Summer is when everyone seems to hit the same beaches, hike the same crowded trails, and queue for the same overpriced ice cream. It’s easy to lose the joy of travel when you’re shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of others just trying to see the same view.
At Northwanderer, I believe summer travel doesn’t have to feel like a fight for space. You can still find places to swim, hike, paddle, and explore without the stress of constant crowds. You can wake up to the call of loons on a lake, wander empty sand dunes at sunrise, or sip coffee in a small town before the world wakes up.
Here are seven underrated summer destinations across the US where you can experience real adventure, quiet mornings, and the freedom that summer is supposed to bring—without fighting for a parking spot.
1.North Cascades, Washington
Why It’s Underrated
While most travelers flock to Rainier or Olympic in summer, North Cascades National Park remains one of the least visited national parks in the US, despite its jagged peaks, turquoise lakes, and endless alpine trails. This park gives you the drama of the Alps without the crowds.
Best Things to Do in North Cascades
🏕️ Backpack or Day Hike
Tackle parts of the Cascade Pass Trail or Maple Pass Loop for sweeping glacier views and wildflower meadows. These trails see far fewer people than comparable hikes in Rainier.
🛶 Paddle on Ross Lake
Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle across crystal-clear Ross Lake in the early morning when the water is glassy, and the air is crisp.
🌌 Stargazing
With minimal light pollution, North Cascades is one of the best places in Washington for Milky Way and meteor shower viewing in summer.
Best Time to Visit
July through September offers the best weather, with snow-free high alpine trails and warm but comfortable temperatures during the day.
Northwanderer Insider Tip
Head to Diablo Lake Overlook at sunrise for a quiet, unforgettable view of emerald water surrounded by towering peaks—and you’ll often have it all to yourself.
2.🏜️ Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Why It’s Underrated
Most Colorado summer visitors head to Rocky Mountain National Park, leaving Great Sand Dunes National Park wide open for quiet exploration. Towering dunes, clear skies, and creekside splashing make it a unique summer spot without the usual national park chaos.
Best Things to Do at Great Sand Dunes
🥾 Sunrise or Sunset Dune Hike
Climb the tallest dunes in North America in the cool dawn or evening light for incredible shadows and colors, avoiding the midday heat.
💦 Splash in Medano Creek
In early summer, Medano Creek flows at the base of the dunes, creating a natural, wave-like beach perfect for cooling off after a hike.
🌌 Stargazing and Milky Way Viewing
Great Sand Dunes is a certified Dark Sky Park. Lay back on the cool sand at night for unobstructed views of the stars and Milky Way.
Best Time to Visit
Late May through early July offers the best of Medano Creek flows and mild temperatures for dune hiking, while late summer remains warm but dry.
Northwanderer Insider Tip
Bring a sled or sandboard (available for rent nearby) to ride down the dunes for a fun, crowd-free adventure you won’t get on your average mountain hike.
3.🌅 Door County, Wisconsin
Why It’s Underrated
When people think summer lakeside, they flock to the crowded shores of Michigan or Minnesota, but Door County offers 300 miles of Lake Michigan coastline without the heavy summer crowds. It’s a place where you can kayak at sunrise, pick fresh cherries, and stroll small-town streets in peace.
Best Things to Do in Door County
🚣♀️ Sunrise Kayaking on Lake Michigan
Launch from Cave Point County Park for a peaceful paddle along limestone cliffs, caves, and hidden coves, often with no one else around.
🍒 Cherry Picking and Farm Markets
Summer is cherry season in Door County. Visit local orchards like Seaquist Orchards to pick your own or grab homemade pies and jams.
🎨 Explore Local Art Galleries and Shops
Door County is home to a thriving artist community, with small galleries and local crafts scattered throughout towns like Fish Creek and Ephraim.
Best Time to Visit
June to August is cherry season and prime kayaking weather, but September offers a quieter experience with early fall colors.
Northwanderer Insider Tip
Take the ferry to Washington Island for a day trip and bike around to discover lavender fields and hidden beaches where you can have an entire stretch of sand to yourself.
4.🏖️ Cumberland Island, Georgia
Why It’s Underrated
While most East Coast travelers hit the busy Outer Banks or Florida beaches, Cumberland Island remains a wild, quiet stretch of untouched coastline. Only 300 visitors are allowed per day, ensuring you can explore its beaches, forests, and dunes without crowds.
Best Things to Do on Cumberland Island
🚶♀️ Walk Empty Beaches
The beaches stretch for miles with barely a soul in sight. Walk at sunrise to watch the tide roll in, with wild horses often grazing nearby.
🏰 Explore Ruins in the Dunes
Discover the Dungeness Ruins, moss-draped remnants of a Carnegie mansion hidden in the trees near the beach.
