Great Basin in August: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 65/100 · #9 of 12 months
August is peak season — the 4th-busiest month of the year, at Great Basin National Park: crowds run 83% of the July peak (21,676 average visits). Weather: highs average 83°F and lows 56°F, with 1.2″ of precipitation and 13.7 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Great Basin in August
- A light layer you can shed by midday (long sleeve or windbreaker)See it on AmazonWhy: a 27°F swing between the average low of 56°F and high of 83°F.
- Sun protection and 2L+ water per personSee it on AmazonWhy: highs average 83°F.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
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Great Basin in August: what the park service says
August is Great Basin's stormiest month along with July, averaging about 12 thunderstorms, so the park suggests hiking early in the day. Afternoons near Lehman Caves run in the low 80s°F. Yellow-bellied marmots, which hibernate nine months of the year, sun themselves on rocky outcrops. Lexington Arch Road is badly washed out, so park about a mile short of the trailhead.
Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, NPS 3, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in August
Great Basin averages 21,676 recreation visits in August — 83% of what July, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — book early and start days at dawn.
Weather & daylight
Expect warm days (highs average 83°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 56°F). It is typically dry (1.2″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 13.7 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station GREAT BASIN NP, NV US (0 mi from park coordinates, 6,850 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of August.
What to pack for Great Basin in August
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- A light layer you can shed by midday (long sleeve or windbreaker) — a 27°F swing between the average low of 56°F and high of 83°F
- Sun protection and 2L+ water per person — highs average 83°F
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Great Basin are March and April.
Also at their best in August
Other parks whose computed August verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Guadalupe Mountains in August — 28% of peak crowds, highs 84°F, score 80/100
- Lassen Volcanic in August — 56% of peak crowds, highs 78°F, score 77/100
- Bryce Canyon in August — 81% of peak crowds, highs 78°F, score 68/100
- Redwood in August — 85% of peak crowds, highs 66°F, score 67/100
Common questions
Is Great Basin crowded in August?
Yes — August runs 83% of Great Basin's peak, averaging 21,676 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Great Basin.
What is the weather like in Great Basin in August?
Average highs of 83°F, lows of 56°F, 1.2″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, GREAT BASIN NP, NV US station). Compare it with other national parks in August.
What should I pack for Great Basin in August?
A light layer you can shed by midday (long sleeve or windbreaker); Sun protection and 2L+ water per person; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in September instead? Great Basin in September has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in August · Last verified 2026-09-24