If you’re considering an August national park trip, keep reading! Summer is a spectacular, but busy, time to visit so many of our US national parks, and for good reason. August brings some of the best hiking weather for high altitude parks, such as Glacier or Rocky Mountain. It’s an amazing month to spend time outdoors.
August can be an amazing time for hiking, camping, and swimming, but it also has its risks. Unfortunately, August often brings wildfires across the west and beyond. Be sure to keep an eye on current conditions as your national park trip approaches, and remain flexible if possible.
I’m an avid national park traveler who has almost been to all 63 US national parks, and these picks are based on my experiences in the parks. Use this list to come up with ideas for an August national park trip, and guide your planning process.
I tried to keep this list short so that I could really focus on the best parks for August, but it was hard to narrow it down. For more ideas, check out my longer lists of the national parks to visit in the summer.
No matter which national park you visit, please make sure to leave no trace! That includes packing out all of your trash, following all park rules, never feeding wildlife and staying on durable surfaces. Please make an effort to respect our public lands.
16 of the Best National Parks to Visit in August
1. Wrangell-St. Elias, Alaska
Average temperatures in August: 55° F / 45° F
Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest US national park, but it also receives very few visitors. This massive park protects 13.2 million acres of wilderness, including nine of the sixteen highest peaks in the United States.
The reason why this park receives few visitors? It’s a bit hard to get to. However, unlike some of the even more remote Alaska parks (Katmai, Gates of the Arctic, and more), you can drive yourself here. You’ll just need to drive 60 miles on the McCarthy Road, which is unpaved and remote.
When you get into the park, you can hike on a glacier, tour a historic copper mill, go flightseeing, and enjoy great food and great vibes. I especially loved the small town of McCarthy, which has unique lodging (like a Sears catalog home), fine dining, a play about the town’s history, and more.
This area receives a lot of winter snow, so the best time to visit is between mid-May to mid-September. The best window within that period tends to be mid-July to mid-August.
Read my guide to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
2. Mount Rainier, Washington
Average temperatures in August: 63° F / 44° F
Mount Rainier is a gorgeous, mountainous park that is not far from Seattle. The park is home to stunning hiking trails, colorful flowers, gushing waterfalls, and lots of wildlife. Mount Rainier itself is 14,410 feet, an active volcano, and the most glaciated peak in the lower 48.
This is another park that has a short season when you can fully enjoy the park without much snow, and that season tends to be July through early September. While the park is beautiful year round, this is when you’ll be able to hike without microspikes and drive to the highest areas of the park.
Mount Rainier is also known for its beautiful wildflower display, which is best seen between mid-July and mid-August. August is one of the peak times to visit this park, so you should have great conditions, but you’ll also have to contend with crowds. Book your lodging ahead of time, and start the popular trails early.
3. National Park of American Samoa
Average temperatures in August: 85° F / 77° F
American Samoa is home to the only US national park in the Southern hemisphere! While it’s quite the distance from the continental US, it’s worth the trip. I recommend combining your visit with a trip to Hawaii and flying from there.
The best time to visit American Samoa is between June and September. This is the dry season on the island, which brings less humidity and slightly cooler temperatures. August tends to be a great time to swim and snorkel at the beaches, and enjoy the lush hiking trails.
Do a little research on the local customs before you visit. For example, swimming is not allowed at the local beaches on Sundays. Sunday is generally a day for rest and family.
The people on the island of American Samoa are incredibly kind and welcoming, and it’s such a special place to visit.
Read my guide to visiting National Park of American Samoa
4. North Cascades National Park, Washington
Average temperatures in August: 54° F / 30° F
North Cascades is a Washington park that is home to alpine lakes, tall mountain peaks, and vast forests. It’s an amazing park for hikers and backpackers, but receives few visitors. This is partially because the park is intertwined with recreation areas, so it can be difficult to actually step foot inside of the national park. Plus, a huge percentage of the park is wilderness with minimal road access.
The main road through the park, the North Cascades Highway, closes in the winter. It’s usually open between early May to late November, but this varies a lot on the year. Mid-July to late September tends to be the best time to visit, as the trails will be clear of snow and the park services will be operating.
However, just like all of the Western US parks on this list, August can bring wildfires. Do your part in following the rules around campfires (or better yet, don’t have one at all, even if it is allowed), and check current conditions before you go.