🌳 Hike Through Maritime Forests
Follow shaded trails under towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss, leading to quiet inland lakes and hidden marshes.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and summer offer warm weather and easy camping, but early summer (late May-June) sees fewer bugs and milder humidity than mid-July.
Northwanderer Insider Tip
Book an overnight camping permit to watch the stars from the beach and wake up to the sound of the ocean without another person in sight—a rare East Coast summer experience.
5.⛰️ Gunnison Valley, Colorado
Why It’s Underrated
Everyone rushes to Aspen or Breckenridge in the summer, but Gunnison Valley offers wildflowers, lakes, and mountain views without the big resort crowds. It’s a hub for outdoor adventure while retaining its laid-back, small-town feel.
Best Things to Do in Gunnison Valley
🌼 Hike Among Peak Wildflowers
In July, the meadows around Crested Butte and Gothic Road explode with wildflowers. Trails like Rustler Gulch offer easy access to colorful displays with mountain backdrops.
🏄 Paddleboard on Blue Mesa Reservoir
Colorado’s largest body of water, Blue Mesa Reservoir, is ideal for paddleboarding or kayaking at sunrise, with calm water and surrounding mesas glowing in soft light.
🚵 Mountain Biking Trails
Gunnison Valley has some of the best mountain biking trails in the state, including Hartman Rocks for singletrack riding with sweeping views.
Best Time to Visit
July through August for peak wildflowers and warm days, while September offers quieter trails and crisp mornings.
Northwanderer Insider Tip
Grab coffee in Gunnison, then head out early to Lake Irwin near Crested Butte for a morning paddle, where the reflection of the mountains on the water is nothing short of magical—and usually crowd-free.
6.🍇 Finger Lakes, New York
Why It’s Underrated
While many head to the Hudson Valley or Lake George in summer, the Finger Lakes region offers a quieter, rolling landscape of deep lakes, waterfalls, and vineyards without heavy crowds. It’s an ideal place for slow summer mornings and hidden adventures.
Best Things to Do in the Finger Lakes
🚣 Kayak Quiet Lakes
Launch your kayak on Keuka or Skaneateles Lake early in the morning to paddle on glassy water surrounded by forested hills.
🍷 Tour Local Vineyards
Finger Lakes wineries produce some of the best Rieslings in the US. Many, like Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, offer tastings with lake views in a peaceful setting.
💦 Chase Waterfalls
Hike the gorge trails at Watkins Glen State Park or Robert H. Treman State Park, where you’ll find cascading waterfalls and cool, shaded trails.
Best Time to Visit
June through August offers warm lake days and vineyard tours, while early September brings quieter trails and the first hints of fall color.
Northwanderer Insider Tip
Stay near Keuka Lake for early-morning swims and quiet evenings, and stop at a local farmers market for fresh berries and baked goods for a lakeside breakfast.
7.🌲 Black Hills, South Dakota
Why It’s Underrated
Most travelers only stop for Mount Rushmore, but the Black Hills region offers forests, granite peaks, and hidden lakes without the overwhelming crowds you find at major national parks in summer. It’s a rugged, quiet place for true summer exploration.
Best Things to Do in the Black Hills
🥾 Hike Black Elk Peak
Take the Black Elk Peak Trail to the highest point in South Dakota for 360-degree views of the Black Hills. Start early for a sunrise summit and a peaceful trail.
🏞️ Paddle or Swim at Sylvan Lake
This calm, granite-rimmed lake is perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking, or a refreshing swim. Arrive in the early morning for still water and minimal visitors.
🐾 Wildlife Spotting in Custer State Park
Drive or cycle the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park to spot bison, pronghorn, and wild burros in the soft morning light.
Best Time to Visit
Late June through September offers warm days, cool nights, and dry weather, ideal for hiking and camping.
Northwanderer Insider Tip
Skip the midday crowds by picnicking at Sylvan Lake for sunset, when the rocks glow orange, and the water reflects the fading light without the day’s rush.
Summer doesn’t have to be crowds, lines, and overpriced everything. These seven underrated US destinations prove you can still find hidden lakes, quiet hikes, and sunrises that belong only to you, even in the heart of travel season.
Whether you’re paddling across a glassy lake in Wisconsin, hiking among wildflowers in Colorado, or walking empty beaches with wild horses in Georgia, choosing less crowded places will transform the way you travel—and the way you remember your summer.
North America is full of places that remind you why you love to wander. If you’re building your lifelong travel list, you’ll also want to check out our guide: 20 Places Every North American Should Visit Before They Die. It’s packed with unforgettable destinations, from Denali’s vast wilds to Québec City’s historic charm, to keep your inspiration alive year-round.
This summer, don’t follow the crowds. Follow the quiet. Choose the sunrise. Choose the backroad. Choose a trip you’ll actually remember.
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