Busiest and Least Crowded National Parks of 2021Karen Barnett2022-07-14T22:31:59-07:00
The entire year of 2021 seemed crazy and unpredictable, but millions of people still looked for solace in nature, leading to some seriously crowded national parks. Are you curious which ones were the busiest? Which were the least visited? You might be able to avoid the crowds this summer, if you’re willing to trek to the Arctic, that is. Who’s up for an adventure? I’ve heard it’s stunningly beautiful!
(These numbers are brought to you by the National Park Service, and I’m only including those NPS units officially classified as national parks, not monuments or other types of sites. The most visited site of all was actually the Blue Ridge Parkway at 15.9 million visits. Yikes!)
Did any of these surprise you? I’m trying to figure out why Washington’s North Cascades National Park has such low visitation. That’s one I’ve always wanted to see, and it only takes a few hours to drive there from Seattle. My family is hoping to visit this summer–so we’ll add a few numbers to their count for 2022.
So, which of the national parks would you most like to visit this year?
Every national park has its own unique spirit and will impact visitors in different ways. Redwood National and State Parks? They will change you–almost down to the core of your being. My 21-year-old daughter and I visited recently for book research and to try out our new camper van. As I stared up at the ancient and giant trees, I was suddenly aware that the 50-odd years I’ve spent on this planet were but a tiny blip in the lifetime of these gentle giants. Even so, I felt welcomed. Does that sound strange? Maybe so, but I’m not sure how else to describe it.
Here are some of our favorite things we saw in Redwood National and State Parks.
Photo by Karen Barnett
Trees
Well, duh, right? The trees dwarfed everything else–both literally and figuratively. For the five days we were there, we found ourselves routinely pointing out trees to each other. “Look at THAT one!” You’d think it would get old, but it really doesn’t.
Photo by Karen Barnett
Gigantic ferns and trilliums
We were starting to understand the references to Paul Bunyan. Seriously, they grow things ridiculously large in California. The photo shows a well-named “Giant Trillium: (Trillium chloropetalum) with my hand for reference. In my home state of Oregon, we usually see Trillium ovatum which is about 1/3 this size.
Photo by Karen Barnett
Banana slugs and other crawly things.
After the first few hours of hiking, we finally started looking down as well as up. That’s when we spotted some really cool wildlife in the understory. Banana slugs, Pacific sideband snails, beaded lancetooth snails, and tons of yellow-spotted millipedes.
Photo by Karen Barnett
Elk and deer
So. Many. Elk. We enjoyed seeing elk wandering around our campground (we stayed at a nearby RV park since the state park campgrounds were full) and then seeing many more of them grazing in a meadow at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. While we were observing the elk herd, a large number of black-tailed deer came out to graze in the meadow as well.
Creative Commons Photo, Richard A. Walker
References to Indigenous Peoples
I was impressed by the number of signs paying honor to the local indigenous peoples. The National Park Service doesn’t have a stellar reputation when it comes to its treatment of tribes, but it looks like the current administration of Redwood National and State Parks is making some positive changes. Nearly every building had a sign explaining the names native tribes use to refer to specific locations. My daughter and I also noticed that when displays discussed indigenous tribes, they used present-tense verbs. It’s a subtle difference, but when you write about tribes using only the past tense, you’re planting the idea that they no longer exist (or at least, no longer play an active role). By using the present tense, you’re recognizing that the indigenous people are still here! This type of wording can make a big difference in how visitors think about the situation. I did get a sense that the parks were coordinating their work with several of the local tribes.
What we took home
How does that saying go? Take only memories, leave only footprints? We’re taking home a lot of memories from our time in the Redwoods–specifically, a sense of our place in the world. I’ve been reading a lot about the history of logging and conservation in this region. But as I laid my hand on the bark of one specific tree and stared up at its impossibly-tall trunk, I thought, are we really caretakers of these trees? Were the Yurok and Tolowa before us? This tree has stood here for as many as 1500 years. With any luck, it might stand for hundreds of more years. That’s a humbling thought. I’m thankful that I got to stand at its base and contemplate my place in God’s intricate creation.
