The Best National Park to Visit Every Month of the Year (Bookmark This Guide)

Wallace Stegner, one of the greatest chroniclers of the American West, famously wrote, "National parks are the best idea we ever had," a quote that Ken Burns paraphrased in the title of his sprawling documentary on the history of our national parks.

Folks may not uniformly agree that our national parks are America's best idea, but they're definitely near the top. As for me, I would definitely rank the establishment of our national parks among my top favorite things we've accomplished as a nation. Collectively, National Park Service units account for some of the best known and most beloved destinations in the United States—for citizens and visitors alike—and contribute more than $56 billion to the economy, much of which stays in the parks' locales.

So a visit to a national park is not only a profound personal event, but also an elevated experience that allows us to enjoy the sweeping extent of our country's natural beauty while contributing to the local economies that are the backbone of America. During the year, I plan to visit as many NPS units as I can, so I thought I'd offer you this US national parks travel guide for some suggestions to add to your calendar, as well. Here are my picks for the best national parks by month.

1. January — Everglades National Park (Florida)

Starting off any year with a trip to sunny South Florida and one of the world's most endangered ecosystems will treat you to mild temperatures, as opposed to the heat and humidity you would otherwise experience late spring through early fall. The Florida Everglades is one of the largest expanses of freshwater wetlands on Earth (South America's Pantanal is the largest), and this fragile ecosystem, though rather inhospitable to humans, holds incredible biodiversity.

Fortunately, Everglades National Park offers a practical way for visitors to explore much that the region has to offer—from flamingo flocks and saltwater crocs to mangrove flats and swamp habitats—without much bushwhacking. This is one of the best national parks in winter, especially for folks from the northern states, because the weather is relatively mild, not too hot, and, of course, no snow.

2. February — Saguaro National Park (Arizona)

Another stunning park that's perfect for a wintertime visit is Saguaro National Park in Arizona. Its two units are home to the largest saguaro forest in the United States, with over 2 million cacti. During this time of year, the desert is cooler, the sun is less brutal, and hiking among these wondrous cacti is an even more sublime experience. The park's landscape is rugged, yet much of it falls within the city limits of nearby Tucson, so you're not far from a solid selection of hotels and delicious dining options. Add Saguaro National Park to your national park bucket list USA!

3. March — Zion National Park (Utah)

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Zion National Park, as winter has loosened its grip, but the heat isn't oppressive. The temperatures are optimal for hiking and exploring before the crowds really descend upon the park during peak season, late spring through early fall. Migratory birds are starting to make their way into the park, and sprays of wildflowers begin to appear along the Virgin River. I've visited Zion during peak season and at times when I saw few others in the canyon. There's something truly magical about Zion in the early springtime, though it is one of the best national parks to visit in the USA year-round.

If you hope to hike to Angels Landing, be aware that you will need a permit to do so. Permits are available by lottery, and you can apply at Recreation.gov. Las Vegas is the nearest major airport—about three hours away—which is perfect, because flights and rental cars are generally inexpensive.

4. April — Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, is another park where springtime is particularly special. Although it can still be cool at higher elevations, the budding trees, blooming flowers, baby animals, and hungry black bears emerging from hibernation will warm your soul. And the mist coming off the mountains adds to its ethereal appeal. Pigeon Forge, on the Tennessee side, has many excellent lodging, dining, and entertainment options, including Dollywood and the Titanic Museum.

Also, please be mindful when visiting communities on the North Carolina side, as many are still recovering from the devastating flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene; however, businesses that have reopened will be happy to see you!

5. May — Olympic National Park (Washington)

There may not be another national park that offers a more diverse variety of terrain and landforms than those found at Olympic National Park in Washington, one of the best national parks in spring. From picturesque beaches and a dramatic shoreline to awe-inspiring waterfalls and pristine rivers to snow-capped peaks and a temperate rainforest, Olympic is a biological wonderland. Every time I go, I see something new and, often, unexpected. Hiking in the Hoh Rainforest and whale watching from the beach are my two favorites... so far.

6. June — Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)

If you ask me, there's probably not a better place for wildflowers than Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park. When June rolls around, the park's alpine meadows and mountain valleys come to life, exploding in constellations of yellow, green, orange, and purple against a newly green backdrop. You can either explore Rocky Mountain National Park on foot by hiking bucket list-worthy trails, such as the Emerald Lake Trail or the Ute Trail, or hop in the car to drive the scenic roads, including Old Fall River Road or Trail Ridge Road. Visit NPS for road condition updates ahead of your visit.

By June, most of the park's roads are usually passable, but you'll also need a timed-entry (or camping) reservation to visit the park. You can get them from Recreation.gov.

