Best National Parks by Month in the USA (Complete Travel Guide)
How to Choose the Best National Park by Month
Planning a trip to the USA?
Choosing the best national park by month can completely change your experience.
This guide breaks down the best national parks to visit each month in the USA based on weather, crowds, and wildlife so you can plan the perfect trip.
From scorching deserts to snow-capped mountains,
the landscapes found in the National Parks of the United States are both beautiful and foreboding.
Depending on your preference, each park has something to offer at different times of the year.
Though the dog days of summer are hot and crowded,
the wildlife is lush, and animals rambunctious.
The beautiful spring bloom and colorful autumn foliage offer an equally breathtaking experience
for those willing to brave the chillier, and possibly snowier, parks.
Below are our recommendations for the best park for each month.
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January: Grand Canyon
March: Everglades
May: Yosemite
July: Glacier
September: Yellowstone
November: Zion
February: White Sands
April: Arches
June: Grand Teton
August: Olympic
October: Smoky Mountains
December: Death Valley
Best National Park to Visit in February (USA Travel Guide)
White Sand National Park
As with many desert parks,
winter is an ideal time to visit.
White Sand National park has pleasant, cool temperatures from Thanksgiving to Easter.
However, February has exceptionally good sunrises and sunsets
in the Southwest due to the sun’s position in the sky.
Those wanting to capture classic desertscapes on film
should try for this time (or October).
If photographing flowers is more your medium,
March and early April sees the spring bloom start.
Best National Park to Visit in March (USA Winter Travel Guide)
Most of the grand parks out West are snowed in from October through May.
Some parks don't thaw out completely until mid-summer,
with places like Glacier commonly seeing road closures through June and even July.
Everglades National Park
March is an excellent time to visit the famed Florida Everglades.
A day’s break from your spring break will do you well, and any kids in tow will be enthralled by the experience.
Nestled an hour east and west of Miami and Naples,
the dry season in the late winter/early spring has many cool, sunny days.
Take an airboat ride out of Everglades City,
or rent a kayak at the numerous adventure outfitters in the area.
"Alligator Alley” is the scenic highway that cuts through Everglades National Park,
connecting the east and west coasts.
Gators galore can often be seen on the road shoulders.
Best National Park to Visit in April (Spring Travel Guide USA)
Arches National Park
Springtime is the best time in Arches National Park.
The days are not stiflingly hot,
and the crowds are not as hectic.
Many of the flora in the region also reach the height of their bloom during this time.
Photographers seeking those glorious golden hour shots
of the red and orange rocks can enjoy the sun setting earlier while the park is still open.
During the later summer months,
the stones are still too bright with the sun still high everyday when the gates close.
Best National Park to Visit in May (Late Spring Travel Guide USA)
Yosemite National Park
We ain’t been here yet. But it’s at the top of our list.
We hope to set aside a solid month to tour the great state of California.
From what they say, Yosemite National Park is perhaps the best there is.
Waterfalls during this time are apparently torrential with the spring snowmelt, and the Yosemite Valley quintessentially lush and green at the peak of the spring bloom.
More than any other park, we cannot wait to cross this one off our list.
Best National Park to Visit in June (Early Summer USA Travel Guide)
Grand Teton National Park
The first week of June was my first time in Grand Tetons National Park,
and it was simply spectacular.
The late spring air is warm and sunny,
which melts the snowpack and creates raging waterfalls visible throughout the park.
The wildflowers begin their blooms in the meadows of the valley,
and the fauna emerge from their winter dens.
The crowds are slightly better than July and August,
and we loved the cooler night temperatures around the campfire
at our favorite site in all of the parks, Cotler Bay.
Though September guarantees complete trail access
with hint of autumn foliage,
we recommend June for the uncrowded and cool conditions.
Best National Park to Visit in July (Peak Summer Travel Guide USA)
Glacier National Park
By July, the snow completely melts off the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.
This guarantees full access to the entire park,
as no other road exists to drive through the gorgeous landscapes.
Trails are also cleared of snow and mud,
and the wildflowers are in full bloom.
Having been there at this time,
we can tell you the crowds were not an issue,
and the weather was perfect.
Best National Park to Visit in August (USA Summer Travel Guide)
Olympic National Park
August on the Olympic Peninsula sees the clearest skies and warmest weather.
Hikes through stunning areas like the Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach
are pleasant in the drier summer climate.
The higher alpine trails on many of the Olympic Mountains
are also finally thawed out in the higher elevations.
Mount Olympus itself rises to almost 8,000 feet,
and like many others in the range are home to year-round glaciers.
As with any park,
it is a long, long drive from one end to the other.
Those doing a day trip from Seattle
will want to plan drive and ferry times accordingly.
Best National Park to Visit in September (Fall Travel Guide USA)
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone’s magnificent wildlife is highlighted best in the month of September.
The elks are in mating season,
the bears are out eating more before their long hibernation,
and birds are beginning their migrations south for the winter.
Fewer storms than in the summer mean clearer conditions
for spotting all sorts of animals,
who are out more during the day due to the cooler air.
Late September begins to show the beautiful colors of autumn,
and fewer crowds makes for a more relaxed pace in the park.
Some say wolves with their pups
are easier to spot at dawn and dusk during this time!
Best National Park to Visit in October (USA Fall Foliage Guide)
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The most visited national park in the United States,
the Great Smoky Mountains are by far the most beautiful in October.
The fall foliage is in full effect,
and the air nice and cool for long hikes in the gentle hills.
Gatlinburg is a great starting point,
with a fun and friendly tourist scene offering plenty of accommodations and restaurants.
From here you can hop on the Newfound Gap Road
and enjoy a quintessential autumn drive
all the way to Cherokee and back one easy afternoon.
Like the Overseas Highway in Key West,
it is one of those drives everyone should experience at least once.
Best National Parks to Visit in Winter (USA Winter Travel Guide)
The desert parks of the American Southwest are an ideal time to enjoy these beautiful landscapes that are found nowhere else on earth.
November: Zion National Park
Zion National Park is great in the month of November. The park is crowd-free, the temperatures cool, and the trails not yet cut-off from the winter’s snow.
December: Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park is a great Christmastime roadtrip. The desert landscapes look stunning in the winter light, with comfortable air in the daytime and ultra-clear stargazing at night.
January: Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is the ideal time for some western winter magic. After the holiday rush, the park empties out again. Snow is common during this time, making for an unforgettable vista of white and red hues in the canyon.
Though the North Rim is often closed due to the conditions, the whole of the South Rim can be enjoyed with excellent vantage points for photography. Cozy accommodations make for a classic winter vacation.
Choosing the Best National Park at the Right Time (USA Travel Tips)
Whether you are a seasoned backcountry hiker or a first-time camper, the National Parks will not disappoint.
With that being said, timing can make all the difference.
Knowing what each season offers can help you narrow down where, and when you want to start your next outdoor adventure.
Ask yourself what you want out of your trip, and see when you are able to go.
Be intentional.
Be stoked.
