El Malpais National Monument in August
August at El Malpais National Monument averages a daytime high near 86°F and an overnight low around 52°F. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes August an average month here.
- Average low
- 52°F
- Average high
- 86°F
Range across the year: 13°F to 88°F
- Daylight
- 13.3 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in August: about 14,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1988 to 2025.
That makes August the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the May peak (1.4×) and the January low (0.5×).
August is our recommended month at El Malpais: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 69°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 20.1 miles from the park.
August falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 30% of the year's visitors, so a visit this month means sharing the park with the peak-season crowd.
You'll have about 13.3 hours of daylight in August to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 151,998 recreation visits, down 7.1% from 163,679 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 7.2%, 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 | 88°F / 54°F | 1.2× Busy | 55 Fair |
| August | 86°F / 52°F | 1.1× Average | 68 Good |
| September | 80°F / 44°F | 1.1× Average | 59 Fair |
All twelve months at El Malpais, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at El Malpais in August
The National Park Service tags 8 El Malpais activities for summer. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- See a Bat Outflight at Bat Cave · 1-2 hours
- El Malpais Night Skies · 1-8 hours
- Explore Sandstone Bluffs Overlook · 15-60 minutes
- Follow Ancient Footpaths on the Zuni-Acoma Trail · 2-8 hours
- Hike the El Calderon Trail · 1-3 hours
- Hike the Narrows Rim Trail · 1-6 hours
- Traverse the Lava Falls Trail · 1-2 hours
- Visit La Ventana Natural Arch · 20-30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
August averages a daytime high near 86°F and an overnight low around 52°F at El Malpais National Monument. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 20.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
August is average at El Malpais National Monument (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 68/100. August is our recommended month for this park.
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 14,000 recreation visits at El Malpais National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1988–2025.
Where to stay near El Malpais in August
Booking a August trip to El Malpais National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live August availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near El Malpais
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in August.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1988–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.