Hi all, as I'm looking ahead to summer 2026, I realize my son gets an extra week of summer because Labor Day 2026 is later than usual. That means we can possibly squeeze in for one more trip at the end of the summer (week of Aug 23) to go somewhere for 1 week. But Where? (we are based in Boston)
The past couple of years we have gone to Death Valley, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon (north rim only), Olympic NP, Mt Rainier, Saguaro, Acadia, Yellowstone, Grand Teton

We like outdoorsy things, easy-mod hikes, kayaking, casual biking (not mountain biking). Most importantly, I want to visit places that aren't really feasible during the other vacation times we have (which is Feb & April), and before I get too old and decrepit to do the active things.

Possibilities include Yosemite? or other CA national parks? (I mention CA because CA schools return to school mid-Aug so hoping slightly fewer visitors?)
Back to PNW for Northern Cascades?
Or Colorado Rockies?

Other places that have intrigued me are UP in Michigan (not sure what's there to do besides Mackinac Island) ? Or do a driving tour of the South Dakota national parks & monuments?

Open to suggestions!

In / around Ithaca and the Finger Lakes?

If he hasn’t already been to Mesa Verde, you could pair it with other Colorado sites. If the Weatheral Mesa side of the park is open I would give it two nights.

Yosemite is always considered a must see and I confess to not having given it as much time as I should have because it was too crowded and parts were closed because of snow when we went,

i know that you are good at being flexible, but that is wildfire season so have plans B and C ready in any case.

In addition to the risk of forest and wildfires, Yosemite will likely be completely booked up. Also, by late summer, the famous waterfalls can be reduced to trickles, or even dried up.

Some ideas to investigate:

1. Southern Oregon coast and northern redwoods. Google the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor (Oregon), the California state parks in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties, the towns of Bandon (OR) and Ferndale (CA) and the California "Lost Coast."

2. Vancouver BC and Whistler. The list of activities, nature destinations...is mind boggling. Vancouver schools start the first week of September.

3. Columbia Gorge/Mount Hood. Huge variety of sights, hikes,water activities, mountain and forest hikes, the marvelous Hood River Valley "Fruit Loop," on and on. An hour east from Portland airport.

Worth some research.

The Pikes Peak Region is a lot of fun. You can drive up Pikes Peak and take a hike on top. Wandering around Garden of the Gods is enjoyable. Just west of Col Spgs In Manitou Springs you can eat saltwater taffy and explore unique boutique shops. West of the metro area one can hike the Catamount Falls Trail near Green Mt. Falls. Nearby is the Rocky Mt. Dinosaur Resource Center. Kayaking is available in Buena Vista (90 min. west). Plus, I rented a bike there and rode through old train tunnels on a little-used county road. You can eat buffalo (bison) at a chuck wagon diner..

Thanks for the ideas so far! Won't be able to get to all of them next summer but always good to have options.

last night I went down the rabbit hole of Mt Hood; Columbia Gorge. Definitely a good trip, esp given I've never been to Portland or Oregon in general.
The CA/OR border area has also been on my radar ever since an acquaintance of mine went to visit the redwoods.
And another fodorite went to visit Yachats earlier this year and the scenery is amazing.

But right now I'm actually more attracted to the Pikes Peak/ Colorado Springs suggestion, with the Royal gorge, hiking, kayaking. I have been to Denver and Rocky Mtn NP (decades ago on a brief visit), but never been to Col Springs. Now that you mentioned it, my brother and his wife went there this summer (on a long RV road trip). Maybe it's easier for me to plan with their tips. If I do visit that area, I am thinking I can possibly base ourselves in one location (in or just outside of Colorado Springs) for a whole week ? Plane tickets for late August is around $250pp right now, which is pretty reasonable.

This website has lots of great ideas of area attractions https://www.visitcos.com/blog/55-thi...orado-springs/

Hi yk. The link you provided about Colorado Springs is pretty good. In fact, I'll save it for our next trip down there. However the issue with the Springs is that it can still be pretty warm / hot in August. Maybe you are OK with that and can do indoor stuff during the hot part of the day, and/or get up to higher elevations. On balance, not a bad idea for your trip.

However I'll throw this road trip out for your consideration:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LSdtCNjV8KrkkuUz6

This gets you to Great Sand Dunes NP (there is a motel right near the entrance), then on up to Leadville, which is a scenic mountain town with lots of mining history. It's at 10,000', which is certainly high, but if you've spent a couple days getting there then you could be OK. If you want a challenge the highest mountain in the Rockies, Mount Elbert 14,440', is there. There summit trail is an uphill hike, there is no climbing involved. (The Canadian Rockies have more "prominence", but not as much elevation.)

There is a lot to around there.
https://5280.com/first-timers-guide-leadville/

Anyway, something to consider. As fabulous as Mesa Verde is, I think too far to get to for a short trip.

