The list of US national parks to visit in June is wonderfully long and diverse. Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, go hiking in the Rocky Mountains, spend some time in the tranquil forests in Olympic and Sequoia National Parks, and explore one of the most underrated US national parks, Wrangell-St. Elias.
About this National Park Series
This article is part of a series about the best national parks to visit each month. In this series, every national park is listed at least once and many are listed multiple times. It is a series of 12 articles, one for each month of the year. More popular parks, like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, may show up in as many as four of these articles, but lesser known parks like Gates of the Arctic may only show up once.
These articles take into account weather, crowd levels, the best time to go hiking, special events, road closures, and our personal experiences in the parks. Based on these factors, we picked out what we think are the optimal times to visit each park.
For an overview of the best time to visit each national park, check out our Best National Parks by Season guide. This guide has graphs that list each park and the optimal time to plan your visit. And at the end of this article, we have links to the other articles in our Best National Parks by Month series.
There are a growing number of US National Parks that require an advance reservation or permit of some sort. Get the full, updated list in our article US National Parks That Require a Reservation.
Table of Contents
Visiting the National Parks in June
From the end of May into June, a bunch of national parks fully open their roads, which adds a lot of parks to this list. And we are talking about some fabulous parks to visit, such as Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, and Acadia. Sure, you can visit these parks earlier in the year, but it is not until this month that you will have full access to these parks, now that the roads are open.
In June, the weather is warm and the days are the longest of the year, giving you plenty of time to explore the parks.
We have a long list of parks to share with you, so let’s get started.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The information we provide for each national park does not include temporary road closures, since these dates are constantly changing. Roads can close in the national parks at any time, so I recommend getting updates on the National Park Service website while planning your trip.
Best National Parks in June
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the USA. There are sixty mountain peaks over 12,000 feet and many of these top out over 13,000 feet.
For hikers, this is one of the top hiking destinations in the United States. Hundreds of miles of trails weave their way to the highest peaks and across the Continental Divide. There are alpine lakes to explore, waterfalls to see, and lots of opportunities to spot wildlife, both from the trails and the park roads.
But you don’t have a be a big hiker to have a good time here. Drive Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved through road in the US national park system, take a stroll around Bear Lake, and spot wildlife in Moraine Park.
Why Visit Rocky Mountain in June: Trail Ridge Road, the highest road in the park, and one of the best scenic drives, opens on Memorial Day. June is the first month of the year that you can drive to all areas of the park. Park visitation is high in June, but it’s not quite as busy as it will be in July and August. For lower crowds, plan your visit for early June.
Weather: In June, the average high is 74°F (23°C) and the average low is 43°F (6°C). Rainfall is low and typically occurs as an afternoon thunderstorm. Snowfall is possible at the higher elevations in the park, particular earlier in the month.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 5:30 am and sunset is at 8:30 pm.
Bear Lake | Best National Parks in June
Sky Pond | Best National Parks in June
Location: Colorado
Top Experiences: Drive Trail Ridge Road, hike to Emerald and Dream Lakes, drive Old Fall River Road, hike to Sky Pond or Chasm Lake, take a stroll around Bear Lake, and take your pick from more of the great hikes to do in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Ultimate Adventure: For the ultimate adventure, hike to the top of Longs Peak, the only fourteener in the park. This is a tough fourteener and many people who attempt it never make it to the summit, turning around early because of storms or the difficult conditions.
How Many Days Do You Need? Ideally, plan on spending at least three days in Rocky Mountain National Park. This gives you enough time to drive Alpine Ridge Road, Old Fall River Road, and hike a few of the trails.
2 & 3. Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks
Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks sit side by side in central California. Filled with alpine peaks, deep canyons, and the largest trees in the world, you could spend several days here. However, if you only have one day, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of both parks.
Kings Canyon preserves a glacially carved valley (named Kings Canyon) and Grant Grove, which is home to General Grant, the second largest tree in the world.
Sitting right beside Kings Canyon is Sequoia National Park. It is here that you will walk among towering sequoia trees and see the largest tree in the world, the General Sherman.