There’s something deeply grounding about stepping into a national park—the hush in the canyons, the scent of sun-warmed trees, the sound of birds calling from beyond the bend in the trail. It’s where many of us go to breathe a little deeper and to appreciate the gift of God’s creation.
But if you’re planning a trip in 2025, you may be worried that things will look a little different. Staffing is down in many parks. Visitor numbers are still high. Services that used to be a given might not be available. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go—quite the opposite, really. With a little extra preparation and a healthy dose of grace, you can still experience the wonder that drew you there in the first place.
Here’s how to plan ahead and visit with both wisdom and wonder in your pack.
1. Do Your Research Before You Go
In years past, you might have strolled into a visitor center and picked up a paper map, chatted with a ranger about trail conditions, or signed up for a program. With lower staffing, those luxuries might not be available.
Before you leave home:
Visit the park’s official website for current conditions, alerts, and any reservation requirements.
Download trail maps and directions—you can’t count on cell service.
Look into apps like AllTrails or the NPS app to cache your route.
If it’s your first time to that park, read up a bit. A well-loved guidebook or a ranger-led YouTube talk can add layers of meaning to your adventure.
2. Expect Limited Services
With fewer hands on deck, you might find closed restrooms, limited hours at visitor centers, and fewer trash pickups. It’s not ideal, but it’s manageable if you plan ahead.
What to bring:
Your own water, snacks, and lunch (just watch out for the ravens and chipmunks—they’re clever).
A small bag to pack out your own trash.
Extra toilet paper and hand sanitizer for backcountry or vault restrooms.
A little preparation here can turn a frustrating moment into just another story for the campfire.
3. Be Your Own Naturalist
While ranger talks and junior ranger programs might be on hold or scaled back, that doesn’t mean you can’t dive deep into the natural world around you. In fact, learning on your own might make it feel even more personal.
Bring along:
A field guide or plant ID app
A nature journal (even a pocket notebook will do)
Curiosity, always
Let the forest be your teacher. Let your questions lead you.
Podcasts and audiobooks about your park can also make for great pre-trip or on-the-road listening. You might even want to check out Guide Along, which offers audio tours for various parks via your phone. We really enjoyed the Yellowstone one on our last trip.
4. Stick to Designated Trails
Trails are the threads that weave us safely through wild spaces. And in times of low staffing, it’s harder for rangers to keep an eye on fragile habitats and off-trail wanderers.
Staying on marked paths:
Protects delicate plant life
Keeps you safe from hidden hazards
Makes it easier for search and rescue to find you—if that need ever arises
Remember: your footprints matter.
5. Pack Your Patience
You may wait a little longer at the entrance gate. You might find the shuttle bus full or the trail a little more crowded than expected. And you might not see a single ranger on your entire visit.
But you’re still there. Among the trees, beside the river, under the open sky. That’s the gift.
When things get frustrating, take a deep breath and offer grace—to others, to the park staff doing their best, and even to yourself
6. Essentials for your 2025 Adventures
Here’s a quick checklist to help you feel confident and prepared:
Reusable water bottle
Layers for shifting weather
Trail map (downloaded or paper)
Snacks and a meal
First aid kit
Flashlight or headlamp
Small trash bag
Sunscreen, bug spray, hat
An open heart
✅ Bonus: Bring an extra map and share it if you see someone looking lost.
7. Seek the Quiet Moments
While the crowds gather at famous overlooks, try a lesser-known trail, a picnic by a creek, or a sunrise walk through the trees.
It’s in those quiet, unscripted moments when you’ll discover a park’s unexpected blessings.
Final Thoughts
Things might look a little different for our national parks in 2025, but the trails are still calling, the trees are still standing, and the parks are still worth the effort. With a little preparation and a good attitude, you’ll walk away with something unforgettable.
