Capitol Reef National Park in August
August at Capitol Reef National Park averages a daytime high near 88°F and an overnight low around 63°F, with about 1.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes August an average month here.
- Average low
- 63°F
- Average high
- 88°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 1.1 in
- Daylight
- 13.5 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in August: about 111,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes August the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the May peak (1.8×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score August rates 58/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is April: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 75°F is warm enough that midday heat is worth planning around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1 miles from the park.
August falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 32% of the year's visitors, so a visit this month means sharing the park with the peak-season crowd.
You'll have about 13.5 hours of daylight in August to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,388,476 recreation visits, down 2.4% from 1,422,490 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 18.8%, so a August visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How August compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 91°F / 65°F | 1.2× Busy | 45 Fair |
| August | 88°F / 63°F | 1.1× Average | 58 Fair |
| September | 80°F / 55°F | 1.6× Very busy | 56 Fair |
All twelve months at Capitol Reef, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Capitol Reef in August
The National Park Service tags 11 Capitol Reef activities for summer. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
August averages a daytime high near 88°F and an overnight low around 63°F at Capitol Reef National Park, with about 1.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
August is average at Capitol Reef National Park (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 58/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is January. August sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical August sees about 111,000 recreation visits at Capitol Reef National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Capitol Reef in August
Booking a August trip to Capitol Reef National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live August availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Capitol Reef
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in August.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.