Sometimes you just need to unplug and get far, far away from people, phones, and all the noise that comes with modern life. National parks are great for that, but some of them still feel pretty crowded. If you’re looking for real solitude—the kind where you might not see another soul for miles—these parks actually deliver.
From remote trails to rugged landscapes, these are the places where you can catch your breath and actually hear yourself think.
Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska
If you’re hoping to truly disappear for a while, this is about as off-grid as it gets. There are no roads, no trails, and definitely no visitor centers. Most people fly in on a bush plane and go from there.
It’s wild country—grizzly tracks, untouched tundra, and quiet that stretches for miles. You’ll need to be self-sufficient out here, but that’s kind of the point. This place is more about survival and solitude than sightseeing.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Way out in West Texas, Big Bend doesn’t get the crowds you see at other parks. It’s hot, it’s dry, and it’s far from just about everything—perfect if you’re trying to really unplug.
You can wander through desert, soak in a natural hot spring, or hike into the mountains without seeing another person. Cell service is spotty at best, which honestly might be a bonus. Just pack plenty of water and give yourself time to slow down.
North Cascades National Park, Washington
This park doesn’t make many top-ten lists, but that’s kind of its secret weapon. It’s all jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and dense forests—without the foot traffic of its better-known neighbors.
Once you get in past the edges, it’s easy to feel like you’ve got the whole place to yourself. There are backcountry spots here where you can go days without running into another hiker.
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
You have to take a ferry or seaplane to get here, which already filters out the casual tourists. Once you’re on the island, it’s all moose, wolves, and miles of trail without a car in sight.
The park closes in winter and feels totally off the grid during the summer months. It’s a hiker’s dream if you’re into quiet lakes, remote campsites, and that “middle of nowhere” vibe.
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
People drive right past this one on the way to other destinations, which is a mistake if you’re into peaceful landscapes and stargazing. This park is wide open and seriously under-visited.
There’s an ancient bristlecone pine grove, high-elevation hikes, and some of the darkest night skies in the country. You won’t be battling crowds here. It’s just you, the mountains, and the stars.
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
It’s swampy, it’s weird, and it’s not exactly high on tourist radars—and that’s why it’s perfect. You can paddle through quiet waterways or walk the boardwalks through old-growth forest with hardly anyone around.
The sounds here are mostly birds and frogs, not traffic or tour buses. It’s peaceful in that slow, sticky, southern kind of way. If you’re looking for calm, this place delivers it in spades.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska
This place is massive—larger than some states—and barely touched by the average traveler. Just getting to the park feels like a bit of a mission, but that’s kind of the appeal.
Once you’re in, it’s all towering peaks, glaciers, and endless space. There are a few back roads and even some tiny old mining towns, but for the most part, you’re on your own out here.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
This one surprises a lot of people. The badlands here are rugged and beautiful, and you can hike or camp for hours without seeing another person. Bison roam through the hills like it’s no big deal.
It doesn’t feel flashy or dramatic, but that’s the charm. There’s something quiet and grounding about this place that just lets you breathe and think.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
