Above: An empty road for cycling at Zion National Park in Utah

Zion National Park in southwest Utah is one of the most scenic and visited national parks in the country. Travelers hoping to ride the park shuttle buses during peak hours (weekends and summer) should be prepared for a long wait. The line we encountered snaked across half of the large main parking lot. Fortunately, there are still ways to escape the crowds and enjoy the beauty of the canyon landscapes in relative solitude.

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