Noah takes the world

Solo travel and National Parks. The perfect combination for a relaxing, breathtaking solo experience. But what are the best national parks for solo travel?

There are 63 national parks in the U.S., so picking the best national parks for solo travel can be difficult. To add to the difficulty, national park visitation numbers are increasing. Parks are not as quiet as they used to be.

After solo traveling in 18 U.S. national parks, here is my list of the best national parks for solo travel. Click on each park to learn why they are my favorite for solo travel.

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Acadia National Park
• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park
• Grand Teton National Park
• Great Basin National Park
• Black Canyon National Park

This post may have affiliate links. I receive a small percentage if you book a hostel or attraction through my recommended links. This is at no extra cost to you and helps me reach my goal of becoming a full-time digital nomad.

What Makes a National Park Best for Solo Travel?

I find that the best parks to visit solo are often less touristy. When I travel solo, I want to escape crowds and have space to breathe. 

Noah’s take: My most transformative times in national parks are not often in front of iconic sites like Old Faithful or Delicate Arch. I find the most joy when I am off the beaten path, surrounded by majestic landscapes. Those are the best national parks for solo travel.

In this article, I will share seven national parks that have stunning scenery and solace. I will share my favorite solo hikes in these parks and where to camp if you plan to stay overnight.

Worried about hiking alonE? Read: Is It Safe to Hike Alone? 10 Solo Hiking Tips

Solo Travel to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to See Lava Glow

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the best national parks for solo travel. There are miles and miles of insane trails you won’t find in any other park. 

There are lava tubes, sulfur banks, and scenic drives. You won’t get bored on your visit here. Boredom is one of the worst feelings to have when you are on a solo trip.

Most lava viewing spots will be packed with people at night, but most tourists don’t take too much time exploring more remote parts of the park. So, this is a great national park for solo traveling.

What Are the Best Solo Hikes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?

• Best hike for a challenge: Nāpau Trail (12 miles). This is a trip to Nāpau Crater which offers a close vantage point to Puʻu ʻōʻō, home to the area of Kilauea’s largest eruption.

Noah’s take: Beware, this trail is mostly set in a lava field, which is not the easiest terrain to hike. 

• Best hike for reflection: Puu Loa Petroglyphs Trail (1 mile). Known as the largest Petroglyph field in Polynesia. This is an easy hike where you can learn how Hawaiian fathers placed their newborn’s umbilical cord in small holes around Pu’u Loa, blessing their children for a long life.

• Best hike for pictures: Kilauea Iki Crater (4 miles). This trek is a very popular trail in the park because you hike down into a volcanic crater. Park at the Thurston Lava Tubes and take the trail counterclockwise. 

Can You See Lava at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?

At night, there is sometimes just as much action as in the day. Currently, you cannot see the lava glow. The eruption that began on September 10, 2023, has ended. No lava fountains, flows, or glow are visible at this time.

Visit the NPS website for the most updated information on lava viewing. This National Park is constantly changing, which makes it even cooler. 

Noah’s take: When I visited Hawaii Volcanoes in December 2021, I visited the most popular lava viewing spot: an overlook near Keanakākoʻi Crater. Park at the Devastation trail parking area and the hike is 2 miles round trip. 

It was so exhilarating to have lava-viewing to look forward to each night. Usually, I chill in my tent at night, but this park allows you to have activities to do even when the sun goes down.

Even though Kīlauea volcano is not erupting currently, there are plenty of exciting things to do at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park during the day. I highly recommend driving the Chain of Craters Road.

Where Should You Camp on Your Solo Trip to Hawaii Volcanoes?

I camped at one of the two drive-in campgrounds in the park, Kulanaokuaiki, for only $10 a night. Although Kulanaokuaiki has no running water, its location is amazing with close proximity to many trails. 

You can escape the crowds at this campsite location and wake up to immersive views of Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth. Make sure to get to the site early as it is first-come, first-serve. 

Acadia National Park Is Another One of the Best National Parks for Solo Travel

If you know anything about Acadia National Park, you might be surprised why one of the most-visited National Parks makes this list of best national parks for solo travel.

Although four million people visit Acadia, there are plenty of spots where you can find peace and space. 

Mount Desert Island is a busy hub with famous attractions like Cadillac Mountain and the Beehive Trail. However, Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island and Schoodic Peninsula to the north are less-visited and full of beauty. 

Snap a shot of Bass Harbor Lighthouse at dusk. Escape the crowds on Mount Desert Island and drive the Buck Cove Scenic Drive on Schoodic Peninsula. You will find most corners of Acadia are not crowded. 

