Summer brings out the fabulous shine in several national parks, as the hiking trails open, snow melts, and long days beckon. National parks are full of spectacular natural beauties and are an excellent “outdoorsy” contrast to urban vacation. However, because there are so many national parks to visit, deciding which ones to visit over your summer vacation might be difficult. So, we’ve made it simple for you by compiling this list of the 11 Best National Parks to Visit in the Summer. In addition, you’ll find useful key data and expert suggestions on the best things to do in each park.
What are the best National Parks to visit in the Summer?
- Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
- Glacier National Park, Montana
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
- Apostle Islands National Park, WI
- Denali National Park and Preserve, AK
- Badlands National Park, South Dakota
- Grand Teton National Park, WY
- Mesa Verde National Park, CO
- Channel Islands National Park, CA
- Haleakala National Park, HI
- Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, centred around America’s deepest lake, welcomes visitors who like to explore by foot, captained boat, bicycle, or self-driven car. Crater Lake National Park, located in southern Oregon, beholds. Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed 7,700 years ago, creating this national treasure. Crater Lake, ideal for stand-up paddleboarding, was created due to the chaos.
The 33-mile Rim Road trip is one of America’s most picturesque byways, with breathtaking views. When visiting Crater Lake, it’s a must-do activity, with more than 30 scenic pullouts. When admiring all the fantastic shades of blue and the park’s volcanic rocks, the different perspectives are sure to make your jaw drop.
Crater Lake is America’s deepest lake and one of the country’s snowiest locations. Unfortunately, it often takes until the summer to melt all of the 43 feet of snow that falls each year (on average). But, once the weather warms up and the ring road and amenities open for the season, this is a fantastic summer national park that We highly recommend adding to your bucket list! Make it a point to get up early in the morning to catch a spectacular sunrise over Crater Lake.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is without a question one of the gorgeous national parks in the country, and it is also one of the best summer national parks. Glacier, covered in snow for most of the year, comes to life when the temperatures rise, wildlife emerges, and the iconic Going-To-The-Sun Road opens for the season.
The famed 50-mile-long Going-to-the-Sun Road should be prioritised on any first visit to Glacier National Park. Only once the snow has melted can you drive it from end to end and enjoy Logan Pass, which sits at 6,646 feet. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen until July. The route offers a spectacular combination of mountains, wildlife (hello, bighorn sheep!) and history. The park’s audio tour is also a great way to meet new people.
There’s no shortage of outdoor leisure opportunities in Glacier National Park, with the massive St Mary Lake and Lake McDonald at each end of the park, a backdrop of towering peaks, and numerous rivers and streams.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is North Dakota’s only national park, and it’s a beautiful place to visit in June, July, and August when the weather is mild. However, thanks to more favourable weather and easier access to wildlife watching, summer is Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s most popular season. Badlands, While hunting in the area in 1883, the 26th president fell in love with the hoodoos and wildlife.
Check out the Painted Canyon Nature Trail, Wind Canyon Trail, and the Big Plateau Trail if you’re searching for a hike. Take a beautiful circle in the North Unit, see the cannonball concretions, and admire the views from the Oxbow Overlook.
The majority of visitors will travel to the South Unit, which is home to the town of Medora. Medora is the park’s modest western gateway town, where most visitors lodge. It boasts a tiny walkable downtown area with good food choices and “The Medora Musical,” a popular evening entertainment.
Apostle Islands National Park, WI
If you want to see beautiful lighthouses, head to Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands National Park, which also has calm beaches and stunning sandstone cliffs. This site has more ancient lighthouses than any other National Park, with nine of them. Most of these towers may be toured by various tour operators. Before you start touring lighthouses, make some instant coffee at your tent.
While some visitors will see the lighthouses, most will visit this National Park to hike, paddle, and sail. Lake Superior, particularly on hot summer days, is the ideal playground for your summer vacation. On 19 of the lakeshore’s 21 islands, there are camping opportunities. Pack your backpacking stove and mess kits because most of these locations are more classic campgrounds.
Denali National Park and Preserve, AK
Denali is the highest peak in North America, standing at 20,310 feet. In 1913, the first ascent to the summit was completed. Harry Karstens, a member of the group, would later become the first superintendent of Denali. Mountaineers from all around the world are now taking on the challenge.
If you want to go on a significant adventure, go to Alaska and visit Denali National Park and Preserve. You may rent an ATV or a Jeep to go off-roading across the Alaskan tundra and backcountry whether you’re feeling very daring.
Hiking in Denali is a true joy. However, with over 6 million acres to tour, deciding where to begin can be challenging. To ensure you visit some of the park’s top sights, we recommend going for a guided hiking excursion. Furthermore, a guided rafting expedition on the Nenana River is recommended.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
In South Dakota’s Badlands National Park, a 64,144-acre wilderness of otherworldly rock formations fashioned as if struck by wind and water, the summer months are sweltering. Badlands National Park, one of the most underappreciated national parks in the United States, will take your breath away!
