The Best National Parks To Visit In The Summer

Summer is right around the corner! While many have already booked their plane tickets, national parks are another great escape. Whether you intend on embarking on rocky treks for breath-taking views or camping under the stars, we’ve curated the best parks to visit this time of year to scratch your travel bug.



Grand Teton National Park


A great alternative to the Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Teton National Park is best known for having the highest peak in Grand Teton at 13,775 feet above the Jackson Hole valley floor. The majestic park also offers the campgrounds, the Snake River, glaciers, streams, and a 15 mile long Jackson Lake for exploring.

via National Geographic


Acadia National Park


Although Acadia isn’t as massive as its counterparts, it certainly has a broad range of different scenery, from forests to rocky peaks and beaches. It also offers a great deal of the Mount Desert Island and is encircled by small islands for fun in the sun!

via Maine Tourism


Crater Lake National Park


Crater Lake offers extraordinary views, clear blue water, 5 mile lake, and 2,000-foot cliffs! What’s not to love? Its also coined as one of the cleanest parks in the country. What’s not to love? And let’s not forget the stunning path up the Mount Scott Trail, which is tourists’ favorite spot for Instagram-worthy pictures.

via Cool Works


Shenandoah National Park


Famous for its charming foliage during the autumn season, the Shenandoah is just as marvelous during the summertime! Take a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a great climb or venture out to one of the park’s several waterfalls. Offering 196,000 acres, the Shenandoah is also perfect for camping.

via NPS


Great Smoky Mountains National Park


With an average of 9 million annual visitors, the Great Smoky Mountains is one of the most visited national parks in the country. Despite its heavy foot traffic, it never feels overcrowded granting visitors 522,410 of acres along the Blue Ridge Mountains. In addition, over 1,500 types of flowers live in the Great Smoky National Park for plant enthusiasts.



via USA Today