If you’re starting to think about your 2026 travel plans, there’s no shortage of incredible destinations, cities, landscapes and adventures to enjoy all over the United States.
After years spent exploring the US, I feel pretty confident in sharing where to visit in the US and what season is best.
So to help you plan where to go this year, I’ve put together this guide to the best places to visit in the US by month of the year.
Happy planning!
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Best travel destinations to visit in the US in 2026: Month by Month
January – Death Valley National Park
Located around 5-hours drive from LA and 2-hours drive from Vegas, Death Valley National Park is exceptionally popular to visit in the spring for two reasons: wildflowers and cooler temperatures.
Which is why I would recommend a visit in January – unless you are really desperate to see the wildflowers!
January means much more manageable temperatures for hiking, fewer crowds, but just as stunning landscapes and scenery.
Death Valley is one of those places that surpassed all my expectations. I expected dry, desert landscapes. Instead, I saw sand dunes, salt flats, rainbow hills, and spectacular sunsets. My personal favorite locations within the park for photography are Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (morning or late afternoon), Zabriskie Point (sunrise), and Badwater Basin.
Another really popular spot is Artist’s Pallet for its naturally multicolored hills and rock formations. I personally feel like Artist’s Pallet is a little overhyped, and the colors aren’t nearly as vibrant as many of the photographs you see online. It’s still worth checking out while you’re in Death Valley, but manage your expectations accordingly.
The diversity of the landscape in Death Valley National Park took me by complete surprise, and I think it’s definitely worth a spot on this list – just avoid visiting in the summer at all costs!
February – Oahu, Hawaii
There’s something special about Hawaii in the winter, maybe it’s just the reprieve from the cold weather sweeping much of the USA at this time of year, but there’s something else too…
The lush, green landscapes of Oahu are both magical and dramatic with ocean spray drifting across white sandy beaches, flanked by rugged cliffs and tropical palms. You might get caught in a tropical rain storm or two during the winter, but there’s something enchanting about that too!
A few years ago, we spent some time trying out van life in Oahu and fell in love with life on the road in Hawaii. The relaxing beaches, the spectacular hiking – it’s a great vacation destination, but also a lifestyle that’s easy to love too.
If you’re looking for a warm winter destination in the US, Oahu is a great option. My suggestion is to limit the time you spend in Honolulu and book a place along the North Shore for at least a few days. There you can enjoy all the beaches and catch some of the big wave surfers too.
March – Southern California
Whether it’s the southern California coastal charm you’re looking for, the vibrant coastal towns, wildflower blooms, or the cooler temperatures out in the Desert State Parks or Joshua Tree National Park, there are endless opportunities for travel in Southern California in March.
I love San Diego or Palm Springs as a base to explore the region, and it’s the perfect warm-weather spring destination.
If you’re lucky, you might catch the California Poppy superbloom, which usually occurs around March and April if the winter has been particularly wet. The stunning blanket of color covers rolling hills as far as the eye can see, and it is a truly beautiful natural display. Anza-Borrego and the Coachella Valley are great areas for early season wildflower blooms.
If you don’t happen to hit a superbloom while in California, don’t worry, you can still get your flower fix at the The Carlsbad Flower Fields. The Fields are typically in peak bloom from late March through early May, when acres of ranunculus flowers burst into color along the Southern California coast.
April – Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee
This is one of the most underrated spring destinations in the USA, and actually, just an underrated US destination generally.
The Cumberland Plateau is a vast part of the southern Appalachian Plateau and is easily accessible from Nashville. Located in Central Tennessee, it includes several state parks that are famous for their huge waterfalls.
Spring is the perfect time to visit the Highland Rim when the land is still lush and green, wildflower meadows are in bloom, and the waterfalls are full-flowing.
Cummins Falls was one of my favorites, and the warm southern weather made it the perfect time to enjoy the water while it wasn’t yet too humid.
May – Florida’s Springs
Florida is one of the best places to visit in Spring in the United States.
May isn’t as humid but the temperatures are still pleasantly warm, it’s not yet hurricane season, and see fewer crowds while there’s still plenty of things to see and do. Plus, you’ll avoid spring break!
Northern Florida is by far my favorite area of Florida with a much more laidback vibe, quiet sandy beaches, more untouched nature and some of the most spectacular springs and swimming holes.
There are over 700 natural springs in this area and I would highly recommend visiting Florida Caverns State Park and Devil’s Den Spring to experience the best of them.
If you’re planning a trip to Florida this year, why not check out my guide to North Florida? It includes even more of my favorite spot’s including the springs pictured below.
June – Yosemite National Park
Somewhere like Yosemite is magical all-year round! But late spring/early summer is my favorite time to visit this epic US destination and to see the waterfalls. Yosemite Falls Trail and The Mist Trail are absolute musts this time of year!
As well as seeing the full waterfalls, both Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road will have reopened after the winter season (they usually reopen in May).
But the spring and early summer is a great time to visit and avoid the huge crowds that descend on Yosemite in July and August.
