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Best destinations to visit in August in North America

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Yellowstone National Park
Geysers, wildlife and untamed wilderness
8.8
About half of the world's geysers are in this park, which is far more than any other place. Old Faithful erupts about every 90 minutes. Bison graze in Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley. Grand Prismatic Spring has bands of orange and yellow around its blue centre.
Highlights:
  • 🐃 Spot bison, elk, and bears roaming in Lamar Valley
  • 🌈 Walk the boardwalks of the Grand Prismatic Spring and admire its vivid colors
  • 🌋 Watch Old Faithful erupt and feel the geothermal power of Yellowstone
San Diego
California's perfect weather playground
7.5
Summer days are mild here, with highs near 77 degrees Fahrenheit and almost no rain. The ocean at La Jolla Cove is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit in August. Sea lions rest on the rocks above the water. Balboa Park and the zoo are busy but open all year.
Highlights:
  • 🦭 Relax at La Jolla Cove and watch sea lions bask
  • 🚢 Visit the historic USS Midway Museum on Navy Pier
  • 🦓 Explore the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park
Banff National Park
Majestic Peaks and Turquoise Lakes
9.2
A small mountain town sits among the peaks of the Canadian Rockies, with hot springs and good restaurants. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are bright turquoise in August from glacier meltwater. Hire a canoe to paddle across the water. Shuttle buses run to the busiest spots.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Explore the scenic Johnston Canyon waterfalls trail
  • 🏞️ Hike to Lake Louise and admire turquoise waters
  • 🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for spectacular mountain views
Mount Rainier National Park
A Majestic Volcano and Wild Beauty
8.2
The park was set aside in 1899, which makes it one of the oldest national parks in the United States. The meadows at Paradise are full of wildflowers in August. The Skyline Trail loops above them with views of glaciers on the 14,411 foot volcano.
Highlights:
  • 🌼 Explore Spray Park’s wildflower meadows and Spray Falls
  • 🌊 Visit scenic Reflection Lakes and admire Rainier’s reflection
  • 🌄 Hike the Skyline Trail for iconic Mount Rainier views
Jasper National Park
Untamed Wilderness and Starry Skies
8.8
August is warm in this park, with daytime highs near 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Jasper is also a dark sky preserve, so the Perseid meteors are easy to see at night. Boats cross Maligne Lake to Spirit Island. The Icefields Parkway road runs south past glaciers towards Banff.
Highlights:
  • 🧊 Walk on the Athabasca Glacier with a guided tour
  • 🐻 Spot elk, moose, and bears along Icefields Parkway
  • 🛶 Cruise Maligne Lake and marvel at Spirit Island
Denali National Park
Wild Alaska’s peaks and wildlife
8.8
The park covers more than six million acres, which is larger than the state of Massachusetts. Only one road runs into it. It is about 92 miles long. Buses carry visitors along that road to see caribou, moose and grizzly bears. The tundra is red and gold by late August.
Highlights:
  • 🛩️ Take a flightseeing tour above Denali’s snowy peak
  • 🥾 Hike the Savage River Trail for rugged alpine views
  • 🐻 Spot grizzly bears and moose in their wild habitat
Glacier National Park
Crown of the Continent
8.9
The park sits on the border with Canada in northwestern Montana, along the Continental Divide. Going to the Sun Road crosses Logan Pass, which is usually fully open by August. Mountain goats and wildflowers are easy to find near the pass. Hikers follow the Highline Trail along a cliff ledge.
Highlights:
  • 🌲 Explore Avalanche Lake’s serene hiking trails
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road for views
  • 🥾 Hike to Grinnell Glacier and stunning turquoise lakes
Acadia National Park
Rugged Shores, Sunrise Peaks, Wild Beauty
8.4
Mount Desert Island on the coast of Maine holds most of this park, with granite peaks above the sea. Days are warm in August, with highs near 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Hikers climb Cadillac Mountain for views over Frenchman Bay. Clear nights are good for watching the Perseid meteors from the open summit.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive the Park Loop Road for coastal and forest views
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic Jordan Pond Path surrounded by nature
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain
Kenai Fjords National Park
Majestic fjords, glaciers and wildlife
8.8
A day cruise from the town of Seward is the usual way to see the fjords. Humpback whales, orcas and puffins are often seen on the water. Tidewater glaciers drop ice into the sea at Aialik Bay. Hikers walk the Harding Icefield Trail for views over the ice.
