Best Summer Vacations in the USA: 18 Trips for Cool Air and Long Days
Summer is when the high country finally opens: Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, Crater Lake’s rim, Rainier’s wildflower meadows and Alaska under the midnight sun. Eighteen of the best summer vacations in the US, with timing, reservations and the hot spots to skip until fall.
The best summer vacations in the US head north or up into the mountains, where days are long and temperatures mild. Top choices include Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, Alaska, Maine’s coast and Acadia, Michigan’s Mackinac Island and Upper Peninsula, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula, Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Lake Tahoe and the Oregon coast. July and August bring the best weather for high-elevation parks but also the biggest crowds, so book lodging and park reservations months ahead. Skip the desert Southwest and the Deep South in midsummer unless you love heat.
Summer is the busiest travel season in the United States. School is out, families hit the road, and national parks see their biggest crowds of the year. It is also the only time some of the country’s most spectacular places are fully accessible. Snow closes Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier, Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, Tioga Road in Yosemite and the rim drive at Crater Lake for much of the year. By July, they are open, wildflowers fill alpine meadows and mountain lakes warm up just enough for a quick swim.
At the same time, much of the country gets very hot. Phoenix, Las Vegas and Death Valley regularly top 110°F, the Southeast is humid with daily storms, and hurricane season begins along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Wildfire smoke can blanket the West in late summer. The best summer trips work with these patterns, heading for high country, northern coasts and cool lakes. This guide lists 18 of our favorites, organized by type.
- July–AugWhen most high mountain roads are fully open
- 6–12 monthsAhead to book park lodges for summer
- 20+ hoursOf daylight in Fairbanks around the June solstice
- Late summerWatch for wildfire smoke in the West
Summer vacations at a glance
| Destination | Best for | Best summer timing | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier National Park | Mountain scenery, hiking | Mid-July to early September | Yes; check vehicle reservation rules |
| Yellowstone and Grand Teton | Wildlife, geysers | June to September | Yes; lodges book a year out |
| Alaska | Wilderness, glaciers, midnight sun | June to August | Yes |
| Acadia and coastal Maine | Coast, lobster, hiking | July and August | Yes; Cadillac sunrise needs a reservation |
| Mackinac Island and the UP | Car-free island, Great Lakes | June to August | Yes |
| Mount Rainier and Olympic | Wildflowers, rainforest | Late July to August | Yes; Rainier may require timed entry |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | Alpine drives, elk | July and August | Yes; timed entry |
| Lake Tahoe | Lakes, beaches, hiking | July and August | Yes |
Mountain national parks
1. Glacier National Park, Montana. Glacier is a summer park. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, usually opens fully in late June or July after crews clear snow up to 80 feet deep. July and August bring wildflowers, mountain goats near Logan Pass and the best hiking, including the Highline Trail and Grinnell Glacier. In recent summers, the park has required vehicle reservations for parts of the road during peak hours; check current rules before you go. See our Glacier National Park guide.
2. Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Wyoming. Summer is peak season for the world’s first national park, with all roads open, geysers erupting and bison calves in Lamar and Hayden valleys. Next door, Grand Teton’s jagged peaks rise above Jenny Lake and the Snake River. Park lodges book up a year ahead. Start early to avoid crowds at Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. See our Yellowstone itinerary and Grand Teton guide.
3. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbs to more than 12,000 feet and usually opens from late May to October. Summer brings wildflowers on the tundra, elk in the meadows and afternoon thunderstorms, so hike early. Timed entry reservations have been required during summer. See our Rocky Mountain guide.
4. Mount Rainier, Washington. Rainier’s subalpine meadows at Paradise and Sunrise burst into wildflowers from late July through August, among the best displays in the country. The Skyline Trail at Paradise loops through meadows beneath the glaciers. Snow can linger on trails into July. See our Mount Rainier guide.
5. Yosemite and the High Sierra, California. Yosemite Valley is crowded and warm in summer, but Tioga Road, usually open from late May or June through fall, leads to Tuolumne Meadows, granite domes and alpine lakes at about 8,600 feet. Waterfalls are strongest in early summer. Reservations or permits have been needed in some summers. See our guide to the best time to visit Yosemite.
6. Crater Lake, Oregon. The deepest lake in the United States, about 1,943 feet, sits in a collapsed volcano at the top of the Cascades. Heavy snow means Rim Drive usually opens fully only in July. Summer is the only time you can hike down to the water at Cleetwood Cove and take boat tours to Wizard Island. See our Crater Lake guide.
Northern escapes
7. Alaska. Summer is the main season for most Alaska travel, with long days, wildlife and glacier cruises. Drive from Anchorage to Seward for boat tours in Kenai Fjords National Park, look for grizzlies and moose in Denali, and soak in the midnight sun in Fairbanks. Prices are high and lodging is limited, so book early. See our Alaska road trip.
8. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island. Cars have been banned on Mackinac Island since the late 1890s, so you get around by bike, on foot or by horse-drawn carriage, eating fudge along the way. The Upper Peninsula offers Pictured Rocks’ colorful cliffs on Lake Superior, waterfalls and quiet beaches. See our Upper Peninsula road trip.
9. The North Cascades and Washington. The North Cascades Highway is open only from about May to November. Summer brings turquoise lakes and alpine hikes. See our North Cascades road trip and Seattle itinerary.
10. The Black Hills, South Dakota. Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park’s bison herd, Badlands National Park and scenic drives like Needles Highway make a classic family summer trip. Avoid early August if you want quiet, when the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws huge crowds. See our Black Hills road trip.
