11 Best US National Parks To Visit In Summer
While many flee to get away from the steel and smoke to resort towns and coastlines, others choose the wilder experience of visiting the renowned national parks. Boasting over 400, these 11 are the best national parks in the United States to visit during summer.
Acadia National Park, Maine
The only national park in the Northeast, Acadia National Park embodies the New England vibe with its picturesque villages, craggy coastlines, and bustling harbors. Housing the tallest coastal mountains on the eastern ocean-side, the sheer granite rock faces are rung with trails, including the popular Precipice and Beehive. Ascended with iron rungs and rails, they offer some of the best extreme hiking with unimpeded views of the Gulf of Maine. For non-extremists, the flatter trails also come with beautiful views, such as Bubbles and Jordan Pond, including the Jordan Pond House. There is the scenic port town of Bar Harbor in the vicinity with a wide range of staying options, such as the newly renovated Inn on Mount Desert with all the modern comforts. One can also choose to camp out in the expansive park itself, while for a unique "glamping" opportunity, there's the new Under Canvas Acadia half an hour from the park.
Arches National Park, Utah
Set 5 miles northwest of Moab, Arches National Park is defined by thousands of natural sandstone arches, making one feel part of a whole other world. The red rocks and various landforms in amazing configurations are made even more spectacular by the lighting playing with the shadows, different from one minute to the next. A true shutterbug's paradise, photographers flee to the park at dawn and dusk to eternalize the unforgettable vistas. It is also heaven for the active, with 26 scenic miles of paved roads and trails for hikes of all difficulties. There is the short 20-minute walk to the Balanced Rock and the Double Arch, while for some wild conquering, there are the remote and challenging treks through the Fiery Furnace leading to the Delicate Arch. The setting base for the night-time on the Colorado Plateau offers some of the nation's darkest nocturnal skies with unyielding views of the Milky Way.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Part of southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park appears like another planet with its otherworldly landscapes. One will find a dozen of amphitheaters, horseshoe-shaped canyons, and the Paunsaugunt Plateau set as an eroded escarpment. The variety of intricate, whimsical formations in the limestone rock that were created and shaped through erosion and rain entrance visitors. The paradise for photographers includes slot canyons, windows, fins, and notable tall and skinny spires. Known as hoodoos, they are most plentiful at the Bryce Canyon National Park than anywhere else on Earth. The park boasts elevations reaching 9,115 feet and very little light pollution for a hiker's heaven with unmatched views for 150 miles around on a clear day. It is also a nightly hub for stargazers, having been designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2019 by the International Dark-Sky Association.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Set on the border of Canada and Montana, Glacier National Park is known for breathtaking geological features of glacier remnants from the ice age, after which it was named. Also known as the "Crown of the Continent," it is a dizzying array of natural beauty and a favorite spot for unique hikes. Offering a variety of trails for any level of skill, there is the easy Trail of the Cedars running among the towering and beautiful cedars, while the challenging Grinnell Glacier comes with unmatched sweeping views. The many landscape forms over its 1 million acres include over 700 lakes, numerous waterfalls, and two mountain ranges that shelter array of wildlife. Historically significant, there is the scenic 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road running through the park. A National Historic Landmark and an engineering marvel, the road is known for spectacular views and the dispersion of popular hiking trails into the wilderness all around. The Great Northern Railway constructed many of the park's lodges, chalets, and hotels in the early 20th century that are now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
UNESCO World Heritage Site and managed by the National Park Service, the Grand Canyon National Park set in northern Arizona is world-renowned for its massive chasm in the Earth. Expanding for 6 million years by way of the mighty Colorado River, the mile-deep canyon measures some 277 river miles in length and up to 18 miles in width. The natural wonder is visited by some 6 million global tourists each year who travel there to gaze out and be awestruck over the red and orange spectacle of a lifetime. The South Rim contains the Grand Canyon Village, most of the amenities, and the well-worn Bright Angel Trail, popular among sightseers and hikers. The North Rim of the Canyon offers a wilder experience for fewer crowds around the natural grandeur, including backwoods camping and hardcore hiking. There are also helicopter tours for unparalleled views of nature's powerful work.