Highlights:
  • 🐋 Spot humpback whales during peak migration season
  • 🚤 Sail through dramatic fjords aboard a kayak tour
  • 🏞️ Hike to the breathtaking Kachemak Bay viewpoint
Newfoundland
Coastal charm meets rugged wilderness on island
9.3
Vikings built a camp at L'Anse aux Meadows about 1,000 years ago. The site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boat tours from Bay Bulls pass puffin colonies and humpback whales in August. Gros Morne National Park has fjords, tall cliffs and a hiking trail up its mountain.
Highlights:
  • 🌈 Stroll through St. John's colorful Jellybean Row
  • 🦀 Taste fresh cod at a waterfront seafood shack
  • 🏞️ Explore Gros Morne National Park's dramatic fjords
Alaska
Land of superlatives and adventure
8.9
Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867. Russian Orthodox churches still stand in towns such as Sitka. Salmon swim up the rivers in August. Brown bears gather at the falls to catch them. Daylight lasts long enough for fishing and hiking well after dinner.
Highlights:
  • 🐻 See wild bears fishing for salmon in Katmai
  • 🛳️ Cruise through glacier-filled waters in Glacier Bay National Park
  • 🌌 Watch the northern lights dance above Fairbanks
Maine
Lobsters, Lighthouses and Lush Landscapes
8.0
Compared with Cape Cod the coast here is rockier and less crowded, with more lighthouses and working fishing harbours. Lobster shacks serve fresh lobster rolls beside the water. Wild blueberries are ripe in August. Many small towns hold blueberry festivals with pies, pancakes and live music.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Visit the Portland Head Light, Maine’s iconic lighthouse
  • 🦞 Eat a freshly steamed lobster at a coastal shack
  • 🌄 Watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park
Michigan
Great Lakes State of Wonder
7.9
Four of the five Great Lakes touch this state, which has more than 3,000 miles of shoreline. Sleeping Bear Dunes has tall sand bluffs above Lake Michigan. Cars are not allowed on Mackinac Island, so visitors ride bikes or horse carriages. The lake water is warm enough for swimming in August.
Highlights:
  • 🍁 Drive the scenic M-22 coastal highway in autumn
  • 🎶 Explore Detroit’s revitalized downtown and Motown Museum
  • 🏞️ Admire the Great Lakes views from Sleeping Bear Dunes
Nova Scotia
Coastal charm meets historic maritime heritage
8.9
This Canadian province is relaxed and friendly, with fishing villages, lighthouses and long stretches of ocean coast. Peggys Cove has a famous lighthouse on bare granite rocks. Cape Breton Island has the Cabot Trail, a scenic road with ocean views. Beaches along the Northumberland Strait have mild water for swimming.
Highlights:
  • ⚓ Explore Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, learn maritime history
  • 🏖️ Stand beside Peggy's Cove lighthouse, capture iconic seascape
  • 🚗 Drive Cape Breton Highlands scenic route, enjoy ocean views
Oregon
Diverse Landscapes and Outdoor Wonders
7.9
The state has 363 miles of public coastline, plus mountains and high desert. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet. The rim drive is clear of snow in August. Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is a good place to look at tide pools.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Explore volcanic Crater Lake National Park
  • 🌊 Drive the scenic Oregon Coast Scenic Byway
  • 💧 Hike to breathtaking Multnomah Falls viewpoint
Washington (State)
Diverse landscapes from mountains to coast
7.6
Riding a ferry across Puget Sound is a normal part of life in this state. Whale watching boats leave from Anacortes and Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands. Olympic National Park has rain forest, beaches and mountains. Pike Place Market in Seattle sells fresh salmon and local berries.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Visit Mount Rainier National Park for breathtaking views
  • 🍴 Explore the thriving Pike Place Market in Seattle
  • 🧗‍♂️ Hike the challenging Angels Landing in Zion National Park
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