was disappointed to see crowds. Even when arriving at the trailhead at 6AM there has been a full parking lot once or twice. Chances are everyone is just as disappointed as you.
Lean into the experience and make some friends. If they are doing the same thing as you, you already have something in common. Making new friends on the trail is one of the best experiences. You might make a lifelong hiking buddy.
So What’s the verdict… You ready for a big hike?
Let’s sum things up. If anyone hates crowds, it’s me. I prefer to have more elbow room. I love the serenity of nature and the peace and quiet. I have gone to great lengths to avoid crowds, but I refuse to write a place off because I think it will be busy. I know when you plan an outdoor adventure, you probably want a quiet moment in nature. A hike just doesn’t feel the same when you are running into people the whole time. The peaceful vibes are gone when you hear children screaming or god forbid a Bluetooth speaker. Give yourself a little more elbow room and use these tips! I hope this makes you reconsider a place you had previously written off. Leave a comment and let me know if any of these worked for you!
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