The Best Weather Windows for August Camping Trips

August camping is a sweaty, buggy mess—unless you know the tricks. Here's how to find cool nights and dodge mosquitos during peak summer.

Go High or Go Home

The secret to August camping is simple: gain elevation. While everyone else melts in valley campgrounds, you'll need a sleeping bag at 8,000 feet.

Colorado's high country stays downright chilly after dark. The Maroon Bells area near Aspen rarely breaks 55 degrees at night, even in August. Same goes for Wyoming's Wind River Range and the backcountry around Glacier National Park. These aren't just cooler—they're completely different worlds from the sweaty lowlands.

Out west, hit Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows, Mount Rainier's Paradise area, or anywhere along Crater Lake's rim. By August, the snow's finally gone but the nights stay crisp. The Pacific Crest Trail through the Sierra Nevada has perfect temps all month long.