Why Visit Kings Canyon & Sequoia in June: The weather is pretty much perfect and crowd levels aren’t yet at their peak levels (that usually occurs in July and August).
Weather: The average high is 71°F (22°C) and the average low is 46°F (8°C). Rainfall is very low.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is 5:30 am and sunset is 8:15 pm.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway | Best National Parks in June
General Sherman Tree
Location: California
Top Experiences: Visit Grant Grove, drive the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway and visit Zumwalt Meadows, see the General Sherman Tree, hike Moro Rock, and visit Crescent Meadows.
Ultimate Experience: Explore the backcountry of Kings Canyon National Park. 77 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail/John Muir Trail runs through Kings Canyon National Park, making this a top backpacking destination in the USA.
How Many Days Do You Need? To see the highlights of both parks, one day is all you need.
Plan Your Visit
4. Yosemite National Park
With its iconic landmarks such as Half Dome and El Capitan, its beautiful valley, and long list of hiking trails, Yosemite is one of the top national parks in the USA to visit. And June is a beautiful time to be here.
We have visited Yosemite several times and we are always finding new things to do. Yosemite is one of the best parks in the USA if you like hiking. It’s also a very popular park for photographers.
But you don’t have to be a big hiker to have a great experience here. Take a stroll through Yosemite Valley, drive to the popular viewpoints like Glacier Point and Tunnel View, and go for a scenic drive on Tioga Road.
Why Visit Yosemite in June: By early June, all of the park roads should be open. There is still a small chance that Tioga Road could be closed in early June, but this is rare. If you want to hike Half Dome, the cables go up on Memorial Day Weekend, so June is the first opportunity to do this hike while the cables are up.
Weather: The average high is 85°F (29°C) and the average low is 55°F (13°C). Temperatures can get up into the 90’s on warmer than average days. Rainfall is low.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 5:30 am and sunset is at 8:20 pm.
Tunnel View | Best National Parks in June
Half Dome Cables | Best National Parks in June
View of Half Dome from Yosemite Point | Best National Parks in June
Location: California
Top Experiences: See Bridalveil Falls, hike the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls, visit Tuolomne Meadows, enjoy the view from Glacier Point and Tunnel View, hike the Yosemite Falls Trail, visit Taft Point, and visit Mariposa Grove.
Ultimate Adventure: For the ultimate adventure, hike to the top of Half Dome. This is a massive day hike that only fit, experienced hikers should attempt, but it is one of the best hikes in the US national parks. To stand on top of Half Dome and gaze across Yosemite National Park is an unforgettable experience. However, if this is something you want to do, it’s best to wait until June, when the Half Dome cables are up.
How Many Days Do You Need? Plan on spending two to three days in Yosemite National Park. This gives you enough time to hike a few trails, visit Glacier Point, drive Tioga Road, and explore Yosemite Valley.
5. Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park, also called the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast,” protects the rocky coastline in Maine. Granite coastal cliffs, estuary and intertidal habitats, and the tallest mountain on the Atlantic Coast of the United States are found here.
This national park is packed with scenic drives, short but thrilling hiking trails, historic roads, and breathtaking views. Explore the park by day and go shopping and dine in the restaurants in Bar Harbor at night. Add in lobster feasts and boat cruises and you have all of the ingredients for a wonderful vacation.
Why Visit Acadia in June: The weather is warm and crowds aren’t quite to their peak levels yet.
Weather: The average high is 74°F (23°C) and the average low is 54°F (12°C). June through September tend to be the driest months of the year to visit Acadia.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 4:50 am and sunset is at 8:20 pm.
Acadia National Park | Best National Parks in June
Hiking the Precipice Trail (photo taken in October)
Location: Maine
Top Experiences: The best experiences in Acadia include Drive Park Loop Road, watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, go hiking, visit Sand Beach and Echo Lake, bike the carriage roads, and watch the sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
Ultimate Adventure:Hike the Precipice Trail, a short, tough hike that features numerous climbs up metal rungs and ladders and short walks along narrow ledges.
