Avoid Bug Bites: These U.S. National Parks Have the Highest Mosquito Activity

It can mar an otherwise memorable trip to a national park: Mosquitos swarm and leave welts on your skin, and before you know it, the whole family is complaining of itchy skin, all ready to leave.

Fortunately, some U.S. national parks have far less mosquito activity than others, and if you and your family are prone to mosquito bites, opt for these parks without sacrificing an unforgettable vacation:

National parks with low to medium mosquito activity include:

• Joshua Tree National Park
• Utah’s “Mighty Five” National Parks: Zion, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Canyonlands
• Mount Rainier National Park
• Acadia National Park
• Yosemite National Park

Avoid these national parks if you’re a mosquito magnet:

• Shenandoah National Park
• Badlands National Park
• Everglades National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• White Sands National Park

These findings come from OFF! Mosquito Forecast, which combined entomology research on local mosquito species with detailed weather data inputs to predict mosquito populations and activity level by zip code.

OFF! also provided mosquito protection tips for visitors to best enjoy national parks uninterrupted:

• Wear protective clothing: Choose light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants to reduce exposed skin.
• Use a trusted repellent: Apply an EPA-registered mosquito repellent like OFF! Deep Woods.
• Plan activities smartly: Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk, so plan hikes and other outdoor activities in mid-morning or mid-afternoon.

Additionally, OFF! announced an Adventure Sweepstakes, where five lucky winners will receive national park essentials, complete with an America the Beautiful annual pass for access to all U.S. national parks; $1,000 gift card; 63 cans of OFF! Deep Woods; and a national park passport book and stamp pack to track visits. The sweepstakes ends Aug. 31. Visit here to enter.