Remote destinations offer quiet alternatives to crowded national parks

Travelers seeking to avoid the high visitation rates seen in popular national parks can find solitude in several remote locations. According to the National Park Service, while the park system recorded over 323 million recreation visits in 2025, many of these were concentrated in a few famous areas.

In Nevada, Great Basin National Park offers ancient bristlecone pines and alpine scenery with relatively low visitation. In Michigan, Isle Royale National Park provides a remote experience in Lake Superior, accessible only by ferry, seaplane, or private boat. Other quiet options include Stehekin, Washington, which remains isolated due to a lack of road access.

In Kansas, Bald Eagle State Forest preserves remnants of the Cross Timbers woodland, featuring post oak and blackjack oak trees that have been dated to over 250 years old. These locations offer scenic overlooks and natural landscapes with significantly fewer crowds than major tourist hubs.