Best USA National Parks To Visit This Summer

One of the best times to visit national parks is, of course, in the summer! Everyone is ready to take advantage of the perfect warm weather and the colorful wildflowers some national parks have to offer. So I have come up with a list of some of the best national parks to visit this summer. This list is filled with lakes, mountains, waterfalls, beaches, and so much more. Visiting and exploring national parks is one of the most amazing experiences, so I hope this list helps you have an outstanding summer vacation.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

What To Pack

1. Sunscreen: Even in the spring these parks can get HOT!  >Buy Sunscreen
2. Hiking Boots/Shoes: If you use tennis shoes, you can easily hurt your toes hitting a rock by accident (Trust me, I have done it so many times before). >Check Out My Hiking Shoes
3. Hiking socks: Having the correct socks helps you prevent getting blisters. Smart Wool is probably my favorite brand out there. I also love how they now have pink socks too 🙂 >Buy Hiking Socks
4. Water Reservoir: Water reservoirs help prevent me from getting dehydrated while hiking. The great thing about this reservoir is that it doesn’t have the plastic taste. >Here Is My Water Reservoir
5. Water: Stay nice and hydrated.
6. Sunglasses: It can get sunny so make sure to pack some sunglasses. >Check Out These Sunglasses
7. Snacks: The best snacks are jerky, nuts, energy bars. Clif Bars are great for hiking.
8. Camera: The Sony A6000 was one of the first cameras I started traveling with. The Sony A6000 is an excellent camera for people that want to start improving at travel photography.  >Buy Sony Camera Here
9. First Aid Kit: This is one of the first things I bought when I first started going on adventures. It is super portable. >Buy This Awesome First Aid Kit Here
10. Day Pack to carry all your things: To carry all your gear, water, and food, you need a good backpack. Osprey is known to have some of the best backpacks in the market. >Buy This Great Quality Backpack
11. Headlamp: A headlamp is an absolute must in case you get stranded in the dark! It is a lot more portable and easier to use than a flashlight. >Buy A Headlamp Now
12. Leggings or Hiking Pants: I always wear leggings while hiking because it is what I feel most comfortable with! >Click For My Favorite Hiking Leggings
13. Breathable sweat-wicking shirts: Cotton shirts soak up your sweat when hiking, so make sure to wear something breathable. >Check out this awesome breathable shirt here.
14. Mid Base Layer: If you are hiking in the winter this might be a great idea. >Check Out My Sweater Here
15. Sports Bra: For women.
16. Jacket: In case you get chilly at night.  >Buy My Favorite Jacket
17. Tripod: This is an optional item, but it is excellent for getting the ideal sunset pictures. >Check out this tripod
18. Knife: I always carry a knife in my backpack just in case. >Check Out My Knife Here
19. National Park Passport: Don’t forget to pack it if you have one!

Best USA National Parks To Visit In The Summer

Mount Rainier National Park

One of my favorite national parks to visit in the summer is Mount Rainier, National Park. When I first heard about this park, I honestly thought the only thing to this park was the big mountain Mount Rainier. But after exploring 3 out of the 4 entrances this past summer, I realized just how diverse and beautiful this national park is. The park is not just a view of Mount Rainier. It is soooo much more. There are waterfalls, lakes, wildflowers, rivers, and old-growth trees. The best part about visiting in the summer is the wildflowers. Summer days at Mount Rainier National Park feel like Spring days with colorful blooming flowers surrounding the fields. It is such an outstanding national park that you need to visit.

One of my favorite things to do is to do the most popular trail called the Skyline trail loop. Let me warn you, that this trail is very crowded, but don’t let that stop you. You get views of Mount Rainier National Park and more! Just make sure to bring a jacket with you. Mount Rainier is known to have a quick change in weather.

Speaking of weather, if the weather does turn bad, another great hike to do is Comet Falls. This waterfall is my favorite in the whole state of Washington. The views are glorious, and everything is so lush and green! It is one of my favorite hikes in this national park.

