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Low Traffic Destinations to Visit This Summer

Jun. 25 2020 Lifestyle, Travel Tips By Hannah L.

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Are looking to take a real summer vacation? This is the summer to take a road trip or go camping! It is recommended that minimal contact options like these are the safest options for travel this summer (according to Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician for Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security). Consider taking a day trip to the nearest state park (Texas State parks have reopened as of May 18) or nearest body of water like a lake or beach. Or take your RV or motorhome for a weekend getaway or week-long road trip to visit outdoor landmarks. Whether you prefer scenic mountains, deserts, forests, plains, or coastal views – there’s a road trip for everyone! If you specifically enjoy historic sites, seasonal food, wineries, or nature, you can plan your journey to include your favorites.

Where to go to avoid large crowds

Photo Via the National Park Service. 

  • Shenandoah National Park, Virginia – Waterfalls, spring wildflowers, hiking trails, wildlife, picnic areas, and 75 scenic overlooks will add hours of enjoyment to your park visit, so take your time on this particular road trip.Photo Via National Parks Service
  • Grand Teton National Park – Grand Teton National Park, at about 300,000 acres, is near the Wyoming town of Jackson, with Jackson Hole Airport located within the park at the base of the Teton Mountains.Photo Via Travel Wyoming
  • Yellowstone National Park – Yellowstone National Park is a nearly 3,500-sqare-mile wilderness recreation area atop a volcanic hot spot. Mostly in Wyoming, the park spreads into parts of Montana and Idaho too. Yellowstone features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including its most famous, Old Faithful. It's also home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk and antelope.Photo Via Travel South Dakota
  • Badlands National Park –  Located in the midst of the Northern Great Plains and named Mako Sica by the Lakota people, Badlands National Park has 244,000 acres of spectacular landscapes, native mixed grass prairie, a large variety of native wildlife, amazing fossils, wonderful skyscapes, and compelling human history.Photo Via Travel South Dakota
  • Mount Rushmore, National Memorial, South Dakota – The figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings visitors face to face with the rich heritage we all share.Photo Via Visit the USA
  • Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor, Maine, is a tranquil paradise praised for its coastal beauty and pleasant summer highs in the 70s. A gateway to Acadia National Park, the town draws travelers who love to hike, bike, boat and soak up the area's stunning scenery. Meanwhile, Bar Harbor's Main Street is home to New England classics like lobster rolls and clam chowder.Photo Via Visit Massachusetts
  • Cape Cod, Massuchetts – A family-friendly New England vacation spot, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, charms visitors with its colorful clam shacks and beautiful national seashore, which stretches 40 miles. Coast Guard Beach and Sandy Neck Beach impress travelers with their clean sand and calm water.

Photo Via Colorado.Com

  • Steamboat Springs Colorado – Summer is one of the more affordable times to visit this Colorado town, and excellent weather (with highs in the 70s and 80s) is the perfect time to enjoy hiking, horseback riding, rafting and biking.Photo Via Utah.Com
  • Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah – Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park is a photographer’s dream with the incredible rock formations, which range in color from deep scarlet red to burnt orange to chalky white. Summer is the perfect time to visit this national park because the weather is warm during the day (think averages in the 70s), the hiking is excellent and it's less crowded than more popular parks, such as the Grand Canyon.
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina –  Occupying more than 520,000 acres, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an affordable summer destination perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The park, one of the few national parks that offers free entry, straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina border and boasts impressive waterfalls, top-notch fishing, scenic drives and exciting hikes. With evening temperatures in the 60s and 70s, it's an excellent place to camp.

Outdoor trips to less populated areas are just one of many ways to avoid crowds and still be able to take a summer vacation! Camping and wilderness trips, exploring national parks (while skipping the most heavily-visited spots) and touring lesser- crowded places are the safest option at this summer. Make sure to check the National Park Service website before you travel and make sure you are aware of any hour changes or closures. We hope you enjoyed this blog on low traffic destinations for your summer vacation. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more inspiration and education and let us know where you plan on traveling to this summer!