After visiting most of the US National Parks, I can truthfully say there isn’t a bad apple in the bushel. They all have something truly special and unique and I’m glad to have visited every one we have. That said, … Read More
This post is sponsored by Good Sam TravelAssist. All opinions are my own. Since we’ll be covering something close to 20,000 miles this summer , we’re definitely keen on making sure we’re prepared for emergencies. All these things in our … Read More
Visiting the Everglades with kids is definitely a bucket list trip. It has the unique status of being a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance – all with good reason. Both the incredible landscape and … Read More
The great thing about hikes in the Everglades is that many are short and flat! Which means that many Everglades trails are great for families with kids or for anyone else looking for easy Everglades National Park hikes. Here are … Read More
When I was pregnant with our oldest, Dan had a work trip to San Diego and I tagged along. It was such a delightful little babymoon and we loved exploring the city. But even after living in the Bay Area … Read More
I realized a couple days ago that this is our sixth year of doing summer fun club, or our family summer bucket list for kids! It’s been such a fun way for us to have some low-key and fun goals … Read More
Join us we learn about New Zealand with kids! During this virtual tour of New Zealand for kids, we’ll enjoy fun and inspiring New Zealand activities. This New Zealand virtual field trip as part of the Global Children’s Book Club … Read More
Welcome to LPF Weekly Deals! These are our favorite, tried-and-true travel gear and home life items that have stood the test of time. With 7 people in our home or when we travel, we try to only purchase items that … Read More
Monday: Memorial Day! Chickpea burgers Grilled pepper/zucchini/red onion skewers Grilled corn & baby potatoes Watermelon & pineapple Frozen coconut limeade Tuesday: N cooking: caprese sandwiches Wednesday: Black bean tacos with roasted jalapeno pineapple salsa Thursday: K cooking: Hummus with tomato/cucumber … Read More
I put together a series of slides on Instagram with this information, but also wanted to include it here for searchability, accessibility, and and longer-term access. I hope this data helps guide you in your actions toward creating safer, healthier … Read More
I’m so happy to announce the diverse books summer reading challenge! For a while now, I’ve been considering ways to encourage families to use their summer reading time to broaden their perspectives. I knew I didn’t want to make it … Read More
Welcome to LPF Weekly Deals! These are our favorite, tried-and-true travel gear and home life items that have stood the test of time. With 7 people in our home or when we travel, we try to only purchase items that … Read More
After visiting most of the US National Parks, I can truthfully say there isn’t a bad apple in the bushel. They all have something truly special and unique and I’m glad to have visited every one we have.
That said, there are some that are just extra special to me. And part of that is a certain time of year that makes them extra magical. Maybe it’s perfect weather or when crowds are lower, or perhaps it’s when all the facilities and areas of the park are open.
Here are some of our very favorite US National Parks by month of the year!
Not too many of the US National Parks are super comfortable in terms of temperature and precipitation during the month of January, but Saguaro sure is. With average highs in the mid-60s and generally sunny and lovely days, it’s the perfect time to explore the Sonoran Desert. We loved enjoying the gorgeous light and massive cacti with relatively low crowds and minus the crazy heat.
Another fantastic desert wonder to explore in the cooler months is Death Valley. While Death Valley can actually get surprisingly chilly in the dead of winter, it’s usually plenty pleasant during the day in February. It’s much more pleasant exploring the lowest point in North America and some of the stunningly colorful formations when temperatures aren’t in the triple digits.
There’s not really a bad time to visit the iconic Grand Canyon, but each season is a bit different. Winter can be stunning with snow dusting the red rock, and the North Rim is open in the summer and early fall months. Still, we love the Grand Canyon in the spring, when snowmelt is coming down, days are still pleasantly cool, and there might still be a bit of snow clinging on. Plus, it’s before the big summer rush, so crowds are usually much more manageable, too. (If it’s still cold, it’s still great to visit – here’s a one-day guide to the Grand Canyon in winter.)
I have a soft spot in my heart for Zion – there’s something about the red rock coupled with valley vistas that speak to my soul. For such a big name park, though, the most popular area – Zion Canyon – is fairly compact. Which means that it can feel quite crowded during peak visitation months. April is a fantastic time when the weather is usually very pleasant (and not yet super hot!), the shuttles are running, but crowds aren’t yet crazy.
Alternatively, Badlands is another fantastic springtime park. Again, the weather tends to be pleasant, the crowds aren’t at their peak, and the desert landscape is perfect to explore with contrasting shades and colors.
Truly, a number of parks are wonderful during the springtime shoulder months so it’s a perfect time to choose some to explore before the height of summer travel.
We’ve visited Yosemite close to a dozen times, and in ever season. And I truly think there’s no bad time to visit – it’s stunning in all its colors and weather patterns. Still, there’s something special about visiting Yosemite in the month of May. Springtime snowmelt usually has the waterfalls gushing, and wildflowers start to bloom later in the month. Crowds are much lower than the June/July/August months, and the weather is usually perfection.
Many people love the mountains in the winter, but as a non-skier, I cannot get enough of them in the summertime. There’s something about the crisp mountain air with blooming flowers and warm sunshine that just makes me swoon. The meadows come to life with wildflowers, and the famed Trail Ridge Road (also known as Highway to the Sky, the highest continuously paved road in North America) is typically open the entire month.
With several rainforest areas, visitors to Olympic National Park are never guaranteed a dry vacation. Still, July is the time when it’s most likely to happen. Sun peeking through club moss, shining over tide pools, and reaching up to the mountainous area of Hurricane Ridge (which is open throughout the summer) is absolutely magical. It’s truly a special time to visit this incredibly diverse park.
Some years – including perhaps this one – the full length of Going to the Sun Road doesn’t open until early or perhaps even mid-July. So visiting in August is a safe bet to experience the full glory of this incredible scenic drive, as well as the beautiful mountain vistas that shine in late summer glory. It’s a perfect time to enjoy the lakes and hikes and shimmering beauty of this park.
Fall shoulder season is great for many parks, but it’s especially helpful for super popular ones like Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The two parks are located right next to each other, so it makes sense to visit them in a single trip. The Tetons shine during September with early fall colors, while Yellowstone tends to have comfortable weather with fewer visitors. It’s an incredible time to visit both of these popular parks.
Being the only national park in the northeast United States, Acadia shines as a crown jewel for fall foliage. The colors are spectacular, and the small town charm and coziness can’t be beat. It’s a wonderful time to explore without the hordes of summer, too.
November starts to bring cold, fickle, and often wet weather to many parts of the country, so it’s a great time to enjoy the desert when it’s dry and cool(er). Joshua Tree, with its limited shade, is perfect for exploring the many wonderful rocks and climbing areas for all ages. And Big Bend is perfect again for it’s wide open spaces (with little shade) and stunning vistas.
Southern Florida has two main seasons – wet and dry, and December is the start of the latter. Winter tends to bring cool, drier weather that’s extremely comfortable for walking trails and spotting the plentiful wildlife. It’s a great time to take advantage of the lower humidity to explore some beautiful areas.
There you have it! Our favorite US National Parks for every month. I’d love to hear your favorite parks, as well as your favored months to visit them!
