Top 7 US National Parks to Visit This August
By: Noam Bachrach
July 31, 2026
With the start of summer vacation, the United States’ 63 National Parks begin to fill with visitors from all over the world seeking an escape into the beauty of nature. Each park offers unique scenery and distinct experiences, but choosing between them can be overwhelming. If you’re trying to decide which of these awe-inspiring destinations to enjoy, you’ve come to the right place.
National parks are popular destinations, especially during the summer. As you probably know, the increase in crowds during the summer months leads to more foot traffic on popular trails, harder times finding parking, fewer wildlife sightings, and more people to get in the way of your photos. It would seem that the park with the fewest crowds is the right choice, but you can’t base your decision on that factor alone.
There’s usually a good reason why some national parks have fewer crowds during the summer months, though. Summertime brings swarms of mosquitoes to Congaree National Park and scorching temperatures to Death Valley National Park, to name a few. Unpleasant surroundings like these drive away most of the tourists until the weather starts to cool. This means that limited crowds aren’t everything; you also need a comfortable atmosphere.
But that’s not all. A third aspect to consider is whether August is the best time to visit these particular parks, or if they are more accessible at other times of the year. Some national parks close their main roads and trails in winter due to unplowed roads or icy conditions, while others close entirely until the weather warms up. In winter, some parks close their visitor centers or operate with shorter hours. This inaccessibility means the summer months are the best (if not the only) time to experience these parks in all their glory.
Which brings us to today’s topic: Top 7 US National Parks to Visit This August, considering the fewest crowds, comfortable environments, and full accessibility. Follow this list to learn which national parks to visit, and avoid potential annoyances during your summer vacation.
Let’s Begin:
#7 - Glacier National Park
Located in northwestern Montana, Glacier National Park is known for its rugged peaks and pristine alpine lakes. The park’s most noteworthy attractions include the Grinnell Glacier Trail, Swiftcurrent Lake, Logan’s Pass, and Going-to-the-Sun Road. Each section of the park displays one-of-a-kind mountain scenery. There are also many locations throughout the park perfect for spotting wildlife, including moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and pikas.
As the snow starts to melt, Glacier National Park’s trails and roads begin to open fully. Going-to-the-Sun Road opens at the end of June, providing access to many beautiful sections of the park that are closed during the colder months. Although the weather at these high elevations is often unpredictable, the summer weather tends to be calmer than in winter. The best time of year to visit Glacier National Park is from the end of June until the first heavy snowfall of the autumn season.
The fact that there are only a few months of the year to get the most out of the park leads to one big downside. During July and August, Glacier’s popular trails can get extremely crowded, with parking lots filling up early in the day. Luckily, the park offers a shuttle system to help prevent this parking lot congestion.
Whether you’re interested in hiking, sightseeing, or relaxing at a lakeside, Glacier National Park has something to offer everyone. If crowds aren’t a problem for you, summer is the best time to experience Glacier National Park in its fullest.
#6 - Isle Royale National Park
In Lake Superior, off the shore of Michigan, lies Isle Royale National Park. The park covers the entire island, plus the 450 smaller islands surrounding it. The park is known for its dense forested trails and rocky shorelines. Visitors enjoy hiking the trails and kayaking along the coast. Notable attractions include the Rock Harbor lighthouse, the Greenstone Ridge Trail, and Ojibway Tower. Additionally, moose, fox, and loon sightings are common throughout the park.
The only way to access Isle Royale National Park is by boat or seaplane from mainland Michigan or Minnesota. Due to its remote location, Isle Royale National Park never gets too crowded, even at its peak season.
Transportation to the park is only offered between April 16 and October 31, closing off the national park to all visitors during the winter. As the warmer months are the only time to visit Isle Royale National Park, August is the perfect time to schedule a trip.
#5 - Voyageurs National Park
Along the Canadian border with Minnesota sit the vast waterways of Voyageurs National Park. The park consists of interconnected lakes dispersed throughout a thick forest. More than one-third of the park is covered with water, making kayaks and ranger-led boat tours the main method of traversing Voyageurs. Notable stops within the park include Blind Ash Bay and Grassy Bay Cliffs. Beaver Pond is also a great place to see beavers and other wildlife shaping the wetlands around you.
