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Ahh summer. Long days. School’s out. And it’s time for vacation. One of the most popular summer vacations is the classic road trip. And what better stops than America’s national parks. While this is likely the most popular time to visit the national parks, it is certainly the best time of year for some of our national parks. So if you are looking to plan a trip, this post will review the best national parks to visit in the summer.

Note: Check out this post if you are looking to plan a national park trip in the spring and this post if you are looking to visit national parks in the fall.

Planning your National Park Trip

Before planning your trip to visit the US national parks, consider grabbing the America The Beautiful Annual Pass. It is $80 and good for one full year. As each park can charge in the range of $10-$35, it’s definitely a good deal if you plan to visit 3 parks in a 12 month period.

A pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites (so it’s not just for national parks!). Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as day use fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Tips for Visiting National Parks in the Summer

• Hydration is so important year-round but especially in the summer. When hiking, I like to use a hiking pack with a water bladder like this one. Consider getting or switching to one with an insulated tube to make sure the water does not freeze in the beginning of the springtime. You can also bring your own water filter, such as this one.
• In addition to water, when you sweat you lose electrolytes, remember to replace these as well.
• Visiting a few national parks? Your best “bang for your buck” might be to buy a national parks pass. It’s good for one year and costs $80. You want to decide this with the very first park you visit to make sure you get the most use out of it.
• No matter what, make sure someone (who isn’t on the hike with you) knows where you are if you are going on a hike. You likely will not have cell service, so don’t plan on it.
• LEAVE THE TRAIL BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT – similar to leave no trace, except you can always help make things better. Pick up trash, follow trails (and avoid the “social trails”), and be a good human being.
• Remember that uphill hikers have the right of way
• Dress in layers as the temperature fluctuation is no joke and summits can still be quite cold and windy even in the summer.
• Regular sneakers may cut it for many hikes, however consider getting some hiking shoes/boots for better traction, and maybe even waterproof boots for hiking if there is a lot of water runoff, etc.
• Always check in with rangers for latest information on trails, road conditions, etc.
• The “All Trails” app available for both iOS and Android is super helpful for finding hikes. You can also use the routes with your phone on GPS and download trail maps before you leave.

Best National Parks to Visit in The Summer

And with all the tips and tricks out of the way, we bring you this list of the best national parks to visit in the summer (in no particular order).

Olympic National Park
Submitted by Nichole from Nichole the Nomad

If you are looking for one of the best national parks to visit in the summer, I have you covered! Olympic National Park covers over 1 million acres along Washington’s coast and is one of the most diverse national parks in the US, offering glaciated mountains, lush rainforests, alpine meadows, and a rugged coastline. You can stay in the quaint town of Port Angeles, which has everything you need for your visit, including accommodations, shops, and restaurants, and is close to many of the must-see attractions.

Although you can visit year-round, summer is the best season to explore Olympic National Park because the activities are unlimited! You can explore the lush Hoh Rainforest and walk through old-growth forests with moss-draped trees. If you want to hike, you can hike to Mount Storm King, which is an iconic and adrenaline-pumping trail to a beautiful viewpoint of Lake Crescent. If waterfalls are your thing, you can explore Madison Falls, Marymere Falls, and Sol Duc Falls.

If you do not want to hike, you can enjoy a scenic drive to Hurricane Ridge and enjoy views of the Bailey Range. And of course, you have to visit the beautiful coastline in Olympic National Park, especially for sunset! The best beaches are Rialto Beach, First Beach, Second Beach, Third Beach, and Ruby Beach. No matter your activity preference, Olympic National Park has something for everyone in the summer!

Because summer is the best time to visit Olympic National Park, it is the busiest season. The park receives over 2 million visitors per year, so many must-see attractions are crowded in the summer. I recommend starting your day early to explore some attractions before the crowds enter and to have the most time to explore the park. When you visit, you will quickly realize why Olympic National Park is one of the best national parks for every summer bucket list!

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve beckons with its untamed natural beauty. After all, this pristine wilderness is located in southwestern Alaska and is a haven for anyone seeking an authentic experience in the great outdoors.

To get here, adventurers can embark on a thrilling journey aboard scheduled commercial flights from Anchorage to the charming town of Port Alsworth. Alternatively, you could charter a floatplane and explore a tapestry of imposing mountains, glistening lakes, and unspoiled rivers.

You can also enjoy hiking trails that wind through breathtaking vistas, catch salmon in crystal clear waters, or photograph grizzlies, wolves, and bald eagles in their natural habitat.

