Obviously, our nation’s roster of national parks are worthy destinations. These unique landscapes have been preserved for posterity precisely because they’re the types of places you definitely want to see before you die. But they’re also crowded, with campsites sometimes booking as far as a full year in advance. Good news: there are still incredible, once-in-a-lifetime landscapes to see up close and personal, just outside of the park gates.
From national forests to scenic byways, BLM lands and lesser-known recreation sites, there are many quieter alternatives to the national parks (not to mention the urban landscapes and small towns that often live just on their perimeters). RV travel makes it easy to explore multiple hidden spots in one trip — and at RVshare, we’ve got you covered from the RV rental to the tips you need to find that can’t-miss hidden locale where all your photos will be serene and stranger-less.
Why Travelers Are Looking Beyond National Parks
If you’ve landed on this page, chances are you already understand the appeal of looking beyond the parks themselves for a place to recreate. The national parks are incredible; we’ll never tell you differently. They’re also really, really busy, especially since the pandemic.
It’s not just about taking a hike that doesn’t feel like a line at Disney World. When you visit a too-crowded national park, you can find yourself troubled with all sorts of little hassles:
- No campsite availability, or even just parking spaces
- Crowded trailheads (see: parking spaces)
- More… evidence of human presence on the trails (yes, we mean poop and trash — leave no trace! More on that soon.)
- And, it’s worth mentioning, the annoyance of having strangers in all of your photos
Another important reason many people seek out hidden gems near national parks: Pets are not allowed in many of the national parks, or they’re limited only to very small areas. These nearby areas allow you to bring your furry family members along for the ride!
The good news? There are all sorts of hidden gems outside of national parks, including nearby national forests, state parks, and BLM lands, many of which have hiking trails, waterfalls, wildflowers, and all the other good stuff you’re looking for, just like the national park itself.
The Best Places to Find Hidden Gems Near National Parks
We’ll get into some specific hidden gems below. But it’s more important to teach a man to fish, as they say — so here are some top hits to consider when you’re searching for a hidden gem near just about any national park out there.
National Forests Adjacent to National Parks
National Forests are often just as dramatic as national parks, and even wilder. They may not have fancy interpretive exhibits and ranger stations, but they often do have campsites, some even with amenities like hookups and dump stations (which may also be cheaper and more available than similar sites in the national parks proper). You may also have the option to find a dispersed campsite in the national forest and take a crack at boondocking, if you’re feeling rugged.
While this trick works at a lot of the national parks, here are some specific examples to get your gears turning:
Scenic Byways and Backroads
Another trick well worth trying: exploring scenic byways and backroads near the parks, which allow you to get a similar view from the comfort of your vehicle. These roads are often historic, featuring pull-offs and viewpoints with interpretive signage and offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities (from a safe distance!). Just be sure to check seasonal road conditions before committing to the drive, and keep in mind you may not have cell signal if you’re in remote areas.
Examples include:
Nearby Small Towns Worth Visiting
Yes, the great outdoors are great. But the small towns that lie just outside national park borders are often some of the coolest communities you’ll ever visit. We’re talking Bar Harbor, Maine outside of Acadia, Estes Park, Colorado outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg outside of the Great Smoky Mountains, and so many others.
When you’re visiting these towns, you can enjoy local resources and events and learn what it’s like to live in the shadow of these wonderlands. Check out:
- Local restaurants so you can get a literal taste of the local flavor
- Historic districts where you can wander, people-watch, and shop
- Local outfitters and guide services that can get you to unknown parts of the park
- And, if you visit at the right time of year, even seasonal festivals that bring everyone together!
Lesser-Known Waterfalls, Lakes, and Swimming Holes
Is there anything better than a swim in natural waters on a hot summer day? While swimming is allowed in many of the U.S. national parks, regulations vary by location and in some situations, you may not be able to take a dip. Even if you can, the more the merrier — especially when the swimming hole in question is less crowded!
Some examples include:
Again, keep in mind that accessibility may vary by season, and always exercise water safety, especially when traveling with kids!
