The 6 Best National Parks to Visit in Summer in 2025

Discover scenic lookouts and iconic hikes without the crowds or heat stroke.

We all know that feeling: The temperature hits 70 and the road starts calling. And frankly, we think one of the best ways to celebrate the summer is by exploring America’s national parks. But while some parks are in their best form June through August, others are swarming with crowds or come with major heat warnings. Whether you’re scaling cliffs or just want a picture with a great backdrop (sans sweat stains), we’ve got tips.

From mountain retreats to wildlife sanctuaries, these are the best national parks to visit in summer—plus a few you might want to save for fall and spring (we aren’t trying to throw you into a scorching desert or drown you in crowds). According to the National Park Service, over 331.9 million people visited U.S. national parks in 2024, making it more important than ever to plan your adventure meticulously.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by Amanda Capritto, TravlSync editor and full-time traveler.

Our Picks: Best U.S. National Parks to Visit in the Summer

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Photo by David Gomez on Unsplash.

Mars-like rock formations, fossil beds, and open prairies make Badlands National Park feel more like another planet than a national park. And while South Dakota can get warm in July and August, this park isn’t very humid and its wide open spaces (cue the Chicks) keep it fairly cool. Plus, early mornings and evenings here are a photographer’s dream—when cotton candy light hits those rocks, the view is indescribable.

Hot tip incoming: After you’re done at the park, don’t miss Wall, a tiny town just outside of the park. It was a favorite stop of mine, and Wall Drug Store (which is really much more than a drug store) is a can’t-miss.

Top sights and activities:

Drive the Badlands Loop Road and see the whole park from your car, including the ample wildlife (bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs).
Notch Trail is a short hike with a log ladder climb and a totally-worth-it view.
Swing by Big Badlands Overlook—there’s minimal light pollution and some of the best stargazing in the country.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Photo by Pablo Lara on Unsplash.

Though you may still catch some snow at higher elevations in June, the view of the Rockies will be crystal clear once July hits. Rocky Mountain Park boasts rugged terrain, turquoise lakes, and fields filled with life—we’re talking marmots, elk, and wildflowers galore.

Whether you're hiking to a glacial lake or catching a late summer sunset, Rocky Mountain National Park feels a bit like an adult summer camp. Personally, this is one of my favorite places to spot bighorn sheep, which are actually often confused with mountain goats.

Top sights and activities:

Take a drive up Trail Ridge Road for big views and wildlife sightings.
The hike to Emerald Lake is an easy-to-moderate 3.2-mile hike that rewards you with fantastic views.
Attend a ranger talk at Bear Lake to learn more about the local ecosystems.

Olympic National Park, Washington

The shoreline of Lake Crescent from Mount Storm King. Photo by Amanda Capritto

Olympic National Park offers mossy rainforests, driftwood-covered beaches, and snowy peaks June through August. These summer months are the best time of year to visit Washington because the rainy PNW (Pacific Northwest) finally gets to see some consistent sunlight. It’s worth noting that Olympic’s ecosystems are sensitive to tourists though, so stick to hiking trails and don’t interact with the wildlife.

Top sights and activities:

Wander through the Hoh Rainforest to see some impressively tall trees
Watch the sunset at Ruby Beach, a stunning rocky shoreline
Climb Hurricane Ridge or Mount Storm King for views of the Olympic Mountains.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. Photo by Amanda Capritto.

I may be biased since I met my fiancé here, but Montana is one of the best places to be in the summer. If you’re looking for fresh air and a bit of snow even in July, Glacier National Park has both. This hotspot in northern Montana boasts over 700 miles of hiking trails, lakes reminiscent of Banff, and meadows teeming with wildflowers all summer long.

It’s also one of the few national parks that stays temperate during summer, with average highs in the 70s. And if you’re looking for a souvenir, you can even make your own cowboy hat at Axehead in Whitefish, just outside the park (though be prepared to drop around $500 on it).

Top sights and activities:

Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road; it is hands down the most scenic highway I have driven.
Hike the Highline Trail to get great views of the Continental Divide.
Kayak Lake McDonald, a mountain-backed lake known for its multicolored pebbles.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Photo by Alex Moliski on Unsplash.