Read my guide to North Cascades National Park
5. Glacier National Park, Montana
Average temperatures in August: 68° F / 44° F
Glacier National Park is known as “the crown of the continent,” and I can see why. This large Montana park is home to colorful lakes, valleys full of wildflowers, waterfalls, glaciers, mountains, and so much wildlife. After visiting almost all 63 parks, this is my favorite.
Much of Glacier National Park is not accessible all year due to the high altitude, so mid-July to mid-September is the best time to visit.
August is one of the best months to visit Glacier for full access. Roads and trails should be clear of snow. However, the park will certainly be crowded. Plan ahead for the popular trails, and get up early to enjoy a bit of solitude. Also keep in mind that there is a new shuttle system for hikers leaving from Logan Pass, and that rules for reservations, shuttles, etc, continue to change each year.
Read my itinerary for Glacier National Park
6. Kings Canyon, California
Average temperatures in August: 75° F / 50° F
Kings Canyon is a gorgeous park home to a deep canyon, towering trees, and granite mountains. The park is co-managed with Sequoia, as they are right next to each other. However, Kings Canyon does not receive as many visitors as Sequoia, so you can escape some of the crowds here.
August brings cool temperatures for the higher elevation areas of the park, but it might be very hot on the canyon floor. August can also bring fires, so check current conditions before you go.
Read my itinerary for Sequoia and Kings Canyon
7. Isle Royale, Michigan
Average temperatures in August: 71° F / 55° F
Isle Royale is one of the least visited national parks in the lower 48. It’s easy to see why - the park is an island, and can only be reached via a boat or seaplane. However, it’s worth the adventure. The park is amazing for camping, enjoying nature, spotting wildlife, paddling, and backpacking.
This park is typically only open between mid-April and the end of October, but most visitors go during the summer. The mosquitos and biting flies can be rough in June and July, but by August, they tend to taper off. August usually offers warm weather and is a lovely time to explore the island.
Read my guide to Isle Royale National Park
8. Denali, Alaska
Average temperatures in August: 54° F / 35° F
Denali National Park protects the tallest mountain in North America, along with over 6 million acres of wilderness. Despite the huge size, only a small part of this park is accessible by road. You can only drive your own car for 15 miles, and then you can take a park bus to go a little deeper.
After visiting this park twice, I’d say you’re all but guaranteed to see wildlife. It’s common to spot grizzly bears, moose, dall sheep, caribou, foxes, and more. The part that is nowhere near a guarantee is seeing the peak of Denali. Only about 30% of visitors get to see it due to cloudy weather.
Denali is open year round, but most people visit in the summer. While July brings warmer weather, August brings less mosquitos and cooler temperatures. At the end of the month, you can see some fall foliage in Denali, as it comes quite early. The park turns into a beautiful tapestry of gold and red. You’ll also have a chance to see the northern lights at the end of the summer.
Read my guide to Denali National Park
9. Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Average temperatures in August: 48° F / 35° F
Kenai Fjords is a magical Alaska park where glaciers, mountains, and water meet. Much of the park is only accessible by water, and boat tours don’t run in the winter. The best time to visit tends to be the summer, when you can experience the best weather, long days, and active wildlife.
Make sure to spend some time on both land and water on a visit to Kenai Fjords. There are some stunning wildlife cruises and kayaking excursions, and the hike to see Exit Glacier is a must (or the longer Harding Icefield trail if you’re in for a challenge).
August brings nice weather, but it isn’t the peak time to see whales in this area. Stick to early August for your best chance to see humpback whales. Orcas tend to be seen earlier in the summer, while gray whales are best spotted in the spring.
Read my guide to visiting Kenai Fjords and Seward
10. Rocky Mountain, Colorado
Average temperatures in August: 67° F / 44° F
Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the best national parks for hiking and mountain views! Like other parks on this list, the park is open year round, but only fully accessible during the summer. For example, the famous, high-altitude Trail Ridge Road is typically open from late May to mid-October.
Snow can linger on high altitude trails into July, so August is one of the best times for accessible hiking trails.
Rocky Mountain is one of the most visited US national parks, so timed entry reservations are required at peak times. There are two different types of reservations - one for the Bear Lake Corridor, and one for the rest of the park. The Bear Lake area is home to the most popular trails in the park, such as Dream Lake, Emerald Lake and Sky Pond.
Tip: Watch out for afternoon thunderstorms, they are common at high altitudes in the summer. Start your hikes early.
