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WhenToVisitParks

Best Time to Visit Massachusetts National Parks

Massachusetts has 14 National Park Service units that report visitation. Below, each is ranked by annual visits, with the month our data recommends for the best balance of light crowds, comfortable weather and daylight. Crowds peak in summer almost everywhere — the recommended months show where the quieter shoulder seasons fall.

ParkAnnual visitsBest timeBusiestQuietest
AppalachianNational Scenic Trail6,215,118SeptemberJulFeb
Cape CodNational Seashore3,682,771FebruaryAugJan
BostonNational Historical Park2,383,812MayJulJan
Minute ManNational Historical Park993,124SeptemberOctFeb
Salem MaritimeNational Historical Park569,839AugustOctJan
Boston African AmericanNational Historic Site365,864AprilJulJan
LowellNational Historical Park264,456SeptemberJulDec
Longfellow House Washington's HeadquartersNational Historic Site54,912FebruaryJunJan
Saugus Iron WorksNational Historic Site51,921JanuaryAugJan
AdamsNational Historical Park48,726MarchJulJan
New Bedford WhalingNational Historical Park18,330MayJulJan
John Fitzgerald KennedyNational Historic Site18,180AprilOctJan
Springfield ArmoryNational Historic Site15,925JanuaryJulJan
Frederick Law OlmstedNational Historic Site7,240MayJulJan