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park spreads for nearly 500 square miles and reaches over 7,000 vertical feet, just south of Yellowstone. Composed of 2.7-billion-year-old gneiss that is some of the oldest rocks in North America, the jagged snow-topped peaks of Wyoming's majestic Teton Mountains tower above Jackson Hole Valley, where the Snake River flows through the park. The 13,770-foot Grand Teton posing a stark contrast against the surrounding flat plains, is beloved by those seeking a dramatic mountainous skyline. Aside from sights and hiking, many come to kayak, paddle, and fish within the views, as well as to sight wildlife, such as the bull elk rutting, black bears, grizzlies, moose, antelope, and bison. For unforgettable photography sessions or a scenic picnic, there are the glittering Jenny and Jackson lakes that reflect the mountains. There are also hidden waterfalls, while fall-time turns the area golden with aspens. The historic sights of the Menors Ferry and Mormon Row comprise the 19th-century pieces of the Western Frontier for history buffs. For the best stay, there is the conveniently-set Marriott Autograph Collection property, The Cloudveil, in Jackson's historic town square.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee
Set smack on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park covers good chunks of both states with its 522,427-acre tract. Dating back to the prehistoric Paleo Indians to 19th-century European settlers that occupied the region, the mountains are now visited by over 10 million people each year for free-to-enjoy scenic drives and spectacles. There is Cades Cove, perfect for biking on Wednesdays when it is closed to traffic from May to September and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. In between hiking, biking, and fishing, the stunning Abrams and Rainbow Falls are a must for a scenic picnic. The history fans will enjoy viewing the ancient gristmill and Cable Mill at the Cades Cove Visitor Center, while the nature freaks will find their fill in the wildlife exhibits at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, where one can also see a film about the park and buy unique souvenirs.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rising up to 14,259 feet and spreading for roughly 265,000 acres, Rocky Mountain National Park is frequented by some 4 million visitors annually. Although not the biggest or the most visited, even the weathered tourists tell tales of awe and wonder after experiencing the refreshing mountain air of the breathtaking park. Many come for the highest point, the Longs Peak, and to hike the 350-some miles of trails through pine and spruce forests. The natural sights also include glittering alpine lakes and swaths of wildflowers, while the wildlife viewings comprise mostly elk and bighorn sheep. The nearby towns set at various elevations offer modern treats, comforts, and entertainment options, such as devouring homemade ice cream, a spooky tour of the Stanley Hotel, and the picture-perfect village of Estes Park.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The extraordinary park is a known outdoor enthusiast's paradise where verdant forests weave past expansive meadows among the dramatic peaks and pristine lakes. Four million annual visitors flee to this northwest corner of Wyoming edging into Idaho and Montana, for the unspoiled and wondrous nature, including the famous Old Faithful geyser, the Yellowstone Lake, and the Mammoth Hot Springs. The multi-colored pools swirling around hot springs and volatile geysers launching hot-water streams into the sky are the same as described by John Colter, a scout for explorers Lewis and Clark, in 1807. Snaking through the 3,000-plus square miles, the endless trails feature waterfalls, canyons, and wildlife sightings, including buffalo, elk, and grizzlies. There are also the remote hot springs of the West Thumb Geyser Basin and the untamed wildlife of the Lewis River Channel and Dogshead Loop.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park covers around 1,200 square miles of some of the most formidable natural landscapes in the state. Its towering waterfalls, millennia-old Sequoia trees, daunting cliff walls, and unique rock formations are some of the nation's most striking. The 8-square-mile Yosemite Valley comprises an area of high activity where tourists come to gawk at the famous Half Dome and El Capitan with lots of excellent hiking trails weaving off into various directions with more natural monuments. Hiking is suitable for all levels, while one can also attain guided tours and climbing lessons from local adventure outfitters. Visited by approximately 4 million people each year, the morning is the best time to come out exploring, when Mother Nature shines serenely and miraculously after a good night's rest.
Zion National Park, Utah
Meaning "refuge" in Hebrew, Zion National Park is nestled in the southwest corner of Utah, 166 miles from Las Vegas and 308 miles from Salt Lake City. Its once serene and unspoiled environment is now one of the most visited in the country, with over four million tourists each year who come for its unbelievable natural beauty. There is the apricot-colored Zion Canyon calling one to wade through the Virgin River for sights, while others come to ascend Angel's Landing, where every turn reveals an even more spectacular view than the last. For an atmospheric evening spent, one can cozy up near a campfire for a nightcap under the un-obscured blanket of the night sky illuminated by stars.
These best national parks offer a truly refreshing summer getaway, where the mountains comprise a real climber's heaven and bodies of water are perfect for water enthusiasts who enjoy fishing, swimming or picnicking on the scenic shores. Inclusive with picturesque towns in the vicinity, one can attain all the modern comforts for some R&R after hiking or biking through these vastly atmospheric national parks.
