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What to pack for Yellowstone in August
Typical August, built from ten years of weather
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Typical for your dates
Highs 68°F, lows 46°F, rain 9 of 31 days
windyhigh UVmild
Sunset lands around 8:25pm. Wind averages 11 mph. No border paperwork on this one.
0 of 43 packed
Packing for
40 things on this list are on sale today
Essentials
10 items
Wear one, dry one. Cotton stays wet all week here.
The UV index hits 10.1 in August, and sunburn happens in minutes at elevation.
Fourteen hours of daylight reflect off water and pale rock.
Nine rain days create standing water where mosquitoes breed.
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Mountain terrain and remote trails mean help is hours away.
One outlet at the lodge charges nothing while you explore all day.
Park shuttles and cabin stays mean you never need to check luggage.
Geyser basins and waterfall trails are hours from the lodge.
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
Before you go
3 to sort
Recommended
10 items
Altitude and thin air mean sweat evaporates fast, but skin still needs moisture.
UV hits 10.1 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.
High altitude sun burns the scalp and ears even when air feels cool.
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Fourteen hours of hiking in thin air demands constant hydration.
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Shuttle buses and crowded ranger stations make bags easy to misplace.
Laundry at the guesthouse is limited, so rotation matters.
Nine rain days in August mean damp gear and mildew risk.
Mountain terrain and 2479 meters of elevation make steep trails easier on knees.
Nice to have
7 items you could skip
Lips crack at 2479 meters, and the UV index makes it worse.
Winding single-track roads climb 2479 meters in short distances.
Backcountry water sources require protection even though tap water is safe.
Insect bites itch worse when sunburned skin is already inflamed.
Phones and cameras both need power on long mountain days.
Shared accommodations mean lockers aren't always available.
Humidity and altitude require daily toiletry access in shared spaces.
Basics
16 things you probably own already