U.S. National Parks are some of the country’s most beautiful places to visit, but this time of year, they can also be incredibly dangerous. While extremely hot summers aren’t new for many of the nation’s national parks, some of these parks are experiencing even higher temperatures this year.
Currently, most of the country is experiencing a dangerous heat wave. These sweltering temperatures can make any outdoor activity dangerous and even fatal if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Despite the extreme temperatures, this heat wave hasn’t stopped tourists from visiting places like Death Valley National Park, where temperatures have reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even though national parks don’t close during a heat wave, it’s important to be alert and pay attention to heat warnings if you plan on visiting one. According to the National Weather Service, an excessive heat warning is issued when temperatures are expected to be over 105 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days.
Extreme heat isn’t only uncomfortable–it can also be fatal. In extreme temperatures, you can experience heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. When the temperature is too hot, your body isn’t able to effectively cool you down. If you plan on visiting any of the nation’s beautiful national parks this summer, be sure you take the proper precautions and try to stay cool. (Check out The Highest Temperature in the US Every June Since 1950.)
To determine the national parks that are dangerously hot right now, 24/7 Tempo reviewed census tract level data on daily temperature from the NOAA’s nClimGrid-Daily program. National parks were ranked based on maximum temperature from July 1 to July 8, 2024. Temperature data was aggregated from census tracts to national parks using boundary data from the U.S. Census Bureau and National Park Service. Supplemental data on the number of annual visitors in 2023 is also from the NPS.
40. Voyageurs National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 78.9°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 62.9°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 220,825
- Park area: 319.9 square miles
- Region: Northeast Minnesota
39. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 79.6°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 64.7°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 746,862
- Park area: 110.1 square miles
- Region: Southwest North Dakota
38. Isle Royale National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 79.8°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 63.8°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 28,965
- Park area: 862.1 square miles
- Region: West Upper Michigan
37. Mesa Verde National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 81.7°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 65.0°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 505,194
- Park area: 83.9 square miles
- Region: Colorado Colorado Drainage Basin
36. Mount Rainier National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 82.2°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 59.4°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 1,674,294
- Park area: 369.4 square miles
- Region: Washington Cascade Mountains West
35. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 82.8°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 65.9°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 357,069
- Park area: 48.8 square miles
- Region: Colorado Colorado Drainage Basin
34. North Cascades National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 83.0°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 60.0°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 40,351
- Park area: 783.4 square miles
- Region: Washington Cascade Mountains West
33. Olympic National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 83.4°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 61.1°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 2,947,503
- Park area: 1,429.9 square miles
- Region: Washington West Olympic Coast
32. Indiana Dunes National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 86.0°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 70.3°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 2,765,892
- Park area: 25.4 square miles
- Region: Northwest Indiana
31. Badlands National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 86.9°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 67.0°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 1,046,400
- Park area: 379.4 square miles
- Region: Southwest South Dakota
30. Wind Cave National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 87.0°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 64.5°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 592,459
- Park area: 53.0 square miles
- Region: South Dakota Black Hills
29. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 89.3°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 71.1°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 2,860,059
- Park area: 51.2 square miles
- Region: Northeast Ohio
28. Great Basin National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 89.8°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 68.3°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 143,265
- Park area: 120.3 square miles
- Region: Northeastern Nevada
27. Gateway Arch National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 90.9°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 75.1°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 2,422,836
- Park area: 0.3 square miles
- Region: Southwest Illinois
26. Capitol Reef National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 91.5°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 73.5°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 1,268,861
- Park area: 382.5 square miles
- Region: Southeast Utah
25. Mammoth Cave National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 91.6°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 75.5°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 654,450
- Park area: 111.8 square miles
- Region: Central Kentucky
24. Arches National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 92.2°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 75.5°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 1,482,045
- Park area: 119.5 square miles
- Region: Southeast Utah
23. Biscayne National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 92.2°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 85.0°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 571,242
- Park area: 271.6 square miles
- Region: Florida Lower East Coast
22. Bryce Canyon National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 92.3°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 73.7°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 2,461,269
- Park area: 56.2 square miles
- Region: South Central Utah
21. Kings Canyon National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 93.0°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 72.6°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 643,065
- Park area: 717.1 square miles
- Region: California San Joaquin Drainage
20. Canyonlands National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 93.0°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 74.8°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 800,322
- Park area: 522.3 square miles
- Region: Southeast Utah
19. Crater Lake National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 93.2°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 65.0°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 559,976
- Park area: 285.2 square miles
- Region: Oregon High Plateau
18. Everglades National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 94.2°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 85.0°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 810,189
- Park area: 2,393.4 square miles
- Region: Florida Everglades
17. Sequoia National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 94.6°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 74.6°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 980,567
- Park area: 635.6 square miles
- Region: California San Joaquin Drainage
16. Dry Tortugas National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 94.7°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 85.3°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 84,285
- Park area: 102.5 square miles
- Region: Florida Keys
15. Shenandoah National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 95.4°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 75.4°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 1,576,008
- Park area: 308.7 square miles
- Region: Northern Virginia
14. Redwood National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 95.8°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 73.5°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 409,105
- Park area: 222.4 square miles
- Region: California North Coast Drainage
13. Hot Springs National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 96.7°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 82.3°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 2,502,967
- Park area: 8.5 square miles
- Region: Central Arkansas
12. Zion National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 97.7°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 77.1°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 4,623,238
- Park area: 232.4 square miles
- Region: South Central Utah
11. Congaree National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 99.2°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 83.2°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 250,114
- Park area: 41.8 square miles
- Region: Central South Carolina
10. Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 100.2°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 77.3°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 418,978
- Park area: 168.0 square miles
- Region: California Sacramento Drainage
9. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 100.6°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 83.2°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 227,340
- Park area: 136.3 square miles
- Region: Texas Trans Pecos
8. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 101.1°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 82.9°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 394,121
- Park area: 73.1 square miles
- Region: New Mexico Southeastern Plains
7. Petrified Forest National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 101.3°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 77.0°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 520,491
- Park area: 348.4 square miles
- Region: Northeast Arizona
6. Grand Canyon National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 101.5°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 81.5°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 4,733,705
- Park area: 1,880.1 square miles
- Region: Northeast Arizona
5. White Sands National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 102.2°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 83.3°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 729,096
- Park area: 231.6 square miles
- Region: New Mexico Southern Desert
4. Big Bend National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 102.5°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 86.1°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 509,129
- Park area: 1,267.0 square miles
- Region: Texas Trans Pecos
3. Saguaro National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 105.0°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 86.5°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 1,010,906
- Park area: 146.2 square miles
- Region: Southeast Arizona
2. Pinnacles National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 106.2°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 84.6°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 341,220
- Park area: 41.7 square miles
- Region: California Central Coast Drainage
1. Death Valley National Park
- Maximum temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 109.8°F
- Average temperature, July 1-8, 2024: 88.8°F
- Annual visitors, 2023: 1,099,589
- Park area: 5,367.1 square miles
- Region: California Southeast Desert Basin