What Are the Best Solo Hikes in Acadia National Park?

• Best hike for a challenge: Cadillac and Dorr Mountain (8 miles). One of the most famous activities in Acadia is watching the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain. Most drive to the summit, but I decided to hike to the top. 

Noah’s take: The trail starts near the Blackwoods Campground, so it is very convenient to camp at Blackwoods and hike the trail for sunset or sunrise. 

• Best hike for reflection: Ship Harbor Trail (1.4 miles). This is an easy hike near Bass Harbor Lighthouse. It is a calm, tranquil trail with great ocean views and open space. I saw only a few hikers on this trail. 

• Best hike for pictures: St. Sauveur and Acadia Mountain Loop (4.0 miles). This is a scenic route that is not too crowded. You will have great views of the Somes Sound and the ocean. 

Where Should You Camp on Your Solo Trip to Acadia?

I camped at three out of four of the campsites in the National Park, and I absolutely loved staying at Schoodic Woods for my solo trip. 

Blackwoods offers the best proximity to get to Sand Beach early to find a parking spot. Seawall sites are within a short walk of the ocean and Bass Harbor Lighthouse. However, Schoodic Woods offers tranquility you wouldn’t find unless you were backpacking.  

If you camp at Schoodic Woods, you can book a “hike-in” campsite for $22. When I booked this site, I did not realize I would literally hike a quarter-mile each way to reach my site. 

Although carrying my tent and suitcase on a trail was not ideal, I was completely alone once I reached my campsite. No other campsite was in my vicinity. The icing on the cake was that I had the most insane view. 

Noah’s take: When I checked into my campsite at the ranger’s station, the ranger told me the campsite I booked, HO2, was one of her favorites. So, try to book this site if you want to wake up to an insane view. 

Solo Travel to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park for Amazing Sunsets and Sequoias

You might be confused. Why are there two national parks listed?

Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon are two different parks but only separated by an hour. Sequoia is the first park you will enter, drive past General Sherman (the world’s largest tree), and you will find Kings Canyon, the deepest canyon in the US and the home of the nation’s official Christmas tree. 

Noah’s take: I absolutely loved my solo trip to these two national parks. I got to visit two parks in one…without much driving. That said, I loved the drive from Sequoia to Kings Canyon on the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway.

It is one of America’s most remarkable drives. I think it is evident from these pictures I took along the road’s many viewpoints. 

What Are the Best Solo Hikes in Sequoia National Park?

Read: Sequoia & Kings Canyon Solo Hikes: 5 Trails Perfect for solo Hiking

• Best hike for a challenge: Moro Rock (0.6 miles). Although not a challenge in terms of length, it can feel like a challenge as you climb a 400-step granite staircase to the summit, wading through hikers uncertain about the sheer drop-offs on each side.

• Best hike for reflection:  Tokopah Falls (3.7 miles). I did not expect to enjoy this hike as much as I did. It probably helped that I encountered a brown bear. This is an easy walk along the Kaweah River to 1,200-foot-high falls. 

Noah’s take: If you camp at Lodgepole Campground, you will be right at the base of the trail, making it a perfect hike for sunset. 

• Best hike for pictures: Congress Trail (2.9 miles) This trail loops through German Sherman, the largest tree in the world, and hundreds of incredible groupings of Sequoia trees. 

Noah’s take: This is a nice trail because it escapes the crowds that accumulate in the Giant Forest, and you can have plenty of space to snap a shot of the Sequoias. 

A lot of tourists just hike to the Sherman tree and then stop. Don’t make that mistake, hike the entire loop. 

What Are the Best Solo Hikes in Kings Canyon National Park?

Currently, the road that leads to Mist Falls and Zumwalt Meadow Loop is severely damaged from flooding. Hopefully, the road will be fixed soon because this is one of the best hikes in Kings Canyon. For more information, please visit this link. 

• Best hike for a challenge: Mist Falls (8.7 miles). Arguably the most famous hike in Kings Canyon. You will find this trail at the end of the paved road in Kings Canyon.

Noah’s take: It is an enjoyable hike if you want to truly experience the canyon and see a nice waterfall at the end. 

• Best hike for reflection: Zumwalt Meadow Loop (1.5 miles). A nice trail that offers views of Kings River and granite cliffs.

Noah’s take: Hike this instead of Mist Falls if you want a more relaxing stroll. 

• Best hike for pictures: Big Baldy Ridge Trail (6.4 miles). It is a fairly easy climb where you will be greeted with expansive views of Kings Canyon. 