Another great hike located in the Northeast corner is Fremont Lookout. It is one of the best sunset locations. It is only 5.6 miles, with a cute fire lookout at the end and closeup views of Mount Rainier. I highly recommend it.

Read More About Mount Rainier: Best Hikes In Mount Rainier National Park

Glacier National Park

The best time to visit Glacier National Park is in the summer! This is when the famous “Going To The Sun Road” opens. This road has terrific views throughout, and you can stop at many areas to hike a trail

One of the best things to do in Glacier National Park is to hike The Trail of the Cedars/Avalanche Trail. It is one of the most popular hikes, so make sure to arrive extra early! This trail was my favorite in Glacier National Park. It had a waterfall near the beginning of the trail and a basin area with magnificent waterfalls in the mountains. We even saw a black bear on the trail!

Another great hike is the Hidden Lake Overlook. Keep in mind that we hiked at the beginning of July, and it was still super snowy! But regardless, it made for fantastic views and a fun snowy adventure.

My favorite area though, was the Many Glacier Area. I LOVED this area and all of the surrounding mountains. You can take some boat tours and even hike around the lake. One of the most popular trails is the hike to Grinnell Lake. The lake is a sparkling bright turquoise blue color and it is worth the trek.

Read More About Glacier: Best Thing To Do In Glacier National Park

Great Basin National Park

Great Basin is a hidden gem of a national park in the middle of nowhere, Nevada. It’s one of the least visited national parks in the US and found just outside of the sleepy town of Baker, Nevada, on the Loneliest Road in America. It also happens to be one of my favorite national parks.

Summer is the best time to visit and the prime time for hiking. The scenic road and access to most of the park are closed in winter, so summer is perfect. One thing you’ll want to make sure you do is a Lehman Cave tour. There is an hour-long tour and a 90-minute tour. You’ll want to reserve tickets ahead of time, especially if you’re going to do the more extended tour or have more than one person in your group.

The best hike in the park is the Alpine Lake/Bristlecone Loop. It takes you to two alpine lakes, Bristlecone trees (the oldest living things on Earth!), and up to Nevada’s only glacier on its second-highest peak, Wheeler Peak. If you want a more challenging hike, consider the hike up to Wheeler Peak.

By Megan at Red Around The World

Voyageurs National Park

Imagine paddling through the crystal clear reflection of the northern Minnesota wilderness. It has that intense silence of nature that is rare to find, with distant loons calling and the sound of Rainy Lake flowing gently past your canoe. This is Voyageurs National Park. 

The park and its land have a deep connection with the indigenous people who have called this place home for centuries. As such, Voyageurs National Park offers visitors both a cultural experience and a world of adventure.

Minnesota has a reputation for being a cold destination, but I can assure you it gets quite warm in the summer. Over one-third of the park is only accessible by water, making it a perfect and unexpected national park to visit in the summer. Take a break from paddling every once in a while to cool off in the water. 

While lodges are surrounding the park, all of the campsites are only accessible by water. Permits are required, and campsites can be reserved in advance. There are also 33-day use campsites if you want to stay at a lodge but paddle in and play for the day. Want the best of both worlds? Rent a houseboat to venture into the park!

If paddling isn’t your thing, there are several hiking trails accessible by both land and water. Kab-Ash trail system is 27.9 miles long and is accessible by land. It offers an excellent overview of the park as it winds through the backcountry and wetlands. If you want to increase your odds of seeing some of the larger wildlife in the park, hike the Cruiser Lake Trail, accessible only by water. This trail takes you up and over rocky cliffs to an otherwise hidden wetland area where moose and wolves are known to wander!

Voyageurs National Park is one of the most unique national parks, an ideal summer destination for anyone seeking solitude and water-based adventures.

