Destinations Across The US For People Who Hate Crowds

Whether you consider yourself a social butterfly or someone who appreciates solitude, most of us need a break from the rush and noise of crowds to get a little peace and quiet — at least, sometimes. This may not seem so easy to do, though, especially if you're dreaming of a trip to a typically beloved destination like a beach, national park, or weird tourist attraction. But it is possible.

Fortunately, sometimes geography, timing, or just the nature of a place can make it pretty crowd-free in general, no matter how great its appeal. And at certain times of day or night — or in some cases, during entire seasons — you might actually find yourself alone or almost totally alone there, able to enjoy the sights and sounds without masses of people around you. If that sounds like exactly what you've been longing for, here are some of the best destinations to head to in the U.S. for a crowd-free getaway.

A small island off the Georgia coast, Cumberland Island is only reachable by ferry, keeping it pretty crowd-free. While there may be smallish crowds of day-trippers, stay the night and you'll practically have the island yourself, as there are only two options for accommodations: the fancy Greyfield Inn or rugged campgrounds that limit the number of campers and require a permit and reservation in advance. Even a day trip to Cumberland Island offers visitors a sense of escape. Highlights include sweeping natural coastline vistas, fresh air, forests, and a chance to spot wild horses and newly hatched loggerhead turtles. No wonder most of the island has been a national park for decades.

History fans will also find things to love here, including the fascinating historic district, which features homes and other sites that are tied to the Timucua people, Revolutionary War heroes, and the Carnegie family. The Ice House Museum is a small site that spotlights Cumberland Island's history, providing a nice overview. Of course, most visitors will probably be at least a little bit distracted by all the stunning nature just outside.

If Cumberland Island is now your dream crowd-free destination, be sure to plan ahead. Bring food and drinks with you, know the ferry schedule, and reserve ferry tickets and spots on any guided tours well in advance. 

Flee the crowds and take in the grandiose majesty of nature at Alaska's Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. Not only is this stunning site located outside the continental United States; the fact that you can only get there by plane or by a (very long) hike definitely contributes to making it consistently rank as one of the U.S.'s least-visited national parks.

If you manage to get to Gates of the Artic, you'll be surrounded by a staggering 8,472,505 acres of completely undisturbed wilderness — there are no roads, trails, or campgrounds. The National Park Service warns visitors that the park doesn't have amenities or cell phone service, either, so if you choose to spend time here on your own, you need to have outdoor survival skills. Although you might be able to book a trip with an independent tour guide, a visit here isn't for the faint of heart. But it's worth it. Not only will you see majestic mountains, winding rivers, and beautiful views of the taiga; several archaeological sites date back thousands of years. 

The closest major city to Gates of the Arctic is Fairbanks. If you're planning to be in Alaska but won't be near this area, not to worry: Alaska boasts many other impressive national parks where you can enjoy a bit of alone time. With the space that these parks encompass, it's unlikely that any of them — even more popular destinations like Denali National Park — will feel crowded.

Located on the Kona Coast of Hawaii's Big Island, Makalawena Beach boasts white sand to lounge on and opportunities for impressive wildlife spotting. You might encounter a sea turtle or seal, and if you like to snorkel, the beautiful blue water offers lots of sights to take in, since there's a coral reef just offshore.

Makalawena Beach is the perfect place to catch some sun, peace, and quiet – but despite its appeal, it's fairly crowd-free, since getting here isn't easy. You'll have to take a drive down a rough, unpaved road, then hike about 30 minutes, sometimes over lava. Luckily, this is long-cooled lava, but visitors on review sites like Tripadvisor often say that it's a good idea to wear sturdy shoes, rather than the flip-flops you'd usually take to the beach.

This long and challenging trek also means you shouldn't plan on carrying too heavy a load, so you may have to leave some of your favorite seashore accessories behind. On the other hand, be sure to bring drinking water (and snacks, if that's how you roll), since there aren't any stands or vendors. It may not be the most typical beach, but the effort, planning, and sacrifice will all be worth it once you reach Makalawena Beach's beautiful shore.

If the rare possibility of a crowd is fine, but you just don't want to go to a perpetually crowded place, a trip to a small town or city could be the perfect solution. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, makes for a great, fairly uncrowded escape. The Hawkeye State's second-largest city has a quirky appeal, which seems fitting, since Grant Wood, who painted the iconic "American Gothic" painting, hails from here (you can visit the artist's studio today). 

Other highlights include the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, lots of shopping and things to eat, and the delightfully honestly named Mt. Trashmore. A covered-over landfill, this man-made mountain rises 950 feet above Cedar Rapids and is known for the lovely view from its summit, as well as its bike trails. Another, less pleasant feature of Cedar Rapids is its "five smells," which are the result of different factories and natural phenomena. 

Despite this, Livability.com named Cedar Rapids as one of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2023. But although a little more than 134,000 call it home, Cedar Rapids isn't a popular tourist destination, so while you may occasionally encounter a busy restaurant or sold-out event, most of the time, you'll have plenty of room to breathe and take in the ambiance without the crowds.

If the noise of the crowd, or even just everyday sonic clutter, drives you crazy, then consider heading to Washington State's Olympic National Park, where you can experience pure, people-free silence. Here, in the Hoh Rainforest, sound recording specialist Gordon Hempton established One Square Inch of Silence, one of the quietest places on Earth. Reachable from the park's Visitor Center by a low-impact, two-hour walk, the spot was chosen due to the lack of any nearby roads, human dwellings, and air traffic.

When you arrive at the small, red marker that indicates its precise location, stop and listen. You'll hear pure silence garnished with the sounds of nature all around you. What a way to detox from the hustle and bustle of the regular world! If you want to make a few repeat trips to the One Square Inch of Silence, consider staying at the Hoh Rain Forest Campground, just six minutes from the Visitor Center. Reserve in advance if you're visiting in May through September; the rest of the year, its campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

If the isolated life of a lighthouse keeper has always appealed to you, here's some good news: You can savor solitude and sea views in your own lighthouse. Well, at least for a while. There are several lighthouse rentals for overnight and longer stays throughout the U.S. Of these, Wings Neck Lighthouse seems like one of the best options. 

Although the lighthouse no longer works, you can still climb up and go inside it. While maybe disappointing to aspiring lighthouse keepers, you'll get all that lighthouse-y charm without having to worry about upkeep, responsibility, flashing lights, or foghorns. The property also has amenities like running water, bathrooms, and even working Wi-Fi, which isn't always the case with more remote lighthouse rentals.

You'll also get the perks that come with most lighthouse stays: a private beach, incredible views, and as much solitude as you want. You could go it alone or bring up to seven other people with you. The town of Bourne, Massachusetts, is only a few minute's drive away, but the private, gated outcropping where the lighthouse and guesthouse are located will make you feel like you're in another, more isolated world. This is especially true when standing in the lighthouse itself, gazing out over the waters. The Wings Neck Lighthouse is available to rent for one-week stays year-round, as well as long weekend stays in the off-season. Although lots of amenities are included, visitors must bring their own linens.