New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in August
August at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 80°F and an overnight low around 61°F, with about 3.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.6× the park's average month, which makes August a very busy month here.
- Average low
- 61°F
- Average high
- 80°F
Range across the year: 24°F to 81°F
- Precipitation
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- 13.5 hours
Roughly 13% of the park's yearly visitors come in August: about 196,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1984 to 2025.
That makes August the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.9×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score August rates 55/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 71°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 8.9 miles from the park.
August falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 43% 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 1,958,440 recreation visits, up 8.1% from 1,811,937 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 49.7%, 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 / 62°F | 1.9× Very busy | 46 Fair |
| August | 80°F / 61°F | 1.6× Very busy | 55 Fair |
| September | 74°F / 55°F | 1.2× Busy | 62 Good |
All twelve months at New River Gorge, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at New River Gorge in August
The National Park Service tags 12 New River Gorge activities for summer. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Scenic Drive on Fayette Station Road · 45 minutes
- Whitewater Boating
- Bicycling at New River Gorge
- Brooks Overlook · 5 minutes
- Grandview Main Overlook · 15 minutes
- Sandstone Falls Overlook · 10 minutes
- Stroll on the Sandstone Boardwalk · 30 minutes
- Trail Run or hike the Little Laurel Trail · 30-120 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
August averages a daytime high near 80°F and an overnight low around 61°F at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, with about 3.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
August is very busy at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (about 1.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 55/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. August sits at about 1.6× the park's average, or 13% of annual visitation.
A typical August sees about 196,000 recreation visits at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1984–2025.
Where to stay near New River Gorge in August
Booking a August trip to New River Gorge National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live August availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near New River Gorge
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 (1984–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.