By Susan at This Big Wild World

Isle Royale National Park

Isle Royale National Park is a unique and special national park. Isle Royale is consistently ranked among the least visited national park. Due to its remote location, Isle Royale can only be reached via boat or seaplane, and the park is only open to the public from April to October. The best months to visit this park are June, July, and August. Visitors should keep an eye out, and if they are lucky, they might see beaver, wolves, and moose while on the island.

Most park visitors will arrive in Isle Royale at Rock Harbor or Windigo. Both entry points have a campground. Rock Harbor has a small historic hotel along with a camp store and restaurant. Windigo has a few small cabins and a camp store. Kayakers and backpackers use these two areas as staging grounds before heading out to explore other parks of Isle Royale, and it’s associated islands.

Isle Royale is a kayaker and hiker’s wonderland. There are over 400 islands in the park, and kayakers and boaters are welcome to explore them. Hikers and backpackers have over 170 miles of hiking trails to explore. There are 36 campgrounds spread across the park, and they are spaced out so hikers and kayakers can easily travel from one camp to the next. Most of the hiking trails and kayaking routes are along the shoreline of Lake Superior and provide lake views.

By Jennifer at National Park Obsessed

Denali National Park

Do you love seeing gorgeous remote landscapes and diverse groups of animals? These are the reasons why Denali is my favorite National Park. Denali National Park has 6-million acres of incredible natural beauty. The park offers primitive wilderness, varied wildlife, hiking trails – marked or off-trail, rolling tundra hills, and icy glaciers.

Views at Denali are awe-inspiring. From Denali Mountain (previously called Mt. McKinley), the tallest peak in North America, to the expansive Alaska range, from spring and summer flowers to snowcapped peaks and glaciers, Denali offers stunning landscapes.

Summertime is the best time to see the females and their young. Not only did we watch grizzlies and cubs from the camper bus, but we observed them while hiking Thorofare Ridge Trail, where we also saw Denali peak and the Alaska Range. Herds of caribou can be seen cooling off on melting snow patches, or trotting to their next feeding spot. We were quite surprised to have a female moose and her 2 calves approach us. In 4 days at Denali, we also saw a golden eagle, hawks, water birds, arctic warblers, porcupine, fox, Dall sheep, snowshoe hares, on our hikes, from the campground, and the camper bus.

Since ‘Denali is the world’s coldest mountain in the land of eternal winter,’ summer is the best time to visit. It’s exciting to be able to see the elusive Denali peak in summer when you can get into the park more easily. Denali is most accessible from May 20 to the 3rd week of September when the road is open. Denali is a special place to hike and camp, and well worth a summer visit!

By Wendy at Adventurous Retirement

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most important national parks in the entire world. It was the first national park in the United States, and some say it was the first national park in the world. Yellowstone is so big that it spans three different states, though it is mostly located in Wyoming. 

Because Yellowstone is in the northern United States, it is best to visit in the summer. The weather will be at its most pleasant, and you’ll have a better chance of seeing Yellowstone’s wild animals. You can spend the night in nearby Jackson Hole, or you can camp in Yellowstone itself. Just be sure to reserve far in advance during the summer months because spaces fill up fast.

Yellowstone is located in the basin of a dormant supervolcano. That’s why the park has so many vibrant and active geysers and hot springs. The most famous geyser is Old Faithful, which earned that name because it erupts at fairly predictable times throughout the day. 

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, located in the Midway Geyser Basin, is probably the most photographed spot in Yellowstone National Park. This is one of the largest hot springs in the world. It’s deeper than a ten-story building! But the Grand Prismatic Spring is most famous for its gorgeous colors that look amazing on camera.

Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to see the animals who roam Yellowstone National Park. You’ll spot bears, bison, elk, and more. Just remember that the animals are not cartoons. Keep a reasonable distance away from them, at least 100 feet away from the bears at all times. And never feed the animals! You want to keep Yellowstone National Park, a place that will welcome both humans and wildlife for years to come.

