Avoid crowds

National Parks to Visit in November

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November still has foliage and crisp autumn air to enjoy. Here are my best recommendations: Guadalupe Mountains, Indiana Dunes, Shenandoah and Zion.

Guadalupe Mountains is about finding a great hike, and McKittrick Canyon in November is lovely with autumn leaves. Unlike much of the rest of the year, November has great hiking temperatures here.

Indiana Dunes to me are not about having a beach day. They’re about finding the solitude in nature. The cold keeps the crowds away, but some birds are here and the dunes are peaceful and quiet. Dress warmly with thick socks and good boots and hike.

Shenandoah in theory has lovely views, but in practice many of the Skyline Drive viewpoints are obscured by nearby trees. I suggest going in November and taking photos of the fall foliage in the valley below. I’d go early in the month, dress warmly and do some hiking.

Zion is one of the most beautiful parks in the country, but a lot of people tell me they hate it due to the crowds. The solution is to go in November when you have the added beauty of some foliage. The park shuttle is still running in November, but it’s not crowded. In peak season, popular trails are elbow to elbow, which is very distracting from enjoying the spectacular scenery. Water levels are low in November, so you can still hike up the narrows if you have the right footwear. Even if you get early snow late in the month, the riverside walk is still beautiful. Dress warmly though.

I hope you benefit from my personal experience carefully planning and visiting each of these parks, several of them in multiple seasons. Read January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October too. Next month will complete this series with my last three contiguous US national park visit recommendations.

National Parks to Visit in September

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September is an ideal month for many parks, but I recommend visiting these five in particular: Carlsbad Caverns, Crater Lake, Grand Teton, Redwood and Sequoia.

Besides the magnificent cave, the top experience at Carlsbad Caverns is watching the bats in the evening, and September is best for that. Arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset to get a good seat and listen to the ranger talk.

Crater Lake is surprisingly tricky to visit. The rim road is frequently closed in sections, and the park gets crowded and can be too hot in summer. September is by far the best option, as snow starts falling in October and the road is closed until the end of June.

Grand Teton is simply beautiful in September, with aspen foliage, elk rutting, fat bears, pronghorn, and less crowded scenic drives. Water levels can be low, especially later in the month, so if you want to raft or kayak make a reservation for early September. Plan ahead as the area has gotten extremely pricey.

Redwood has a long season along the temperate California coast, but I like September best. The hiking is easier because it’s dry, the elk are easy to spot, and there are hikes that go through lush green areas like Trillium Falls to give you a sense of flowing water. And after hiking a bit, I had the trees to myself.

Sequoia is another California park where you want to wait until the crowds of summer have passed. It will still be busy, but the weather is still nice and a bit better than October.

Timing is very important for having the best park visit, and these particular parks pay off best in September.