How Many Days Do You Need? We recommend spending two to three days in Acadia National Park. This will give you enough time to drive Park Loop Road, do a few short hikes, bike the carriage roads, watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, and snack on popovers at Jordan Pond House.
6. Grand Canyon National Park
Awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping, extraordinary…these are all words that describe the Grand Canyon. But in all honesty, words, and even photos, cannot quite capture what it is like to stand on the rim and gaze out across the canyon.
This massive national park has several sections to it. Most visitors spend their time on the South Rim, where roads and hiking trails lead to stunning viewpoints of the Grand Canyon. This is also the place to hike the South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails.
In mid-May, the road to the North Rim open. If you visit the Grand Canyon in June, you have the option to add on the North Rim, and it’s worth it.
Why Visit the Grand Canyon in June: To visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which opens in mid-May. Now that the North Rim is open, it’s also possible to hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim, but just be aware that temperatures in the canyon will be very hot. We did this hike in early June and the heat index at Phantom Ranch was 130°F. A better time to do this hike is September into October, when the temperatures are cooler and the North Rim is still open.
Weather: On the South Rim, the average high is 82°F (28°C) and the average low is 63°F (17°C). The high temperature can climb up to 100°F on unusually warm days. Below the rim, temperatures are much hotter. Down by the Colorado River, the temperature can easily be over 110°F.
Sunrise & Sunset:Sunrise is at 5 am and sunset is at 7:40 pm.
Grand Canyon National Park | Best National Parks in June
North Rim of the Grand Canyon | Best National Parks in June
Hiking the North Kaibab Trail from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Location: Arizona
Top Experiences: Visit the South Rim viewpoints, enjoy the view of the Grand Canyon at sunrise and/or sunset, hike below the rim on the Bright Angel or South Kaibab Trail, and take a flightseeing tour by airplane or helicopter.
Ultimate Adventure: Hike the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim. This is a massive day hike and should only be attempted by those with excellent fitness and lots of hiking experience.
How Much Time Do You Need? We recommend spending two to three days on the South Rim, to visit the highlights. Three days gives you enough time to visit the best overlooks on the South Rim, go on a helicopter ride, and spend some time hiking below the rim.
7. Lassen Volcanic National Park
This national park protects Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world. In some ways, it’s like a combination of Yellowstone + Mount Rainer, just on a smaller scale. At Lassen Volcanic, you’ll see steaming fumaroles, pretty lakes, colorful landscapes, and Lassen Peak.
Cool Fact:Lassen Volcanic National Park one of the only places in the world where you can see all four types of volcanoes: shield, stratovolcano, cinder cone, and plug.
Why Visit Lassen Volcanic in June: In May and June, the snow is melting in the park and many of the roads are cleared of snow. By June, many of the roads and trails around Manzanita Lake are open. However, some roads and trails at the higher elevation (for example, Lassen Peak), may not open until July. If you want full access to the park, delay your visit for the second half of July into August. However, crowds are also at their peak in July, so if you want good weather and lower crowds, June is a nice time to visit Lassen Volcanic.
Weather: In June, the average high is 71°F (22°C) and the average low is 36°F (2°C). Rainfall is low.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 5:30 am and sunset is at 8:40 pm.
Lassen Volcanic National Park | photo credit: shutterstock.com/H Peter Ji Photographer
Location: California
Top Experiences: Walk Bumpass Hell Trail (isn’t that the best name for a hiking trail? 🤣), capture the reflection of Lassen Peak in Manzanita Lake, go for a scenic drive on Lassen Park Highway, visit Kings Creek Falls and Mill Creek Falls, visit Devils Kitchen and hike to the top of Lassen Peak.
Ultimate Adventure:Hike to the summit of Brokeoff Mountain for panoramic views of the park. Note, this hike is best attempted in late summer to early fall, when the trail is free of snow.
