With its vast expanses and diversity of landscapes, the United States offers many opportunities to find solitude. However, some of the most beautiful places in the country can be overrun with visitors, especially during the peak summer season. Here are nine of the best places in the United States to escape the crowds.
1. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Recommended by Deepa Lakshmin
Capitol Reef, one of Utah’s five great national parks, is surprisingly quiet. The Sulfur Creek and Cohab Canyon trails offer serene hikes. Sulfur Creek, with its canyons and waterfalls, is particularly wild and untouched. Torrey, UT, is a good base for exploring the park with accommodation options like the Skyview Hotel and restaurants like the Wild Rabbit Cafe and Hunt & Gather.
2. Montana Badlands
Recommended by Bailey Freeman
The Badlands of eastern Montana are perfect for those looking to get away. With stunning landscapes, dinosaur fossils, and star-filled skies, the Badlands offer a unique experience without the crowds. The pyramidal mounds of the Terry Badlands and the cliffs of Makoshika State Park are ideal spots for hiking and camping.
3. Coldfoot, Alaska
Recommended by Erin Kirkland
Coldfoot, Alaska, is a perfect place to experience the remote spaces of the north. Located at the base of the Brooks Range, Coldfoot offers year-round activities like hiking, rafting, and northern lights viewing. Coldfoot Camp offers guided excursions to the area’s national parks and preserves.
4. Hovenweep National Monument, Four Corners, USA
Recommended by Liz Prado
Hovenweep National Monument is a little-visited archaeological area in the Four Corners region. This site was once home to the Ancestral Puebloans and features six ancient villages. The Square Tower group is the largest and most accessible, with well-preserved structures and trails to explore the surroundings.
5. Superstition Mountains, Arizona
Recommended by Melissa Yeager
The Superstition Mountains, east of Phoenix, offer spectacular hikes with desert landscapes and saguaro cacti. Trails like the Hieroglyphic Trail and Fremont Saddle are perfect for hikers of all levels. The summit of Flat Iron offers a stunning view for experienced hikers.
6. Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Recommended by Ann Douglas Lott
The Shenandoah Valley, surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains, is a 140-mile long paradise. The winding roads of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive offer magnificent scenery. The valley is ideal for romantic getaways with vineyards, farms, and unforgettable sunsets.
7. Bellingham, Washington
Recommended by Chamidae Ford
Bellingham, in Washington State, is a peaceful oasis with many outdoor activities. Chuckanut Drive offers stunning views of Bellingham Bay and hikes like Oyster Dome. In town, restaurants like Mambo Italiano and independent bookstores like Village Books add to Bellingham’s charm.
8. Channel Islands National Park, California
Recommended by Brekke Fletcher
Channel Islands National Park is an isolated destination accessible by boat from Ventura or Oxnard. The park’s five islands offer wild landscapes and unique species of plants and animals. Campsites are available for extended stays and whale watching is possible from June to November.
9. Jayuya, Puerto Rico
Recommended by John Garry
Jayuya, nestled in the central mountains of Puerto Rico, is an ideal place to discover the indigenous Taíno culture. Hikes around the Toro Negro State Forest and visits to coffee farms like Hacienda San Pedro offer unique experiences. Natural pools and waterfalls such as Cascada Las Delicias add to the charm of this region.
These nine destinations offer a variety of experiences for those looking to escape the crowds and discover lesser-visited places in the United States. Whether for hiking, camping, stargazing, or simply relaxing, these places promise moments of tranquility and natural beauty.
