Uncrowded national parks

Sunset, August, 2006

BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON

Your knees will shake at the lookout from Chasm View of Colorado's Gunnison River snaking 53 miles through a 2,000-foot canyon. To see the park from below, try a boat tour. www.nps.gov/blca or 970/249-1914.

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CHANNEL ISLANDS

You'll likely see more cool creatures than people on the five islands that constitute this Southern California park, as it's home to more than 2,000 animal and plant species. Watch the kids snorkel and look for sea anemones all day long. www.nps.gov/chis or 805/658-5730.

NORTH CASCADES

It's not the easiest place to get to, which is why you'll have this Washington park's 300 glaciers, plunging waterfalls, and 8,000-foot peaks to yourself. The Newhalem Creek campground, which rarely fills up, is a perfect home base. www.nps.gov/noca or 206/386-4495.

REDWOOD

There's plenty of room to roam among these cool, fern-filled groves in far northwest California. Our favorite hike? The 1-mile loop through serene old-growth redwoods at the Lady Bird Johnson Grove. www.nps.gov/redw or 707/464-6101.