How Many Days Do You Need? One day is just enough time to see the highlights, but plan on spending two to three days here, to hike several more trails and thoroughly explore the park.
Plan Your Visit
Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the last parks on our to-do list. For more information to help you plan your trip, visit the National Park Service website.
8. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a picturesque wilderness of grasslands and badlands. Bison, feral horses, and elk roam the landscapes, hiking trails meander through the colorful bentonite hills, and scenic roads take visitors to numerous stunning overlooks.
This national park is made up of three separate units: the South Unit, the North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. Of the three, the South Unit is the more popular but our favorite is the North Unit. In the North Unit, the views of the badlands are beautiful, there are several short, fun trails to hike, and there is a very good chance you will spot bison and other wildlife right from your car.
Why Visit Theodore Roosevelt in June: Unless you are here during a heat wave, the weather warm is fantastic. June is the beginning of the busy summer season, but crowds are lower in June than the rest of the summer and the weather is cooler.
Weather: The average high is 78°F (25°C) and the average low is 59°F (10°C). On hotter than average days, the temperature can get up into the 90’s. This is one of the wettest months of the year, however, rainfall is still relatively low, with about 3 inches of rain falling in June.
Sunrise & Sunset (South Unit): Sunrise is at 5 am and sunset is at 8:50 pm. The South Unit is in the Mountain Time Zone and the North Unit is in the Central Time Zone.
Sperati Point (photo taken in October)
Little Missouri River | Best National Parks in June
Hiking the Ekblom Trail + Big Plateau Loop
Location: North Dakota
Top Experiences: Hike the Caprock Coulee Trail, enjoy the view from Sperati Point and the Wind Canyon Trail, drive the Scenic Drive in both units, visit the Petrified Forest, hike the Ekblom and Big Plateau Loop, and visit River Bend Overlook.
How Many Days Do You Need? If you want to explore both the North and South Units, you will need at least two days in Theodore Roosevelt National Park (one day for each unit).
9. Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes is a gem of a national park.
This is a small park and the list of things to do is very short. A few hours are really all you need to experience it and hike out onto the dunes. But you might end up wishing you had more time. Sandboarding and sand sledding are a blast, the sunsets are gorgeous, and this park just feels all around fun.
Why Visit Great Sand Dunes in June: The Medano Creek floods the park from late May into early June, so if you want to float in raft at the base of the sand dunes, plan your visit during this time frame. Just be aware that June is a warm month to be here. Sand temperatures can get up to 150°F midday in the summer months, so plan to hike or sandboard on the dunes early and late in the day. We visited Great Sand Dunes in early July, and despite high temperatures (both in the air and on the sand) we still had a great time.
Weather: The average high is 80°F (27°C) and the average low is 48°F (9°C). Rainfall is very low. The high temperature can get up into the 90’s on unusually warm days.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 5:40 am and sunset is at 8:30 pm.
The view from High Dune | Best National Parks in June
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve | Best National Parks in June
Location: Colorado
Top Experiences: Go sandboarding or sledding, hike on the dunes, watch the sunset, camp on the dunes, go stargazing, drive the Medano Pass Primitive Road, and hike to Zapata Falls.
Ultimate Adventure: Hike to Star Dune, the tallest dune in North America.
How Many Days Do You Need? If you simply want to go sand sledding or sandboarding, a half of a day is all you need. But for the best experience, stick around for sunset (they are beautiful here) and if you time your visit for the end of May, you can also cool off in Medano Creek.
Plan Your Visit
10. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park, with its mountain ranges, temperate rainforests, and rugged coastline, is one of the most diverse national parks in the United States.
In one national park, you can walk through old growth temperate rainforests, climb peaks as high as 8,000 feet, and stroll along beaches littered with driftwood and enormous sea stacks. The sheer diversity of landscapes and wildlife that this park protects is astonishing.
Why Visit Olympic in June: If you want the combination of great weather and lower crowds, visit Olympic National Park in June. In June, all of the park roads are open and the weather is warm and dry. Park visitation tends to dramatically increase from June into July. In 2023, about 320,000 people visited the park in June and this number grew to 440,000 in July.
