National park crowd calendar: when all 63 parks are busiest and quietest

Least crowded national parks in January

Ranked by how January compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1Mount RainierAbout 21,500 visits in an average January, 5% of its July peak.Low
2. 2Mesa VerdeAbout 5,270 visits in an average January, 6% of its June peak.Low
3. 3Great Sand DunesAbout 5,410 visits in an average January, 6% of its June peak.Low
4. 4Lassen VolcanicAbout 6,710 visits in an average January, 7% of its July peak.Low
5. 5CanyonlandsAbout 7,830 visits in an average January, 7% of its May peak.Low
6. 6ShenandoahAbout 23,400 visits in an average January, 7% of its October peak.Low
7. 7Grand TetonAbout 53,200 visits in an average January, 7% of its July peak.Low
8. 8Great BasinAbout 2,150 visits in an average January, 8% of its July peak.Low
9. 9Capitol ReefAbout 16,100 visits in an average January, 8% of its May peak.Low
10. 10Wind CaveAbout 10,900 visits in an average January, 10% of its July peak.Low

Deep off-season in January (under 5% of the park's busiest month, so access and services are often limited; check the park page first): Kenai Fjords, Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier Bay, Theodore Roosevelt, Denali, Acadia, Glacier, Crater Lake, Badlands, Yellowstone, Voyageurs.

At peak crowds in January: Hawaii Volcanoes, Everglades, Haleakala, Virgin Islands.

Least crowded national parks in February

Ranked by how February compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1Great BasinAbout 1,750 visits in an average February, 6% of its July peak.Low
2. 2Lassen VolcanicAbout 6,330 visits in an average February, 6% of its July peak.Low
3. 3Mesa VerdeAbout 6,210 visits in an average February, 7% of its June peak.Low
4. 4Grand TetonAbout 54,800 visits in an average February, 7% of its July peak.Low
5. 5Great Sand DunesAbout 7,580 visits in an average February, 9% of its June peak.Low
6. 6ShenandoahAbout 31,300 visits in an average February, 9% of its October peak.Low
7. 7Capitol ReefAbout 19,600 visits in an average February, 9% of its May peak.Low
8. 8Wind CaveAbout 11,100 visits in an average February, 10% of its July peak.Low
9. 9Bryce CanyonAbout 38,900 visits in an average February, 12% of its September peak.Low
10. 10Kings CanyonAbout 14,500 visits in an average February, 12% of its July peak.Low

Deep off-season in February (under 5% of the park's busiest month, so access and services are often limited; check the park page first): Kenai Fjords, Glacier Bay, Wrangell-St. Elias, Theodore Roosevelt, Acadia, Glacier, Denali, Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, Badlands, Yellowstone.

At peak crowds in February: Hawaii Volcanoes, Death Valley, Saguaro, Everglades, Haleakala, Biscayne, Virgin Islands, Dry Tortugas.

Least crowded national parks in March

Ranked by how March compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1Theodore RooseveltAbout 8,300 visits in an average March, 5% of its July peak.Low
2. 2Crater LakeAbout 8,990 visits in an average March, 6% of its July peak.Low
3. 3Mount RainierAbout 24,100 visits in an average March, 6% of its July peak.Low
4. 4DenaliAbout 7,850 visits in an average March, 6% of its August peak.Low
5. 5Lassen VolcanicAbout 6,130 visits in an average March, 6% of its July peak.Low
6. 6Grand TetonAbout 60,700 visits in an average March, 8% of its July peak.Low
7. 7Great BasinAbout 2,330 visits in an average March, 8% of its July peak.Low
8. 8VoyageursAbout 3,940 visits in an average March, 9% of its August peak.Low
9. 9BadlandsAbout 25,000 visits in an average March, 10% of its July peak.Low
10. 10Kings CanyonAbout 14,500 visits in an average March, 12% of its July peak.Low

Deep off-season in March (under 5% of the park's busiest month, so access and services are often limited; check the park page first): Kenai Fjords, Glacier Bay, Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier, Yellowstone, Acadia.

At peak crowds in March: Joshua Tree, Hot Springs, Death Valley, Saguaro, Hawaii Volcanoes, White Sands, Everglades, Big Bend, Haleakala, Biscayne, Carlsbad Caverns, Virgin Islands, Pinnacles, Guadalupe Mountains, Congaree, Dry Tortugas.