Picture Yellowstone’s geothermal environment minus the crowds and packed-to-the-brim parking lots. Lassen Volcanic National Park is an underrated summer holiday destination, but it offers an extremely similar experience to the ever-popular Yellowstone National Park (sans the swarms of families taking advantage of summer break).

Located in Northern California’s Cascade Range, Lassen houses all four types of volcanoes (shield, cinder cone, composite, and plug dome). If you’ve got kids who are in their science era, they’re sure to love this bubbling and steaming spectacle of a National Park.

Top sights and activities:

Hike the Bumpass Hell Trail to a colorful hydrothermal basin.
Kayak Manzanita Lake for a view of Lassen Peak in the background.
Summit Lassen Peak if you're up for the challenge (it’s a 5-mile round-trip trek).

Acadia National Park, Maine

Photo by Trevor Hayes on Unsplash.

If you want a cool ocean breeze and lobster rolls at every turn, Acadia National Park delivers. Nestled on Mount Desert Island, this coastal park is at its finest in the summer, when tide pools are thriving and the forest trails are (finally) dry and hike-able.

The park is a mix of pink granite cliffs, pine forests, and Atlantic Ocean views—if you’re into both coastal and mountain terrain, this is the spot for you. And from my experience, the Travelin’ Lobster in Bar Harbor, Maine is a must-do after a long day of hiking through the park.

Top sights and activities:

If you hike Cadillac Mountain, you’ll be able to see one of the first sunrises of the day in the U.S.
The Carriage Roads offer 45 miles of vehicle-free gravel paths.
For a Northeast beach day, Sand Beach is your spot

National Parks to Avoid During Summer

Some parks and portions of parks, like the inside of the Grand Canyon, are worth avoiding during the hot summer months. Photo by Amanda Capritto.

There are many parks that aren’t quite summer-friendly. Overall, we’ve tried to avoid including parks with huge crowds on this list (for comfort/convenience purposes), but safety is also a concern in the summer. Some parks can be dangerous once June hits—temperatures can get up into the 100s with minimal shade. Go ahead and skip these parks in the summer.

Saguaro National Park, AZ: The desert heat here is always brutal, and there’s limited shade.
Death Valley National Park, CA: The name here says it all. Temperatures often hit 120°F.
Big Bend National Park, TX: Highs reach the 100s, and water sources are not abundant.
Grand Canyon National Park (inner canyon), AZ: Rim temps are decent, but once you descend for a hike, those lower temps can exceed 100°F.
Joshua Tree National Park, CA: Uniquely beautiful, but can get dangerously hot in the summer months.
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ: With very little shade and temps often well above 100°F, it’s safe to steer clear until fall or winter.

If you’re planning to visit these parks, aim for early morning hikes, bring loads of water, and consider planning a camping trip in fall when temps are safer and crowds aren’t quite as dense.

FAQs

What is the #1 cause of death in national parks?

According to the National Park Service, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death. Be careful hitting the roads this summer, especially in hotspots crowded with tourists.

Is June too hot for the Grand Canyon?

It depends on your destination. Though the South Rim tends to be cooler, the inner canyon (including places like Phantom Ranch or Bright Angel Trail) can easily hit 100 to 110°F. If you’re there to hike the canyon, start before sunrise and come prepared for extreme heat.

Is Yellowstone too crowded in June?

We get it—you may think Yellowstone is one of the best national parks to visit in summer with kids, cool geothermics and all. But June is the start of Yellowstone’s high season. You’ll definitely run into crowds at big attractions like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring, and come prepared to battle it out for a good parking spot. For a more peaceful experience, avoid popular stops, opt for early mornings, or plan a trip once school is back in session.

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Article By: Lauren Keary

Lauren Keary’s passion for travel began during college when she sailed on Semester at Sea to 17 different countries. Since then, that number has grown to over 40. This passion for travel has also taken a foothold in her career, as she previously worked as a travel writer for BuzzFeed and the Evening Standard full-time, writing additional travel content for TripSavvy, Outside, and San Diego Magazine in her spare time. When she’s not writing about her adventures, you’ll probably catch her out on a hike with her dog Rusty, or looking for the best new coffee shop in town. But let’s be clear, she’s always going to be that friend in the friend group who’s catching flights (not feelings), so you’re much more likely to see her at 30,000 feet.