So, when you visit one of the best national parks in the summer enjoy a solitude rarely found in America’s busy national parks since Lake Clark is a haven for anyone seeking a deep connection with nature.

You can also stay in rustic public-use cabins within the park or find comfort in nearby lodges and inns in Port Alsworth.

Redwood National and State Park
Submitted by Tina Drebin from Tee Explores

Summer time is the optimal time to visit the Redwoods. The temperature and weather are mild, and there’s less chances of rain. We stayed in the small town of Klamath at cute AirBnb looking over the ocean which is just north of the park but perfectly located for exploring! There is also a Historic Hotel called, Requa Inn. Another great option is Crescent City but is a bit longer drive into the parks. Great breakfast/lunch can be found on the way into the parks at Log Cabin Diner, and Steelhead Lodge. Be sure to stop at the Trees of Mystery.

Between Crescent City and Klamath, there are beautiful stretches of coast that are great to explore in addition to the parks. When in Crescent City, stop by SeaQuake Brewing for eats and a beer! Another side trip is to the cute town of Arcata, CA just south of the parks.

If you’re looking for hikes check these out: Tall Trees Grove (moderate hike in old growth forest), James Irvine (long distance hike), Fern Canyon. Short and easier trails include: Lady Bird Johnson Grove, and Trillium Falls. My favorite part of visiting was actually simply driving around and stopping at random pull-offs! Avenue of the giants is perfect for this.

Fees are waived at Redwood National Park but you may have fees in some areas due to shared State Park spaces. (Those fees are waived if you have an America the Beautiful Pass. Be sure to check before heading out).

Mount Rainier

Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park is absolutely breathtaking all year round, but summer? That’s when it shines and shoots straight to the top of my list of national parks you must-visit in the summer.

That’s when the warm weather kicks in and you can do epic hikes, stargazing, enjoy jaw-dropping gondola rides, and so much more.

Parts of the park are covered in snow until the end of June. But, once it melts you can try horseback riding through the park’s ancient forests and enjoy stunning views of the natural landscape.

After all, this park is jam-packed with picturesque trails meandering through wildflower-filled meadows.

Plus, whether you’re up for a gentle stroll or a heart-pumping climb, there’s a trail for you. Plus, summer is the only time you can camp at any of the park’s four amazing campsites.

All in all, Mount Rainier’s majestic beauty and ecological significance make it one of the best national parks to visit in summer.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

If you are looking for one of the best national parks to visit in the summer then Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a great choice. Located in the rugged Badlands of North Dakota, this place is a testament to the indomitable spirit of America’s 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt. This park is also extremely accessible by car and visitors can enjoy a scenic road trip here from major cities like Bismarck and Billings.

Upon arrival, enjoy a unique landscape filled with colorful canyons, rugged buttes, and rolling prairies. You can also hike along miles of trails that will introduce you to the unique ecology of this place. In fact, bison, wild horses, and pronghorns all roam freely, providing ample opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography.

Additionally, the South Unit is home to a visitor center that offers fascinating insights into Roosevelt’s legacy as it relates to conservation. Meanwhile, the North Unit’s winding drives offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Campsites are also available while nearby towns like Medora offer charming accommodations, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Denali National Park
Submitted by Emily Scalzo from Scaling the Globe

Summer is the best season to visit Denali National Park and Preserve! The summer season (late-May through early-September) provides the most moderate weather, offers the best chance of wildlife viewing, and has 18+ hours of daylight. Plus, most lodging, services, and tours are only operational during the summer season.

Denali National Park is located in the central area of the Alaska Range and encompasses over 6 million acres of Alaska’s wilderness. The crown jewel of the park is Denali itself, which is the tallest peak in North America at 20,310 feet high. Despite the park’s massive size, there is only one 92-mile long road into the park and private vehicles are restricted to the first 15 miles.

Bus trips are the best way to explore deeper into the park and provide the greatest chance to view wildlife. Options include non-narrated transit buses and narrated tour buses. The transit buses are cheaper, more flexible (hop-on-hop-off anywhere along the park road), and the bus drivers will still stop for all wildlife and scenery viewings. Advance reservations are highly recommended for all bus trips!

Hiking is another great way to explore the park. Several maintained trails are located near the park entrance (Mile 0), Savage River area (Mile 15), or at the Eielson Visitor Center (Mile 66). My favorite trails from our trip were the Horseshoe Lake Trail near the park entrance and the Thorofare Ridge Trail near the Eielson Visitor Center. For those that are more adventurous, hiking along the park road or off-trail into the wilderness is also permitted.

