As COVID vaccinations increase, so have vacation bookings, especially to destinations where travelers can easily maintain social distance from other travelers. Visits to our national parks are becoming more popular this year. If you’re looking for a family-friendly, socially-distant national park to visit, here are some hidden gem alternatives to the usual popular parks.

1. Instead of Acadia National Park, try Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota: For an alternative to Acadia National Park in Maine, this northern Minnesota park is almost half water. A network of lakes and waterways makes you feel like you have access to a slew of private islands for exploring. Spend your time fishing, kayaking, hiking, and berry-picking, or take a guided boat tour. Lodging is available at various campsites, houseboat sites, or nearby hotels.
2. Instead of Bryce Canyon, try Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah: Bryce Canyon attracts almost 3 million visitors each year, while this alternative brings in under 1 million visitors. This monument was only designated 22 years ago and includes the last lands to be mapped in the continental U.S. The two highways within the monument are so scenic that plan to stop at every viewpoint to gape at what you can’t believe you’re seeing. Check out the hoodoo garden, zebra slot canyon, and the gravel loop called Hell’s Backbone. Lodging varies from camping to glamping to country lodges, motels, and ranches.
3. Instead of the Golden Gate Recreation Area, try Point Reyes National Seashore, California: To experience the natural beauty outside of San Francisco, try this site at 2.5 million visitors each year instead of the Golden Gate Recreation Area at 15 million visitors each year. With 150 miles of hiking trails, you have opportunities to see wildlife such as elephant seals, whales, and elk. Don’t forget a visit to the Point Reyes lighthouse and the Earthquake Trail where you can see evidence of the San Andreas fault zone. You can camp or stay at a hostel inside the park, or find other lodgings nearby outside of the park.
4. Instead of Yellowstone National Park, try Wind River Range, Wyoming: This piece of the Rocky Mountains along the continental divide serves as an alternate if you’re worried that Yellowstone National Park will be too crowded. The Wind River Mountains are popular for hiking and backpacking, and with its beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife (thanks to conservation efforts), some say this is the real Wyoming experience.
5. Instead of Grand Canyon National Park, try the North Rim of the Grand Canyon: Only 10% of Grand Canyon visitors go to the North Rim with its history of Southwestern Native American (the Puebloans), Mormon pioneers, and Buffalo Bill. Enjoy sweeping views of the remnants of the rim’s volcanic past, limestone cliffs, and Marble Canyon with the first view of the Colorado River.
6. BONUS! Adirondack Park: Right in our own backyard! While it’s the largest park in the continental U.S., it’s also not a national park. If you want to avoid crowds, stay away from Lake Placid, but there are many small towns with year-round residents welcoming tourists -- North Creek, Old Forge, Tupper Lake, Indian Lake – surrounded by extensive hiking, biking, kayaking, and rafting.

Before you leave home, always check for the latest updates to make sure you know about closures due to COVID-19. Your AAA Travel Advisor can assist you and help you plan and book your family-friendly, socially-distant vacation.