Gauley River National Recreation Area in August
August at Gauley River National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 80°F and an overnight low around 59°F, with about 4.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.9× the park's average month, which makes August an average month here.
- Average low
- 59°F
- Average high
- 80°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 81°F
- Precipitation
- 4.2 in
- Daylight
- 13.5 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in August: about 12,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1993 to 2025.
That makes August the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the September peak (3.6×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score August rates 80/100 ("Excellent"). Our recommended month is May: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 70°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 6.1 miles from the park.
August falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 26% 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 9.4-hour midwinter low and the 14.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 213,596 recreation visits, down 21.7% from 272,898 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 79.1%, 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 | 81°F / 61°F | 1.2× Busy | 74 Good |
| August | 80°F / 59°F | 0.9× Average | 80 Excellent |
| September | 76°F / 53°F | 3.6× Very busy | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Gauley River, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
August averages a daytime high near 80°F and an overnight low around 59°F at Gauley River National Recreation Area, with about 4.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
August is average at Gauley River National Recreation Area (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent" at 80/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is September and the quietest is January. August sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical August sees about 12,000 recreation visits at Gauley River National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1993–2025.
Where to stay near Gauley River in August
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Top-rated places to stay near Gauley River
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in August.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1993–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.