Adventure Activities Outside the Parks
No matter what preserved landscape you’re in or around, take advantage of the natural recreation opportunities that earth’s bounty affords! Hiking is great, but all across our country, people get up close and personal with the land through adventure activities including:
- Whitewater rafting
- Kayaking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain biking
- Fishing
Those local outdoor outfitters we discussed above can help you learn more about what’s available in a given area (and how to take on these activities safely). And staying in an RV allows you to be closer to the action… and closer to home once the day is done and you’re ready to get some rest.
How to Find Hidden Gems Near Any National Park
While the tips above will steer you right, here are even more tricks to finding the hidden gems nearby any national park you might have your eye on.
Use National Forest and BLM Maps
National Parks are regulated and maintained by the National Park Service (NPS). But there’s also the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, and the U.S. Forest Service, or USFS. And the public lands they maintain are excellent places to recreate, as mentioned above.
These lands often don’t have the same kind of resources as the national parks, such as visitors centers, ranger-led programs or gift shops. They’re not supported by entrance fees, but by U.S. tax dollars. And that’s exactly what keeps them so wild, wonderful… and un-crowded.
Pull up a national forest or BLM map in the area near the national park you’re considering, and take a look. There are millions upon millions of acres out there to explore!
Search Beyond the Park Name
Including the national park’s name in your search can help you narrow in on the opportunities available outside its borders. For instance, look for “waterfalls near Yellowstone,” “scenic drives outside Zion,” or “BLM camping near Rocky Mountain National Park.
To really drill down, though, we recommend finding a hidden gem, and then using that area’s name to do your search. Using our examples above, you might look for campsites near Bridger-Teton National Forest rather than Yellowstone, or waterfalls near Umpqua National Forest rather than Crater Lake.
Talk to Rangers and Local Outfitters
Who better to point you in the right direction than someone who loves the local landscape so much, they dedicated their career to it? From visitors centers inside the parks to local outdoor outfitters in the small towns around them, talking to the professionals can really open your eyes to the gems that are truly hidden, as well as seasonal conditions to watch out for.
Explore During Shoulder Seasons
Another option that allows you to experience the national parks themselves with fewer crowds? Traveling during shoulder season.
These will shift slightly depending on which specific park you have in mind, but are generally spring and fall as opposed to the high travel season of summer. While you may have to contend with less-than-perfect weather conditions, you’ll also enjoy better campsite availability, reduced crowds, and often even cheaper prices for nearby resources and campgrounds. Talk about a win-win!
Hidden Gem Ideas Near Popular National Parks
Okay, okay, we’ve done enough teaching to fish! Here are some fresh ones we pulled up for ya: go-to hidden gem ideas near some of the most popular national parks.
Near Yellowstone National Park
There’s no doubt that Yellowstone is one of the most popular parks in the American system. It’s also the first, not just here, but in the world. That can mean achingly long lines at the entrance unless you’re willing to get there at 5 a.m., not to mention seriously crowded trails. We recommend nearby hidden gems including:
Given that Yellowstone takes up part of three whole states, though, this is one park where talking to a local will do you an extraordinary amount of good. There are so many sides of this part of the world to see!
Near Yosemite National Park
Famous enough that it’s known simply as “the Valley” by those in the know, Yosemite has earned its renown. But, again, that also means major crowds. Here are some nearby landscapes that can help you scratch a very similar interior California itch.
- June Lake Loop, i.e. California State Route 158, which winds you past four stunning glacial lakes under towering granite peaks
- Inyo National Forest, which offers very similar terrain to Yosemite
- Sierra National Forest, another, even closer-by option featuring access to the John Muir Trail
Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Some of the most ancient and gnarled peaks in the U.S. live inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which also bears the distinction of being one of the only parks in the system that doesn’t charge an entrance fee. No surprise, then, that it sees more than 12 million visitors a year. Head to one of these nearby hidden gems to keep them out of your IG photos:
- Roan Mountain State Park, named for the 6,285-foot pearl of the same name within its borders
- Nantahala National Forest for stunning waterfalls, old-growth forests and whitewater kayaking opportunities
- Townsend, Tennessee, also known as the “Peaceful Side of the Smokies,” and home to some quaint restaurants and community centers
Near Grand Canyon National Park
There really is nowhere like the Grand Canyon — but the national park of the same name is not the only way to experience this majestic landscape. Consider instead:
- Adventuring to the North Rim (though be warned, it’s far more remote and rugged)
- Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, which looks like the red rocks were hand-painted by God himself (and offers BLM camping)
- Kaibab National Forest, where the towering ponderosa pines and rugged canyons are home to the unique Kaibab squirrel
Near Zion National Park
Yes, Zion is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. It’s also the kind of place where you need permits for almost everything you’d want to do, and even with them, you’ll be sure to be standing shoulder to shoulder with others. Some great hidden gems near Zion National Park include:
- Kolob Terrace Road, whose 25 miles pack a heavy punch (and far fewer people ever get to see)
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, which, as its name suggests, pairs a stunning and unique site with park amenities including campsites
- Cedar Breaks National Monument, home to a breathtaking natural amphitheatre that runs half a mile deep and three miles across, not unlike the Grand Canyon itself
Planning Tips for Visiting Hidden Outdoor Destinations
As far as figuring out your hidden gem destination, you’ve got everything you need to get this trip on the road. Here are the insider tips and tricks that’ll make it that much easier (and save you lots of headaches, to be sure).