For lodging, the NPS operates six developed campgrounds in Denali. Advance reservations for all campgrounds is highly recommended. Outside the park there are a variety of hotel and accommodation options along the highway between the communities of Healy and Cantwell. Within the park, there are four privately owned, remote wilderness lodges in the Kantishna area, at the end of the Park Road. Although these lodges are known to provide spectacular, all-inclusive experiences, staying at one also comes with a very high price tag.

Due to the ongoing Pretty Rocks Landslide and altered operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all transit and tour buses will only travel as far as the East Fork Bridge (Mile 43) in 2022. Additionally, two of the six campgrounds (Igloo Creek and Wonder Lake) will be closed in 2022. Check out this Alaska Guide to help you plan your trip.

Rocky Mountain

If you are looking for one of the best national parks to visit in the summer, then head to Estes Park and enjoy the majestic beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park.

This place is filled with rugged mountain views. When summer rools around the meadows fill up with beautiful wildflowers.

Ready to stretch those legs? Then you’re in luck because there are over 355 miles of trails waiting for you.

Whether you’re looking for a chill walk around an alpine lake or are ready to tackle some serious mountain terrain, there’s something for everyone.

Plus, summer is a great time to spot local wildlife like moose, elk, and majestic bighorn sheep. You can even go horseback riding through the park from May through September.

Local stables start the season during Memorial Day weekend, so you can saddle up and ride along those breathtaking trails.

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park is located in the heart of South Dakota and allows visitors to embark on an incredible road trip along Interstate 90.

Then, once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a landscape filled with towering spires, deep canyons, and multi-hued rock formations.

In fact, these areas are best explored through incredible hikes or stunning scenic drives like the iconic Loop Road. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and other amazing wildlife.

Badlands National Park also provides visitors with a window into the ancient past through fossil-rich layers of rock that contain the remnants of prehistoric creatures. But, you can learn about all this, and more, at the visitor’s center.

Afterward, camp beneath the stars or book a room inside various lodges and motels in nearby towns, like Wall

Yellowstone National Park
Submitted by Syra Hernandez

Note: Unfortunately Yellowstone National Park has experienced significant flooding in spring 2022 and there are quite a few closures. Before planning for your trip, check for updates with the national park service.

I have a random childhood memory of reading about Old Faithful Geyser in a textbook and thinking that I wanted to see it erupt one day. The opportunity finally came in August a couple summers ago during a road trip to a few National Parks that were on my bucket list. It felt so surreal to finally be there, there’s definitely nothing like it!

We drove to Yellowstone from California, but because we were on a budget and we had already driven so long, we decided to stay in Rexburg, Idaho which is about an hour and a half from the West Entrance of Yellowstone. We stayed at the Super 8 by Wyndham Rexburg for $81 for the night. It’s definitely not a luxurious stay, but we didn’t mind it! For anybody that would be interested in staying closer to the park, there’s a small town called “West Yellowstone” right outside the West entrance where there are great options that I’d definitely recommend to be closer to the park.

If it’s your first time in Yellowstone I’d also recommend spending at least 2 days in the park to enjoy as much as the scenery and hiking as you can, however, if you’re like us and you squeezed too much into a 5 day trip, we were able to see everything we wanted to in 1 day (we were constantly on the go)! The park is pretty much one giant circle, so from the West entrance of the park we decided to start by heading North and exploring clockwise so that we could drive through the entire park and end up back at the West entrance at the end of the day.

My absolute favorite parts of the park that I would consider the MUST DO’S are: Upper and Lower Yellowstone River Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Old Faithful Geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, and you can’t forget to take a drive through Hayden Valley in search of Bison!

Included in the “must do’s” when spending time enjoying Grand Prismatic Spring is to stop at the Fairy Falls Trail which is a little less than a mile away from the trail that walks directly up the springs. If you stop here and walk along this trail, you’ll come to a sign that’ll direct you to the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail. This overlook offers a beautiful view from above where you can see every color and feature of the spring that aren’t always visible from below. Yellowstone certainly is one of the best national parks to visit in the summer. I hope this helps and inspires you to check it off your bucket list!

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is located in Washington state and is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts looking for rugged terrain and stunning natural beauty.

The park is characterized by its jagged peaks, cascading waterfalls, and dense forests, offering a wide range of activities for you to enjoy all summer long.

