Below I have organized the national parks in the season that may be the most reasonable time to visit the park based mostly on temperature and availability and openness of the park.
Disclaimer: National Parks are beautiful all year long and each season brings a unique set of experiences, this in no way ignores that. I have just complied a list of national parks and the seasons they may be the easiest or most enjoyable to visit during. However, these times often aline with the busiest times for these parks as well so keep that in mind. I also know some travel to parks solely for winter sports/activities or summer sports/activities, obviously go at the time of the year that best suits your interests.
Spring:
Lassen Volcano- warming up and not peak season yet
Yosemite-warming up, and not busy yet
Hot Springs-can be muggy and buggy during warmer months
Wind Cave- temperatures in caves are the same year round
Badlands-warming up, and not busy yet
Theodore Roosevelt- warming up and not busy yet
Great Sand Dunes-Warm enough, and sand isn't unbearable hot yet
Mesa Verde- Warm enough, but not unbearable yet
Black Canyon of the Gunnison- Warm enough, but not unbearable
Gateway Arch-Small park, the arch can be seen in any weather
Summer:
Isle Royale- Not open most of the year, everything is open during summer months
Acadia- Cold during most of the year, warmer months make for more comfortable temps
Gates of the Arctic- Alaskan park not accessible easily even during the summer, lots of snow
Kenai Fjords- Can be cold most months of the year and snowfall is frequent and covers trails
Katmai- Can be cold most months of the year and snowfall is frequent and covers trails
Lake Clark-Can be cold most months of the year and snowfall is frequent and covers trails
Glacier Bay-Can be cold most months of the year and snowfall is frequent and covers trails
Mount Rainier-Mountains can have large snow falls and certain parts of the park are only open during the summer
Olympic-can still have snow covering roads until mid summer
North Cascades-can still have snow covering roads until mid summer
Glacier-can still have snow covering roads until mid summer
Denali-Can be cold most months of the year and snowfall is frequent and covers trails
Kobuk Valley-Can be cold most months of the year and snowfall is frequent and covers trails
Wrangell-St. Elias-Can be cold most months of the year and snowfall is frequent and covers trails
Voyageurs-can still have snow covering roads until mid summer
Crater Lake-During the summer it is warm and water temperatures are better
Yellowstone-can be busy, however all attractions are open
Grand Tetons-can be busy, however all attractions are open
Rocky Mountains- can still have snow covering roads until mid summer
Indiana Dunes-During the summer the water is warm enough to wade into
Pinnacles- Warm and great time to explore
Channel Islands-During the summer it is warm and water temperatures are better
Kings Canyon-can be covered in snow parts of the year
Fall:
Smoky Mountains-Beautiful fall foliage
Shenandoah-Fall Leaves
Sequoia- Beautiful in fall
Redwood-Beautiful fall colors
Zion- Warm enough, but not unbearable
Bryce Canyon-Warm enough, but not unbearable
Canyonlands- Warm enough, but not unbearable
Arches- Warm enough, but not unbearable
Capitol Reef- Warm enough, but not unbearable
Great Basin- Warm enough, but not unbearable
Grand Canyon- Warm enough, but not unbearable
Petrified Forest- Warm enough, but not unbearable New River Gorge- Beautiful fall leaves in West Virginia
Cuyahoga Valley-Beautiful fall trails and foliage
Winter:
Death Valley- Hot most of the year, dry desert heat
Hawaii Volcanoes- Can be hot, muggy and buggy during warmer months, best time to surf
American Samoa- Hot Island with extreme humidity during warmer months
Joshua Tree-Hot most of the year, dry desert heat
Congaree- Mosquitos and swampy, humid heat most of the year
Everglades- Mosquitos and swampy, humid heat most of the year
White Sands- Sand can reach very hot temperatures throughout the year
Dry Tortugas- Direct sunlight in the middle of the ocean can be unbearably hot during warmer months
Saguaro-Desert heat most of the warmer months
Guadalupe Mountains-dry heat most of the warmer months
Carlsbad Caverns-dry heat most of the warmer months
Big Bend-Hot, dry Texas heat most of the warmer months
US Virgin Islands-Tropical and humid most of the year
Mammoth Cave- This cave is 50-60 degrees all year round making it an easy winter adventure
Biscayne- Can be hot, muggy and buggy during warmer months
Haleakala- Can be hot, muggy and buggy during warmer months, best time to surf
Reminder, I myself have frequently gone to some of these parks during other times of the year and loved them. Other times I wish I would have had this guidance and waited to visit at a time of the year where more was open, accessible and the temperature was more comfortable as well as mosquito free. Learn from me, do your research and choose what works best for you.
Until Next Time,
Macy
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