National Park of American Samoa
Dry season, from June to September.
June through August
Best National Parks to Visit in Summer
Summer is the season for mountain, northern and Alaska parks, where high roads open and the backcountry melts out. Here are the national parks rated best from June through August.
44 parks rated good or better in summer
Lake Clark
Bear viewing at Chinitna Bay and Silver Salmon Creek, plus fishing and paddling.
Wrangell–St. Elias
Prime time for Kennecott tours, glacier hikes and flightseeing.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Everything is open, including the more remote North Rim.
Redwood
Busiest season.
Carlsbad Caverns
Prime time for the sunset bat flight, when hundreds of thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats spiral out of the cave mouth.
New River Gorge
Prime whitewater rafting and climbing season.
Theodore Roosevelt
The main season.
Denali
The main season, with near-endless daylight and the most bus trips.
Glacier Bay
Prime season for the day boat, cruise ships, kayaking and humpback whales.
Kenai Fjords
Prime time for boat tours, the Harding Icefield Trail and puffins.
Gates of the Arctic
The visitor season: river trips and backpacking under the midnight sun.
North Cascades
The best and busiest time, though 'busy' here is quiet by national park standards.
Isle Royale
The main season for backpacking and paddling.
Great Basin
The best season.
Voyageurs
The main season, for houseboating, paddling and island camping.
Channel Islands
Calmer seas and warmer water make summer the best time for kayaking and snorkeling, and blue and humpback whales feed offshore.
Olympic
The driest months by far.
Kings Canyon
Prime season for the canyon floor, the river and high-country trails like Mist Falls and Rae Lakes.
Sequoia
The main season.
Glacier
The short main season.
Rocky Mountain
Prime season for the tundra and alpine wildflowers.
Indiana Dunes
Beach season.
Katmai
July is the peak at Brooks Falls, when bears gather to catch leaping sockeye salmon.
Lassen Volcanic
The main season, usually July to September.
Shenandoah
Green and cooler than the lowlands.
Crater Lake
The short main season.
Mount Rainier
Prime time.
Great Sand Dunes
The sand surface can reach 150°F on summer afternoons.
Wind Cave
Most cave tours are running, but they often sell out.
Acadia
Busy and beautiful.
Yosemite
The valley is crowded and the falls thin out, but Tioga Road and the high country around Tuolumne Meadows are at their best.
Bryce Canyon
Because of the high elevation, highs are mostly in the 70s and 80s.
Mesa Verde
All tours and Wetherill Mesa are open.
Grand Teton
All trails, lakes and boat shuttles are open.
Yellowstone
Everything is open, and it's very busy.
Badlands
Hot, often over 90°F, with severe thunderstorms.
Cuyahoga Valley
Green and busy, with concerts and the full train schedule.
Great Smoky Mountains
Hot and crowded at lower elevations.
Kobuk Valley
Midnight sun on the sand dunes.
Gateway Arch
Hot and humid, and the tram sells out daily.
Haleakalā
Busy family travel season.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Busy with family travel.
Mammoth Cave
Every tour runs, but they sell out.
Questions
What are the best national parks to visit in summer?
The highest-rated parks for summer are National Park of American Samoa, Lake Clark, Wrangell–St. Elias, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Redwood, Carlsbad Caverns.
Which months count as summer here?
June through August. See each month's page for exact ratings, since some parks change a lot within a season.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026. Ratings are editorial. Rules and road openings change each year, so confirm on the official NPS site before you go.