The State Parks Best Visited At Dawn To Beat The Crowds
Although state parks are sometimes perceived as quieter alternatives to national parks, the most popular ones can be extremely crowded. Waterfalls, desert cliffs, and bluff-bordered lakes set these popular state parks apart. Their landscapes are so surreal that guests gladly drive across state lines to see them. Visiting at dawn is the best way to avoid packed parking lots and crowded hiking trails. Several parks open at dawn or sunrise, but hours vary: Devil's Lake and Dead Horse Point, for example, open at 6 a.m. year-round.
Watkins Glen State Park, New York
Watkins Glen State Park draws nearly 1.5 million people annually. Unsurprisingly, the park can get extremely packed, especially from mid-May through mid-to-late October. Although Watkins Glen is open year-round, this range is when its famous Gorge Trail is open. The hike highlights 19 waterfalls in a single stretch, and it's easily the park's most popular feature. If you want to take this spellbinding hike but hate a packed trail, visiting bright and early will help beat the crowds.
Watkins Glen is open from dawn to dusk, letting early birds have a quieter experience. The Gorge Trail navigates through 200-foot cliffs, passing dramatic spills like the 60-foot Central Cascade. Some waterfalls, like the Cavern Cascade, are more interactive. This one can be walked behind, leading through a spiral tunnel. Once you've seen all 19 waterfalls, you can save yourself from oncoming throngs by taking a different return route. Instead of following the same path you came, loop back on the South Rim Trail for a different perspective and less overlap with other hikers.
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Valley of Fire recorded 810,340 visitors in 2023, although attendance varies considerably from year to year. The park is generally open from sunrise to sunset, though annual trail closures are enforced due to extreme heat. From mid-May to late September, popular paths like the Fire Wave Trail and White Domes Loop are strictly closed for public safety. Because these trails close during the hottest months, visitors are concentrated in the cooler hiking season, particularly on busy weekends. Visiting Valley of Fire State Park at dawn not only offers thinner crowds but also comes with cooler temperatures.
The Fire Wave involves loose sand and rough sandstone; the older official map lists a moderately strenuous 1.5-mile out-and-back, while the current map combines it with Seven Wonders in a 1.8-mile route. Rock stacks line the route toward the trail's namesake, a striking stone formation striped with bands of red, pink, white, and orange. For a slightly shorter hike, the White Domes Loop is about 1.1 miles long. The path weaves through a slot canyon, passing cream-hued rock formations that contrast with the park's usual fiery red.
Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin
Summer and fall draw the largest crowds at Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin. Even then, parkgoers can expect crammed parking lots and long wait times as early as May. More than 2.5 million people visit annually for Devil's Lake, its swimming beaches, and the surrounding 500-foot quartzite bluffs. According to the official park website, parking lots frequently fill before 9 AM. If you want to snag a spot and get an early start before the crowds kick in, try to come at dawn. If possible, visit on a weekday and avoid holidays.
Devil's Lake State Park has nearly 30 miles of trails with dramatic vistas. The 1.5-mile West Bluff Trail features stone stairs and sweeping views of the 360-acre lake. The 1.7-mile East Bluff Trail offers elevated lake views and passes Elephant Rock and Elephant "Cave"; the separate 1.3-mile East Bluff Woods Trail runs through the woods without lake views. Alternatively, some visitors like to start their beach day at Devil's Lake early to grab a nice stretch of sand. Beaches sit on the north and south shores, but no lifeguards are provided, so visitors should assess current weather and water conditions before swimming.
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Smith Rock State Park is a sightseer's paradise in the High Desert region of Oregon. Nearly 800,000 people visit annually, and the best viewpoints get a lot of foot traffic. Beating the crowds means arriving early, and luckily, the park opens 30 minutes before sunrise daily. Early morning is a gorgeous time to see Smith Rock's Crooked River-carved canyons and volcanic spires. Hiking and rock climbing are the most popular ways to breathe in these views.
Rock climbers travel worldwide for Smith Rock's 2,000+ climbing routes. Early morning is the best time to climb premier routes like the Morning Glory Wall. Starting early helps climbers avoid the crowds and beat the intense afternoon sun, which heats the wall to uncomfortable temperatures. Morning hikes are similar, avoiding high-desert heat and heavy afternoon crowds. The 1.6-mile Canyon Trail features river views, while the 0.7-mile Rim Rock Trail follows the plateau near the day-use area.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
Dead Horse Point is the grand finale on Utah's Dead Horse Mesa Scenic Byway. The state park is famous for its 360° views, perched 2,000 feet above the Colorado River. More than 1 million people visit annually, and most foot traffic is concentrated at the park's namesake overlook. On a clear day, onlookers at Dead Horse Point can see the distant La Sal Mountains in the east and Abajo Mountains in the south.
The Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail is paved and short, stretching 200 feet from the parking lot. Positioned above a gooseneck bend in the river, the landscape is what postcards are made of. Take this walk at dawn for ample parking, fewer crowds, and less intense desert heat. Afterward, other hikes and vistas await. The Bighorn Overlook Trail has canyon views rivaling Dead Horse Point. Because the Bighorn Overlook Trail is isolated, hikers may encounter few other groups, but its 1.5-mile one-way distance makes the full outing about three miles round-trip.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park protects roughly 600,000 acres of desert, badlands, mountains, and canyons. Because of its vast size, it is easy to find a quiet pocket in California's largest state park. That being said, the park still receives over half a million annual visitors, and some of its best trails lose their usual peace during popular seasons. For instance, guest attendance peaks during the spring, coinciding with blooming wildflowers and milder temperatures.
In March and April, dawn hikes are the best way to see Anza-Borrego's wildflowers with fewer people and less heat. The three-mile round-trip Borrego Palm Canyon Trail leads through the canyon to a viewpoint over native California fan palms; the first palm grove itself remains closed for fire recovery. Early hikes also increase your chance to spot bighorn sheep on this trail. Elsewhere, Hellhole Canyon features wildflower blooms and a 20-foot seasonal waterfall.
Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Waterfalls plunge over sandstone cliffs at Hocking Hills State Park. Situated in southeastern Ohio, the park's natural splendor attracts over 4 million people annually. Each season offers something special, so it's rare to find the park without crowds. In the spring, waterfalls flow at full force, and wildflowers bloom. By summer, the gorges are lush and green, followed by the warm hues of fall and frozen waterfalls in the winter.
No matter the season, dawn is your best chance to explore Hocking Hills State Park with fewer people. The 0.4-mile Cedar Falls Trail leads to the falls; hikers seeking to continue between Old Man's Cave, Cedar Falls, and Ash Cave use the 5.3-mile Grandma Gatewood Trail. The latter is Ohio's largest recess cave, spanning 700 feet long and 100 feet deep. A seasonal waterfall spills from its rim, which uniquely freezes from the ground up in the winter.
State Parks Worth Waking Up For
Getting up before the sun isn't for everyone, but these state parks make the early alarm completely worthwhile. In these parks, visiting at dawn comes with the perk of less intense heat. At Dead Horse Point, it also means enjoying quiet vistas before the crowds hit. Likewise, early birds get first dibs at the beaches on Devil's Lake. An early start can reduce crowds and heat, although popular trails and overlooks may still be busy during peak seasons.
