Quiet

Sanibel runs east-west rather than north-south, which acts as a shelf catching shells that drift down the Gulf, and it is why people come here with bags and bend over in the surf line doing the Sanibel Stoop. Bowman’s is the quietest of the island’s public beaches, and the reason is the walk: from the car park it is a marked trail over a footbridge and through the dunes, about ten minutes, which sounds trivial and is not when you are carrying a cool box and a toddler. Parking is charged by the hour. Low tide after a winter storm is the jackpot. Live shells may not be collected. Facilities are basic - showers, a pavilion, grills, a playground and portable toilets while the permanent restrooms are rebuilt - and recovery from Hurricane Ian is still going on around the island.

Lindquist is the beach St. Thomas residents recommend when you ask where they go. It is a protected territorial park, which means a small entry fee, a gate, and consequently far fewer people than the free beaches. The sand is soft, the water is shallow and clear with almost no wave action, and there is snorkelling around the rocks at the eastern end. The view runs across Smith Bay to St. John and the British Virgin Islands beyond. Facilities are basic - restrooms and picnic shelters, no concession - so bring food and water. It closes on some days of the week.

The quieter twin of Fish Creek Pond next door, and the one paddling families choose. Rollins Pond has no motorboats, so the water stays glassy and a kid in a kayak can go out without an adult trailing them nervously. Sites are wooded and spread along the shoreline, and a short carry connects to the Fish Creek chain of ponds for longer paddles. It has fewer amenities and far less noise than its neighbor. If your idea of a good campground is loons at dawn rather than a busy beach, this is it.

A small and peaceful campground on the St. Lawrence River near the point where Lake Ontario flows into the river. The 48 campsites are nestled among trees with several right on the waterfront. Kids love fishing from the shore and watching the constant boat traffic. The views across to Wolfe Island (Canada) are lovely. A boat launch provides access to some of the best fishing waters in the state. The park is small enough to feel intimate and quiet, a nice alternative to the busier Thousand Islands parks.

A quiet state park in the Rensselaer Plateau with a beautiful swimming beach on Black River Pond. The beach is sandy, lifeguard-staffed, and surrounded by forest. Short hiking trails loop through the woods and the park is popular for fishing. The campground is small with only 10 sites making it one of the most intimate camping experiences in the state park system. The park is off the beaten path and rarely crowded, which is exactly its appeal. A great low-key family day trip from the Albany area.

A peaceful 4.2-mile loop through beautiful forest to a quiet Catskill pond that feels remote but is actually quite accessible. The trail is relatively flat and follows old logging roads for much of the way. The pond at the halfway point is a perfect lunch spot where kids can look for frogs and turtles. Lean-tos along the route offer shelter on rainy days. This is one of the quieter and less crowded trails in the Catskills and a great choice for families who want a peaceful nature walk.

A small public beach on one of the most beautiful lakes in the central Adirondacks. The beach is sandy with a gradual entry into clean mountain lake water. It is never as crowded as the Lake George beaches and has a relaxed, old-school Adirondack feel. Kids can swim, build sandcastles, and explore the shoreline while parents enjoy the quiet mountain setting. Nearby, the village has a general store for supplies. The lake is also a great launch point for kayaking and canoeing.

A peaceful East Texas park centered around a replica of the first Spanish mission in the region giving kids a tangible connection to early Texas history. The trails wind through towering hardwood forest and the CCC-built log cabin serves as a fascinating visitor center. Fall color in the surrounding Davy Crockett National Forest is some of the best in Texas. It is small and uncrowded which makes it perfect for families who want a quiet weekend in the woods.

A LCRA park along a beautiful stretch of the Pedernales River with swimming access, picnic areas, and a nature trail through riparian woodland. The shallow limestone pools along the riverbank are perfect for kids to wade and splash. It is a much less crowded alternative to Pedernales Falls State Park just downstream. Disc golf and volleyball courts round out the options for families who want variety.

A 227-acre preserve on the western edge of Austin with 2.5 miles of well-maintained trails through juniper and oak woodland. The waterfall at the end of the main trail is a rewarding turnaround point for kids and the preserve runs excellent nature education programs for school-age children. It is one of the quieter hiking spots in Austin and rarely feels crowded.