Noah’s take: I experienced one of my favorite sunsets ever on top of Big Baldy. I was completely alone as I watched the sunset. The colors across the sky were absolutely insane. 

Where Should You Camp on Your Solo Trip to Sequoia and Kings Canyon?

There are fourteen campgrounds in the parks, including two that are open during all four seasons. You will have to make a reservation for them at Recreation.gov. 

I stayed at Lodgepole Campground because of its central location in between both parks. The area is a 45-minute drive from Kings Canyon National Park or a one-hour drive from the entrance of Sequoia National Park.

Noah’s take: I booked a “Walk To” campsite 122 and had a nice view of the Kaweah River. The “Walk To” campsites give you a bit more space, further off the road.  Although it is a fairly lively campground, waking up to the roaring Kaweah River was very peaceful. 

Have the Perfect Solo Trip at Grand Tetons National Park

My solo trip to the Grand Tetons was one of my first “official” solo trips, and it has remained one of the best national parks for solo travel.

Read: My Best First Solo Trip: Grand Teton National Park

Noah’s take: It is a hiker’s paradise with more than 235 miles of trails. I loved hiking here, but what truly made this a perfect solo trip was my ability just to observe nature without distraction and Instagram-obsessed tourists. 

You have crystal clear lakes, like Jackson and Jenny Lake, set against the Teton range’s jagged peaks. I spent hours writing and reflecting, isolated from cell service and my priorities, completely stunned by Mother Nature.

What Are the Best Solo Hikes in Grand Teton National Park?

Disclaimer: Be extra vigilant when hiking alone in the Tetons. The Tetons are home to grizzly bears. Hiding in large groups in bear territory is always recommended because noise can deter bears. 

Read up on bear safety and carry bear spray. 

• Best hike for a challenge: Cascade Canyon (9.1 miles). Take the Jenny Lake Shuttle bus across Jenny Lake to cut down 2-miles of hiking, and join many hikers as you hit sites like Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. If you continue on, you will lose the crowds and probably run into a moose or bear.

The boat shuttle across Jenny Lake runs every 10-15 minutes, and an adult round-trip ticket costs $20. 

Noah take: The most spectacular spots on the trail are the famous spots, Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point, but Cascade Canyon is wild and a great entrance to backpacking routes. 

• Best hike for reflection: Signal Mountain Trail (8.3 miles). If you want to feel alone on a trail, this is a solid choice. You can drive Signal Mountain Road, open from mid-May through mid-October, so most just drive and take an iconic shot of Jackson Lake and the Teton Range.

Noah’s take: Although the trail isn’t particularly exciting, it is a nice stroll through a series of ponds and meadows. You will enjoy the view of the top more because you worked hard to reach the summit. 

• Best hike for pictures: Oxbow Bend Overlook. Admittedly, this is not much of a hike because it is a roadside viewpoint, but it is one of the most popular spots to snap a shot of the Snake River leading toward Mount Moran. 

Noah’s take: You can park at Oxbow Bend but walk around the Snake River to find the best shot. Turn this popular road spot into an easy hike. 

Where Should You Camp on Your Solo Trip to Grand Tetons?

There are many options for camping in the National Park. I tent-camped at Signal Mountain Lodge Campground, and it was perfect.

Noah’s take: Signal Mountain Lodge is right in the middle of the park, which was very convenient and I saved money on gas.

Signal Mountain Lodge is also the only lakefront accommodation in the park. In less than a 5-minute walk from my tent, I was greeted by Jackson Lake. I admittedly hiked less in the Tetons since I had such an incredible view so close to my campsite. 

This campground has a general store, restaurant, coin-operated showers, and wifi. Sometimes I like to be away from modern conveniences, but having a warm shower after being soaked from hiking in the mountains was very nice. 

Noah’s take: Camping here just adds to your amazing experience at the Tetons. I can’t stress enough how transformative my time was in the Tetons. It is what made me fall in love with solo traveling. 

Solo Travel to Great Basin and Explore Its Ancient Trees and Glaciers

In the middle of a desolate desert between Nevada and Utah, you will find Great Basin National Park. This unknown park is actually free to visit and is one of the least visited national parks.

Although it is less popular, it still packs a punch and is one of the best national parks for solo travel. You can see some of the world’s oldest living trees, the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine. You can hike to Nevada’s only glacier. If you get a reservation, you can tour the Lehman Caves, the longest cave system in Nevada.

Noah’s take: Great Basin National Park is not the most “Instagrammable” park, but it is perfect for solo travelers who want to be amazed by Earth’s beauty.

What Are the Best Solo Hikes in Great Basin National Park?

