August in the United States means it's summertime and the livin' is easy.

If you're not fond of snow, ice, or rain, but the US is on your bucket list, August is the month to cross it off. While temps in the southern states can soar, places with notoriously long, cold, winters like Montana and Alaska are thawed, warm, and perfect for outdoor adventures. In the northern states, the summer season is short but sweet, and locals in Maine and the Pacific Northwest spend most days enjoying life alfresco. Trust us, it's as dreamy as it sounds.

Top 10 United States tours August 2024

Departing Days From NZD
1 Aug 2024
Best of the South: Atlanta to New Orleans
14 10830
10289
1 Aug 2024
Georgia History Trail to Nashville
8 5715
5430
2 Aug 2024
San Francisco to Seattle
9 6395
6076
2 Aug 2024
Yellowstone and Grand Teton Family Holiday
6 6365
6047
3 Aug 2024
Best of Montana
6 5920
5624
3 Aug 2024
Best of Alaska
10 9455
8983
4 Aug 2024
Hike New Hampshire's Appalachian Trail and Presidential Peaks
4 3135
4 Aug 2024
Alaska Hike, Bike & Kayak
6 5680
4 Aug 2024
Real San Francisco to LA
Ages 18 to 35
13 4495
4 Aug 2024
Real Big Apple to Big Easy
Ages 18 to 35
10 4425
4 Aug 2024
Yellowstone and Grand Tetons Adventure
6 5425
4 Aug 2024
Vegas to San Fran
6 1930
4 Aug 2024
Epic American West
Ages 18 to 35
16 5755
4 Aug 2024
Hiking in Yosemite National Park
5 4125
3919
5 Aug 2024
Hiking and Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park
5 3460
5 Aug 2024
Hiking and Camping in Yellowstone
5 3690
5 Aug 2024
Hiking in the Grand Canyon: North & South Rims
5 5150
7 Aug 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
5 3685
7 Aug 2024
Best of Western USA
10 7265
8 Aug 2024
Tennessee Music Trail to New Orleans
7 5440
10 Aug 2024
Alaska Discovery
8 6505
10 Aug 2024
Hiking the Best of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons
5 6830
10 Aug 2024
Western USA Family Holiday
8 5540
5263
11 Aug 2024
LA to Vegas: Grand National Parks
10 7475
11 Aug 2024
LA to San Fran: Ultimate National Parks
17 13965
11 Aug 2024
Hiking in Denali National Park
6 5380
5111
11 Aug 2024
Best of California's National Parks
6 3810
3620
12 Aug 2024
Hiking in Yellowstone
5 6340
13 Aug 2024
Wild Western USA
11 4190
13 Aug 2024
LA to Vegas Adventure
5 2250
15 Aug 2024
Hiking and Backpacking Yellowstone's Bechler River Traverse
5 3385
16 Aug 2024
Real California Coastal Road Trip
Ages 18 to 35
4 1375
1307
18 Aug 2024
South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer
6 5160
18 Aug 2024
Great American West
12 11115
19 Aug 2024
Hike & Kayak Maine's Acadia National Park
5 5275
19 Aug 2024
Hiking the Best of the Grand Canyon
3 3055
20 Aug 2024
Western USA Highlights
18 7860
20 Aug 2024
Las Vegas to San Fran: Parks, Canyons, Valleys
8 6385
22 Aug 2024
Zion Glamping Adventure
4 3765
23 Aug 2024
Hiking and Backpacking North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains
3 1770
23 Aug 2024
Hiking Washington's Olympic National Park
3 3570
24 Aug 2024
Utah Parks Circuit
8 3700
3515
24 Aug 2024
Utah, Nevada & California
14 5650
25 Aug 2024
Hiking and Camping in Utah
6 3905
30 Aug 2024
Hiking and Camping in Zion
3 2585
31 Aug 2024
Hiking Utah's National Parks
9 6290
5976

August United States highlights

A lighthouse in Portland Maine glows at sunset

Be the 'main character' in coastal Maine

Mix a glossy magazine and a romance novel together , then add a dash of a Nancy Meyers film, and you've got yourself a coastal paradise; Maine in the summertime. Used to enduring long, cold winters, Mainers focus on spending the majority of their summers boating, sailing, and golfing...even enjoying most meals outdoors. Take part in a traditional clambake and indulge in fresh lobster (Maine lobster is the best), steamers, and corn on the cob, all cooked in seaweed over an open flame on the beach. Add a cool breeze, a linen shirt, and you're the star of the show.

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Mount Rainer towers at the end of a pine tree lined road in Washington State, USA

Go mountain spotting in the Pacific Northwest

Known for being rather dreary in the winter months, the Pacific Northwest truly shines in August. In Seattle, August has the lowest monthly rain days of the year, so you can expect gorgeous marine vistas featuring two impressive snow-capped mountain ranges–the Cascades and the Olympics. On a clear day from anywhere in the city, you can spot Washington's 6 signature peaks: Mt. Si, Mt. Olympus, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker, Mt. Adams, and the crowning glory, Mt. Rainier. Spend a few days here and you'll probably get used to hearing locals exclaim, "the mountains are out"!

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A cheerful yellow lifeguard tower looks out over turquoise water on Miami's South Beach

Beat the heat in Miami

Will Smith said it best–South Beach brings the heat. In August, temperatures in Miami hover around 32°C (90 °F), so not only is it wise to stick to the beach, it's incredibly fun too. South Beach is a notoriously fun party destination, so throw your judgments out the window and join the sun-worshippers on the sand for an afternoon of great people-watching. Just off the beach are tons of cocktail bars, art deco buildings, and luxury shopping locations to keep you busy until it's time to hit the clubs.

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A group of travelers on a sunny day exploring Denali National Park in Alaska

See the light in Alaska

In August, Alaska has a whopping 18 hours of daylight which means plenty of time for hiking, biking and kayaking in this great state of wilderness. Spot 39 species of mammals in Denali National Park including moose, black and grizzly bears, caribou, and Dall sheep, or float your kayak out into Ressurection Bay to see leaping salmon. You might see an Orca whale in the Kenai Fjords or a bald eagle soaring above the Toklat River. With so much sunlight, the opportunities are endless. Come on, sleep is for hibernating bears!

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United States FAQs

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travelers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Learn more about Intrepid’s COVID-19 policy

It depends on where you’re from. Many countries now operate under the United States Visa Waiver Program, meaning a visa isn't required for stays of up to 90 days for travel purposes. There are 40 participating countries including the United KingdomAustralia, New Zealand, Germany and Spain.

If you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, you must obtain an authorization letter confirming you have been approved to travel. Authorization letters can be obtained by submitting an application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, also known as ESTA. It takes roughly 20 minutes to apply, and you'll need to complete the application before you travel to the States.

Learn more about visa requirements for the United States

Tipping is very much a part of the culture in the US. Tips are expected at restaurants, cafes, and diners, as well as by taxi drivers, valet attendants, porters, and hotel maids. People working in the service industry generally are generally paid a wage that is lower than the country's minimum wage and therefore rely upon tips as a major source of their income. In general, leave 15-20% of the bill at places serving food and a few dollars for hotel staff who provide a personal service like carrying bags or cleaning your room.

Learn more about tipping in the United States

Internet access is excellent in the US, and internet cafes and Wi-Fi hot spots are easily found in most cities and major towns.

Major credit cards are widely accepted by stores in the US. Smaller cafes and shops may not accept credit cards, so ensure you carry enough cash to cover small purchases. If you need to withdraw cash, ATMs in major cities are abundant

You sure do. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their tour. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability, and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every trip.

Learn more about travel insurance

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them toward the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid

United States departures by month

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