Weather: The average high is 70°F (21°C) and the average low is 47°F (8°C). On warmer than average days, the high temperature can get up into the high 80’s. With 1 inch of rainfall, this is one of the driest months to visit the park.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 5:15 am and sunset is at 9:15 pm.
Hiking along Hurricane Ridge | Best National Parks in June
Hall of Mosses | Best National Parks in June
Location: Washington
Top Experiences: Go hiking on Hurricane Ridge, photograph the moss dripping from the trees in the Hoh Rainforest, stroll along Rialto Beach until you get to Hole-in-the-Wall, hike to Mount Storm King, see lovely Sol Duc Falls and Marymere Falls, and hike along Shi Shi Beach.
Ultimate Adventure: For the ultimate adventure, go backpacking in the Enchanted Valley or spend the night camping on Shi Shi Beach.
How Many Days Do You Need?At a minimum, you need three full days in Olympic National Park, if you want to visit Hurricane Ridge, the Pacific Coastline, and the temperate rainforests. However, more time is better, as it allows you to hike more trails and it gives you some contingency time should it rain, which is entirely possible.
11. New River Gorge National Park
For millions of years, the New River has been carving out a 73,000 acre gorge in West Virginia. The sandstone cliffs and whitewater rapids create world-class rock climbing and whitewater rafting destinations. Hiking and mountain biking trails wind through the forests, leading to overlooks and historic settlements.
This is another newcomer to the US national parks list. New River Gorge officially became a national park in 2020, but it has long been a whitewater rafting destination in the United States.
Why Visit New River Gorge in June: With warm weather, this is a great time to go hiking and biking in New River Gorge National Park. The water temperature is also warming up, so this also becomes a good time to go whitewater rafting.
Weather: The average high is 78°F (26°C) and the average low is 60°F (16°C). June is one of the wettest months of the year.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 6:00 am and sunset is at 8:50 pm.
New River Gorge Bridge from Long Point | Best National Parks in June
New River Gorge Bridge Walk | Best National Parks in June
Location: West Virginia
Top Experiences: Do the Bridge Walk, hike the Long Point Trail, drive Fayette Station Road, go mountain biking and rock climbing, enjoy the view from Grandview Overlook, hike the Castle Rock Trail, and visit Sandstone Falls.
Ultimate Adventure: Go white water rafting on the New River (rafting season is April through October).
How Many Days Do You Need? If you want to visit the three main areas of New River Gorge National Park (Canyon Rim, Grandview and Sandstone) and have enough time to go whitewater rafting, you will need three to four days. However, with less time, you can visit the highlights and hike a few of the trails.
12. Wrangell – St. Elias National Park
Take Yellowstone National Park, multiply it by 6, and that’s roughly the size of Wrangell – St. Elias. Throw in four mountain ranges (and some of the tallest peaks in North America), massive glaciers, wildlife, and about 100 miles of road, and you have a rugged, remote, spectacular wilderness to explore.
This is one of the most underrated national parks in the United States. Wrangell – St. Elias is full of wonderful adventures. Walk on a glacier, take an ice climbing lesson, hike to the highest peaks, and soar over the mountain ranges in an airplane.
Why Visit Wrangell-St. Elias in June: Due to its northern location and colder climate, the visitor centers and lodges are only typically open during the summer months. In June, everything is open, the weather is warm (for Alaska), and visitation is still low. Crowds pick up in July so for a quieter experience, plan your visit for the end of June. We visited at the end of June and had a fantastic experience.
Weather: In June, the average high is 70°F (21°C) and the average low is 40°F (4°C). June is the start of the rainy season in the park and in June, on average, it gets about 2 inches of rain.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 4 am and sunset is at 11:30 pm.
Flightseeing in Wrangell – St. Elias | Best National Parks in June
Hiking on the Root Glacier
McCarthy, Alaska
Location: Alaska
Top Experiences: Visit McCarthy and Kennecott, hike on the Root Glacier, take a flightseeing tour, visit the Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark, hike to an abandoned mine, and drive Nabesna Road.
