Gateway National Recreation Area in August
August at Gateway National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 83°F and an overnight low around 69°F, with about 3.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.5× the park's average month, which makes August a busy month here.
- Average low
- 69°F
- Average high
- 83°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 3.9 in
- Daylight
- 13.6 hours
Roughly 13% of the park's yearly visitors come in August: 1.1 million recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes August the 2nd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.6×) and the February low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score August rates 42/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 76°F is warm enough that midday heat is worth planning around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.9 miles from the park.
August falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 37% of the year's visitors, so a visit this month means sharing the park with the peak-season crowd.
You'll have about 13.6 hours of daylight in August to explore — between the 9.1-hour midwinter low and the 14.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 7,696,939 recreation visits, down 13.8% from 8,929,035 in 2024.
How August compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 85°F / 70°F | 1.6× Busy | 40 Poor |
| August | 83°F / 69°F | 1.5× Busy | 42 Poor |
| September | 77°F / 62°F | 1.2× Busy | 61 Good |
All twelve months at Gateway, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Gateway in August
The National Park Service tags 3 Gateway activities for summer. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Birdwatching at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge · 1-3 hours
- Fishing at Gateway · 1-8 hours
- Sandy Hook Multi Use Path · 1-2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
August averages a daytime high near 83°F and an overnight low around 69°F at Gateway National Recreation Area, with about 3.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
August is busy at Gateway National Recreation Area (about 1.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. August sits at about 1.5× the park's average, or 13% of annual visitation.
A typical August sees about 1.1 million recreation visits at Gateway National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Gateway in August
Booking a August trip to Gateway National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live August availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Gateway
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.