Check Road Accessibility
Hidden gems are great and all, but they’re often not the most accessible places in the world. That’s kind of part of their charm.
But it does mean that you’re going to have to check out the road conditions and accessibility markers before you go, especially if you’re traveling in a big rig. Check your route ahead of time to ensure there are no vehicle size limitations or narrow dirt roads that may be impossible to turn around on, as well as looking for any applicable seasonal closures and other conditionals.
Once again, remember, in some of these areas there’s no cell signal, so you need to be prepared for emergencies ahead of time with extra food, water, warm clothes, and ideally a satellite phone to get you in contact with emergency services.
Prepare for Limited Amenities
If the roads to get there are remote, so is the place itself! Before you set out for that hidden gem location, stock up on fuel, ensure you’ve got enough water onboard for at least a few days, and dump your tanks so you don’t have to worry about them filling up too fast. It’s also a good idea to download offline maps into your navigational system or app so you’ll still have some help finding your way.
Follow Leave No Trace Principles
Does anything feel worse than seeing peoples’ trash in gorgeous natural locations? Don’t be part of the problem. Following leave no trace principles is easy and punches above its weight class as far as doing good for the environment.
The basic rules are simple: Whatever you pack in, pack out; don’t camp or set fires anywhere that someone hasn’t already done so; respect wildlife. Learn more at Leave No Trace.
Why RV Travel Makes Exploring Hidden Gems Easier
Seeking hidden gems is all about being flexible, agile, and willing to go where others aren’t. That makes them a prime opportunity for RV camping, which allows you to stay comfortable, well-slept and well-fed, even in the most remote areas on earth.
Renting an RV means following a flexible itinerary (i.e., deciding to take that back road at the last minute just because you want to) as well as making it easy to access multiple recreation areas without needing to pack your bags every time. You can stay outside crowded park lodging zones and enjoy your privacy in a comfortable basecamp for all your outdoor adventures. (Oh, yeah, and you can also pack all your outdoor gear, no problem.)
RVshare has the largest selection of RV types on its peer-to-peer market. Find your ideal RV for hidden-gem travel today.
Hidden Gems Near National Parks: Frequently Asked Questions
National forests, state parks, BLM lands, lesser-known swimming holes and waterfalls: there are so many beautiful natural landscapes that are just outside the boundaries of the national parks. Some travelers might call them “hidden gems.”
Usually, yes. While there are some exceptions (in the most crowded national forests and least crowded national parks), national forests are often less crowded as well as less expensive than national parks, making them a great alternative.
Yes! Almost every national park is surrounded by other nearby wildernesses that offer camping, such as national forests or BLM lands. There are also often a lot of private campgrounds in the community areas surrounding the parks.
Look for nearby hidden gems such as state parks, national forests, and BLM lands, which offer similar landscapes with fewer crowds.
Shoulder season. In most cases, that means spring and fall rather than summer, but whichever seasons are the ones where fewer tourists take to a park mean you can visit with less crowds.
Often, yes, but it’s important to check the road conditions ahead of time, especially if you’re traveling in a larger RV.
Rarely. In most national forests, you can find dispersed campsites first come, first served. However, if the national forest offers campsites with hookups or is extremely popular, you may need to reserve ahead of time.