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10 Stunning, Less-Visited National Parks

Get outdoors and avoid the crowds at these quieter natural beauties

by Veronica Stoddart, AARP, Updated May 18, 2021

Hiker on Cuyler Harbor Beach on San Miguel Island, Channel Islands National Park

Tom Bean / Alamy Stock Photo

With so many health-related concerns about travel during the coronavirus pandemic, one of the most popular choices has been the great outdoors, and that is expected to continue through summer and into 2022. But you may have also seen news reports about jammed parking lots, crowded trails, unattended garbage — a variety of problems caused by this giant nature ambush. So, as you plan your vacation for next year, you may want to forgo that trip to the über popular Great Smoky Mountains or the Grand Canyon and instead explore some of the less crowded of the 62 national parks.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on October 9, 2020. It's been updated to reflect new information.

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