WASHINGTON, DC — Summer can bring crowds to some of the country’s most popular park landmarks, but it also opens up access, improves weather and gives visitors more daylight to explore.
After visiting all 63 U.S. national parks, one traveler singled out five that are especially worth seeing during the warmer months.
Kenai Fjords is easier to reach when Exit Glacier Road is open
In Alaska’s Kenai Fjords National Park, summer offers simpler access and better conditions for travel. The road into the park typically closes from late October through mid-May because of snow.
Most of the park is only reachable by water, so boat tours and kayaking are among the most practical ways to experience it once the season opens fully.
Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is more reliable after late June
Montana’s Glacier National Park is known for the roughly 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most photographed drives in the park system. Heavy snow often keeps parts of it closed until at least late June.
Summer also brings warmer temperatures for lake visits and longer days for covering more ground inside the park.
Isle Royale and Denali both depend on summer for full access
Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park is open only from April 16 through October 31, and ferry service becomes sporadic after early September. Its remote location in Lake Superior makes summer the most practical time to visit.
In Alaska’s Denali National Park, the park is technically open year-round, but many roads, visitor centers, campgrounds and transportation services shut down after summer ends.
Grand Teton’s scenic roads and water activities make summer the standout season
Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is open all year, but summer gives visitors the best chance to enjoy its lakes, trails and mountain scenery. Popular activities include boating on Jenny Lake, hiking the Taggart Lake trail and swimming or picnicking at Colter Bay Swim Beach.
Teton Park Road, which leads to some of the park’s best-known areas, is only open seasonally from May 1 to October 31.
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