One of the highlights of North Cascades National Park is its extensive network of hiking trails. For a moderate day hike, consider exploring the Cascade Pass Trail, which offers breathtaking views of glaciers and alpine meadows.

If you are looking for a more challenging adventure then the Sahale Arm Trail rewards hikers with panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

In addition to hiking, you can also enjoy fishing in the park’s pristine lakes and rivers, go wildlife spotting for bears, deer, and mountain goats, or simply relax and take in the serene beauty of the natural landscape that surrounds you.

Moreover, summer is the best time to visit North Cascades National Park, as the weather is mild, the wildflowers are in full bloom, and the park’s diverse ecosystems come alive with activity.

Whether you’re an avid hiker, a nature lover, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat in the great outdoors, North Cascades National Park has something for everyone and stands as one of the best national parks in summer.

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park is a testament to the unrivaled beauty of this incredible nation. And you can easily access one of the best national parks in the summer by car. Just follow the picturesque Rim Drive and take in breathtaking views of this magical place.

Then, marvel at the park’s namesake, Crater Lake. It’s a deep, sapphire-blue body of water that sits within a volcanic caldera. The best way to experience this park’s incredible beauty is by hiking along the Cleetwood Cove Trail to the lake’s pristine shores.

Afterward, enjoy awe-inspiring vistas and crisp mountain air before spending the night at the historic Crater Lake Lodge on the rim of the lake. However, nearby towns like Chiloquin and Klamath Falls also offer a wealth of excellent lodging and dining options.

So, if you are looking for a unique adventure then Crater Lake is the best national park to visit in the summer for you.

Grand Teton National Park
Submitted by Sara Craun from Hitched Adventures

One of the greatest summer vacation destinations, Grand Teton National Park hosts a wide variety of outdoor activities that you’ll want to hit before the weather gets cooler. Whether you’re looking to scale the jagged peaks, take a dip in one of the shimmering lakes, bike, raft, take a scenic drive, or kayak, Grand Teton National Park offers something for everyone.

We personally loved the 21.9 mile Paintbrush Canyon-Cascade Canyon loop, and recommend getting a permit to backpack overnight. Along the trail you’ll find the most breathtaking views of the park and be surrounded by craggy peaks, waterfalls, glaciers and wildlife. We spotted several moose along our way! As an option you can take the Jenny Lake Shuttle across the lake rather than hiking around it –this is a great way to spare your legs from a couple miles and get some time on the water.

Another great way to spend a summer day here is to follow the bike paths from Jackson Hole into the park. After about 20 miles, you’ll make it to Jenny Lake where you can dive in to cool off. On your way back to Jackson Hole, you can stop at Dornan’s Pizza to refuel.

If you’re a history buff, stop for a photo at Mormon Row or capture a shot at the Snake River Overlook like Ansel Adams.

Dry Camping is the way to go to get the full experience of the park! You’ll be closest to the entrance and the 1st ones to make it to the scenic viewpoints, such as Oxbow Bend and Signal Mountain, at sunrise, and you’ll be able to enjoy the sunset behind the Tetons right from camp!

Isle Royale National Park

Have you heard about Isle Royale National Park? This place is a hidden gem tucked away in Michigan, and is a playground for adventure lovers.

Imagine an island cloaked in dense forests, packed with awesome wildlife, and surrounded by Lake Superior’s waters.

So, when you step onto Isle Royale, you can try backpacking, kayaking, or soaking up all the pure, unadulterated beauty of this amazing park.

Just picture yourself gliding through pristine, crystal-clear waters or hitting the trails, like the iconic Greenstone Ridge Trail for unbeatable views.

If you’re up for real adventure, try the Minong Ridge Trail. Just be prepared to go off-grid since Isle Royale is as remote as it gets. So, no Wi-Fi, no cell service. Just you and the great outdoors.

It’s an amazing place where you can find incredible adventures and where you can unplug and reconnect with nature as you cross paths with a moose or two.

So, pack your bags, grab your hiking boots, and get ready to explore one of the best national parks in summer.

Glacier National Park
Submitted by Sierra Pitman

Located in Montana, Glacier National Park is the perfect National Park to visit in the Summer. You will never get bored with a number of activities to do and so many species of wildlife to see. Summer is the best time to visit the park due to more trails and roads being opened compared to winter and springtime. Temperature averages between 70-80 °F in Glacier during the summer however, it’s generally cooler at a higher elevation and at night-time so be sure to pack plenty of layers (rain jacket, insulated jacket, base layers, etc).