• Best hike for a challenge: Wheeler Peak (8.4 miles). The most iconic landmark of the Great Basin is Wheeler Peak. If you are an experienced solo hiker who is used to hiking in high elevations, you will love climbing this jagged mountain.

Noah’s take: This hike is not for the faint of heart. With close to 3,000 feet of elevation gain, only hikers with proper experience should summit Wheeler Peak.

• Best hike for reflection: Alpine Lakes Loop (2.6 miles). You will find the Alpine Lakes Loop at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. This trail features two lakes that sit in front of Wheeler Peak.

Noah’s take: I hiked this trail during late afternoon and loved it. I only encountered a few other hikers, and walked past deer who seemed underred by my activity. You can feel so much peace on this trail without hiking very far.

• Best hike for pictures: Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail (3.7 miles). Also at the end of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, you first walk through an ancient bristlecone pine grove. After seeing the remarkable trees, you can continue to the Wheeler Base Glacier.

Noah’s take: If you are up for a longer hike, you can combine the Alpine Lakes Loop with the Bristlecone Pine Glacier Trail. This loop trail is 5.3 miles long, but a must-do if you are solo traveling to Great Basin National Park.

Where Should You Camp on Your Solo Trip to Great Basin?

Great Basin has five campgrounds, but some campgrounds are closed seasonally due to the weather.

Four of the park’s six campgrounds are reservable online during peak season, roughly from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Outside of the peak season, all campgrounds operate as first-come-first-served campgrounds as seasons permit. 

Noah’s take: I visited Great Basin in late October and decided not to stay overnight due to the cold weather. Due to the high elevation, Great Basin can get really cold at night even during fall.

If you want to camp in a central location, close to the park’s iconic high alpine trails, stay at Upper Lehman Creek Campground. It is 3 miles up the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.

Visit Black Canyon for a Great National Park Solo Trip 

Black Canyon National Park is the least visited National Park in Colorado. The state’s Rocky Mountain National Park receives over 4 million visitors, while Black Canyon receives less than half a million visitors. 

Noah’s take: I visited Black Canyon during a solo trip to Utah. The park’s South Rim is only 3 hours away from the popular Arches National Park, but most visitors to Arches don’t make it to Black Canyon. 

Visiting Arches? Read Arches Solo Hikes: 5 Trails That Are Perfect for Solo Hiking 

In the South Rim, the most popular activity is driving the scenic South Rim Road. The drive is 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point and has 12 overlooks. Most of these overlooks are short trails, so hiking is somewhat limited in the South Rim. 

What Are the Best Solo Hikes in Black Canyon National Park?

READ: Black Canyon Solo Hikes: 5 Trails That Are Perfect for Solo Hiking

• Best hike for a challenge: Gunnison Route (1.7 miles). This is the most popular way to hike down into the canyon and is known to be a very challenging hike. 

Noah’s take: It is definitely challenging. There are a lot of rock scrambles, and you will have to endure a lot of elevation gain. Gloves are recommended for gripping a few of the chains that help assist hikers down the mountain. 

• Best hike for reflection: Cedar Point Nature Trail (.4 miles). An underrated spot along the South Rim Drive is the Cedar Point Trail. It is a very easy, short hike to an overlook of the canyon.

Noah’s take: I was the only person on this trail during the middle of the day, which was very unexpected. The calm atmosphere was perfect to take in the view and sounds of the roaring canyon below. 

• Best hike for pictures: Warner Point Nature Trail (1.5 miles). At the very end of the South Rim Drive, you will find Warner Point, a popular hike with a great view of the Gunnison River and the Black Canyon. 

Noah’s take: Even though it is popular, you won’t be elbow-to-elbow with other hikers. This is not the most accessible trail in the park, and the parking lot is fairly small. 

Where Should You Camp in Black Canyon National Park?

In the South Rim, there is one campground. There are 88 sites, and 23 of them have electric hookups. The campground itself has few amenities and is nothing special, but it is only one mile from the South Rim Visitor Center. 

According to the National Park Service website, reservations may be made on recreation.gov for mid-May to mid-October, and it is first-come, first-served after that.

Noah’s take: If you plan to camp at Black Canyon during the warm season, try to make your online reservation a few months in advance. You might have better luck at this park since it is less popular, but it is best to plan ahead when camping in a national park. 

Solo Travel to a National Park

If you want to escape the stress of daily life and learn more about yourself, solo travel to a National Park. After many solo National Park trips, I found Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Grand Teton to be my favorite ones to travel solo. 

Since you already know the trails to hike and where to camp, go out and make your National Park solo trip a reality.