National parks where you can avoid crowds Getty ImagesAs many national parks become more hectic than a mall on Black Friday, here are some less frequented options where you can be alone with nature without hearing about a stranger’s homemade trail mix recipe:Trek to the top of the world…at the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska, a vast expanse of rugged Arctic tundra and mountains ideal for experienced outdoorspeople looking for backcountry backpacking, rafting down rapid rivers, and caribou-watching. The northernmost and second-largest national park in the US, it was visited by fewer than 15,000 people last year.Ascend “America’s Alps”…at the North Cascades National Park in Washington state. This snowy peak-laden park was visited by nearly 47,000 people last year despite being less than three hours from Seattle. There are alpine climbs for beginner and advanced mountaineers, as well as the glacial Diablo Lake, famous for its turquoise tint. But beware of frequent wildfires.Go off-grid…at Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park, situated on an island in the pristine waters of Lake Superior and accessible only by boat or seaplane. The Midwest’s best-kept secret is prized for its forested seclusion and lack of light pollution.Dive into history…at the Dry Tortugas National Park—an archipelago that’s home to Fort Jefferson, which served as a prison during the Civil War—near Key West, Florida. Once you’ve satisfied your Civil War buff dad, snorkel or dive in the surrounding blue waters to explore the massive coral reef that makes up much of this park’s territory.Get sandy without the beach…at the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in eastern Colorado, boasting the highest altitude desert environment in North America and superb birdwatching.Beyond the USHike without elevation in England…in the fairytale-like moorlands of England’s Exmoor National Park, punctuated by rocky cliffs, undulating hills, and a medieval castle.Go on a Hellenic odyssey…along the vertiginous gorges of Vikos–Aoös National Park in northwestern Greece, threaded by uncrowded footpaths that cross ancient stone bridges and lead to breathtaking mountain vistas.—SK

MAILBAGLast week, we asked you to tell us about your favorite national parks. Here are some of our favorite responses:“The Waco Mammoth National Monument in Texas—it’s a museum and active Columbian Mammoth dig site. The Columbian Mammoth is bigger than a woolly, and there are SO MANY at this dig site! Did you know there are only 20 paleontologists employed by the National Park Service and one of them works at this park? I just went in May for the first time with a few of my nieces and nephews, and the park was perfect for adults and kids. There were a few different trails to hike through, but the best part was the volunteer staff who were incredibly knowledgeable about the active dig. They told the story about how these fossils were found on private property in a creek bed by a few teenagers just goofing around and it has led to essentially a mass grave for these gigantic creatures. They are still discovering fossils in this area, and there are some apprentices actively working when you visit.”—Ginalle from Chicago, IL“Florida’s Everglades National Park because deep within the ‘River of Grass’ exists the rare and mysterious Ghost Orchid, a delicate flower that appears to float in midair.”—Bob from Fort Lauderdale, FL“California’s Channel Islands National Park is a gorgeous park for a group of islands with amazing views, requires a ferry ride, and offers hiking, camping, and water activities. I loved learning the island’s history: For thousands of years, it was sacred to indigenous Americans, then it was turned into a working ranch that destroyed the land with sheep and pigs. Finally, it was reclaimed to become a national park. To restore the island, the Nature Conservancy hired a New Zealand-based hunting firm with helicopters to eradicate thousands of wild pigs that were destroying the land. Now it’s a success story that demonstrates the great progress made to reclaim the land.”—Carol from Monument, CO