Best Places in the USA to Visit in June

As summer heats up, the kids are out of school and days grow long, June is the perfect time to take a road trip. With the sun high in the sky, get out into nature and explore, whether rafting down one of Colorado’s rivers or making a historical trip to Mount Rushmore.


Yosemite and Sequoia in June

Yosemite

Nothing says summer like a trip to the great California national parks of Yosemite and Sequoia, and June is truly the best month to visit. Especially in early June, the waterfalls will still be flowing beautifully from the melted snow. Another huge draw is that most of the high country– closed off during the cold months– opens in June, introducing a whole new section of the parks to explore. Tiago Road, leading to Tuolumne Meadows, will introduce you to a side of Yosemite that you never even knew existed.

In Yosemite, June is the ideal time to hike. The weather is pleasant and the backcountry is open. With over 800 miles of hiking trails, there’s no shortage of scenic view points to trek to: alpine lakes, granite cliff faces and cascading waterfalls. In Sequoia, the regal, namesake trees offer shade from the summer sun. 

Yosemite and Sequoia Weather in June:

Average High Average Low Precipitation
Yosemite 82º 50º 1 day
Sequoia 63º 38º 1 day


Sample itinerary: 
Stunning Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks


Montana in June

Montana bison

June is an ideal window to visit Montana, as it arrives after the mud season induced by melting snow and before the big crowds that typically arrive in July. Throughout the Montana mountains, wildlife emerges from hibernation. 

In Yellowstone National Park, the land is booming with new life. Wildflowers blossom and newborn bison and elk calves toddle around the valleys. Further north, white water rafting is at its best in Glacier National Park. 

Similarly to Yosemite and Sequoia, June is also a good time to hike or cycle a wider range of Montana trails that are free of snow in the summer.

Montana Weather in June

Average High Average Low Precipitation
Yellowstone 63º 34º 10 days
Glacier 61º 39º 13 days
Bozeman 73º 44º 9 days


Sample itinerary: 
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip


South Dakota in June

Devils Tower National Monument

Don’t underestimate the charms of South Dakota! The Black Hills and Badlands, home to Mount Rushmore, would be worth the visit even without the historic national memorial.

Spot buffalo and magnificent rock spires in Custer State Park, visit one of the United States’ largest caves and witness totally unique geologic formations like Devils Tower National Monument (which is actually just across state lines in Wyoming).

Of course, a visit to the American icon Mount Rushmore has to be on your South Dakotan bucket list. But also don’t forget to check out the state’s other notable mountain sculpture – Crazy Horse Memorial. Visit the work-in-progress site of the world’s largest mountain carving and hear the story of the eccentric man who began creating it, rejected all government funding and whose dying wish was that his family complete the project.

South Dakota Weather in June

Average High Average Low Precipitation
Black Hills 68º 39º 9 days
Rapid City 76º 55º 9 days

 


Colorado in June

Colorado

Pretty much any month is a great month to visit Colorado, but June is prime time to get in on all of the exciting, summer activities. The mild weather makes outdoor activities a dream, from hiking to fishing. Plus, the bloom of June wildflowers make every view twice as beautiful.

As snow melts from the winter seasons, rafting in Colorado can begin as early as May, but June is the beginning of the reliably peak season for the exciting water sport. Just about all of our favorite mountain towns have access to rafting rivers. Raft the San Miguel river from the homebase of Telluride, the Gunnison from Crested Butte or Roaring Fork River from Aspen.

June is also great for a Colorado road trip because many of its scenic mountain passes are safely open. Independence Pass, located east of Aspen, is a perfect example. Other roads, such as the renowned Million Dollar Highway, may be open all year round but still are definitely at their most safe in June when conditions are more stable. 

Colorado Weather in June

Average High Average Low Precipitation
Telluride 70º 33º 4 days
Crested Butte 70º 33º 4 days
Aspen 74º 43º 4 days


Sample itinerary: 
Luxury Family Adventure in Colorado


Events in June 2021

June – Pride Month

June 4-6  Chicago Blues Festival

June 17-20 U.S. Open Championship

June 18-20 Country Summer Music Festival

June 20 – Father’s Day

June 20 – Summer Solstice

June 23-27Jackson Hole Writers Conference

June 27-30 Aspen Ideas Festival

June 17-19 – Aspen Food and Wine

Not yet scheduled: Los Angeles Film Festival

 

Check Out The Other Posts in Our Series Below:

 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

  • By entering your information you agree to receive emails in accordance with our Privacy Policy
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.



Connect

Thanks for visiting, we'd love to keep in touch

For national park profiles, insider interviews, hidden gems and more, subscribe to our bimonthly newsletter