Crowd snapshot.
August averages about 80,700 recreation visits in the five-year mean, roughly 85% of June. That is lower than June and July but still one of the four busiest months. Campgrounds and Fern Canyon parking stay in demand, and NPS strongly recommends campground reservations in the busy summer months. The Lady Bird Johnson Grove lot is typically full from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in summer.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| August recreation visits (5-yr mean) | 80,684 |
| Share of June's peak | 85% |
| Crowd band | peak |
| Park's busiest month (5-yr mean) | June |
| Park's quietest month (5-yr mean) | December |
Weather snapshot.
The Klamath station averages an August high near 66.3°F and a low near 50.9°F, with about 0.3 inches of precipitation. Only July is drier, and only September has a warmer average high. NPS says summer on the coast brings frequent fog, while inland areas are warmer with clearer skies, and the Bald Hills get much hotter than the coast. Layers help on the coast.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Average high (°F) | 66.3 |
| Average low (°F) | 50.9 |
| Precipitation (inches) | 0.33 |
| Snowfall (inches) | 0.0 |
| Weather band | shoulder |
| Station | Klamath, CA at 28 ft |
Access snapshot.
Summer rules hold all month. The Fern Canyon parking reservation is required through September 15, online only and never same-day, and Gold Bluffs Beach charges $12 per vehicle. The Tall Trees Trailhead needs a free reservation. All four campgrounds are open on ReserveCalifornia. Davison Road doesn't permit RVs over 24 feet or trailers, and Howland Hill Road is too narrow for RVs, trucks, and trailers; the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway takes any size vehicle. Check the NPS conditions page for current trail notes. Redwood National Park charges no entrance fee.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| August access score (0-100) | 100 |
| Road notes | U.S. 101 and the main park roads have no closing season. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway is often closed for days in winter by fallen trees or ice, and closes to cars on the first Saturday of each month from October to May; NPS's scenic drives page says Cal-Barrel Road is closed to vehicles in winter |
| Verify current road, campground, and permit status | Official NPS Redwood conditions page |
Seasonal events.
August brings the start of the Roosevelt elk rut, which NPS puts at late August through October. Bulls gather their cows into harems and may stomp and charge. If you meet a bull with his harem on a trail, NPS says to back away slowly and find another route. Bulls carry large antlers from late summer through winter. Fern Canyon's footbridges are still in. The ranger-guided Junior Ranger program wraps up for the year in August.
Audience verdict.
August suits summer travelers who want full access with a bit more room than June or July, and wildlife watchers who want the start of the rut. Keep a safe distance from bulls, and keep kids close. Book campsites and the Fern Canyon reservation early. RV travelers should base at a campground that fits their rig. August is our pick for a school-break trip at Redwood, with dry weather and fewer visitors than June.
Common questions.
Is August a good time to visit Redwood?
August runs the busiest time of year at Redwood, about 85% of the June peak, with mild shoulder-season weather (average highs near 66°F). Expect the year's heaviest crowds.
How crowded is Redwood in August?
August averages about 80,684 recreation visits, roughly 85% of Redwood's busiest month (June). That puts it among Redwood's busiest months.
How much of Redwood is open in August?
In a typical August, about 100% of Redwood's road network (weighted by how important each route is) is open to wheeled vehicles. Road-opening dates shift year to year, so check the official NPS page for current conditions before you go.
Methodology
Monthly recreation visits come from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025 on NPS IRMA Stats; the statistic shown is Recreation Visits (Redwood National Park), the 5-year mean for 2021-2025. These counts cover Redwood National Park (the NPS-administered lands); the three cooperatively managed California state parks are counted separately, and the 2024-2025 totals reflect an improved NPS counting method rather than real growth, so the reliable timing signal is the month-to-month share of the peak. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Klamath, CA (station USC00044577, 28 ft elevation, coastal lowland). The access score weights how much of the road network is typically drivable that month; Redwood's main roads have no closing season, so the winter dip is our estimate of the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway's winter storm closures and first-Saturday Bike and Hike Days. Seasonal specifics (the Fern Canyon reservation window, Mill Creek Campground's season, visitor center hours) can change; confirm current details on the official NPS Redwood page before booking. Independent site, not affiliated with the National Park Service.
Independent site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Data comes from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025; editorial analysis is ours. The NPS Arrowhead and other NPS marks are not used.