Read my summer itinerary for Rocky Mountain National Park
11. Voyageurs, Minnesota
Average temperatures in August: 75° F / 54° F
Voyageurs is a Northern Minnesota park that is defined by water. The park sits on the border of Canada and contains over 500 islands. The best way to see the park is by boat, which can include houseboat rentals, a ranger-led boat tour, canoeing, and more.
While the park is also popular for winter sports, most people visit in the summer. In order to avoid the hottest temperatures and the worst of the biting insects, the end of August is considered the best time to visit. Personally, I was eaten alive by mosquitoes in June, but have heard that August is much better.
Read my guide to Voyageurs National Park
12. Sequoia, California
Average temperatures in August: 76° F / 44° F
This California park is home to the largest trees in the world. While Redwood has the tallest trees, Sequoia has the largest trees by volume. Sequoia is also home to alpine lakes, waterfalls, and many beautiful granite rock formations.
Sequoia sits at a high elevation, so summer is a great time to visit if you want to avoid snow. However, the summers can be very crowded in Sequoia.
The crowds tend to subside by the end of August, but keep an eye on current conditions. Unfortunately, wildfires can be common in August. For the best experience, arrive at the popular trailheads early to avoid the crowds and the summer heat.
Read my itinerary for Sequoia and Kings Canyon
13. Glacier Bay, Alaska
Average temperatures in August: 62° F / 50° F
Glacier Bay is a unique Alaska national park home to massive tidewater glaciers. It’s best seen from the water, as there are no internal roads in the park.
Most visitors see this park from cruise ships, but you can also stay at the Glacier Bay Lodge and take a ranger-led boat around the park. This is a more intimate experience than the cruises, and you can also enjoy hikes leaving from the lodge.
Most amenities and tours are not available during the winter, so most visitors see this park between May and September. July and August tend to bring the most ideal weather. Some areas are hard to access during the first part of the summer, and park operations begin to wind down around Labor Day. August is also a great time to see humpback whales and other wildlife.
14. Grand Teton, Wyoming
Average temperatures in August: 76° F / 39° F
Grand Teton is a stunning park known for its jagged mountain peaks, lakes, wildlife and overall beauty. It’s right next to Yellowstone, but receives slightly fewer crowds. Grand Teton receives a lot of snow in the winter, and the park is not fully accessible, so most people visit in spring, summer and fall.
August is a great time to access the high altitude areas of the park, and brings warm weather. It can be busy, but the crowds taper off at the end of the month.
Read my guide to Grand Teton National Park
15. Lassen Volcanic, California
Average temperatures in August: 75° F / 39° F
Lassen Volcanic is a unique park in Northern California known for its geothermal activity, volcanic landscapes, mountain lakes, and jagged peaks. It’s an underrated park that has some really unique landscapes.
Like most of the national parks on this list, Lassen has a short season when the park is mostly clear of snow. Conditions tend to be best for most activities between July and September, and August is a great time to see wildflowers and hike in the high elevations. This is the peak time to visit, so it may be crowded, but this park doesn’t receive nearly as many visitors as many of the other parks in this list.
16. Lake Clark, Alaska
Average temperatures in August: 64° F / 43° F
Lake Clark is one of the Alaska parks that requires a small plane for most visitors. It’s already hard to access during the summer, but even more challenging in the winter. It has a short season for ideal conditions, and you’ll likely want to visit between July and early September.
August is a great time to see brown bears in Lake Clark, as the bears will be hunting salmon. I took a day trip to Lake Crescent in August, and saw several bears fishing, playing, and traveling along the brilliant blue water.
Read my guide to Lake Clark National Park
Honorable Mentions
- Great Basin
- Yosemite
- Gates of the Arctic
- Crater Lake
- Kobuk Valley
- Olympic
- Yellowstone
Final Thoughts
I hope this list helps you plan an epic summer national park trip! From glaciers in Alaska, to the largest trees in the world, to epic mountain hikes in the American west, summer is the best time to experience so many of the US national parks. Pack your sunscreen and hit the road for a summer adventure!
For more US National Park Guides, check out these blogs:
- The Best National Park to Visit in the Spring
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Summer
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Winter
- How to Avoid Crowds in National Parks
- A Guide to Which National Parks Require Reservations
- Exactly How to Plan a National Park Road Trip
Thanks for Reading!
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