What is the best time to visit the national parks?

Most American parks are ideal in late September and October: it’s warm but not too hot, kids are back in school, there are lower accommodation rates and most trails and restaurants still open before the winter season kicks in. September is a great month to be in Grand Teton National Park, indeed any park with a lot of forest, as the start of autumn sees the vegetation taking on beautiful shades of red, orange and yellow. October is an excellent time to see animals such as moose, elk, bison and antelope, as it’s their rutting season. Meanwhile, spring is definitely the best time to visit Death Valley National Park, when it’s cool enough to hike and the famous wildflowers are starting to bloom. Late May and into June is a good time to visit the Grand Canyon. The lesser-visited and recommended North Rim is just opening, and you’ll beat the peak summer months that see one of America’s most-visited national parks get way too crowded.

From Acadia and Arches to Yellowstone and Yosemite, October is the month we’ve recommended most often. That sweet spot between high and low season, the so-called ‘shoulder season’ is many savvy travelers’ favorite time to be on the road and exploring the great outdoors. It’s the best of both worlds: The crowds are more manageable, as kids are back in school after summer holidays and before ski season, and the weather is less intense, especially in desert regions, where temperatures have usually dropped, and in mountainous areas, where winter hasn’t kicked in completely. You might even luck into some unseasonably warm, gloriously sunny days, depending on where you’re headed. October is also rutting season for many of the large mammals of North America, including elk, moose, antelope and bison, so it's a great time to see wildlife – dramatic mating behavior in particular. Northern exposure: Canada at its best, Given its position north of the 49th parallel, Canada and its national parks are on a slightly different timetable. As a general rule, low season – November to April – is best for snowy-weather sports, shoulder season – May, September and October – has the lowest prices and the most colorful foliage, and high season – June to August – is ideal for hiking in the mountains. The best time to visit a national park? It's right now.