Least crowded national parks in April

Ranked by how April compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1DenaliAbout 7,090 visits in an average April, 5% of its August peak.Low
2. 2GlacierAbout 45,800 visits in an average April, 6% of its July peak.Low
3. 3Glacier BayAbout 11,200 visits in an average April, 7% of its July peak.Low
4. 4Theodore RooseveltAbout 11,600 visits in an average April, 7% of its July peak.Low
5. 5YellowstoneAbout 73,200 visits in an average April, 7% of its July peak.Low
6. 6Mount RainierAbout 32,200 visits in an average April, 8% of its July peak.Low
7. 7Lassen VolcanicAbout 8,100 visits in an average April, 8% of its July peak.Low
8. 8Crater LakeAbout 14,600 visits in an average April, 9% of its July peak.Low
9. 9Grand TetonAbout 73,800 visits in an average April, 10% of its July peak.Low
10. 10AcadiaAbout 97,800 visits in an average April, 12% of its August peak.Low

Deep off-season in April (under 5% of the park's busiest month, so access and services are often limited; check the park page first): Kenai Fjords, Voyageurs, Wrangell-St. Elias.

At peak crowds in April: Zion, Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree, Arches, Death Valley, Canyonlands, White Sands, Haleakala, Biscayne, Pinnacles, Virgin Islands, Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, Congaree, Dry Tortugas.

Least crowded national parks in May

Ranked by how May compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1Wrangell-St. EliasAbout 5,300 visits in an average May, 17% of its July peak.Low
2. 2Crater LakeAbout 30,900 visits in an average May, 19% of its July peak.Low
3. 3Mount RainierAbout 93,400 visits in an average May, 22% of its July peak.Low
4. 4Kenai FjordsAbout 29,400 visits in an average May, 23% of its July peak.Low
5. 5DenaliAbout 37,600 visits in an average May, 28% of its August peak.Moderate
6. 6GlacierAbout 218,000 visits in an average May, 29% of its July peak.Moderate
7. 7Lassen VolcanicAbout 31,200 visits in an average May, 30% of its July peak.Moderate
8. 8AcadiaAbout 328,000 visits in an average May, 41% of its August peak.Moderate
9. 9Grand TetonAbout 310,000 visits in an average May, 41% of its July peak.Moderate
10. 10Big BendAbout 39,700 visits in an average May, 41% of its March peak.Moderate

At peak crowds in May: Zion, Grand Canyon, Cuyahoga Valley, Bryce Canyon, New River Gorge, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Death Valley, Haleakala, Great Sand Dunes, Petrified Forest, Biscayne, Virgin Islands, Pinnacles, Congaree, Channel Islands, Dry Tortugas.

Least crowded national parks in June

Ranked by how June compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1Big BendAbout 22,400 visits in an average June, 23% of its March peak.Low
2. 2SaguaroAbout 49,200 visits in an average June, 33% of its March peak.Moderate
3. 3Guadalupe MountainsAbout 13,100 visits in an average June, 36% of its March peak.Moderate
4. 4Crater LakeAbout 64,700 visits in an average June, 40% of its July peak.Moderate
5. 5Joshua TreeAbout 180,000 visits in an average June, 43% of its March peak.Moderate
6. 6Death ValleyAbout 75,900 visits in an average June, 50% of its April peak.Moderate
7. 7ShenandoahAbout 172,000 visits in an average June, 51% of its October peak.High
8. 8EvergladesAbout 54,800 visits in an average June, 55% of its March peak.High
9. 9Mount RainierAbout 235,000 visits in an average June, 56% of its July peak.High
10. 10Gateway ArchAbout 297,000 visits in an average June, 60% of its July peak.High

At peak crowds in June: Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Zion, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Indiana Dunes, Hot Springs, Cuyahoga Valley, Bryce Canyon, New River Gorge, Badlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Hawaii Volcanoes, Glacier Bay, Theodore Roosevelt, Denali, Redwood National and State Parks, Kings Canyon, Kenai Fjords, Mesa Verde, Wind Cave, Mammoth Cave, Great Sand Dunes, Haleakala, Petrified Forest, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Carlsbad Caverns, Biscayne, Voyageurs, Virgin Islands, Channel Islands, Great Basin, Dry Tortugas.

