How to Navigate Crowded Trails: A 3-Step Guide to Having a Better Hiking Experience

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Have you ever hiked a trail with so many other people it felt like you weren't even in nature anymore? After working in Yellowstone and Yosemite and living near very popular trails in Utah, I've been there many times!

Sharing the trail with others doesn't have to ruin your outdoor experience. Here are three ways to navigate hiking in crowded areas.

1. Arrive early or very late

Trailheads often have little parking and popular trails are no exception. Get to the trailhead as early in the morning as possible before the parking fills up, or it could mean you either have to park far away and add more mileage to your hike or you may be forced to skip it altogether.

It can help to research the trailhead ahead of time, especially in popular destinations. For example, Mist Trail in Yosemite has a very large parking lot, but it still fills up in the early morning hours, forcing later hikers to use the shuttle to the trailhead or hike an extra mile.

Other areas, such as a hot spring in Utah and a hike to a scenic overlook in Page, Arizona, are very strict on parking and give dozens of hikers tickets every season for parking on the road. Avoid that by arriving at the trail earlier than the crowds.

The alternative to arriving super early (especially if you're like me and not a morning person) is to arrive later in the afternoon after many of the early birds have completed the trail and gone home. Just keep in mind that parking may still be competitive and you may feel more rushed on your hike if you are trying to get back before dark.

2. Leave no trace

Leaving no trace is important on any trail, but may be even more so when the trail is very crowded. You may see other people feeding cute critters, taking off-trail shortcuts, collecting rocks, or leaving trash around. Don't be like them!

One person doing those things may not have a huge environmental impact, but hordes of people doing those things can be detrimental to the wildlife and the area.

For example, one of the most crowded trails in Yellowstone is Fairy Falls, which leads to views of Grand Prismatic Spring from above (pictured above), is often filled with trash. Venturing a little off trail also reveals unsettling amounts of used toilet paper from people who didn’t pack out their garbage.

Crowds can make a huge impact on natural areas, so do your part and be an example to others by leaving the flora and fauna how it is, staying on trail, and bringing everything back with you that you took on the trail.

3. Be patient with yourself and others

Everyone has a right to enjoy public areas, but unfortunately not everyone enjoys them the same way. Some people love listening to the sounds of nature, others like to blast their music. Some prefer to hike in big groups, others keep it small. Whatever your hiking style, a little patience can go a long way.

I’ve been on trails filled with high school or college students in large groups and it’s great to see their camaraderie and getting outdoors, even if that is at the expense of my peace and quiet. Sharing the trail is sometimes just part of the game!

Some people or groups may not know or practice proper hiking etiquette. As a general rule of thumb, uphill hikers have the right of way on a narrow trail. If there are horseback riders on the trail, always yield to them. If bikers share the trail, they should yield to you, but be safe and move out of the way if they don’t.

Lastly, be patient with yourself! Remember that hiking is not a competition, so no matter how fast the groups around you are going, you are not obligated to quicken your pace. Instead, step to the side and let others pass when necessary and politely ask that they do the same for you if they are chugging along at a slower pace than you.

Check out my hiking tips for more ways to achieve great experiences when hiking!

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