Ultimate Adventure: For the ultimate adventure, explore the backcountry. Take a bush flight to a remote airstrip and explore the park from here. You can also take rafting trips or go mountaineering. For days, you might not see another person.
How Many Days Do You Need? For the best experience, we recommend spending at least three days in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. This gives you enough time to visit the highlights of the park. With more time, you can extend your time in McCarthy and Kennicott, add on Nabesna Road, or explore the backcountry.
13. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park…this is one of the most popular parks on this list and one that frequently makes the best national parks in the USA list.
People visit Yellowstone to see its wildlife and natural wonders. Hot springs, thermal pools, and bubbling mud pots can be seen throughout the park. Bison, elk, and bear frequently make appearances along the roads. Waterfalls can also be seen throughout the park and hiking trails lead into the wilderness, away from the busy roads.
The summer is the busiest time to visit Yellowstone, since this coincides with summer vacations and open roads. Many of the roads in Yellowstone are typically closed from November through May for snow. Once they reopen in mid to late-May, crowd levels dramatically increase, peaking in July.
Why Visit Yellowstone in June: The park roads are open, the days are long, and the weather is great for hiking and exploring. June is a busy month to be here, but not quite as crazy as it gets in July and August. Historically, July is the busiest month of the year to visit Yellowstone.
Weather:In June, the average high is 66°F (19°C) and the average low is 38°F (3°C). June is above average for rainfall, getting approximately 2 inches of rain over 8 days.
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 5:40 am and sunset is at 9:10 pm.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone | Best National Parks in June
Hayden Valley | Best National Parks in June
Mammoth Hot Springs | Best National Parks in June
Location: Wyoming, Montana & Idaho
Top Experiences: Visit Old Faithful, see the Grand Prismatic Spring, spot wildlife in Lamar and Hayden Valleys, visit the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, hike the short trails in Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin.
Ultimate Adventure:For the ultimate adventure in Yellowstone, venture into the backcountry on a backpacking trip.
How Many Days Do You Need? It’s possible to race through Yellowstone in one day, but for the best experience, plan on spending three or more days here. Yellowstone is massive and it takes at least three days to just get to the highlights of this park.
14. Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is one of those great national parks that offers something for everyone.
Families will love the short, easy, scenic hiking trails, a boat ride across Jenny Lake, plus the possibility to see elk, moose, and bison.
Photographers will have a blast capturing the reflections of the mountain range in the lakes and rivers.
Active, adventurous travelers can take their pick from the miles and miles of hiking trails that journey into the Teton range. If you enjoy fishing, this park is world-renowned for its trout fishing.
Jackson makes a great place to stay, so you can hike and fish during the day, and in the evening, go shopping and dine at the long list of restaurants in town.
Grand Teton also makes a great road trip destination with Yellowstone, which sits just one hour to the north.
Why Visit Grand Teton in June: All of the park roads are open and the weather is great for hiking and exploring the Teton Range. Be aware that crowds are high in June, as this is the start of the peak summer season.
Weather: The average high is 72°F (22°C) and the average low is 40°F (4°C). The high temperature can get into the 80’s on warmer than average days. Rainfall is low.
Sunrise and sunset: Sunrise is at 5:40 and sunset is at 9:10 pm.
Schwabacher Landing | Best National Parks in June
Hiking the Static Peak Divide
Picnic by Jenny Lake | Best National Parks in June
Location: Wyoming
Top Experiences:Visit Jenny Lake, hike to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls, visit Mormon Row and Schwabacher Landing, visit Oxbow Bend at sunrise, visit the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, and hike the trails that run in and along the Teton Range.
Ultimate Adventure: Hike the Teton Crest Trail. This point-to-point trail traverses the Teton Range and is typically done as a multi-day backpacking trip. For most of the hike, you will be at or above 8,000 feet.
