Glacier
The Crown of the Continent: jagged peaks, turquoise lakes and the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
9 national parks
Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountains & Plains National Parks
Geysers, alpine tundra, elk, bison and the badlands of the northern plains. Most high roads open between late May and early July and close again by mid-October.
Best overall month for the region: September. Each park has its own window below.
Average rating by month
Season calendar
The parks
Grand Teton
The most dramatic mountain skyline in the Lower 48, with moose, elk and bison below.
Yellowstone
The world's first national park: geysers, hot springs and the best wildlife in the Lower 48.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
A narrow, sheer canyon so deep that sunlight barely reaches the bottom.
Great Sand Dunes
North America's tallest sand dunes, with a seasonal creek that becomes a beach.
Rocky Mountain
Alpine tundra, elk herds and the highest continuous paved road in America.
Badlands
Striped spires, mixed-grass prairie and one of the world's richest fossil beds.
Wind Cave
A labyrinth cave beneath bison prairie, with rare boxwork formations.
Theodore Roosevelt
Wild horses, bison and badlands where a young Teddy Roosevelt became a conservationist.
Questions
When is the best time to visit Rocky Mountains & Plains national parks?
September is the best overall month for the 9 parks in this region. Most high roads open between late May and early July and close again by mid-October.
How many national parks are in the Rocky Mountains & Plains region?
9: Glacier, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, Rocky Mountain, Badlands, Wind Cave, Theodore Roosevelt.
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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.