You’ve probably skimmed through many articles highlighting the best national parks to visit for a road trip, day outing, or weekend getaway (Like this one we recently shared about which parks to visit in April). But what if you’re specifically looking for a relaxing, peaceful experience that doesn’t involve mobbed trails and noisy visitors?
The National Park Service (NPS) reported 331.9 million visits to recreational parks around the United States in 2024 — a 2 percent, or 6.36 million-visitor increase from the year before. Some have credited the massive uptick of outdoor tourism to the “pandemic boom” as visitor numbers have climbed significantly since Covid-19 (via Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis). However, the increased popularity brings more crowds, which could turn your time to decompress and connect with nature into a stressful activity.
Experts at QR Code Generator recognized this and, in a new study, analyzed visitor data from the NPS from 2019 to 2024 to determine the ideal times to visit various popular national parks to ensure a tranquil experience. Below are their findings and when you should plan your next outdoor escape.
Great Smokey Mountains National Park (January and February)
As the NPS notes on its website, the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in the Appalachian Mountains has consistently ranked as the most visited park in America, drawing in large numbers of outdoor enthusiasts each year. According to the study, 140.9 million visitors flocked to the park in the last six years — 330 percent more than the second-most popular national park in the U.S., Yellowstone (which is next on this list). They also noted that out of those over 140 million visitors, 77 million (55 percent) traveled for recreational purposes.
However, there is a window of time when fewer people venture to the famed park. QR Code Generator found that the least packed months were at the year’s start (January and February), with an average of 456,292 and 477,802 recreational visitors, respectively, while December is the third least-visited month, raking in 758,578 recreational visitors.
A winter trek to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park not only means a secluded and calm atmosphere but also offers a beautiful view of the snow-covered landscapes for hiking enthusiasts and photography buffs. For those considering the trip, it’s recommended to check the park’s website for unexpected road and facility closures due to the weather. Anyone pondering over going to the park later in the year, beware that June and October are the busiest, with each month seeing an average of 1.6 million recreational visitors.
Yellowstone National Park (November and December)
As we mentioned, Yellowstone National Park also sees abundant visitors yearly (32.7 million in the past six years — 25 million of them taking advantage of the park’s recreation). With 2.2 million acres of the park to explore in the northwest corner of Wyoming and canyons, alpine rivers, and wildlife, as per the NPS, it could feel nearly impossible to find a less hectic time to visit, away from the swarms of people.
However, there are some low-key months with fewer guests on the grounds, and those are in November and December. These months average 21,972 and 31,311 recreational visitors each, making them more of a desirable time of year for those seeking a more reserved adventure. March is also a slower month, averaging 32,554 recreational visitors.
Similar to the Great Rocky Mountain National Park, snowy conditions and plunging temperatures can limit accessibility around Yellowstone, so partaking in guided tours and wearing appropriate gear are advised. Let us warn you that the biggest crowds generally visit during July and August, when the park sees 921,680 and 866,764 recreational visitors, respectively.
Grand Teton National Park (December and February)
Another park that’s favorable in the winter months, as it’s less frequented, is Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming. The area is a hotspot for travelers, with over 29.4 million visitors—20 million of them recreational between 2019 and 2024. To evade the large groups, visit the park during December and February, as there is considerably less foot traffic—50,102 and 54,199 average recreational visitors, respectively.
January is also less active, with an average of 57,265 recreational visitors. However, if you prefer warmer weather, April is relatively placid, averaging 59,690 monthly visitors per the study.
As for the most occupied month for Grand Teton National Park, that’s July, which saw visitor numbers surge to an average of 734,378 — more than 14 times the winter attendance. The second-busiest month is August, with 673,137 recreational visitors on average.
Grand Canyon National Park (January and February)
While we’re sure Grand Canyon National Park has been on your list of places to visit, given that it’s home to the ever-popular Grand Canyon in Arizona, we’d urge you not to make the trip during July and August. This time is the most lively with tourists, drawing in 550,544 and 494,408 average recreational visitors, respectively. Instead, try going in January and February, when the environment is much more serene, and you won’t be fighting through as many patrons to catch a glimpse of the stunning views.
These months average 187,790 and 193,746 recreational visitors, respectively — a vast difference from the summertime. QR Code Generator also discovered that the park isn’t as swamped in December either, with an average of 291,935 recreational visitors. This is most likely due to the colder temperatures, but the many trails are well-maintained for hiking, and the lodging is much cheaper.
Zion National Park (January and February)
Another heavily traveled spot is Zion National Park in Utah, which attracted 27.5 million visitors over the last six years, almost all for recreational reasons. Ideally, those who want to avoid the overloaded trails should head to the park during January and February, as these times of year saw an average of 128,904 and 139,902 monthly visitors, respectively. December also usually brings in fewer people, with 205,938 average recreational visitors.
You can’t beat the picturesque scenery at the park during the winter months, including the dusting of snow across the red rocks. Unfortunately, some higher-elevation trails might be closed, but many of the more popular pathways are still accessible.
When to steer clear of Zion National Park if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway would be June and July, when monthly visitation skyrockets to an average of 565,947 and 555,822 people, respectively.
Other National Parks and the Best Times to Visit
This marks just some of the national parks travelers often venture to, and there are many more to put on your radar. Others include Saguaro National Park in Arizona, which is least congested in July and August; Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, which sees fewer people in January and February; Yosemite National Park in California is a quieter place to visit in January and March, as is Acadia National Park in Maine from December through February; and Washington’s Olympic National Park is also pleasant in January and February.
Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator PRO S.L., commented on the study’s results, pointing out the benefits of visiting the country’s most popular national parks outside the peak season.