Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in August
August at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 47°F, with about 3.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes August a busy month here.
- Average low
- 47°F
- Average high
- 81°F
Range across the year: 12°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 3.5 in
- Daylight
- 13.3 hours
Roughly 10% 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 1979 to 2025.
That makes August the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score August rates 57/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 64°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 1.9 miles from the park.
August falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 34% 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 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 73,260 recreation visits, down 10.1% from 81,519 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 31.8%, so August may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How August compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 84°F / 49°F | 1.5× Busy | 51 Fair |
| August | 81°F / 47°F | 1.2× Busy | 57 Fair |
| September | 75°F / 40°F | 1.1× Average | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Sunset Crater Volcano, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
August averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 47°F at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
August is busy at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 57/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. August sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical August sees about 12,000 recreation visits at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano in August
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Top-rated places to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano
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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.