National parks are a national treasure—and Americans know it.
Which National Parks are the Best for Hiking?
Here’s a strong top 10 U.S. parks for hiking this summer, balancing iconic trails, seasonal accessibility, scenery, and summer hiking appeal:
- Yosemite National Park, California — huge variety, from valley walks to Half Dome and high-country routes.
- Glacier National Park, Montana — spectacular alpine hiking, wildflowers, and classic summer access.
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado — high-elevation trails, lakes, and big mountain views.
- Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming — dramatic scenery with excellent day hikes and backcountry routes.
- Acadia National Park, Maine — coastal hiking, granite peaks, and great summer weather.
- Olympic National Park, Washington — rainforest, alpine ridges, and coastal trails all in one park.
- Zion National Park, Utah — unforgettable canyon hiking, though summer heat means early starts are best.
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington — wildflower season and stunning glacier views make summer prime time.
- Denali National Park, Alaska — rugged, remote, and especially appealing in summer.1
- Redwood National and State Parks, California — cooler summer hiking under towering old-growth forests.2
A few summer-specific notes:
•If you like cooler weather, go to Acadia, Olympic, Redwood, and Glacier.
•Love alpine scenery? Check out Glacier, Grand Teton, the Rocky Mountains, and Rainier.
•The best iconic bucket-list hikes are Yosemite, Zion, and Glacier.
•Avoid mid-day hiking in Zion and other desert parks
Which National Parks Get the Most Visitors?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park topped our list as the most visited, receiving almost 3 times as many visitors as the second most-visited national park, Grand Canyon National Park!
Tips for Hiking in the National Parks
Now that you’ve discovered more info about some of our nation’s top national parks, here are a few tips on how to prepare for a visit to your bucket-list destination!
- Do your research. Before you leave, we recommend planning your trip in advance by researching the weather, the trails you want to prioritize, their difficulty and length, bathroom stops, and any needed lodging.
- Wear supportive footwear. Bring a pair or two of comfortable, supportive shoes with plenty of traction, since you could walk many miles per day while exploring.
- Stay hydrated. Bring plenty of water to get you through long days. It’s smart for each person to wear a hydration pack along with additional bottles of water if needed.
- Use sun protection. When in the sun, apply sunscreen every 2 hours; wear a hat and polarized sunglasses with larger lenses that cover more of your face and block 100% of UV rays; and wear moisture-wicking clothing with as much coverage as possible.
- Bring a first-aid kit. On the trail, you might not have immediate access to medical care, so bring a kit with the basics (think disinfectant, Band-Aids, an Ace bandage, etc.) until you can get more help.
Whichever park you decide on, we hope you have a spectacular visit!