Matt and Karen Smith, college sweethearts who quit their jobs in 2010 to embark on a journey to visit every US national park, have some advice for those looking to avoid the crowds. Their tips come from years of experience exploring the country’s natural wonders.
According to the Smiths, summer is a popular time for national park visits. Last year, over 325 million people visited at least one national park in the US. With such high numbers comes crowds, but there are ways to avoid them.
The Smiths recommend visiting during off-peak seasons or early in the morning or late in the afternoon when most tourists are gone. They also suggest visiting parks that are less popular or remote locations like American Samoa and north of the Arctic circle.
The couple shares their tips on how to avoid crowds at national parks with Business Insider. They also share their experiences and adventures on Instagram and their podcast “Dear Bob and Sue.” The Smiths’ first book “Dear Bob and Sue” documents their emails to friends about their travels which eventually turned into a book. Today, they continue to inspire others with their content and passion for exploring nature’s beauty.
