Mountains, volcanoes, rivers, lakes, arches, wetlands, and more make up the diverse environment of the 63 US national parks. With beautiful scenery, important history, and unique geology creating these national parks, it’s hard to choose where to visit and when!
While many of these parks are accessible year-round, the different months offer a better visitor experience in certain parks. From the best weather to avoiding the crowds and finding the best time to visit
Zion National Park, use this guide to choose the best national parks to visit each month of 2025!
Looking to check a ton of National Parks off your bucket list this summer? Check out our
Colorado National Park Tour,
Arizona National Park Tour,
California National Park Tour, or
Utah’s Mighty Five Itinerary with a
Salt Lake City start.
January
Visit Big Bend National Park in Texas in January to avoid the heat and the crowds. January is a great time to visit after the busy holiday season.
Explore the land of the Chisos mountain range and the Chihuahuan Desert, home to a variety of desert wildlife. And, of course, you don’t want to miss exploring Santa Elena Canyon, carved out by the Rio Grande. Hike, kayak, raft, or join the national park service ranger-led tour to explore the magnificent desert wonder of Big Bend National Park.
February
Explore sand dunes, canyons, desert peaks, and salt flats in the driest desert in the United States. Death Valley’s elevation ranges from 11,043 feet high at Telescope Peak to -282 feet at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America.
February brings perfect weather to Death Valley National Park. Temperatures average in the 70s, and crowds are minimal. Whether you prefer hiking or a scenic drive, Death Valley offers many options. Don’t miss a few highlights, including
Zabriskie Point,
Badwater Basin,
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes,
Artist Drive, and
Furnace Creek.
February is the best time to visit Haleakala National Park in Hawai’i. Temperatures are comfortable in February, averaging in the 70s to 80s along the coast. Temperatures are a bit cooler at the summit of Haleakala, which stands 10,023 feet tall. So don’t forget your jacket!
Haleakala National Park is quite diverse. Catch sunrise atop Haleakala and explore the crater and unique volcanic geology. Spend another day driving the Road to Hana to the
Kipahulu District while taking in the beautiful Maui coastline.
March
Wander among gigantic boulders and along trails lined with Joshua trees and cacti in Joshua Tree National Park. Whether you are hiking, rock climbing, or taking a scenic drive, Joshua Tree offers opportunities for all visitors. March brings comfortable temperatures and the start of wildflower blooms.
While visiting Joshua Tree National Park, check out
Skull Rock,
Keys View, the
Hidden Valley Nature Trail, and
Barker Dam.
Zion National Park offers ample opportunities for exploration, and spring is the best time to visit Zion National Park. Wander among the deep red and orange canyons carved out by the mighty Virgin River. From emerald-colored pools to flowing waterfalls, overhanging gardens, wading through deep chasms, and relaxing alongside the river, Zion is one of the most popular national parks in the country. Once you visit, you will see why this is the best time to visit Zion National Park.
March is the best time to visit Zion National Park. As one of the most popular parks, you’ll beat the crazy summer crowds. Plus, March temperatures are perfect for hiking before the heat of summer!
April
Arches National Park is home to the densest concentration of natural sandstone arches in the world. And it has more than just arches, there are pinnacles, fins, balanced rocks, and more!
Arches is a small park that gets crowded (and very hot) in the summer. April is a great time to avoid the intense heat and craziest traffic on the trail and while driving through the park.
Canyonlands National Park is another Utah national park with great springtime weather—and it’s just a short drive from Arches National Park! Explore deep layers of canyons, rivers, needle-like pinnacles, arches, and more.
Enjoy a scenic drive and short hikes throughout the
Island in the Sky district. Or head out on an off-roading adventure in the
Maze district. The
Needles district is a must-stop for aspiring backpackers. And if water is your thing, join a commercial rafting trip in the
River district!
May
Head to Redwood National Park to explore California’s dense coastal redwood forests and take in ocean views. Spring is an incredible time to visit. In May, the forests are lush and green and far less crowded than during the summer.
It still rains a bit in May, but temperatures are comfortable. The flourishing green mosses, lichen, and trees are worth a few hours of rain to make this park pop! The park is littered with plenty of scenic drives and hikes, so all visitors can enjoy their time here.
May is also a great time to explore the East Coast. Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee is the most visited national park in the United States. Visiting in May before Memorial Day Weekend helps you beat the crazy summer crowds.
The Smoky Mountains are known for their stunning animal and plant life and layers of ancient mountains spanning the horizon as far as the eye can see. Hike up mountains or out to waterfalls while visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
June
Most of California’s national parks are in the mountains or desert. Channel Islands National Park features a different geology with a landscape of ocean cliffs and bays. Channel Islands National Park is a series of five ecologically rich islands off Southern California’s coast. This national park is home to various rare bird life and is a popular place to spot marine wildlife.
Channel Islands National Park is perfect for kayaking, snorkeling, diving, birding, or hiking. This makes June the perfect month to visit.
Home to the largest trees in the world, Sequoia National Park is a bucket list park. Walking amongst the giant sequoias will make you stare in awe. June is the perfect time to visit for pleasant temperatures following a cold, snowy winter.
Cannot-miss spots like General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, and the Tunnel Log are all accessible throughout the summer. Higher elevations in the park will still have snow in June, but this shouldn’t affect most visitors’ trips.
July
Wait for the snow to melt and for the wildflowers to bloom, and visit Mount Rainier National Park in July. Mount Rainier, a 14,411-foot Cascade Volcano, is the most glaciated peak in the US.
Mount Rainier National Park offers plentiful opportunities for hiking, scenic river strolls, drive-up viewpoints, mountaineering, and more! Visitors can enjoy reflections in roadside lakes, hike to a waterfall, or climb to the mountain’s summit.
Alaska’s famous Denali National Park is home to Mount Denali. Mount Denali is 20,310 feet tall, making it the highest point in North America. Of course, seeing the summit is a different story, as clouds often obstruct our view of it. July offers some of the best opportunities to see the summit of Denali and all park roads open following an intense winter.
Many hiking options range from short strolls to remote multi-day backpacking trips to hikes up to the summit for experienced mountaineers.
