Best Places in the USA to Visit in June

Mary Cate Long — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 12:00:15 +0000

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

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

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

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

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