These are a few of my favorite hikes/things to do at Glacier:

• Drive going to the sun road It is approximately a 2 hr drive without stops and has some of the best views in the park. – It’s important to note that vehicle registration is required to enter Going-to-the-sun road between May 27th and September 11th from 6 am to 4 pm, this is valid for three days.
• Hike around St Marys lake
• Sun Point Nature Trail is an easy family-friendly trail
• St Mary and Virginia Falls trail
• Head up to Many Glacier:
  • Kayak swift current lake
  • Hike Grinnell Glacier trail (must-do, the views are BREATHTAKING)
  • Hike Redrock falls via Swiftcurrent Pass Glacier National Park has many different lodging and camping options inside the park.

Lodging Inside Glacier:

• Lake Mcdonald Lodge and Apgar Village Lodge are just a couple that Glacier has to offer.
• You can find more information on lodging at the National Park Services website under “eating and sleeping”
• Camping Inside Glacier – Glacier National Park has 13 front country campgrounds, both first-come-first-serve and reservation-based campgrounds varying between $10-23 dollars per night – Fish Creek, Avalanche Creek, Rising Sun, and Two Medicine are just a few of the campgrounds inside Glacier. – Reservations can be made through recreation.gov For more information check out the National Park services webpage!

Check out this post for some additional information on Glacier National Park must-see stops.

Grand Canyon North Rim
Submitted by Meg Alexander from Have Toothbrush Will Travel

One reason to add the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park to your summer travel list is because it’s closed in the winter! Depending on the weather, the North Rim typically opens on May 15th and remains open until the end of November.

The Grand Canyon is an extremely popular National Park, especially in the summer, but few visitors make their way to explore the North Rim. Location is the main reason visitors tend to skip the North Rim, but it is the perfect summer destination. Located at 8000 ft in elevation, the North Rim temperatures remain cooler than the South Rim.

There is one lodge at the North Rim and it is recommended to book at least 1-year in advance for rooms. Even if you aren’t staying at the lodge, you can relax in their adirondack chairs and soak in the grand canyon views. Another bonus of visiting the North Rim, it has one of the best National Park gift shops we’ve ever seen. Don’t leave without visiting the GC Conservancy Park Store!

There are only a few hiking trails at the North Rim. Bright Angel Trail is a short and easy .5 mile walk offering stunning views of the Grand Canyon. North Kaibab Trail goes down into the canyon, it’s also the trail followed by hikers who finish a rim-to-rim hike (a bucket-list hike!). If hiking from the South Rim to the North Rim isn’t for you, be sure to add the 4.5 hour drive from the South Rim to the North Rim to your summer road trip. Check out this post for more things to do at the Grand Canyon North Rim.

Arches National Park
Submitted by Karen Brown of GapBeetle

Why visit Arches in the heat of a Utah Summer (up to 100F)? Well for two good reasons.

One, Arches has introduced a mandatory prebookable slot entry between 6 am and 5 pm daily April through October. You need to prebook well in advance to gain entry, as Arches gets incredibly busy. So if you’ve no booking, or are travelling last minute, Summer is now the best time to visit this remarkable park. As you can enjoy longer, lighter and cooler evenings from 5 to sunset (and later each day) and still see the best of Arches. Two, if you’re in Moab, you shouldn’t miss out on the Colorado River and whether you’re kayaking, paddle boarding or rafting, the temperature is perfect in Summer sun.

Arches is an absolutely incredible park: home to over 2000 natural stone arches, dramatic fins and pinnacles, endless views and balancing rocks. It’s higher than nearby canyons, making it exposed with little shade and sometimes fierce sandy winds. There are toilets in the park but you need to take food and water, take a lot of water as the air is very dry.

The park is roughly split into 4 areas, each cropping out of the desert. The first you’ll hit is Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers – it’s stunning and you can hike, but it’s not why you come here. The next area is the Windows section, which was our favourite – it’s home to several short hikes and some of the most dramatic arches – don’t miss North Window, Turret Arch and Double Arch.

The views of the distant La Sal mountains from here are particularly good. Delicate Arch, which tops many bucket lists and is the iconic symbol of the state of Utah, has its own area. To be honest, it wasn’t our favourite arch, as it so was crowded. You can hike up slick rock to reach it (3 miles round trip) or view it from two lower view points. Finally, there’s the Devil’s Garden area which is furthest from the gate. This where there are longer hikes and you can avoid the crowds. Dramatic Landscape Arch is not to be missed, the longest arch in North America. A more difficult trail leads to the impressive Double O Arch.

