Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall

Perks of working as a social media manager for artists who specialize in National Park poster illustration: traveling to National Parks. The two objectives being - shooting content for the socials and bringing back reference photography for our artists to use for future posters! Under this position I’ve visited 13 Parks, and each were completely unique and special from one another. For most of these, I’ve gone in September + October, simply because across the country, the weather is best at this time of year. Here are the National Parks (plus a couple other gems) that were an outdoor lover’s dream in late summer / early fall.

Channel Islands

Right off the coast of Ventura, California lies five islands that make up Channel Islands National Park. The closest and easiest to access is Anacapa (where sea lions and dolphins frequent). While there were definitely people who were just hiking around the island like we were, many locals seemed to know the inside scoop on bringing their bathing suit and swimming / snorkeling around the kelp forests at the base of the island - something I wish I would’ve known to do and come prepared for. But in the meantime, watching sailboats on the Pacific from the top was pretty wonderful. While a tad windy, it was classic Southern California weather. Read more about my time on Channel Islands here.

Joshua Tree

I didn’t truly know the meaning of dry heat until Joshua Tree. The 110 degree days and 90 degree nights supremely kicked my ass and pushed us to re-strategize our hiking (one short loop had us lightheaded and dizzy at the end). It being the desert, there are limited windows where temps aren’t extreme. However, Joshua Tree is an amazing Park to just drive around! The Cholla Cactus Garden was a fun highlight and Palm Springs is nearby! I had a chance to visit again for my birthday just a few years ago, which I highly recommend. Read more about my first trip to Joshua Tree here and my birthday trip to Palm Springs + Joshua Tree Part II here.

Death Valley

Easily a favorite of mine. One could say it’s because this is the filming location of Tatooine in the OG Star Wars trilogy. And one would be right. But, Death Valley kind of… shut me up? It’s still difficult for me to put into words how massive this place is and the feeling it gave me. Feeling small by the ocean felt like child’s play compared to this. The only other time I’ve felt this overwhelmed was visiting the Grand Canyon. Driving to Death Valley felt like driving to and on Mars. It was so far, so distant and yet, so fantastical at the same time. Surprisingly, it was not as hot here as it was in Joshua Tree, but still rockin’ in the 90’s. Because of how huge this Park is, we were only able to visit the lower half which houses Badwater Basin (the lowest, hottest, and driest point in the U.S.) and Zabriskie Point (a highlight!), Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (hi, three PO!) and Artists Palette. The journey to Death Valley is a lengthy one, but so very worth it! Read more about my time in Death Valley here.

Yosemite

California’s finest! Sadly though, my visit to Yosemite was taken over by nearby wildfire smoke so… there was little to see and little to do as the air quality was so poor. The only highlight was getting to see El Capitan! While this may not be the best Park to visit in September due to wildfires being so strong during this season, the temperature is super ideal for hiking and if I’m able to plan last minute and there aren’t any threats in the area, I would still visit again around this time of year. Read more about the short and sweet visit to Yosemite here.

Mount Rushmore

South Dakota holds so much history and with it, the famous Mount Rushmore. With excellent people watching, a quick loop around the granite heads, and an ice cream shop, Rushmore is a fun stop to visit, especially if you’re already in the area for Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks. Definitely take advantage of the Under Canvas location nearby to enjoy glamping and the cooler temps in the evening in the Black Hills. Read more about my time in Mount Rushmore here.

Wind Cave

Wind Cave is rich with stories from the Lakota tribe that continues to be shared throughout the walls of the caves. September is a fabulous time to visit South Dakota, but especially when going underground. Placed perfectly in a cluster of other treasures like Badlands, Jewel Cave, Custer, and Mount Rushmore, this is a lovely place to get history lessons and reminders of the land these Parks are inhabiting. Read more about my time in Wind Cave here.

Custer

One of my favorite underrated treasures is Custer State Park (should be a National Park, in my humble opinion). I’ve never seen so many bison in my life all in one spot and the Needles Highway was a mesmerizing dreamland set in the heart of the Black Hills. I would come back here in a heartbeat to spend more time taking drives and walking the valleys of Custer. Read more about my time at this Park here.

Badlands

A trip to South Dakota isn’t complete without a stop in Badlands. September weather was kind during our hikes and drives. Super walkable (this is a no trail Park so feel free to roam!) and not far is the kitschy town of Wall that feels like you stepped back into the Old West. Another great Park to drive your way through, especially when the sun is setting. Do yourself a favor and plan to visit all of the South Dakota parks together as they’re not far from each other and easy to navigate! Read more about my time in Badlands here.

Acadia

The only place I want to be when the leaves start to turn and a chill enters the air is Acadia. Boasting as one of Maine’s most popular destinations, Bar Harbor is nothing short of magical in October. Just a little over 2 hours north of Portland, Acadia lacks nothing with its hikes, water views (Jordan Pond and Sand Beach in particular), and blueberry everything. Crowds notoriously flock in October due to leaf peeping, but worth it if planned right! Read more about my time in Acadia here.