In much of America, summers are hot and getting hotter.
Alaska has cool summers, but the logistics and costs of going there can be too much for a lot of people. Many turn to the beach for the cool waters, but it’s still hot when you’re not in them.
Here are some national parks where you can find cooler summer temps while enjoying outdoor activities. While these parks still have their share of hot days, their temperatures are mild on average. As you might guess, most of them are in mountainous areas.
Olympic, Washington
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Summers in the Pacific Northwest between the Cascade Range and the Pacific typically don’t get too hot to begin with. Olympic National Park makes it easy to get away from what extreme heat there is by getting high into mountains, walking through dense, shady forests, and exploring coastal areas.
Mount Rainier, Washington
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The alpine meadows around the namesake peak here are filled with wildflowers and snow banks throughout the summer. If you really want to cool off, sign up with an outfitter for a guided climb of Rainier and some of its glaciers.
Crater Lake, Oregon
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While much of the surrounding area is considered high desert, the caldera where Crater Lake sits is several thousand feet higher and thus much cooler. One bummer is that beginning in 2026, the lake itself will be closed to boat tours and swimmers for at least two years as the Park Service reconstructs a trail and marina there. However, there are plenty of other trails to hike, and the lake is still spectacular from overlooks.
Redwood, California
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This national park is about redwood forests and ocean coastline. The redwoods are up in the hills and provide a lot of shade. Along the coast, it’s often quite cool and foggy, but it’s definitely not a place where you’ll complain about the heat.
Yosemite, California
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World-famous Yosemite Valley gets really hot in the summer, so the thing to do there is to visit some of the big waterfalls and let their spray cool you off. Even better, though, is the high country up around Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass where mountain weather usually means chilly mornings and mild afternoons.
Kings Canyon-Sequoia, California
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The paved roads on the western side of these parks climb into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, and the forests there provide plenty of shade. Reaching the true alpine zones is easier done by hiking in from one of several trailheads on the eastern side of the parks. You’ll also find many cold mountain lakes up there to take a dip in.
Great Basin, Nevada
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The Great Basin of Nevada and parts of neighboring states isn’t exactly known for its pleasant summer temperatures. The Snake Range, however, rises like a sky island near the Utah border, and up high, you’ll find snow, shade, and mountain lakes that offer a nice and cool escape from the surrounding desert.
Glacier, Montana
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The peaks in this national park are not among the highest in the Rockies, but their northerly latitude keeps the high country cool on most summer days. There’s also a lot of cold water in lakes and streams, and you can sometimes play on snow banks even in late summer.
Yellowstone, Idaho-Montana-Wyoming
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Much of Yellowstone sits on a high plateau, keeping it mild on most summer days. In fact, snow isn’t uncommon when big summer storms sweep in. High-altitude lakes and trails to elevated areas in the mountains provide additional relief from hot weather.
Rocky Mountain, Colorado
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Trail Ridge Road is one of the highest roads in the United States and allows easy access to an alpine world of far-ranging views and delicate tundra. There are also plenty of trails that lead to spectacular mountaintops, lakes, and other destinations in the park.
Wind Cave, South Dakota
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South Dakota has hot summers that sometimes see triple-digit days. Wind Cave National Park, with its rolling hills, forests, and namesake cave is a great place to cool off a bit when you’re spending time in the Black Hills.
Acadia, Maine
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The Maine summer can be hot and humid, but Acadia is along the Atlantic coast, and the ocean creates a moderating influence. It’s commonly breezy as well, further helping things keep a lot cooler than they do inland.
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