Least crowded national parks in July

Ranked by how July compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1Big BendAbout 18,300 visits in an average July, 19% of its March peak.Low
2. 2SaguaroAbout 35,100 visits in an average July, 24% of its March peak.Low
3. 3Joshua TreeAbout 136,000 visits in an average July, 33% of its March peak.Moderate
4. 4Guadalupe MountainsAbout 12,500 visits in an average July, 35% of its March peak.Moderate
5. 5ShenandoahAbout 184,000 visits in an average July, 55% of its October peak.High
6. 6CanyonlandsAbout 69,900 visits in an average July, 58% of its May peak.High
7. 7Capitol ReefAbout 121,000 visits in an average July, 58% of its May peak.High
8. 8CongareeAbout 19,100 visits in an average July, 60% of its May peak.High
9. 9Death ValleyAbout 91,700 visits in an average July, 60% of its April peak.High
10. 10White SandsAbout 61,200 visits in an average July, 62% of its March peak.High

At peak crowds in July: Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, Acadia, Glacier, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Zion, Grand Canyon, Olympic, Gateway Arch, Indiana Dunes, Mount Rainier, Cuyahoga Valley, Bryce Canyon, New River Gorge, Hot Springs, Badlands, Sequoia, Crater Lake, Arches, Theodore Roosevelt, Glacier Bay, Hawaii Volcanoes, Denali, Kenai Fjords, Kings Canyon, Redwood National and State Parks, Wind Cave, Lassen Volcanic, Mammoth Cave, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Haleakala, Biscayne, Carlsbad Caverns, Petrified Forest, Voyageurs, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Virgin Islands, Channel Islands, Wrangell-St. Elias, Great Basin, Dry Tortugas.

Least crowded national parks in August

Ranked by how August compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1Big BendAbout 16,100 visits in an average August, 17% of its March peak.Low
2. 2Guadalupe MountainsAbout 8,110 visits in an average August, 22% of its March peak.Low
3. 3SaguaroAbout 34,000 visits in an average August, 23% of its March peak.Low
4. 4Joshua TreeAbout 147,000 visits in an average August, 35% of its March peak.Moderate
5. 5Virgin IslandsAbout 19,500 visits in an average August, 41% of its March peak.Moderate
6. 6White SandsAbout 44,800 visits in an average August, 45% of its March peak.Moderate
7. 7CongareeAbout 14,800 visits in an average August, 46% of its May peak.Moderate
8. 8Capitol ReefAbout 109,000 visits in an average August, 53% of its May peak.High
9. 9CanyonlandsAbout 63,700 visits in an average August, 53% of its May peak.High
10. 10PinnaclesAbout 23,600 visits in an average August, 54% of its April peak.High

At peak crowds in August: Yellowstone, Acadia, Glacier, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Olympic, Grand Canyon, Zion, Mount Rainier, Indiana Dunes, Cuyahoga Valley, Bryce Canyon, New River Gorge, Badlands, Sequoia, Theodore Roosevelt, Glacier Bay, Arches, Hawaii Volcanoes, Crater Lake, Denali, Kenai Fjords, Kings Canyon, Redwood National and State Parks, Wind Cave, Mammoth Cave, Voyageurs, Channel Islands, Wrangell-St. Elias, Great Basin.

Least crowded national parks in September

Ranked by how September compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1Wrangell-St. EliasAbout 6,260 visits in an average September, 20% of its July peak.Low
2. 2Big BendAbout 23,400 visits in an average September, 24% of its March peak.Low
3. 3SaguaroAbout 40,100 visits in an average September, 27% of its March peak.Moderate
4. 4Virgin IslandsAbout 14,100 visits in an average September, 29% of its March peak.Moderate
5. 5Kenai FjordsAbout 38,300 visits in an average September, 30% of its July peak.Moderate
6. 6Guadalupe MountainsAbout 11,000 visits in an average September, 30% of its March peak.Moderate
7. 7Gateway ArchAbout 171,000 visits in an average September, 35% of its July peak.Moderate
8. 8DenaliAbout 48,000 visits in an average September, 35% of its August peak.Moderate
9. 9Hot SpringsAbout 127,000 visits in an average September, 36% of its June peak.Moderate
10. 10EvergladesAbout 38,100 visits in an average September, 39% of its March peak.Moderate

At peak crowds in September: Yellowstone, Acadia, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Zion, Olympic, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Theodore Roosevelt, Canyonlands, Haleakala, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Basin.

