Even in the sweltering days of July and August, these national parks offer a respite from the heat that will beat a day spent indoors by the AC.
As the world continues to heat up due to climate change, more and more of us are looking for natural spaces where we can cool off from the sun’s heat. National parks are some of the best places to take a break from sitting in air conditioning during the worst of summer, but not all of them offer respite from baking temperatures. Whether you are looking to enjoy an alpine lake or take a hike without worrying about heat exhaustion, there are some national parks that provide outdoor activities without the burn.
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Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain’s elevation means that the weather often stays cooler during the high summer months than in other areas of the country. Winding your way up Trail Ridge Road, it is rare that you won’t catch a cool breeze at 12,183 feet. Many hikes also include alpine lakes that remain around 60 degrees even in July and August, though you will need to swim with caution and make sure you have a chance to warm up quickly afterward.
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Kenai Fjords National Park
Frigid winds from the Harding Icefield, which covers 51 percent of the park, maintain a pleasant temperature even through the height of summer. Most of the park’s activities are water-based, and it’s not uncommon to spot humpback whales feeding in the glacier-fed ocean on a tour. Still feeling warm? Consider a kayak tour that will take you right through the stunning Resurrection Bay.
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Crater Lake National Park
As the heart of the park, the deepest lake in the United States boasts some chilly waters. While the Cleetwood Cove Trail leading to the main swimming area is currently closed for rehabilitation, hikes around the lake are often cooler because they are close to the snow-fed water. Even during the summer months, temperatures rarely rise above the high sixties.
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North Cascades National Park
Another Washington gem, North Cascades National Park, offers lakes, higher elevations, and hiking trails with plenty of tree cover providing shade. It is also one of the least-visited national parks, which means that you are likely to experience plenty of solitude, whether you choose to spend time on the water or on the trail. Just be warned that if you plan to take a dip in the blindingly turquoise Diablo Lake, you will be facing brutal temperatures of fifty degrees or lower, even during the hotter months of July and August.
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Voyageurs National Park
Located in the very northwestern corner of Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park includes 218,000 acres of streams, lakes, and forests ideal for cooling off when the heat starts to turn up. Camping, kayaking, and fishing are some of the most common activities you can find here. The park also has several affiliated businesses that offer guided camping and paddling trips so visitors can reach the coolest areas where they can set up their tent, cast a line, and catch a breeze.
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Denali National Park
Alaska is the ideal state to visit once summer starts ramping up. Not only is it the farthest north, but it also has the highest concentration of glaciers, estimated at 100,000. And no trip to the Last Frontier is complete without a visit to “The Great One.” Denali’s temps rarely rise above the sixties in the summer–perfect for taking on the trail. Wildlife is out and about, and with over 20 hours of daylight, you’ll have plenty of time to raft on the Nenana River or take a flightseeing trip over the mountain itself.
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Glacier National Park
While the average summer temperature rises every year and the glaciers are diminishing at a rapid rate, Montana’s Glacier National Park still remains cool close to the frigid Lake McDonald and on the trails with tree cover. At Logan Pass, the park’s highest point at 6,646 feet, it can be nearly 15 degrees cooler than at lower elevations, though sun protection is still a must. Hot after a long day of hiking? Glacier has a documented 762 lakes where you can take a dip.
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Grand Teton National Park
The compact-but-stunning Grand Teton is slightly warmer than what you will find farther north, but with a number of alpine lakes and water-based activities, there are a variety of activities available to help you cool off. Families will love the Taggart Lake hike–at 4.8 miles, minimal elevation gain, and the chance to see one of the park’s most beloved lakes, it is a highlight. Camping is also delightful here in the summer as temperatures during the night lower into the forties.
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Isle Royale National Park
With over 400 islands to explore in one of the nation’s most remote national parks, Isle Royale in Michigan requires making the journey across the expansive Lake Superior. As a favorite park among backpackers, its location in the north of the United States, as well as its proximity to cool waters, makes it an excellent overnight destination for outdoor enthusiasts who don’t mind a little bit of prep. If you own a boat, you can also dock and camp with a permit, and the fishing is renowned for being some of the best in the Lower 48–over 40 species of fish call Isle Royale home.
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Gates of the Arctic National Park
Gates of the Arctic is one of the most difficult national parks to reach, but because it is located entirely within the Arctic Circle, you will not have to worry about hot weather. The only way to visit is by taking a bush plane or hiking in, and it’s not uncommon to be entirely on your own during your time exploring. Advanced navigation and bushcraft are required to spend time here since there are no permanent facilities, signs, or designated trails. However, if you plan on spending time in a spot virtually untouched by humans or heat, this is the park to do so.