My favorite way to experience Yosemite is by getting out into the backcountry. It’s the best way to escape the crowds and really experience the unique wilderness that makes Yosemite so special. If you’re planning on backcountry camping, make sure you read my guide to backpacking in Yosemite.
July – Glacier National Park
Remembering our 5 days in Glacier National Park’s backcountry, I sometimes wonder if this is the ultimate outdoor destination for summer in the US.
July brings rolling green hills, snowcapped mountains, melting glaciers, roaring waterfalls, pristine emerald lakes, wildflower-covered alpine meadows, and postcard-perfect views as far as the eye can see.
And don’t worry, you don’t need to be backcountry camping for 5 days to experience the beauty of this part of Montana in the summer.
Places like Grinnell Glacier overlook can be reached on a day hike, and there are countless opportunities to stop and marvel at the view from the side of the road. You can get permits for trails like the North Circle Loop by turning up at the ranger station the day before you want to start, if you haven’t booked them in advance too.
August – North Cascades National Park, Washington
I’m probably biased, but Washington State has so much to offer, and summer is the best time to get out and explore the spectacular North Cascades.
Alpine meadows, wildflowers, waterfalls, lakes to take a dip in, and views to take your breath away, the Cascades are particularly special in the summertime.
The Maple Pass Loop trail is one that I do almost every year, and while it’s probably most popular in the fall when the larches turn golden-yellow, that’s also the time that sees the most crowds. So the summer season is a great time to enjoy good weather and incredible views from the trail without the fall rush.
Trappers Peak is a great option for stunning views of the mountains and alpine lakes on a clear day, and it only requires a day hike. Cascade Pass is another popular day hike, which can get crowded on summer weekends, so I’d suggest a visit on a weekday if possible.
If you’re looking for summer lookout hikes in Washington, the Hidden Lake Lookout was my first, and it’s forever been a memorable experience.
If you’re interested in more Washington Fire Lookout Hikes, check out my guide! There’s also my Top Washington Hikes, which includes quite a few North Cascade gems.
September – Lake Tahoe
This was the hardest month to pick a destination for because September is the best month to visit pretty much anywhere!
But if you know me, you know that I have a very special place in my heart for Lake Tahoe and the many trips I spent there as a kid.
September is a great month to visit because the lake has had the whole summer to warm up, making it perfect for water activities, and you’ll miss the peak summer crowds. Plus, the weather is cooling off slightly, which makes it a great time for outdoor activities like hiking.
Rent a boat or a paddleboard and get out on the lake or explore some of my favorite trails like Mt Tallac Trail or try out a couple of the mountain biking trails in the area like the iconic Flume Trail. The perfect Lake Tahoe getaway is waiting for you!
October – Colorado
October in Colorado is the best of both worlds – you’ve missed the peak summer season rush but you’re not quite into ski season yet, the fall colors are vibrant, you can still get out on some of the trails before winter kicks in (mostly!).
Colorado has some of the most vibrant fall foliage I’ve ever seen, and being able to get out on the trails and lakes in the Rockies at this time of year is stunning.
Vail is also a great base to explore from. You can reach hikes like Eagles Loop or Shrine Ridge, enjoy the farmers’ markets, visit the world’s highest botanical garden, or head out to Piney River Ranch at the foot of the Gore Range.
But the best way to experience fall in Colorado is by roadtripping around. That way you can be flexible and chase peak colors as they move across the state! Nature works on it’s own time schedule and when it comes to fall colors it’s best to keep an open schedule.
November – Southern Utah
Honestly, Southern Utah is great in the spring as well as in the fall when temperatures are more manageable for all the outdoor activities available here.
Moab is my top recommendation for a base in southern Utah. From here, you can easily reach both Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. But Kanab is a close second, and is perfect for exploring Zion National Park and a few more obscure (but stunning) areas like Buckskin Gulch. Just make sure to keep an eye on the weather, because flash floods are a significant risk in Southern Utah’s narrow canyons.
These areas are great for hiking, climbing, mountain biking, and canyoneering, so if you’re looking for an outdoor adventure destination in the US that isn’t too hot or too cold in November, Southern Utah is your spot.
December – San Diego, California
Who doesn’t love Christmas on the coast? If you’re keen to escape the cold December weather, San Diego is a great place to go, and there’s definitely plenty going on in and around San Diego to keep you busy all through the festive season.
Temperatures are manageable, the weather is great, you’ll see surfers out in the water, and as we recently discovered, you can go paddleboarding surrounded by Leopard Sharks!
Areas like La Jolla and Mission Beach are beautiful at this time of year, and there are countless coastal trails, parks, and beaches to be able to spend lots of time outdoors. My personal favorite home base is Oceanside. It’s not quite as polished as some of the other coastal towns in San Diego County, but it more than makes up for it in personality! Plus, the boardwalk and pier are hard to beat!
Where to go each month in the United States
So if you’ve been wondering where to go on vacation in the US this year, my hope is that this guide has given you some ideas for every season!
Remember, if you’re spending time outdoors, to follow the Leave No Trace principles and leave the outdoors better than you found it.
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