Our tips are: try and visit Arches twice to best appreciate the individual arches and concentrate on 1 or 2 sections each visit; plus don’t miss Canyonlands NP half an hour’s drive away. It’s very different, less crowded and home to another must see arch – Mesa Arch! If you plan to spend time in the area check out these Moab must-sees.

Click here to book your hour long entry slot at Arches from April to October. It costs 2$, there are also limited tickets available the day before. You need to enter during your hour’s slot – expect queues, we queued for 40 minutes – but once in, you can stay as long as you like.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

With its mild weather and amazing opportunities for wildlife spotting, summer is the perfect time to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It’s also easy to see why the 26th president fell in love with the area’s rugged badlands, striking hoodoos, and diverse wildlife while he was hunting in 1883.

In total, the park features three gorgeous sections: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the secluded Elkhorn Ranch. This ranch was actually a refuge for Roosevelt after his wife passed away.

So, if you would like to visit, make sure you have a four-wheel drive vehicle since the road is unpaved and there’s no cell service.

Afterward, spend the night at the South Unit’s Cottonwood Campground. It provides visitors with a serene setting where they can spot bison and enjoy colorful mountain views.

You can also explore the 36-mile Scenic Loop. It features breathtaking panoramas of the badlands and gives you access to some of the best hiking trails in the area.

Finally, take a scenic drive through the North Unit’s “Grand Canyon of the Little Missouri.” This 28-mile road through the canyon reveals vibrant badlands and beautiful views at the River Bend Overlook.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Sand Dunes National Park is a 30-square-mile area that is home to North America’s tallest dunes. However, this park also offers a wealth of exciting experiences that go beyond the sand.

You’ll find refreshing waters for swimming, stunning Alpine trails perfect for hiking, and expansive grasslands where you can see elk and pronghorn foraging.

However, don’t leave without sledding or sandboarding down these amazing dunes. For the specialized gear that you need, head to the Oasis Store. It is just four miles away from the entrance of the park and the staff will be more than happy to outfit you with everything you need.

Sequoia National Park

Named for the majestic trees that dot the interior of this gorgeous park, Central California’s Sequoia National Park allows you to hike through one of the park’s 40 sequoia groves or take a leisurely drive along one of its most scenic routes.

Overall, summer is the perfect time to visit. Even during the hottest days, when visitors flock here to cool down, the park never feels overcrowded. So, hop on the mile-long Congress Trail and walk along a gentle loop through the area’s enchanting groves.

Afterward, take a drive along the 32.5-mile Generals Highway, which connects State Routes 180 and 198. During your trip, discover Native American pictographs, walk across Beetle Rock, and enjoy some of the park’s viewpoints. Look closely and you might be able to see Mount Whitney standing off in the distance at 14,505 feet tall.

Finally, don’t miss the world’s largest tree, The General Sherman Tree. It stands at a commanding 275 feet tall and has a diameter of 25 feet.

Best National Parks to Visit in the Summer FAQs

Which National Park is Best to Visit First?

The best national park to visit first depends on your interests and what type of experience you’re looking for. But, here are some of the national parks you need to visit first.

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Yellowstone National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• Grand Canyon National Park
• Acadia National Park
• Zion National Park

What is the Most Loved National Park?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most loved national park with around 13 million visitors annually. It is also accessible from major cities on the East Coast and features a wide array of stunning landscapes.

What’s the Most Beautiful Park?

Here are the top 7 most beautiful national parks in the world.

• Corcovado National Park (Costa Rica)
• Glacier National Park (USA)
• Yosemite National Park (USA)
• Yellowstone National Park (USA)
• Fiordland National Park (New Zealand)
• Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
• Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namibia)

What National Park is the Most Unique?

The most unique national park in the world depends on your personal interests and what aspects of nature, geology, and history you find most interesting. Ultimately, each park has its own unique charm and will appeal to a wide array of visitors.

So, some parks that you might find interesting include:

• Yellowstone National Park (USA)
• Saguaro National Park (USA)
• Everglades National Park (USA)
• Banff National Park (Canada)
• Galápagos National Park (Ecuador)
• Cappadocia National Park (Turkey)
• Pantanal Matogrossense National Park (Brazil)
• Purnululu National Park (Australia)

Best National Parks to Visit in the Summer

In summary, there are many great options if you are looking for the best national parks to visit in the summer. Are any of these on your list?? Let me know if you have been already or if you are planning to go in the comments.

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

• Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall
• Best National Parks to Visit in the Winter
• Best National Parks to Visit in the Spring

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