There’s not much worse than coming upon a breath-taking view or incredible feature only to discover a mob of tourists doing the same.  Brandon calls a tour bus unloading a “disgorgement” and this event can completely change the atmosphere of a place.  You could be on the verge of a life-changing experience or just want to weep a little at the sight of majesty (I weep a lot at National Parks)!  It can be easy to get mad; however anger is the exact opposite emotion you’d like to feel.  Having visited Parks for over a decade, I’ve put together some tips for avoiding this situation all together (and then what to do when it’s completely unavoidable).

• Number 1: travel during the shoulder season.  Generally, this is September through May (depending on the Park).  There are many other advantages to these times: the baby animals totter out in the spring, the flowers begin to bloom and the waterfalls are in peak flow.  The fall brings intense colors, cooler temperatures and more animal activities as everyone prepares for winter.  
• Visit in the early morning and evening.  Meaning, the sun is rising as you enter the Park or you return after dinner for a visual dessert.  Not only can you avoid the leisurely vacationer, but this is better for photography as the light is idea and the shadows are dramatic.
•  Take the dirt road.  You will rarely see a tour bus, motor home or RV on these roads and there are usually huge pay-offs at the end.  Any time we see dirt or dimensional vehicle limits, we take it!
• Choose a “moderate” or “strenuous” hike.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the easy interpretive trail but with better accessibility comes more people.  If you are able, take the longer hike or the one uphill.  Typically, these hikes will take you to even better vantages of the same, more accessible, viewpoints.
• Embrace the less-visited parks!  ALL Parks have something special to offer; however, some require a bit more planning to pull-off.  Check out a less-visited park and you can go any time you like!