Rankings & Analysis · May 2026 · 2 min read
Best Summer National Parks Without the Crowds
Traveling in summer anyway? These popular parks carry the smallest share of their visits in June–August — the least-crushed picks for peak season.
Summer is when most people can travel, and that is exactly why the headline parks are miserable in July. But not every good park loads its calendar into summer.
We looked at what share of each popular park’s annual visits fall in June, July and August. The parks below spread their visitors most evenly — the smart picks if summer is your only window.
Popular parks least dominated by summer
Lower is better: the share of each park’s yearly visits that arrive in June–August.
Only about 12% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in August.
Only about 13% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in September.
Only about 15% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in September.
Only about 17% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in November.
Only about 19% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in August.
Only about 21% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in August.
Only about 21% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in September.
Only about 21% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in May.
Only about 21% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in August.
Only about 22% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in August.
Only about 22% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in January.
Only about 22% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in January.
Only about 24% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in September.
Only about 24% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in November.
Only about 24% of its visits land in summer, so June–August is far from a crush. Best overall in September.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Relative to their own year, Big Bend, Saguaro, Joshua Tree carry the smallest summer share of visits among popular parks.
Yes — with the right park. Choosing parks that do not spike in summer, going early or late in the day, and booking well ahead all cut the peak-season pain.
Parks in this guide
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Sources: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics and NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Rankings and figures update as new NPS monthly data is released. Last updated 2026-07-14.