By Stella at Around The World In 24 Hours

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is the park with the best atmosphere on this list. What I mean by that is when visiting this park, you can feel the laid back and summer fun atmosphere. The small town nearby is filled with some of the best seafood 🦞 you will ever eat in your life, topped with the yummiest blueberry ice creams and delicious bread popovers, it is easy to see why Acadia has been one of my favorite national parks to visit.

I know Acadia doesn’t have the tallest mountains or the prettiest beaches, but it doesn’t need it. The people and the beautiful summer atmosphere really make this a perfect summer getaway!

If you love a challenge, I highly recommend hiking the Precipice trail. The hike is unique because you have to do a lot of scrambling and climbing ladders. It is not for the faint of heart. I also recommend hiking Bubble Mountain in the morning. The views are outstanding, and you can walk over to Jordan Pond Restaurant and eat the famous popovers afterward!

Read More About Acadia: Best Things To Do In Acadia National Park

Grand Tetons National Park

Grand Teton National Park is among the most beautiful and hiker-friendly parks in the world. On top of that, the summer weather makes this Wyoming wonderland a must-visit place, and the very best national park to visit during the Summer. The day hiking, camping availability, and proximity to Jackson make the Tetons stand out. 

Hiking Grand Teton National Park is both challenging and rewarding. There are hikes here, such as Death Canyon and Garnet Canyon, that are equal parts challenging and absolutely breathtaking. If you are looking for a more leisurely hike, the Jenny Lake Loop, Hermitage Point, and the String Lake Loop are right up your alley. Signal Mountain has a stunning view, and you can even drive the whole way there if you’d like!

On top of the excellent hikes, there are numerous great camping opportunities in the Tetons. Of course, inside the park are a few great campsites that have toilets, showers, and plugins if you have your own RV. If you are more of a camp-under-the-stars person, then there are backcountry camping opportunities deep inside the park. If you find yourself somewhere in between, then head just outside Grand Teton National Park to Bridger-Teton National Forest. There you’ll find free (yes, FREE) campsites with gorgeous views of the mountains, all within a short drive of the park. Of course, these free sites have no amenities such as toilets and electricity.

A final reason Grand Teton National Park is so beautiful to visit is the awesome city of Jackson, WY, just down the road. Jackson is a great tourist town full of fun things to do, shops, restaurants, and pretty much everything you can think of. If you are flying into the area, you’ll likely fly into Jackson, and check it out for a night if you can!

All in all, the awesome weather and hiking make Grand Teton a perfect Summer destination. Add in the camping available and the fun you’ll have in Jackson, and this becomes one of the best and most memorable National Parks you’ll ever visit. Enjoy!

By Julie and Zach at Ruhls of the Road

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of those parks that once you visit, you will find yourself planning your next visit. The park is known for its magnificent beauty and nature experiences. Nature enthusiasts will fall in love with all of the outdoor opportunities. With dozens of hiking trails to choose from, you will find a hike that fits your skills.

One of our favorite hikes is to hike from Bear Lake to the Fern Lake Trailhead. On this hike, you will climb the side of the mountain, with an amazing view of Flat Top Mountain and the town of Estes Park. Odessa Lake is a few miles into this 10-mile hike and worth every step. When you hike back out of the canyon to Odessa Lake, continue on to Fern Lake. Once you stop for a snack by the lake, head on to the trailhead. Several waterfalls and streams will lure you in, as you hike to the trailhead. 

This hike is great for park visitors that are novice to experienced hikers. Pack your rain gear and head out early in the morning to avoid any afternoon showers that occasionally pop up. On your way back to town, swing into Sprague Lake. This lake trail is handicap accessible and offers beautiful views of the Bear Lake area in the background. With dozens of hiking trails to choose from, all visitors will not be disappointed.

By Sara at Travel With Sara

Conclusion

I hope you can pick one of these national parks to visit this summer! If you need any more information on national parks, check out my post below:

• Best National Parks to Visit in the Spring
• USA National Park Checklist
• Best USA National Parks To Visit in the Fall
• How To Plan A National Park Road Trip
• Best National Parks To Visit In The Winter

Pin For Later