Least crowded national parks in October

Ranked by how October compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1GlacierAbout 152,000 visits in an average October, 20% of its July peak.Low
2. 2VoyageursAbout 10,600 visits in an average October, 23% of its August peak.Low
3. 3Wind CaveAbout 28,100 visits in an average October, 26% of its July peak.Moderate
4. 4Glacier BayAbout 40,900 visits in an average October, 26% of its July peak.Moderate
5. 5BadlandsAbout 62,500 visits in an average October, 26% of its July peak.Moderate
6. 6Crater LakeAbout 43,800 visits in an average October, 27% of its July peak.Moderate
7. 7Hot SpringsAbout 110,000 visits in an average October, 31% of its June peak.Moderate
8. 8YellowstoneAbout 323,000 visits in an average October, 33% of its July peak.Moderate
9. 9Grand TetonAbout 256,000 visits in an average October, 34% of its July peak.Moderate
10. 10Mount RainierAbout 150,000 visits in an average October, 36% of its July peak.Moderate

Deep off-season in October (under 5% of the park's busiest month, so access and services are often limited; check the park page first): Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, Denali.

At peak crowds in October: Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Shenandoah, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Haleakala, Petrified Forest, Channel Islands.

Least crowded national parks in November

Ranked by how November compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1VoyageursAbout 2,410 visits in an average November, 5% of its August peak.Low
2. 2Grand TetonAbout 49,300 visits in an average November, 7% of its July peak.Low
3. 3Great BasinAbout 1,880 visits in an average November, 7% of its July peak.Low
4. 4Crater LakeAbout 11,300 visits in an average November, 7% of its July peak.Low
5. 5Mount RainierAbout 34,600 visits in an average November, 8% of its July peak.Low
6. 6BadlandsAbout 19,700 visits in an average November, 8% of its July peak.Low
7. 7AcadiaAbout 71,700 visits in an average November, 9% of its August peak.Low
8. 8Lassen VolcanicAbout 10,600 visits in an average November, 10% of its July peak.Low
9. 9Theodore RooseveltAbout 17,800 visits in an average November, 11% of its July peak.Low
10. 10Great Sand DunesAbout 11,200 visits in an average November, 13% of its June peak.Low

Deep off-season in November (under 5% of the park's busiest month, so access and services are often limited; check the park page first): Kenai Fjords, Glacier Bay, Wrangell-St. Elias, Denali, Yellowstone, Glacier.

At peak crowds in November: Haleakala.

Least crowded national parks in December

Ranked by how December compares with each park's own busiest month, using NPS averages for 2023–2025.

1. 1Mount RainierAbout 22,300 visits in an average December, 5% of its July peak.Low
2. 2BadlandsAbout 12,800 visits in an average December, 5% of its July peak.Low
3. 3Grand TetonAbout 49,200 visits in an average December, 7% of its July peak.Low
4. 4Lassen VolcanicAbout 6,920 visits in an average December, 7% of its July peak.Low
5. 5Great BasinAbout 2,030 visits in an average December, 7% of its July peak.Low
6. 6Black Canyon of the GunnisonAbout 5,070 visits in an average December, 9% of its June peak.Low
7. 7Mesa VerdeAbout 8,560 visits in an average December, 10% of its June peak.Low
8. 8Great Sand DunesAbout 8,440 visits in an average December, 10% of its June peak.Low
9. 9ShenandoahAbout 35,300 visits in an average December, 11% of its October peak.Low
10. 10Wind CaveAbout 12,700 visits in an average December, 12% of its July peak.Low

Deep off-season in December (under 5% of the park's busiest month, so access and services are often limited; check the park page first): Kenai Fjords, Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier Bay, Voyageurs, Theodore Roosevelt, Acadia, Denali, Glacier, Yellowstone, Crater Lake.

At peak crowds in December: Joshua Tree, Hawaii Volcanoes, Death Valley, Everglades, Haleakala, Virgin Islands, Dry Tortugas.