Off the Beaten Path

RoadTripsCoffee

A2 Unfortunately I have always found the best way to avoid the crowds and enjoy a hike off the beaten path is to get up early. Very early. Crack of dawn. With coffee. #ParkChat

tthrash

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2. Where possible, a listing weekends is my first plan; then I am for the off season, again, if at all possible.
We're hitting .500 there for that #parkchat meetup.

Wild_Tribute

A2. Backcountry #LNT #ParkChat

rscottjones

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2 #parkchat Definitely depends on the park, but generally anywhere off of pavement—whether trails or roads—will lighten the crowd substantially. Off of trails entirely usually results in solitude.

However, the further you go, the smaller the crowd is needed to feel crowded.

RCGibby73

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2: get out early in the morning, study the map, ask Rangers where to best avoid the crowds. So many options to escape it all. Barring all that, go in shoulder season #ParkChat

mjn126

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2) Prepare yourself for crowds, at least in the beginning, then head to the backcountry or at least a longer path. OR, get there earlier than the others! #ParkChat

t_jh2009

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2) I tend to avoid the crowds by visiting the parks during the weekdays in the shoulder & off seasons while going to the areas that are less popular/visited. #ParkChat

TPRjerks

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2. Sometimes it's pretty easy to do a little extra research to find less crowded places. Also, I find that a lot of places aren't crowded if I go midweek. #ParkChat

AlongfortheTrip

A2) Visit in winter. #ParkChat

unconpeace

A2 Get up early and take a long hike #parkchat

e_terren

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2. Homework ahead of a trip to find less-visited areas, study maps. Get going early in the day. This worked well when I was in Rocky Mountain NP at the height of the season. No one was in the Trail Ridge Visitors Center lot at 7 am. Hiked 2 hours before I saw anyone. #parkchat

ParksandPoints

A2) Instagram. Can't go wrong there! Seriously though, we try to do our research ahead of time though do crowdsource through great resources like AllTrails and Hiking Project. @AllTrails @hikingproject #ParkChat

DryTortugasFilm

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2) #Parkchat It means walking a bit further and being more prepared than the "Crowds" would like to be and going EARLY, with a plan. #OffthebeatenPath

Parkasaur

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2. As homeschoolers, we love trying to visit during the school year - although trying to coordinate visits with extended family often complicates that. #ParkChat

louisbink

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2 Solitude can be found away from the masses in a different part of the park. Yosemite Tuolumne Meadows and Lembert Dome #offthebeatenpath #ParkChat

NakMakFeegle

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2 It depends on the park and the time of year - most National Parks are generally best avoided on summer weekends! Off season and/or week days are your best bet for solitude. #ParkChat

publiclandlvr

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2: traveling in the offseason has worked so well for us! We had most of @ChacoCultureNHP all to ourselves in October. Ditto @DeathValleyNPS death in April. It was just us and the pup fish at sunset. #ParkChat

bewildandbefree

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes a2) hike in the odd ball season, go for a long hike, or just pick a not so "popular" hike, I usually find solitude , or wake up super early ! #parkchat

mtmagog

replying to @Exotichikes @Exotichikes A2) Off season, avoid the main attractions, weird times. Once walked from Balanced Rock in Arches NP to Park Avenue - south end, about 7 miles, right down the middle of the road - at night. Peak summer season, did not see another car or person. Very memorable walk. #parkchat