Yellowstone in August: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 67/100 · #4 of 12 months
August is peak season — expect the year's biggest crowds 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).
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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).
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).
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.
See also: the best national parks to visit in August · Last verified 2026-09-24