Yellowstone in August: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 67/100 · #4 of 12 months
August is peak season — the 3rd-busiest month of the year, at Yellowstone National Park: crowds run 89% of the July peak (820,128 average visits). Weather: highs average 71°F and lows 37°F, with 1.3″ of precipitation and 14.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Yellowstone in August
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 37°F.
- Bear spraySee it on AmazonWhy: recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry).
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
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Yellowstone in August: what the park service says
August is among Yellowstone's busiest months, with all facilities open and all roads typically open, the park says. It is generally warm and very dry: Mammoth Hot Springs averages around 80°F, though Yellowstone Lake reaches only about 72°F, and afternoon thunderstorms or wildfire haze can roll in. The park lists the bison rut in the Lamar and Hayden valleys as August's highlight, alongside hiking, boating, fishing and ranger programs.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in August
Yellowstone averages 820,128 recreation visits in August — 89% of what July, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — book early and start days at dawn.
Weather & daylight
Days are mild (highs average 71°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 37°F). It is typically dry (1.3″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 14.1 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates, 7,835 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of August.
What to pack for Yellowstone in August
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 37°F
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
- Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Yellowstone are May and June.
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 Yellowstone crowded in August?
Yes — August runs 89% of Yellowstone's peak, averaging 820,128 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Yellowstone.
What is the weather like in Yellowstone in August?
Average highs of 71°F, lows of 37°F, 1.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US station). Compare it with other national parks in August.
What should I pack for Yellowstone in August?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit; Bear spray — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in September instead? Yellowstone in September has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in August · Last verified 2026-09-24