Late summer · Weather & things to do
Black Hills in August
Black Hills edges cooler than July, with highs of 80°F (27°C), lows of 53°F (12°C) and about 1.9 in (49 mm) of rain.
At 94/100 for comfort (2nd of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 80°F (27°C)
- Avg low
- 53°F (12°C)
- Rain
- 1.9 in (49 mm)
- Humidity
- 54%
- Cloud cover
- 44%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 49 min
- Comfort score
- 94/100 · Great
What August feels like
Warm afternoons near 80°F (27°C) make long days outdoors easy.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 53°F (12°C), about 15°C (27°F) below the afternoon high.
Rain is moderate at about 1.9 in (49 mm) for the month.
Plan around August
August is one of Black Hills's best months on the climate data.
- Comfort improves from 86/100 in July to 94/100.
- August sits inside the May – Sep window our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clothes80°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 53°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Black Hills in August
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Black Elk Peak Trail
7-mile round trip from Sylvan Lake to a stone fire tower on South Dakota's highest point.
Why now August scores 94/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Wildlife Loop Road
18-mile road through Custer State Park prairie with bison herds and begging burros.
Why now Highs near 80°F and 1.9 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
State Game Lodge
1920s lodge, the former Summer White House, serving buffalo and pheasant dishes.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Ongoing mountain carving honoring the Lakota leader, with the Indian Museum of North America.
Purple Pie Place
Purple-painted pie shop in Custer known for rhubarb and berry pies.
Nearby in August
- Badlands National Park in August~64 mi · highs 89°F, 1.9 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Medora in August~217 mi · highs 85°F, 1.7 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Rocky Mountain NP in August~259 mi · highs 71°F, 1.7 in rain · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Denver in August~287 mi · highs 89°F, 2.0 in rain · 5°C (9°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Black Hills in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Black Hills?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 94/100. Expect highs of 80°F (27°C) and 1.9 in (49 mm) of rain. August is inside the May – Sep window our Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills route recommends.
How hot is Black Hills in August?
Average highs are 80°F (27°C) and average lows 53°F (12°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Black Hills in August?
Not much: about 1.9 in (49 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 19.2 in (487 mm).
What should I pack for Black Hills in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (80°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), a warm layer for evenings (lows near 53°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Black Hills
Routes in season in August
- Dakotas Badlands & Black Hills May – Sep
Planning Black Hills in August?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.