5 National Parks to Tour This Summer

With summer around the corner, it’s time to think about family road trips and summer getaways. The United States boasts 63 national parks spread across the country, many of which make perfect destinations for a summer trip. Often peak visiting months, you may have to navigate crowds as other adventurers take advantage of the warm weather to seek out the spectacular views and tranquil grandeur of these parks. To give you the upper hand, this article covers the best national parks in the U.S. along with a few tips for avoiding the crowds.

1. Yellowstone National Park

Famed for its diversity of natural wonders, from geysers and hot springs to canyons and lush valleys, Yellowstone is a must-see stop in anyone’s tour of the U.S. Nearly 4.5 million visitors explore its borders each year. Although a national-parks and outdoor enthusiast, I avoided Yellowstone for many years because of its popularity. While certain sights were overrun, their incredible and unique beauty made it worthwhile. And I was able to find quiet space both to rest and to hike.

The Grand Prismatic Spring tops many Yellowstone attraction lists for good reason. The surreal, misty surroundings and vibrant colors of the spring make it unforgettable. You can try to beat the crowds by getting an early start but be prepared to shuffle along the boardwalk with thousands of others drawn to its beauty. If you are willing to walk a bit farther, consider taking the trail towards Fairy Falls to see a breathtaking overlook of the spring.

Another of my favorites is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. At Artist’s Point, a short, accessible trail lets you enjoy the striking beauty of the turquoise Yellowstone River cascading in white foam into the canyon past sandy gravel walls dotted with towering pines. For those with a little more stamina in search of a quieter trail, descend into the canyon on Seven Mile Hole Trail. The final drop tested my surefootedness as a narrow path with loose rock wound down on the edge of the open canyon wall.

The park posts warnings about wildlife regularly because you will likely encounter large wildlife. Remember to keep a safe distance and practice care with food and trash. A drive through either Hayden or Lamar Valleys will almost guarantee bison sightings, and elk can be spotted in many different locations. Yellowstone also claims my most memorable grizzly meeting and my first moose sighting.

When you think of Yellowstone, you likely think of its most famous geyser, Old Faithful. With regularity, this renowned geyser erupts 17 times a day, spewing steam 130 feet into the air. Simply track down a schedule and find a spot in the spacious viewing area or take a slightly longer path up to Observation Point to view the entire basin of geysers.

Because of the diversity found in Yellowstone, it is difficult to mention only highlights. It also holds the largest high-altitude lake in North America, Yellowstone Lake, the geological wonder Mammoth Springs, and Mount Washburn, a very moderate mountain hike with panoramic views of the park to name just a few of its unique natural attractions.

2. Acadia National Park

Located on the coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is a popular destination, with towering mountains, sandy beaches, and vast forests. With 4 million visitors each year, it is in the top ten of most visited U.S. national parks. A fall trip may be worth it for the less-crowded trails and for the glory of fall foliage.

For parts of the year, Cadillac Mountain, the East coast’s most prominent peak, is the first place in the U.S. to see the sunrise. Though this is the park’s most popular site, required reservations keep it from becoming overwhelmingly congested. All it takes is planning ahead to nab a vehicle reservation.

It’s impossible to discuss Acadia without mentioning the carriage roads that weave their way throughout the park. Free of any kind of automotive, enjoy hiking or biking through the park for views unavailable by car. This is a great way to adventure with the family.

Another popular, yet worthwhile site is Thunder Hole, which is accessed from the Park Loop Road or the Ocean Path Trail. Thunder Hole, a deep rocky chasm that ends in a cavern, is a must-see on a stormy day or as the tide comes in. Waves crashing into the inlet create a loud boom and plume of spray as high as 40 feet in the air. This site becomes congested quickly, so try to visit before 9am on your way to a less busy part of the park.

Parts of the park’s expanse are less popular yet still offer a host of spectacular beauty and challenging adventures. The Schoodic Peninsula in Acadia is one less-populous area where visitors can explore the rocky shoreline without a crowd. For those seeking an easier hike, stroll along the Wonderland Trail past tidal pools to a spectacular rocky overview of the ocean. The Acadia Mountain Trail is another trail that gets less traffic but offers impressive overlooks. This more challenging hike with rock scrambles and more than seven hundred feet elevation gain is worth the work with stunning views all along the trail.

3. Yosemite National Park

On the other side of the United States in northern California, Yosemite National Park allows visitors to enjoy and appreciate high granite peaks, lush meadows, and mesmerizing waterfalls. Made famous by naturalist John Muir and photographer Ansel Adams, the majesty of Yosemite’s peaks draws millions each year.

