Visiting Yellowstone National Park in August

There are many activities and attractions that you can enjoy while visiting Yellowstone National Park in August. Located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, this vast wilderness area boasts some of the most stunning natural scenery in the United States.

This Yellowstone National Park travel guide will help you plan your August vacation: things to see, do and photograph as well as what to pack, where to stay and services available.

Yellowstone in August

The park’s unique geothermal features create amazing landscapes with colorful hot springs and bubbling mud pots. You’ll also find an abundance of wildlife!

Keep reading for all the information you need about visiting Yellowstone in August, and the fun outdoor activities you can do!

Use our Yellowstone National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in August! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!

Yellowstone packing list Optin box
This site contains affiliate links which means WE may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. We only provide links to products we actually use and/or wholeheartedly recommend! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full Disclosure Policy.

A Photo Tour of the Yellowstone Southern Loop

Take a visual tour through the south loop of Yellowstone National Park to see the wildlife, waterfalls, geysers, and landscapes you’ll find in this part of the park!

Visiting Yellowstone National Park in August

In August you’ll find all the park roads, services, and campgrounds are open so it’s one of the best times to visit Yellowstone National Park.

There are ten Yellowstone Visitor Centers and information stations throughout the park. Talk with a ranger, learn about the park through exhibits and interpretive offerings, or get oriented to the things you can do at the park.

Visitation numbers in August are high so be prepared for crowds during the day. We always recommend entering the park early in the morning, or even later in the afternoon.

Yellowstone Weather in August

The Yellowstone National Park weather in August means highs near 80 and lows in the high 40s degrees Fahrenheit.

Be prepared for rain at any time. It doesn’t hurt to pack winter gloves, hat, coat and fleece jacket and wear layers since the mornings and evenings are still cold!

How Long Should I Plan My Yellowstone Vacation?

In order to really soak in Yellowstone, you will want to be there for more than 2 days, especially in the summertime. 

We suggest when vacationing during the summer months at Yellowstone that you plan to go for at least 4-5 days. This way you are not rushed and you can be a little more patient with the crowds of people knowing you have time to see everything. 

Not only that, but 4-5 days gives you time to relax, fish, hike, and really experience Yellowstone for everything it has to offer!

Here’s our favorite Yellowstone 4 day itinerary!

Things To Do at Yellowstone in August

Our number one Yellowstone vacation tip to avoid lines at the entrance gates is to enter the park early and head to the popular sites ahead of the crowds.

Be prepared for slow cars and bison or bear jams. Pack your patience and enjoy the scenery!

Here’s a list of Yellowstone National Park summer activities when you visit in the month of August.

Yellowstone landscape
Yellowstone landscape

Yellowstone Scenic Drives in August

Yellowstone covers over 2 million acres of land! It’s divided into 2 main sections and 9 areas. You’ll find two scenic drive loops within the park, as well as other stunning Yellowstone scenic drives outside the park!

Yellowstone National Park Southern Loop Scenic Drive:

There are three entrances to access the southern loop of Yellowstone: West (West Yellowstone), South (Grand Teton), and East (Cody).

There are seven areas in the southern loop of Yellowstone:

  • Madison
  • Old Faithful
  • Lake
  • West Thumb Geyser Basin
  • Grant Village
  • Canyon
  • Norris

Yellowstone National Park Northern Loop Scenic Drive:

There are two entrances with direct access to the north loop of Yellowstone: North (Gardiner) and Northeast (Cooke City).

There are four areas in the northern loop of Yellowstone:

  • Mammoth
  • Tower-Roosevelt
  • Canyon
  • Norris

There are so many points of interest to see along these drives! We HIGHLY recommend downloading the GuideAlong Yellowstone Audio Tour App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location in the park!

hiking in Yellowstone
Hiking in Yellowstone

Hiking in August at Yellowstone

Before exploring any Yellowstone hiking trails, we recommend you check with the rangers at the Visitor Center to get current trail conditions. Also tell someone your hiking destination, route, and estimated time of return.

Click this link for a list of Yellowstone National Park Easy summer hikes to add to your list! Check out the Yellowstone hikes by region:

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when hiking at Yellowstone:

Stay on trails: taking shortcuts causes trail erosion and is dangerous. In hydrothermal areas, stepping on thin crust may plunge you into boiling water.

What to Bring on a Day Hike: at a minimum, carry water, a raincoat or poncho, a warm hat, an insulating (non cotton) layer of clothing, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a first aid kit.

Yellowstone Waterfalls in August

Most of the Yellowstone waterfalls don’t require hiking to see them. In August the water is still flowing well so visiting the various waterfalls is a good activity. Here’s a list of the main waterfall attractions in the park:

  • Canyon: Lower and Upper Falls, Brink of Upper Falls
  • Firehole Falls
  • Gibbon Falls
  • Kepler Cascades
  • Lewis Falls
  • Moose Falls
  • Tower Fall
  • Undine Falls

hot pool at yellowstone
Yellowstone hot pool

Yellowstone Geysers and Hot Springs in August

Any time of year is a good time to see the hydrothermal features in Yellowstone: geysers, hot springs, mudpots, travertine terraces and fumaroles. Check out the NPS website for the latest geyser eruption predictions!

Here’s a list of the best locations to see these these unique features:

two bison lock horns during the bison rut at yellowstone
Bison locking horns at Yellowstone

Wildlife at Yellowstone in August

In August you’ll get to experience the bison rut in Lamar and Hayden Valleys!

We’ve put together this resource of the best time to visit yellowstone for wildlife in case you want to see a specific animal in the park.

Remember the parameters to keep you and the animals safe!

  • Never approach animals. The animals in Yellowstone are wild and unpredictable, no matter how calm they appear to be.
  • The safest (and often best) view of wildlife is from inside a car. Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk.
  • Never feed wildlife. Animals that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and have to be killed. Keep all food, garbage, or other smelly items packed away when not in use.
  • Never park in the road or block traffic. Use pullouts to watch wildlife and let other cars pass. Stay with your vehicle if you encounter a wildlife jam.

Yellowstone Photography in August

We recommend you have your camera ready to go because the wildlife you may see as you drive through the park won’t wait for you to find the camera in your car.

In August you’ll want to photograph the geysers, hot pools, waterfalls and rivers. Here are some tips for taking pictures at Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Tours in August

Taking a tour helps you see many parts of Yellowstone that you might not see on your own. Here’s a list of Yellowstone Summer Tours you can book in August:

Yellowstone Camping in August

With its stunning scenery and abundant wildlife, a favorite way to enjoy the park is by camping at Yellowstone National Park. With numerous campground options, you’ll find a variety of Yellowstone campsites ranging from full-service to primitive.

All campsites at Yellowstone’s 12 campgrounds require advanced reservations in August. It’s recommended you make your reservations far in advance due the demand for camping at Yellowstone.

If you can’t find a spot in the park, check out the RV parks near Yellowstone National Park!

Yellowstone maps and guides

Where to Stay in Yellowstone in August

Places to stay in West Yellowstone

Places to stay in Gardiner

Places to stay in Cooke City or Silver Gate

plan your dream vacation to yellowstone

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *