August is an interesting time to hit the road for a national park vacation. On the one hand, as kids are heading back to school, crowd levels are starting to decrease for many national parks. They’re typically dropping after their summertime peaks, which often come in July, especially if you plan for a trip at the end of the month.
On the other hand, August can also be one of the hottest months to visit a national park, especially if you’re visiting a park in the desert region. I may love Death Valley National Park, but I wouldn’t recommend it for an August trip. In the Southwest, August is also prime time for flash floods, so stay vigilant and prepare for sudden storms.
All in all, though, there are many reasons to plan an August national park trip, but which park should you go to? I’ve compiled a list of the best US national parks to visit in August, from remote wilderness adventures to hidden gems that are off the beaten path. Pick your favorite national park from this list, and you’re bound to have an amazing, adventurous vacation!
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The 15 Best National Parks to Visit in August
1. Explore the waters of Voyageurs National Park
With 40 percent of the park being covered by water, Voyageurs National Park is one of the most unique national parks to visit in August. This Minnesota park typically experiences beautiful temperatures this time of year, not getting too hot but just hot enough that you’ll appreciate the cooling water all around you.
This park is also a certified Dark Sky Park, so take some time to go stargazing. August is a great month to see the Milky Way!
2. Take a dip at Channel Islands National Park
For more water-filled fun, check out California’s Channel Islands National Park, one of the best national parks to visit in summer if you’re looking to get in the water. The waters here are typically calm thanks to the beautiful weather this time of year. These conditions make the Channel Islands the place to be for water activity lovers, with a habitat just right for snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving.
3. See the bats at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
New Mexico may be rather hot in August, but the caves of Carlsbad Caverns National Park are mild all year round. Plan a cave tour and enjoy exploring this underground world!
But one of the biggest reasons why this park is one of the best national parks to visit in August is the fact that August is prime time to take in the majesty of the bats that take flight at night. It’s a sight you don’t want to miss.
4. Go hiking at North Cascades National Park
The Pacific Northwest is filled with national parks, but the best national park to visit in August in the region may just be North Cascades National Park. This park is much less visited than other nearby national parks, like Mount Rainier National Park. Even during the busy summer season, you’ll find it quieter than many other national parks throughout the US.
August is also when many waterfalls spring to life in this park, making it a great time to go on some waterfall hikes.
5. Enjoy the off-season at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Summer is a busy time for Hawaii in general, with many families planning their trips while the kids are off from school. But if you plan a trip to Hawaii later in August, as the school year starts up again, you’ll find that the state starts to quiet, making it a great time to visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. August is also in the dry season, creating less risk for storms.
Located on the Big Island, this national park is one of the most unique in the US, being home to the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes. If you visit here, you’ll find that you’ve never seen anything like the geological features that call the park home.
6. Experience Grand Teton National Park
Like North Cascades National Park, Grand Teton National Park is one of the best national parks to visit in August because it’s less visited than its neighbors, like Yellowstone National Park. This Wyoming national park is home to clear blue lakes, miles of hiking trails, and historical landmarks, which never get too busy, even during the summer season.
7. See the red rock at Zion National Park
The weather may be hot at Zion National Park in August, but it’s still one of the best national parks to visit in summer, thanks to the abundant wildlife, trail access, and stunning array of flora.
While monsoon season brings about some difficult traveling conditions, it also helps bring Zion to life. The trails are back open, animals like bighorn sheep are active, and fields of wildflowers are blossoming.
8. Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Located on the Tennessee and North Carolina border, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the best national park to visit in August if you’re looking for miles and miles of pristine nature and ancient mountains guarding it all.
From its lush valleys turned green by summer rain to the rushing rivers giving you relief from the hot sun to the old-growth forests providing a bit of shade, there are abundant ecosystems here, and August is a great time to explore them.
9. Spot wildlife at Denali National Park & Preserve
When we talk about visiting a national park in August, we often refer to it as being a summer trip. But that’s not necessarily the case for Denali National Park. By mid-to-late August, fall foliage starts to pop up. And you won’t find scorching temperatures here like you might find at other national parks in August.
This Alaska national park is also much more accessible this time of year than it is in winter, as shuttle buses run up and down Denali Park Road.
10. Stargaze at Mesa Verde National Park
Located in Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is one of the coolest national parks to visit in August, as crowds are starting to decrease from their July peak.
In summer at Mesa Verde, guided tours abound, offering you plenty of opportunities to see everything from thousands of archaeological sites to night sky viewings. It’s a national park that provides plenty of learning opportunities alongside your adventures.
11. Experience the night sky at Capitol Reef National Park
Remember how I mentioned that August is a great time to see the Milky Way? Well, if you want to go to the best national park to see this night-sky wonder, you might want to head to Capitol Reef National Park.
Utah is one of the best states for stargazing, but this particular park may just be the best of the best, as it also tends to have lower crowd levels than other Utah national parks.
12. Go rafting at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
If you’re an adventurer, New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia is one of the coolest national parks to visit in August. In addition to more than 100 miles of trails, this national park provides an incredible whitewater rafting opportunity. Book yourself a guided river trip to get out on the water safely with trained professionals, and enjoy the amazing ride.
13. Enjoy the quiet beauty of Isle Royale National Park
If you’re looking for rugged, untouched wilderness, check out Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park. You’ll need to take a boat to get to this island, but it’s worth the trip. It’s only open from April through October, so August is a prime time to go. Plus, this park never gets too crowded, even during the summer season.
14. See the wildflowers at Great Basin National Park
Located in Nevada, Great Basin National Park is easily one of the most overlooked national parks in the US, especially for an August trip. There are two things you’re going to want to see the most: the caves and the sky.
Lehman Caves is the longest cave system in Nevada (and also a great place to avoid the summer heat). However, they’re only available to enter on a guided tour, which runs throughout the summer. These tours tend to sell out weeks in advance, so don’t delay registering.
This park also boasts some of the clearest skies in the country. Not only might you see the Milky Way, but you may even see as far as the Andromeda Galaxy, depending on the conditions.
15. Boat around Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon may be busy in August, but it makes sense why when you consider how far into the year it takes to clear the snow away from the major roads.
Despite the crowds, it’s still one of the best national parks to visit in August, thanks to the blooming wildflowers, abundant hiking trails, and scenic drives that await you after hibernating for the winter!
