This summer, as you hit the road with backpacks and tents to go camping amid the natural splendor of America, you may notice you’re not the only one who had that idea. Last year, over 3 million people visited Yosemite National Park, the vast majority of them during summer. The spectacular views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls lose some of their luster after
you’ve been sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic for a day. Campgrounds are packed, hungry bears are plentiful, and the Valley takes on a circus atmosphere.
Meanwhile, about two hours south, Sequoia National Forest boasts similarly beautiful nature and cheaper entry fees, and I’ve spent days hiking there without seeing a soul. What you lose from missing Yosemite’s money-shot monuments you gain in enjoying peace, solitude and the fresh air you sought from the camping experience.
Like Sequoia National Forest, the list of alternative camping locales below offer great hiking and backpacking opportunities without the traffic, crowds, and costs at their more famous and popular nearby spots. Yes, you can always find solitude in the remote spots of Yosemite, Yellowstone, and other popular (and massive) national parks. But if you’re looking to dodge that line of traffic-clogging RVs on a busy summer weekend, perhaps give one of these alternate spots a try.
Instead of Yellowstone National Park, try Lassen Volcanic National Park. While Yellowstone has the iconic Old Faithful geyser and herds of buffalo, it also has herds of visitors in summer, which can be as pleasant as a close encounter with some bison. In Northern California, the under-visited Lassen National Park has an equally entertaining collection of thermal features, including the always-popular “Bumpass Hell” and “Fart Gulch.” For those with a hankering for buffalo, you can get your fill at the rugged and remote Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota.
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