Coasts and islands
11. Acadia and coastal Maine. Maine’s rocky coast is at its best in July and August, with cool breezes, lobster shacks and lighthouses. In Acadia National Park, bike the carriage roads, hike the Beehive and watch sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, which requires a vehicle reservation for the summit road during the main season. See our Acadia guide.
12. Cape Cod and the islands. Massachusetts’ Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket offer classic New England summers of beaches, clam shacks and bike paths. Traffic over the Cape Cod Canal bridges can be severe on summer weekends, and ferries to the islands need reservations if you bring a car. See our Boston itinerary for a city start.
13. The Oregon coast. The Oregon coast stays cool in summer, often in the 60s, while inland valleys swelter. Explore tide pools at Cannon Beach’s Haystack Rock, lighthouses and dunes. Mornings are often foggy. See our Oregon coast road trip.
14. San Diego and the California coast. San Diego has some of the most pleasant summer weather in the country, though early summer brings morning clouds locals call “June Gloom.” Combine beaches, the zoo and Balboa Park. See our San Diego guide and Pacific Coast Highway guide.
15. The Outer Banks. North Carolina’s barrier islands are a family favorite for summer beach weeks, with lighthouses and wild horses. Watch for rip currents and hurricane forecasts. See our Outer Banks road trip.
Lakes and mountains
16. Lake Tahoe. Tahoe’s clear water, sandy coves and mountain trails make it one of the West’s best summer escapes. Kayak Emerald Bay, swim at Sand Harbor and hike to alpine lakes. Weekends are crowded and parking fills early.
17. The Adirondacks, New York. Six million acres of forests, lakes and peaks, larger than several national parks combined, offer canoeing, swimming and hiking. Lake Placid and Saranac Lake are good bases.
18. Colorado mountain towns. Towns like Breckenridge, Telluride, Crested Butte and Ouray are cool, green and full of festivals in summer, with wildflowers, mountain biking and hot springs. See our Colorado road trip and hot springs guide.
Where to avoid in summer
| Destination | Typical summer conditions | Better months |
|---|---|---|
| Death Valley | Highs often above 115°F | November to March |
| Phoenix and Scottsdale | Highs often above 105°F | October to April |
| Las Vegas | Highs above 100°F, warm nights | March to May, fall |
| Grand Canyon inner canyon | Above 110°F at the bottom | Spring and fall |
| New Orleans and the Gulf Coast | Heat index above 105°F, storms | Spring and late fall |
If you do go, plan activities for early morning, carry plenty of water and never hike in the heat of the day. Our Death Valley guide explains summer heat safety.
Summer travel challenges
Crowds. National parks, beaches and lake towns are at their busiest. Start early, visit midweek and explore less famous areas.
Reservations. Several popular parks, including Rocky Mountain, Glacier, Acadia, Arches and Mount Rainier, have used timed entry or vehicle reservations in summer. Rules change yearly, so check each park’s website. Our Recreation.gov guide explains how to book.
Wildfires and smoke. Late summer is wildfire season in the West. Fires can close roads and trails, and smoke can hide views hundreds of miles away. Check air quality forecasts and keep plans flexible.
Thunderstorms. Afternoon storms are common in the Rockies and Southwest during the summer monsoon. Get off exposed summits by early afternoon.
Hurricanes. The season starts June 1 along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. See our hurricane season guide.
Summer trips with kids
Summer is when most families travel, and some destinations suit children especially well. Yellowstone’s geysers and wildlife, the Black Hills, Mackinac Island’s bikes and fudge shops, San Diego’s zoo and beaches, and the Outer Banks’ lighthouses and wild horses are all big hits. Most national parks run free Junior Ranger programs, where kids complete activity booklets and earn a badge, which turns sightseeing into a game. Ranger talks and evening campfire programs are free and often excellent.
Plan shorter driving days than you would as adults, about four to five hours, and build in pool time, playgrounds and ice cream stops. Book lodging with kitchens or at least a refrigerator to save on meals. Keep water, snacks and sunscreen in the car, and plan the main activity for the morning, when kids have the most energy and temperatures are cooler. Our family road trip tips and road trip packing list help with the logistics, and our road trip safety tips cover heat, storms and fatigue on long drives.
How to save on summer travel
- Travel in June or late August, when crowds and prices are slightly lower.
- Book refundable lodging early, then rebook if prices drop.
- Camp in national forests or state parks near busy national parks.
- Buy an America the Beautiful pass if you’ll visit several parks.
- Drive instead of flying for family trips; see our road trip cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to vacation in the US in summer?
Glacier, Yellowstone, Alaska, coastal Maine and the Pacific Northwest are top choices for mild weather and scenery.
Where is it cool in the US in July?
The Pacific Northwest coast, Alaska, Maine, the Upper Midwest and high mountain areas of Colorado, Montana and Wyoming.
When does Going-to-the-Sun Road open?
It usually opens fully in late June or July, depending on snow, and stays open until mid-October.
Do national parks require reservations in summer?
Some do. Rocky Mountain, Glacier, Acadia and others have used timed entry or vehicle reservations. Check before you go.
How far ahead should I book a summer vacation?
Book national park lodges 6 to 12 months ahead and most other lodging two to four months ahead.
Plan your summer trip
- Pick a cool destination: mountains, northern coasts or lakes.
- Check road opening dates and park reservation rules.
- Book lodging and reservations as early as possible.
- Plan early starts to beat heat, crowds and storms.
- Watch wildfire and air quality forecasts in late summer.
Eric Gamble
Eric Gamble is the founder of Travon Inc. and editor-in-chief of Travon Blog, based in New Orleans. He plans every guide around the questions travelers actually ask before they book: when to go, what it really costs, how to get around and what is worth skipping. Eric oversees research, fact-checking and the regular updates that keep each guide accurate.
