7 National Parks Perfect for a Crowd-Free Experience in November
The leaves have changed colors and temperatures have dropped. Imagine no park entrance wait lines, cooler temps, beautiful autumn views, potential for snow-capped summits, cheaper hotel rentals and activities, and open trails with fewer people. This can only mean one thing.
It’s time to find which national parks are the best to visit in November for that crowd-free experience!
Here are 7 of the best national parks to visit in November.
1. Acadia National Park (Maine)
Acadia National Park is in Bar Harbor, Maine, and will always be one of my favorite national parks to visit and hike. This national park does not disappoint with its rugged coastal and ocean views. I could not get enough of these views while visiting Acadia National Park.
The park boasts hiking trails with stunning views at the top and pristine bodies of water, such as the Jordan Pond. Thunder Hole is another stop you must visit while in Acadia National Park.
This national park is heavily trafficked in the spring, summer, and fall. With winter approaching, Acadia National Park does not receive as much of a crowd in November. It’s the perfect time to drive through Park Loop Road and visit Thunder Hole and Sand Beach.
Be careful at Sand Beach because the water is frigid in the warmer months, so November is not the time to swim as it will be much colder. Hiking trails are available in Acadia National Park.
Take advantage of the less-crowded month and visit Cadillac Mountain. I visited this spot in July and there were approximately 200 other people with me at 4:30 am, waiting to see the sunrise first.
Visit in November and be one of the first in the United States (U.S.) to witness the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain! It’s one for the books!
2. Great Falls National Park (Virginia)
Great Falls National Park is a gorgeous park in McLean, Virginia, and an entrance in Potomac, Maryland. Both entrances get very crowded during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. You could easily wait up to 30 minutes or more in line to enter the park. I’ve been to the Maryland side and was turned away because their parking reached maximum capacity in the summer.
But if you love to hike regardless of the seasons, then November is the perfect time to visit the Great Falls National Park. The weather isn’t frigid cold, it’s more peaceful and quiet, has fewer crowds on the trails, and the 3 available falls.
This is the perfect time to capture that panoramic photo of the falls without waiting in line or until the crowds pass through. You can see one of the very first canals in Virginia along with clear views from the cliffs that run along the Great Falls of the Potomac. Breathtaking!
3. Congaree National Park (South Carolina)
For most people, Congaree National Park seems to hide under the radar, but it’s a beautiful park with luscious forests and much to see. While spring and summer can be quite warm, the fall months are ideal for visiting this national park.
November boasts fewer crowds, drier land (no worries of flooding), fewer mosquitoes and bugs, and the leaves begin changing colors. You can witness the changing seasons in this national park in November. Most other national parks have already experienced the changing of leaves by this time of the year.
Camping and hiking are two great activities you can do in November because of the cooler temps, no humidity, and almost bug-free. Longleaf and Bluff are two of the primary campsites used by visitors.
Typically, there is an abundance of availability in November due to parents returning to work and kids to school. The Congaree National Park is your oyster!
4. Everglades National Park (Florida)
Florida is known for its hot and humid summer months, so visiting the Everglades National Park in November seems perfect. November temperatures in Florida range from 70 to 77 degrees. These may sound like hot temps, but trust me. If you’ve visited Florida in the summer, you’ll consider this fall weather.
There are only two different seasons in Everglades National Park, the wet season and the dry season. The dry season is ideal for visiting this national park as more open ranger-led tours and programs are available. Fewer mosquitoes during the dry season make your visit that much more comfortable.
You can participate in kayaking through the mangrove tunnels, visit Shark Valley Observation Tower, or a guided nature walk in Everglades National Park. November marks the month of lower water levels which increases the possibility of seeing more wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, and alligators, and the migration of some bird species to warmer climates.
5. Arches National Park (Utah)
Arches National Park is beautiful, with red rock formations and arches around you. November is a great month to visit the national park. Early to mid-November is best if you’re not looking to spend some time in colder weather.
By late November, winter is on its way. You can experience cooler mornings to catch the best sunrises over the open-air cathedral. Imagine that photo op!
There is ample hiking in this national park. If you’re not into hiking, no problem! You can use this opportunity to star gaze into the dark skies, or grab your camera and make an album of the Arches National Park by snapping some of the best, once-in-a-lifetime views!
Fewer crowds in November means you can have the park all to yourself. You won’t have to worry about the time-entry reservation requirements either.
If you need a place to stay overnight, you can always look into hotels in nearby Moab. You can snatch some off-season rates for overnight stays. This makes for a win-win visit to the Arches National Park in November.
6. Yosemite National Park (California)
I remember hiking Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park. It was hot and super crowded. While it was fun, I can only imagine hiking this same waterfall without the crowds or the heat!
Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the U.S. and for good reason. The national park boasts Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls to name just a few views you can experience.
But if you want to get these same views without the crowds and get cost-savings on hotel stays, then November is the month to visit Yosemite National Park. Typically, you need to book at least 6 months out for any hotel stays in the peak seasons of spring, summer, and fall.
The weather can change quickly in November from crisp fall days to rain or snow. If you’re lucky enough, you can witness the first snowfall of the season. For this reason, it’s important to pack your hiking bag and layer up accordingly.
Let’s not forget no humidity and heat means no mosquitoes or bugs to worry about. You can keep your bug repellent at home. Visiting and hiking in Yosemite National Park in November provides less crowded trails, no bugs, closer views of the waterfalls, and a more peaceful, serene visit. Count me in!
7. Death Valley National Park (California)
If you haven’t heard, Death Valley National Park can become a scorcher to visit in the summer. So much so that the national park has signs posted that warn you not to walk or hike after 10 am due to the extreme heat danger.
This is one main reason why visiting Death Valley in November is ideal and saves you from the sweltering heat. You can experience the largest national park in the U.S. outside of Alaska and explore comfortably.
The temperatures in November tend to be more pleasant making it the perfect time to take advantage of star gazing in the International Dark Sky Park. Have you seen a meteor shower? Your chances of seeing one here are high, especially with those clear skies that welcome you in November.
Do you like to hike? Death Valley National Park recommends hiking from November to March because it’s unsafe to hike in the summer months.
While you will need to be prepared with adequate water even in November, you can comfortably hike the Badwater Salt Flat, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Golden Canyon, or the Mosaic Canyon, to name a few without the dangers of the heat. This national park has always sounded intriguing to me. It’s a must-do!
Which National Park Will You Visit in November?
