7 National Park Alternatives to Avoid the Crowds
Scribbled by Claire ◊ 11 Sep 2024
Are you looking for a trip around the American southwest, but just can’t stomach the crowds of the major national parks? Here, we list seven epic alternatives to these busy spots, with just as epic scenery but a fraction of the people!
One of the most admirable features of the United States is the love for their National Parks. However that love can sometimes translate into massive crowds, damage to local ecosystems and impossible parking during peak times.
An alternative option is to visit lesser known national monuments, state parks and other lesser-known destinations. These often pack just as much of a punch as their more well-known counterparts, so here is a list of our favourites in the American southwest (all accessible without a four-wheel drive vehicle).
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1. Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
If you are doing a tour of the big five national parks in southern Utah, you’ll be driving right through this beauty of a region.
Genuinely, Goblin Valley is one of the most enjoyable places we’ve ever spent a day in Utah, it’s magnificent. You can also wander wherever you like and climb whatever you want! It’s kind of otherworldly, and was even used in films like Galaxy Quest due to its innate weirdness. A lot of guides recommend only few hours here, but we would absolutely suggest longer if you have it; a full day, plus camp if you can and watch the sunrise.
Alternative to | any of the big five parks, and it has hoodoos kind of like Bryce Canyon National Park.
Location | Central southern Utah, between Capitol Reef National Park and Green River.
Cost | $20 per vehicle (or free with Utah state park pass).
Camping | available for reservations, excellent location and facilities. We would highly recommend. The best site is 12 for privacy. We also liked sites 3, 6 and 19. Two yurts are also available.
2. Navajo National Monument, Arizona
Navajo National Monument has hardly any visitors and is a great option for anyone visiting Monument Valley and who wants to check out some more native American sites, especially cliff dwellings.
The park is set in a pretty canyon and has some fun, but not long, walks with expansive views. You get to learn about and see some really cool Native American structures that have been abandoned for around 800 years – kind of like Mesa Verde National Park but smaller and way quieter. There’s one, more strenuous, ranger-only led hike that takes you right down to the dwellings. Be aware of snow in winter (we visited when it was snowing and it was really pretty!).
Alternative to | Mesa Verde National Park
Location | North eastern Arizona, between Monument Valley and Page
Cost | Free!
Camping | two campgrounds, no fee or reservations needed. Basic, but decent facilities, does not fill up. Fantastic option for free camping in the area.
3. Organi Pipe National Monument, Arizona
Organ Pipe National Monument is an incredible, remote, distinctive park, set in an outstanding region of the Sonoran desert on the Mexico border.
It’s a great alternative option to Saguaro National Park (although Saguaro doesn’t get too busy, and is also worth your time). When we visited the park was completely empty – it was silent and stunningly beautiful. From the park you can easily see Mexico, plus the stars of the show – Organ Pipe Cacti.
It gets pretty hot during summer and the roads are unpaved, but easily drivable with a low-clearance hire car. Border patrol will check your identification about a million times when driving to and from the park.
Alternative to | Saguaro National Park
Location | Southern Arizona, along the border with Mexico.
Cost | $25 (entry for a car for seven days) or free with the America the Beautiful pass.
Camping | two campgrounds, one large. Reservations required, fee $12-20. Backcountry camping available – speak to rangers at the visitor centre for information.
4. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is exactly what it sounds like – a bunch of sand dunes – but these ones are an interesting colour since they are made from the Navajo sandstone which makes up a lot of the iconic red rocks in southern Utah.
This park is perfect for a visit if you’re staying in Kanab, Utah – it’s a popular stop for anyone on a road trip through southern Utah.
The visitor centre rents out sand boards and sleds. There is an area for ATVs, too – if you’re keen on any of these activities then budget most of a day.
Alternative to | White Sands (tenuously!). It is surrounded by Utah red rocks and nothing is white.
Location | South western Utah, near Kanab and Zion National Park
Cost | $10 per car or free with the Utah State Park pass.
Camping | several campgrounds. Reservations suggested, fee $25-40.
5. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
So, Valley of Fire is a pretty popular park due to its proximity to Las Vegas, but we thought we’d include it anyway since it’s really beautiful.
It’s a particularly great park as most of the hikes are quite accessible and there’s even a slot canyon for those who can’t go further afield to see the longer ones. The hikes are short enough that you can do many of them within a day if you’re feeling energetic, and the rock formations are as impressive as any in the Utah national parks.
Alternative to | any of the larger red rock national parks, like Zion and Capitol Reef. There are even small bits similar to the Wave.
Location | southern Nevada, an easy hour from Las Vegas.
Cost | $10 per car if you live in Nevada, $15 if not.
Camping | two popular campgrounds, really pleasant with great facilities – would recommend. First-come first-serve, fee $20-25.
6. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah
Grand Staircase Escalante is more of an area than a park (it covers 1.87 million acres!), but there’s no way we couldn’t include it.
It’s vast, outrageously beautiful, and sandwiched between a bunch of southern Utah’s national parks. There are easy hikes to spectacular waterfalls; some of the best slot canyons in the south west; crazy rock formations; amazing paved and unpaved scenic drives. Even just driving the Scenic Byway 12 is worth a visit alone. Please, please don’t miss all the Escalante area has to offer!
Alternative to | everything busy in southern Utah – it’s so varied
Location | central southern Utah, between Bryce National Park and Capitol Reef.
Cost | none. Some trailheads have small fees, like Lower Calf Creek, which is $5.
Camping | there are camping opportunities everywhere. There is state park camping at Escalante Petrified Forest, right outside the town of Escalante and is very convenient (reservations required). Camping at Calf Creek is beautiful and convenient for the Calf Creek Falls hike (first-come first-serve). There are lots of other lovely campgrounds as well along Byway 12, such as Singletree. All our campground experiences along there have been amazing.
7. Snow Canyon State Park, Utah
Almost everyone on a south west road trip passes Snow Canyon, yet hardly any people stop to visit! It’s located just outside St George, a hub for people looking for cheaper central accommodation for Zion.
With fantastic hiking and biking for all levels, striking red rock formations, lava flows, sand dunes and a cool campground, this place is well worth a day of your trip.
Alternative to | Zion and Capitol Reef
Location | South western Utah
Cost | $15 per car, $10 if you live in Utah. Free with the state park pass.
Camping | one popular campground, $30 per night. Book ahead when possible on Reserve America. Can serve as a great base for other activities in the area – the campground even has decent showers.
Final Thoughts – National Park Alternatives
There are so many parks to explore across the United States, outside of the few that are mentioned in the media the whole time.
As lovely as many of the famous parks are, there are so many alternatives to places like the Grand Canyon (try visiting Canyonlands National Park instead), Zion (check out any of the red rocks parks in the surrounding area), Arches (visit Natural Bridges National Monument – not quite the same, but still very cool) and Yosemite (pop into Sequoia National Park, just to the south).
These all have alternatives with quieter camping, fewer crowds on the hiking trails, easy parking and generally less stress.
Have a fantastic trip, wherever you choose to go!
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