Why Shoulder Season is the Best Time to Visit the National Parks
First, it is important to know what shoulder season is for each park. Shoulder season is the couple months on either side of high season (the most popular time to visit) Typically, high season is summer or winter, depending on the park, so shoulder season would be spring and fall.
Avoid the crowds - The number 1 reason to visit during shoulder season is to avoid crowds. The parks have always been popular but seem to have gained even more popularity since the start of the pandemic. By visiting during non-peak seasons, you can avoid a good portion of the crowds. This also means that you will have less competition for permits for popular trails or may not need them at all.
Experience unique weather - By visiting during shoulder season you may experience changing of the leaves, snowfall, or spring blooms. Though the weather can be a little unpredictable, which is why people avoid visiting, you can also luck out with some incredible scenery and wildlife.
Save on accommodations - Less people mean less competition for accommodations, so you can find better deals during shoulder season.
