Some national parks get all the attention, but with that also comes all the crowds, traffic, and mile-long lines for a photo op. If you’re dreaming of jaw-dropping views without the chaos, we’ve got five spectacular national park alternatives that deliver all the beauty of the big name spots.

Many of the United States' most famous national parks attract millions of visitors annually, resulting in crowded trails and busy viewpoints. For those looking to avoid the congestion, several lesser-known parks offer comparable natural wonders with significantly fewer visitors.

Alternatives include Lassen Volcanic National Park in California as a quieter option to Yellowstone, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado instead of the Grand Canyon. Snow Canyon in Utah provides a similar red rock landscape to Zion but with a fraction of the visitors, while New River Gorge in West Virginia is recommended for those seeking the forested beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains without the heavy traffic.

Skip the crowds with these under-the-radar national parks

Don't start planning your national park trip just yet. Watch this first. We've got your insider guide to epic park adventures without the crowds. Think go here instead for the most popular spots. First up, Yellowstone. Swap it for Lassen Volcanic National Park in California. It's like a mini Yellowstone, all the bubbles and steam, but way less foot traffic. Grand Canyon pulls 4.9 million visitors a year. Skip the crowd and check out Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Pro tip, it's about the same distance from Four Corners, so you can still check that off your bucket list. And number two, Zion National Park. Gorgeous, busy. Explore Snow Canyon in Utah. Same stunning red rock vibe, just on a cozier scale with only 300,000 visitors each year. And the heavyweight champ, Great Smoky Mountains National Park with a jaw-dropping 12 million annual visitors. If you want forested mountain beauty without the traffic jams, head to New River Gorge in West Virginia.

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