In 2010, Matt and Karen Smith set out on a mission to visit every US national park, inspired by their friends, Bob and Sue. After completing their journey, the couple wrote several books about their experiences and now share their insights, tips, and tricks on Instagram with over 247,000 followers and through their podcast, “Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast.”
According to the National Parks Service, park visits increased to over 325 million in the previous year, nearing an all-time high. With the growing popularity of national parks comes the need for visitors to plan ahead and make informed decisions about which parks to visit during summer months.
Matt and Karen have discovered that not all national parks are ideal summer destinations. After experiencing killer summer temperatures at Death Valley, they suggest that high alpine national parks are the best places to visit during the summer months.
In fact, Matt and Karen have compiled a list of eight national parks that are perfect for summer adventures: Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming; Yosemite National Park in California; Glacier National Park in Montana; Banff National Park in Alberta; Zion National Park in Utah; Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah; Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado; and Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
On the other hand, they advise visitors to avoid two national parks during the summer season: Death Valley National Park in California; and Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. The extreme heat of Death Valley can be dangerous for visitors who may not be accustomed to such high temperatures. Meanwhile, Mammoth Cave’s underground cave system can be difficult to navigate during hot weather conditions.
