In 2010, Matt and Karen Smith set out on a mission to visit every US national park. Inspired by their friends Bob and Sue, the couple embarked on this adventure with high hopes for summer fun. However, after experiencing scorching temperatures in parks like Death Valley, they soon realized that not all parks are ideal destinations during the summer months.
Instead, the Smiths discovered that high alpine national parks offer the best experience during the summer season. Since completing their mission, the couple has written several books about their adventures and shares insights, tips, and tricks on their Instagram page with over 247,000 followers and their podcast, “Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast.”
The popularity of national parks continues to rise as more people seek outdoor activities. The National Parks Service noted an increase in park visitors to over 325 million in the previous year, approaching an all-time high. With this surge in popularity comes challenges such as overcrowding and environmental impact.
To help visitors make informed decisions about which parks to visit during the summer months, Matt and Karen suggest eight ideal destinations including Yosemite National Park in California and Acadia National Park in Maine. On the other hand, they advise avoiding two parks: Death Valley National Park in Nevada and Joshua Tree National Park in California due to their extreme heat during the summer season.