How Many Days Do You Need? If you just want to see the main highlights, one day is really all that you need in Grand Teton National Park. But for those who want to dive deeper into the park, by exploring the hundreds of miles that criss-cross the Teton Range, then you can spend days, weeks even, and never run out of things to do.
15. Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park preserves a portion of the Lake Michigan shoreline. During the summer months, this is a popular destination for tourists and locals, to sunbath on the beach and swim in Lake Michigan. At this park, you can also hike the 50 miles of trails weave their way over the dunes, through the wetlands, and into the forests, go kayaking, or go birding.
Why Visit Indiana Dunes in June: This is a great time to visit Indiana Dunes, with warm weather and crowds not quite at their peak (that occurs in July).
Weather: The average high is 80°F (26°C) and the average low is 60°F (15°C).
Sunrise & Sunset: Sunrise is at 6 am and sunset is at 8 pm.
Trail to the beach, Paul H. Douglas Trail
Dunbar Beach | Best National Parks in June
Location: Indiana
Top Experiences: Relax on the beach, hike the Dunes Succession Trail, go bird watching, and spend some time in Indiana Dunes State Park.
How Many Days Do You Need? One day is all you need to visit the highlights, but with more time you can spend a few days on the beach or hike a few of the trails.
Bonus! 4 More Parks to Visit
Mount Rainier National Park
In June, the snow is melting but several park roads remain closed until the end of June into July (most notably, Sunrise Road). If you want full access to the park, save your visit for July.
Glacier Bay National Park
This is another great time to cruise Glacier Bay National Park. Glacier Bay makes it onto our parks to visit in May list. In June, the park gets to be a little more crowded, but the weather is drier, which is big advantage.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park & Mesa Verde
In June, the average high temperature hovers around 80°F and rainfall is very low, making this a nice time to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Mesa Verde. Visitation is higher than May but won’t reach its peak level until July. If you plan to visit Colorado, you can also add these parks onto Rocky Mountain and Great Sand Dunes, mentioned in this article.
Redwood National Park
In June, the weather is relatively warm and this is one of the driest months of the year to visit Redwood National and State Parks. You can also combine it with Lassen Volcanic, mentioned earlier in this article.
June Road Trip Idea
June is a great time to road trip through Colorado. In 10 days, you can do a loop around Colorado, visiting Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks. Depending on road conditions, you can also add on scenic drives through the Rocky Mountains, such as the Mount Evans Scenic Byway and Independence Pass.
Million Dollar Highway
If you have any questions about the best national parks to visit in June, or if you want to share your favorite national parks to visit this month, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information about the US National Parks:
NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries.
NATIONAL PARK ITINERARIES:For ideas on how to plan a national parks road trip, visit our National Parks Itinerary page. This has lots of road trip ideas and sample itineraries for many of the US national parks.
BEST US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? Read our post Best National Parks in the USA, where we narrow down the long list into 15 must-see parks.
MORE GREAT HIKES IN THE NATIONAL PARKS: From hikes to the tallest peaks to beautiful coast trails, read our Guide to the Best Day Hikes in the US National Parks. If you prefer to keep your hikes short and sweet, read our guide to the Best Short Hikes in the National Parks.
Best National Parks to Visit by Month:
JANUARY: Best National Parks to Visit in January
FEBRUARY: Best National Parks to Visit in February
MARCH: Best National Parks to Visit in March
APRIL: Best National Parks to Visit in April
MAY: Best National Parks to Visit in May
JULY: Best National Parks to Visit in July
AUGUST: Best National Parks to Visit in August
SEPTEMBER: Best National Parks to Visit in September
OCTOBER: Best National Parks to Visit in October
NOVEMBER: Best National Parks to Visit in November
DECEMBER: Best National Parks to Visit in December
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Comments 2
Great information. Looking for the best national park to visit in early June (that is the least crowded).
Author
In the first part of June, lodges and tours are just starting to run in Wrangell St. Elias, so mid to late June would be better for this national park. On this list, Theodore Roosevelt might be the least crowded. Cheers, Julie