Yosemite Valley is a starting place for many of Yosemite’s iconic hikes, with spectacular views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. Because so many views and hikes are found in this valley, parking quickly becomes scarce. Arriving before 9am will give you a better chance of finding parking and enjoying the trails of your choosing. Reserving lodging inside the park can help but know that campgrounds and lodges fill quickly. When I visited Yosemite, I was not able to get a much-coveted spot inside the valley and spent an hour and a half driving into the valley each day.

Bridalveil’s accessible trail and Glacier Point’s proximity to the road mean these places also fill quickly. Arrive early to have a better chance to enjoy the sights without the throngs. Despite its demanding climb up giant stone steps in the waterfall spray that gives it its name, Mist Trail is a popular trail. Both Vernal and Nevada Falls are worth the near constant company. The ascent was especially crowded when I visited, and I recommend taking the John Muir trail down. You will have a quieter hike with beautiful views and a less precarious and steep descent.

For those looking for a less-crowded view of Yosemite’s majesty, consider exploring outside the valley. Take Tioga Road (open May-October most years) and enjoy the Tuolumne Meadow area, a subalpine meadow surrounded by mountains and dotted with clear lakes. Hikes of varying lengths and difficulties, such as Pothole Dome or Elizabeth Lake, will give you breathtaking views. This is a more remote part of the park, so make sure you have provisions for the journey. Another priority for Yosemite visitors is the giant sequoias. Mariposa Groves has the park’s largest grove of these towering evergreens with around 500 sequoias for you to stare up at.

4. Everglades National Park

On the southern tip of Florida, Everglades National Park displays a completely different landscape and wildlife habitat. The park’s vast wetlands, groves of mangrove trees, and islands are home to alligators, manatees, and hundreds of bird species. While it is recommended that you visit the Everglades during the dry season—December-April—the park is open year-round. Whatever time you visit, come prepared with raingear and plenty of sunscreen and bug repellant.

With so much water to explore, many tour the Everglades in boats. From airboats to kayaks and canoes, you can rent watercraft, allowing you to see this unique habitat up close. Paddle through mangrove trees in the Florida Bay area near the Flamingo park entrance, or take a boat tour of Ten Thousand Islands accessed from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center (being rebuilt after hurricanes damage). You might spot a dolphin, manatee, or sea turtle.

If you are hoping to see an alligator, visit Shark Valley and rent a bike to travel the tram road. Or walk the short boardwalk of Anhinga trail named for the unique, turkey-like bird that you may find as well as alligators. This trail is in the Royal Palm area, which offers one of the few shaded trails in the park, Gumbo Limbo Trail. This paved trail traverses a dense hammock of gumbo limbo trees, royal palms, and ferns, giving you a much-needed break from the warm Florida sunshine.

More seasoned boaters and campers should get a wilderness permit to camp on an elevated platform called a chickee in the Long Pine Key area. This camping experience is like no other!

5. Olympic National Park

Near Seattle, Washington, Olympic National Park protects 70 miles of Pacific coastline. Housing a temperate rain forest, snow-capped peaks, and miles of beach, this park offers a variety of experiences. Ninety-five percent of the park is wilderness and inaccessible by road, so more experienced hikers find adventure and solitude within its borders. For those with less time, less experience, or less stamina, Olympic has many popular short hikes and accessible beaches and trails. Parking at some of its most popular sites fills up quickly and cars may wait as much as two hours for a spot. So, arrive before 10am or after 5pm to give yourself the best chance of a spot.

Hoh Rain Forest is one such place. The Hall of Mosses Trail is less than a mile long and shows off the beauty of old-growth forest and moss-covered trees. The incredible, lush vegetation and diversity of wildlife make this area rewarding despite its popularity. For a less crowded, though still popular experience of the rainforest, check out Sol Duc Falls and witness the beauty of the forest and the tranquility of the waterfalls. This area also offers more strenuous hikes for views of waterfalls and lakes.

Second on the list for many visitors is Hurricane Ridge. Accessible by car, bus, or hiking, from this ridge you can enjoy views of Mount Olympus, Puget Sound, among other breathtaking sights. Because of its popularity, you may consider taking the bus to enjoy the views and spending your time hiking in less frequented parts of the park.

Olympic’s vast shoreline means that visitors can explore and enjoy a variety of beaches. Two popular beaches are Kalaloch and Ruby beaches. The rock formations that dot the coast, the tide pools, and the of the ocean draw visitors to these destinations. Be sure to check the tides as water covers portions of the trails during high tide.

With so much to see at Olympic, it is difficult to choose your adventures. However, if you are looking for less crowded settings, consider Lake Crescent or the Ozette area. Some of these trails, like the Ozette Loop, are longer and more strenuous, but offer a quieter view of the scenery that makes Olympic famous.

Savor the distinct majesty the national parks safeguards. Balancing planning ahead with flexibility, you can navigate popular sights and find quiet in underappreciated gems. So, take a trip to one of these top five national parks, full of unique experiences and unmatched beauty.