7. July — Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska)

Although it's peak visitation season, summer is definitely the best time to visit Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Not only is it home to the highest mountain in North America, but its landscape is teeming with some of the most majestic megafauna our continent has to offer. A tour through Denali has been likened to an African safari, and the experience is not to be missed, especially for the opportunity to see moose, bears, dall sheep, wolves, caribou, and more. Plus, with all the "Midnight Sun," nearly 24 hours of sun in Alaska, you've got plenty of daylight to make the most of your visit.

8. August — Isle Royale National Park (Michigan)

Isle Royale National Park, technically in Michigan but much closer to Minnesota, is one of the least-visited U.S. national parks overall and is, in fact, dead last for national park visitation in the Lower 48—which is wonderful! With fewer than 30,000 annual visitors, this archipelago of Lake Superior islands is home to moose, wolves, and beavers—and on occasion, you're more likely to see one of these residents than another visitor. This is one of the best national parks in summer, especially if you want to immerse yourself in nature and view wildlife without the crowds that other national parks experience. Isle Royal National Park is open seasonally from late May through early September and is only reachable by boat or seaplane. Ferry service is available from Grand Portage, Minnesota, and Houghton, Michigan.

9. September — Yellowstone National Park (Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming)

September is my absolute favorite time to visit the world's first national park: Yellowstone, established in 1872. During this time of the year, the weather is mild. All of the animals, from bison and grizzly bears to elk, moose, and wolves, are still active, and roads are still passable (although I was there for a Labor Day blizzard once)—but the crowds of other visitors have thinned appreciably. Yellowstone National Park is such a wondrous place, as much for its unique topography and geothermal features as for its incredible wildlife, that I just can't get enough. It may be cliché to refer to Yellowstone as my favorite national park, so I'll just say it's in my top five.

10. October — Acadia National Park (Maine)

A handful of national parks offer incredible fall foliage, and I would argue that Acadia National Park in Maine, referred to as the "Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast," is among the best (rivaled only by Shenandoah). Defined by its rugged Downeast coastline and robust hiking, as well as its more staid history as a 19th-century destination for the well-heeled, the collection of islands and peninsulas that make up Acadia is a true New England gem. Timed-entry reservations are required late May through October for those who wish to drive the Cadillac Summit Road, and if you're here for fall colors, you'll definitely want to make the drive up Cadillac Mountain. Acadia National Park is absolutely one of the best national parks in the fall, especially for the foliage New England is known for.

11. November — Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)

In terms of sheer awe, few places have impressed me more at first glance than Bryce Canyon National Park. I got my first glimpse on a snowy January day when the main road was partially closed, and I was limited to visiting the amphitheater area, but seeing the snow-blanketed hoodoos rising up like fingers from that massive red rock bowl nearly took my breath away. I've been back since, and although the snow added a little extra something to the scenery, being able to navigate the whole park made up for it. The shoulder seasons, like November, are excellent times to visit, as the high-desert heat of the Colorado plateau has moderated, but the park isn't yet in the full grip of winter, making it ideal for hiking. And if you're a stargazer, this is your park to gaze up at the immense dark skies filled with millions of twinkling stars.

12. December — Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii)

December in Hawaii? Sign me up! Even if Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island wasn't located in our most beautiful (I have opinions) state, it would still make this list for its own dramatic scenery between the tropical island destination, lava landscape, and fascinating geology. You've got rainforest, Pacific Ocean shoreline, petroglyphs, lava tubes, wildlife, and the world's most active volcano. What's not to love? This park has seen several eruptive episodes, including fountaining lava, so December 2026 could be the perfect time to visit if you want to see an active volcano in action. (The rest of the island is nice, too, and perfect for a warm-weather winter escape.)

Tips for Planning a National Park Vacation

Many of these parks require daily entrance fees—some as high as $35 per vehicle. If you plan to visit more than one park this year, be sure to pick up an America the Beautiful Pass. The pass costs only $80 for Americans and $100 for individual international visitors at select parks (or $250 for an annual pass) and gets you entry to NPS fee areas and to other public lands, such as U.S. Forest Service and BLM lands.

How many of these national parks have you visited this year, and what parks will you visit the rest of the year? Wherever you visit, please remember that our public lands, including national parks, are experiencing staffing shortages this year, so be gentle and always practice Leave No Trace principles—it may be more important in 2026 than it's ever been before. One of the LNT principles is to travel and camp on durable surfaces, which includes hiking on developed and maintained trails. Bring along AllTrails Plus, which offers offline functionality in remote places—my favorite function—to help you stay on trail and keep our parks beautiful.

Plan your bucket list-worthy U.S. national parks trip today. For additional outdoor adventures across the country, discover the best state parks in America. From the tallest trees in the country at California's Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park to viewing otherworldly rock formations at Montana's Makoshika State Park, there's so much beauty to experience in each state.