Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in August
August at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve averages a daytime high near 91°F and an overnight low around 67°F, with about 3.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes August a busy month here.
- Average low
- 67°F
- Average high
- 91°F
Range across the year: 19°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 3.8 in
- Daylight
- 13.5 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in August: roughly 3,300 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1998 to 2025.
That makes August the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score August rates 34/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 79°F is hot, with afternoons near 91°F to plan the day around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.7 miles from the park.
August falls inside the park's busiest stretch: June, July and August together pull about 38% 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 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 27,531 recreation visits, down 8.1% from 29,955 in 2024.
How August compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 92°F / 69°F | 1.6× Busy | 24 Poor |
| August | 91°F / 67°F | 1.3× Busy | 34 Poor |
| September | 82°F / 57°F | 1.5× Busy | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Tallgrass Prairie, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Tallgrass Prairie in August
The National Park Service tags 7 Tallgrass Prairie activities for summer. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bison viewing on the Scenic Overlook Trail · 30-180 minutes
- Break on the Bottomland Trail · 10-120 minutes
- Explore Tallgrass Visitor Center · 10-30 minutes
- Nature Trails · 45 minutes
- Take 12 to West Branch · 4-12 hours
- Take a Self-Guiding Tour of the Ranch · 60 minutes
- Try Catch and Release Fishing
Frequently Asked Questions
August averages a daytime high near 91°F and an overnight low around 67°F at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, with about 3.8 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
August is busy at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 34/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. August sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical August sees about 3,000 recreation visits at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1998–2025.
Where to stay near Tallgrass Prairie in August
Booking a August trip to Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live August availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Tallgrass Prairie
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 (1998–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.