re: National Parks are too crowded

For Yellowstone, you should get a room inside the park. Make sure the lodge is close to the sites you want to see. Wake up early and see the popular sites near the lodge first thing and then go to some less popular spots. By the time you’re done with the first attraction and onto the next ones, the folks who stayed outside the park will just be getting in and heading for the big attraction. Take it easy in the afternoon and head out late afternoon when everyone is driving back to their rooms outside the park. Move to a different lodge at least once during your stay.