Matt and Karen Smith, college sweethearts, made the decision to quit their jobs in 2010 in order to visit every US national park. Their love for hiking and wildlife inspired this journey, although they weren’t particularly fond of crowds. The Smiths, who have visited every major US national park, have shared their top tips for avoiding crowded national parks.
As summer approaches and many Americans plan their trips to US national parks, it’s important to note that encountering crowds is almost inevitable. According to the National Parks Service, over 325 million people visited at least one national park in the US last year, a 4% increase from the previous year. However, with such high numbers comes the need for strategies to avoid the tourist masses. Matt and Karen Smith, who have firsthand experience with every US national park, offer valuable insights on how to navigate through crowded areas.
The Smiths met in college in Kansas and spent the first 25 years of marriage focusing on work, raising kids, and earning a living. Once their youngest child left for college in 2010, they became empty nesters. After relocating to Seattle and being introduced to national parks by friends, the Smiths decided to embark on an adventure. Using their savings
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