Curious which parks show up in my stories? Browse my collection of national park novels and see where the trails take you!
“I dream of visiting all of the National Parks.” The woman rubbed her hands together and her voice buzzed with intensity as I signed a copy of my new novel, Where the Trees Touch the Sky: A Redwood National Park Novel for her. “All 63 of them. I’m mapping out my dream trip.”
I don’t know about you, but when I see these stories, I get an overwhelming urge to tick all the NP boxes.
But how does our perspective shift when we make “seeing them all” our goal?
When we race through our journey, we risk missing the very experiences we’ve been dreaming about. A national park is more than a pretty view. Each has a unique spirit, whether it be the landscape, the wildlife, the history, or how people interact with the location. And typically, you can’t tap into this experience with a one-hour visit to get your passport stamped.
Think about your best experiences with nature when you were a child. Was it about getting another park stamp? I doubt it. More likely it was taking the time to watch a caterpillar walk along a leaf’s edge. Or wading in a creek and letting the minnows nibble your toes.
Many of us have lost sight of that childlike wonder. Rather than soaking in an experience, we’ve boiled it down to a checkmark. The Japanese term, shinrin-yoku, is loosely translated as “forest bathing.” If we take the time to slow down, turn off our devices, and close our to-do lists, it gives our bodies and souls space to breathe.
Our national parks are busier than ever, but I sometimes wonder how many visitors are seeking the rest and rejuvenation provided by nature instead of racing about trying to visit every view they saw on Instagram. When my husband and I planned our Zion trip last year, I did my research. I watched YouTube videos about trip planning, perused the park’s website, and educated myself on the shuttle system. There are multiple Facebook groups and discussion boards dedicated to Zion trips, and almost all the posts focus on two specific must-see hikes. After reading through the posts, it’s easy to buy into the idea that without these experiences, you’ve somehow missed out on what makes Zion unique. It’s FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) at its worst.
But the truth is quite the opposite. What if you visited Zion and spent time just sitting beside the Virgin River, listening to the sound of the water rushing by? You could stare up at the Navaho sandstone cliffs and watch as the light changed from minute to minute–from the dawn colors to the glare of the afternoon sun and shadows. Maybe you’ll choose to hike one of the lesser-known paths and be blessed by spotting a sunbathing lizard or a herd of bighorn sheep. Would your trip be somehow “less than” for not jockeying for position at one of the must-see locations? Probably not.
I recently turned in my manuscript for my next novel, set in–you guessed it!–Zion National Park. My main character is grappling with this very issue as she walks away from a high-powered career to spend the summer at Zion, only to saddle herself with a lengthy to-do list for her stay. [Don’t bother looking on Amazon for this book quite yet–it’s not scheduled to be released until fall, 2025. Stay tuned!]
My favorite trails at Great Smoky Mountain National Park were those labeled simply as “Quiet Walkways.” They don’t take you to an epic waterfall or gorgeous viewpoint. It’s all about experiencing the forest itself. My favorite thing to do at Mount Rainier is find a quiet place to sit and then soak in the mountain’s magnificence. I introduced my daughter to this concept on a recent trip–showing her both my favorite unpopular trail and my special secret spot.
So every time I feel myself longing to visit all 63 national parks, I need to slow down and remind myself why I love the national parks in the first place. It’s about experiencing the beauty and peace that nature has to offer. To “meet” each park with an open mind, and then spend time truly getting to know it. Rather than visiting Utah’s “Mighty Five” in five days, or “one week to see as many US NPs as possible” I’d prefer to spend those same days visiting one or two and really immersing myself in everything they have to offer.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with the desire to “see them all.” Just be sure your trip doesn’t morph into exactly what you’re trying to escape about day-to-day life–just another task to complete.
Happy travels, everyone!
(Are you visiting from my COMPASS newsletter? Be sure to hop back over and enter the READER’S WONDERLAND GIVEAWAY! )