The multi-coloured stripes and jutting rock spires are disorienting and create a joyful, beautiful vibe. With additional daylight in the summer, you’ll be able to go for longer hikes and tucker yourself out to see the sunset bring out even more pinks and bright reds to the already stunning environment.
This park is an open-hike park that is one of its best features. You don’t have to stick to a track and are free to walk throughout the park at your leisure!
Grand Teton National Park, WY
It’s no secret that Grand Teton National Park is one of most campers favourite places in the world. Grand Teton National Park is one of the best national parks to visit in any season, but it is beautiful in the warm season.
In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is another gorgeous National Park ideal in the summer. Everyone will find something to their liking. Grand Teton has something for everyone, whether you’re a tough explorer or just seeking a relaxing approach to seeing one of the most magnificent sites on the planet.
The Grand Teton National Park is also noted for its world-class fishing, particularly fly fishing. If you have your fishing poles and equipment, that’s fantastic, but if you want to travel light, guided fish trips are available that include all necessary equipment.
Mesa Verde National Park, CO
Mesa Verde National Site, in southwestern Colorado, is a history lover’s fabulous paradise; guided fish trips are the ideal park to take your children while they’re out of the lesson.
More than 5,000 archeological monuments, such as petroglyphs, Indian ruins, and well-preserved houses of the indigenous people who first colonised the corner of Colorado in the 1300s, can be found in the park in southwestern Colorado. In addition, this park contains ancient ruins, some of which are still open to the public. Join a ranger-led tour to learn more about the Ancestral Puebloan cliff home.
Mesa Verde National Park is also a fantastic place, while Grand Teton National Park observes unusual species. Coyotes, foxes, jackrabbits, and even bears can be found in plenty. Twhilehere’s also the possibility of encountering wild horses, who are designated trespassers since they’ve been known to inflict damage to ancient sites.
Channel Islands National Park, CA
Only one of California’s nine national parks, Channel Islands National Park, is only accessible by boat or plane. As a result, we urge that you add this park to your summer bucket list.
Summer is the finest time for activities because each season has something unique and essential to offer. Kayaking, hiking, swimming, diving, snorkelling, and sailing are some of the favourite activities in Channel Islands National Park.
Most visitors take a three-hour ferry ride to one of the four islands, which costs between $45 and $115 depending on your final destination. You can go for a day excursion or hire a campsite to spend the night. However, make your bookings as soon as possible! These locations quickly fill up.
If you’re going, we strongly advise you to camp for several most nights. It’s not only inexpensive ($15/night), but it also allows you to spend more time swimming, hiking, and simply enjoying the wilderness.
If you’re staying the night, go for a hike once you’ve set up camp. You’ll be treated to breathtaking ocean vistas. However, hiking is only half of the adventure. To truly appreciate the genuine beauty of these islands, we recommend renting a kayak or maybe taking a kayaking tour.
Haleakala National Park, HI
Haleakala Crater, which towers over the island of Maui and can be seen from almost anywhere, is a natural wonder in every way. At 10,023 feet above sea level, this dormant volcano provides the setting for a stunning array of landscapes—and skyscapes. In Hawaiian, Haleakala means “home of the sun,” and legend has it that the demigod Maui lassoed the sun as he stood on the volcano’s summit, slowing its descent to make the day endure longer.
Grand Teton National Park, while visiting a national park may not come to mind when thinking of Hawaii vacations, it is one of the most inexpensive and enjoyable things to do in Maui, Hawaii. More than 30,000 acres to explore in Maui’s southern section, such as the Haleakala summit, which rises to more than 10,000 feet.
It’s a weird experience to watch the sunrise over the Haleakala summit at nearly 10,000 feet. It’s fantastic to view the sunrise over the clouds, then watch as the top casts a single shadow. To top it off, you can hop on bikes with excellent brakes and ride down to the sea level beach. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
As you can expect, Haleakala is a hiker’s dream. However, it is also ideal for bicycling. The majority of guests ride a bike to descend Haleakala’s 21 switchbacks. While Haleakala Zipline Tour is ideal for adrenaline junkies, don’t be concerned whether you’re looking for something different. It’s a safe and fun pastime for the whole family.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO
Whether you’re looking for something different, Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park is known for its 30-square-mile dune field, but its pleasures extend far beyond the sand. While dunes are most famous in Michigan and other coastal places, the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is also pretty impressive and a great place to go camping in the summer.
Water to cool down in, hiking along Alpine trails, and grasslands that serve as banquets for magnificent species like elk and pronghorn are all available. The sand itself has the tallest dunes in North America: it’s a thing to behold as well as the most excellent playground you’ll ever see. We highly recommend biking Medano Pass Road if you have a big tire bike. But pay attention. The majority of this park prohibits mechanical transportation, such as bicycles.
However, the Grand Teton National Park In Medano Pass Primitive Road is the only place where bikes are allowed. However, it is not recommended for inexperienced bikers. Prepare yourself for a workout. Bike riding may become impossible if the sand becomes too dry. Many bikers will pack their belongings onto their backs and camp in Medano Canyon. So, to carry stuff, make sure you have a sturdy hiking backpack.
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