I'm not the Fodorite you were referring to, but we also LOVED our trip to Yachats this past August (flew into Eugene), and also love the northern CA redwoods area. An advantage is somewhat less chance of being affected by wildfire smoke, although you never know.
Have fun planning.

YK - You've had so many interesting adventures that I can't remember if any have included New Mexico. It's definitely lives up to it's motto - Land of Enchantment. White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, etc. in the southern part of the state. Santa Fe, Taos, Los Alamos, Bandelier and environs in the north. Native culture, great food, etc. February and April can be cold so the late August/early September timeframe would be good though there may still be crowds. You may need more than a week to cover the whole state but you could concentrate on one area.

Just quick since Gardyloo has already given you great feedback . . . I live a 4 hour drive from Yosemite (visit maybe every 2 or 3 years at all times of yesr) and I would never EVER visit in August. Massively crowded, the waterfalls are non-existent, it can be bloody hot on the Valley floor and there is no a/c almost anywhere, not to mention the possibility of wild fires. Even if there are no fires near the Valley itself, smoke conditions can make the vistas disappear. I actually feel sorry for folks who take their 'dream trip' to Yosemite only to find it pretty intolerable. When you decide on a visit -- make it in May or early June (the waterfalls are massive and the crowds aren't bad), or Oct (no waterfalls but no crowds and lovely fall colors) or even in winter. There will likely be snow but it is a glorious time in the Valley

Nelson Thanks for sharing the driving map. I didn't think about weather in Col Springs - I assume it's high in elevation so it should not be too hot? And if we want to visit Pikes Peak, we have to do it in the summer, no?

cats53 Wouldn't NM be too hot in August? Tho I think Santa Fe & Taos are higher up in elevation. I actually have never been to these places in NM before and Santa Fe opera festival is always on my list.

Crater Lake NP is one of the great sights of the world. Completely stunning. The coast of Oregon is forever wild, unlike California.

YK - I think you would really enjoy the Santa Fe Opera as the venue is an incredible open-sided setting. The last performance of the season is on August 29, 2026 so depending on your dates, you could see a performance - https://www.santafeopera.org/calendar/

Santa Fe is at 7,000 feet. While it can be warm, as they say it's a "dry heat." Plus there can be afternoon thunderstorms which not only cools things off but are quite atmospheric.

If you plan to visit, I would suggest that you fly through ABQ. Santa Fe does have a small airport but flights are limited and more expensive. Santa Fe is a bit over an hour by car north on I-25 from the ABQ airport.

yk, Colorado Springs is at about 6,000 feet, so yes, it is up there, but in August the afternoon temperature can easily be in the upper 80's. Too hot for pleasant hiking in my world. It will cool off at night, so evenings and mornings are great times to be outdoors in the town. Garden of the Gods is really spectacular, for example.

The Pikes Peak road and cog railway are actually open year round, but summer is when most people would visit.
https://www.cograilway.com/ride/schedule/

Note that anytime of year it will be surprisingly cold on the summit, which is 8,000' higher than town.

CO Springs is not a bad choice, but I just threw out some other ideas for you. And you could luck out with absolutely perfect weather, like 70's high. Good luck planning!

I did check Santa Fe's opera schedule - in fact I've been doing it the last few years to see if there's anything so compelling that makes me absolutely not to miss it. I don't think any of them in 2026 is in that category, though I wouldn't mind seeing Roedelinda. The problem is my son doesn't like opera so he will not want to go with me, which means leaving him in the hotel? And I assume lodging in Santa Fe is pricey during the opera festival.

Shelemn, I think Crater Lake is now closed - will be closed for the next couple of years?

Thanks for all these ideas so far. I will need to look more into it. I also can't really book anything until I have a better idea of our summer schedule - waiting for a few camps to release their dates, as well as Tanglewood schedule. But by the time those get released, it will be closer to Feb and not sure if it's "too late"? Maybe not, at least for now I can start reading up on these places.

If you are worried about the heat in Col Spgs you could stay in Green Mt. Falls which is just 20 minutes west. I stayed there once in a cabin and it was quite pleasant.

yk - you asked on my Swiss thread about COS and NM, and as mentioned upthread, CO will still be quite warm at lower elevations, and NM will be hot.

You also asked about basing only in the COS area for the whole week - you can cover a lot from one base in/around Colorado Springs in a week. Such as - Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, AF Academy, Olympic training center, various hiking trails in/around the Springs as well as a short drive up Highway 24 to Green Mtn Falls, Woodland Park, Divide (Crags Trail), Mueller State Park, Florissant (Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument), Cripple Creek and Victor - in Victor you can see Rita the Rock Planter.

Should you decide you're most interested in activities located west of the city, I'd suggest staying in/around Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, or even up in Woodland Park.

Some sites to get you started:

https://victorcolorado.com/
https://www.visitcos.com/directory/crags-trail/
https://cpw.state.co.us/state-parks/mueller-state-park
https://www.nps.gov/flfo/index.htm
https://www.visitcos.com/directory/crags-trail/

Thank you Mel for such a comprehensive list. Lots of great info!