Summer is peak season at Voyageurs, as the waterways throughout the park become fully accessible only after the winter ice thaws. Summertime also brings pleasant temperatures and better sightings of migratory birds. Even though the warmer months are the most popular time to visit Voyageurs National Park, the park never gets too crowded. The park is spread out throughout a large network of rivers, lakes, and islands, allowing for exploration in solitude. Therefore, Voyageurs National Park is a great place to visit this August.
#4 - Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Nestled in the badlands of North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a real hidden gem. Known for its sweeping views of the prairies and colorful canyons, Theodore Roosevelt National Park has a lot to offer. The park is split into three distinct units: the South Unit, the North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit, with each one containing one-of-a-kind viewpoints and trails. The park is a great place to view wildlife of the Great Plains, including wild horses, bison, and prairie dogs.
With scenery similar to Badlands National Park in South Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the perfect alternative without the crowds. While Badlands National Park receives over a million visitors a year, Theodore Roosevelt National Park receives around half that (you can even visit the two parks in a single trip and compare for yourself). Overall, Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers vast, expansive wilderness to explore in solitude.
North Dakota has severe winter weather, while its summers are warm and pleasant. With that in mind, you should add Theodore Roosevelt National Park to your list of places to travel this August.
#3 - Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park encompasses Lassen Peak, an active volcano in northern California. There are many hiking trails and attractions to explore, such as Lake Helen, Kings Creek Falls, and Boiling Springs Lake. The park also offers ranger-led programs where visitors can learn about volcanoes and their impact on the surrounding area, while also taking in the beautiful scenery.
In winter, roads within and surrounding the park close due to heavy snowfall. This makes summer the most opportune time to explore the park to its fullest. Lassen Volcanic National Park tends to be crowded on weekends in the summer, but not on weekdays. This makes summer weekdays the perfect time to visit the park.
#2 - Grand Canyon National Park: North Rim
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona consists of two sides: the South Rim and the North Rim. While the South Rim is more developed (with amenities such as restaurants, paved viewpoints, and shuttle services), the North Rim has a vastly different, rugged, adventurous feel. Tourists flock to the South Rim, leaving the North Rim as a stunning landscape to explore in solitude.
At a higher elevation than the South Rim, the North Rim’s summer temperatures are much more pleasant. The higher elevation also causes the North Rim to experience much colder temperatures in winter. Unplowed roads and icy conditions cause the North Rim to close in the colder months, while the South Rim remains open all year. The North Rim is open from mid-May to mid-October, making it exclusively a summer destination. Despite this, the North Rim receives only 10% of the total tourists to the Grand Canyon, meaning you might have the entire place to yourself!
Overall, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a perfect summer getaway, as it is inaccessible other times of the year, has nice weather, and offers extraordinary scenery while avoiding crowds.
#1 - North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park in Washington State is definitely a well-kept secret. While only a couple of hours’ drive from Seattle, it’s the least-visited of the major national parks in the contiguous United States. Filled with conifer forests, breathtaking lakes, and mountain scenery, North Cascades National Park is perfect for anyone looking to experience untamed wilderness.
The national park offers many family-friendly trails and viewpoints in addition to its rugged wilderness hikes. Visitors enjoy the North Cascades Scenic Byway, Diablo Lake, and Ross Dam. The surrounding area outside the park is filled with natural beauty as well, with breathtaking viewpoints such as Washington Pass Overlook, Mount Baker, and Maple Pass. With all its easily accessible scenic wonders, the park and its surrounding area have something special to offer everyone who visits.
The North Cascades Scenic Byway closes from mid-November to early May (exact dates depending on snowfall), meaning summertime is the only time of year to experience the park fully. With warm weather, full access, and few crowds, North Cascades National Park places itself as the #1 national park for you to visit this August.
And there you have it: Backcountry Tours’ list of the Top 7 US National Parks to Visit This August.
Make sure to book a trip to the National Park of your choice with Backcountry Tours for personalized itinerary planning, insider tips, convenient bookings, and more!
To learn about each of these national parks, check out the National Park Service website here: https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm
To schedule a trip with Backcountry Tours, fill out the form here: https://backcountrykoshertours.com/services/