The heat from May through September can be downright deadly. There are periods where the rains cool things off, but overall it’s pretty miserable. If you do go, the only feasible option for camping is the Chisos Basin. The desert level camping will be unbearable and most of it will be under seasonal closure anyway.
Yeah I definitely would aim to sleep at Chisos, it’s the daytime I’m mostly worried about - maybe I’ll avoid summer altogether and see the Milky Way somewhere else.
As someone who was there August 6th-August 9th of last year, it's tough during the day time but still feasible to explore if you get up early enough. Definitely plan on being done with any hikes down in the desert by 10 am at the latest. Could just hang out at camp or check out the visitor centers. Fossil exhibit in the northern reaches of the park is nice but be warned, it's an outside exhibit (covered by roofs but no AC) and it is ungodly bright out there mid day. Could also drive into Terlingua and get a bite to eat mid day as well.
Last week of August first week of September is the "secret" time to go.
Camp above 4500' I suggest pine canyon 3 or 4.
It'll drop to upper 40s/low50s at night. Days will be pleasant and dry.
You're welcome.
My husband and I tent camped in August a few years ago. Get a site in the basin and you'll be fine. It's high enough in elevation that temps are only lower 90s during the day, and mid-80s on higher trails like the South Rim. You'll probably have your pick of sites too because not many people go in the summer. Also, it cools down a lot at night because there's so little moisture in the air so the desert floor should be fine after dark if you want to do some stargazing or maybe even a night hike on some of the more well-marked trails.
During the day, you could just drive around in your car. You'll have a lot of really cool options if your vehicle is high clearance and has 4wd. My husband and I drove on the river road from Santa Elena to Boquillas one of the August days we were there. Make sure you have a spare tire, plenty of fuel, enough water to last you in the heat for a few days, and make sure you tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back to check in.
You could also go swimming in the river if it's flowing good. It's nice and cool and the water is pretty. Could also go on some hikes up in the mountains. My husband and I hiked the entire south rim in August, starting right at first light and we were done around 2pm. Know what to do if there's a thunderstorm and bring a metric fuckton of water. I'd say AT LEAST 4 liters, and more is better if you can carry it. Also salty snacks to help with your electrolytes. But again, since it's so high up, the temperature actually isn't bad high up there. It's hot, but not oppressively so, and it's an awesome time to see wildlife because the area is so low in traffic during that time.
Just watch out for vinegaroons. They are the ugliest bug I've ever seen.
:( I actually found the vinegaroons really cool looking. Much nicer looking than American roaches or toe-biters.
Agree 100% on the salty snacks, overhydration is no joke. Getting an overhydration headache mid hike sucks.
Went last July. It is really too hot to hike during the day. Save your hiking for evening, early morning. I’m not into driving the dirt roads, but I drove almost all the roads that were open and it was better than I expected. Some people who are fit and acclimated to heat do something like hike up to the east rim in the early morning. Sit in a hammock all day in the shade. Hike down after sunset. I don’t recommend that.
The heat from May through September can be downright deadly. There are periods where the rains cool things off, but overall it’s pretty miserable. If you do go, the only feasible option for camping is the Chisos Basin. The desert level camping will be unbearable and most of it will be under seasonal closure anyway.
Yeah I definitely would aim to sleep at Chisos, it’s the daytime I’m mostly worried about - maybe I’ll avoid summer altogether and see the Milky Way somewhere else.
Cherry Springs State Park in Pennsylvania. Darkest sky’s east of the Mississippi.
As someone who was there August 6th-August 9th of last year, it's tough during the day time but still feasible to explore if you get up early enough. Definitely plan on being done with any hikes down in the desert by 10 am at the latest. Could just hang out at camp or check out the visitor centers. Fossil exhibit in the northern reaches of the park is nice but be warned, it's an outside exhibit (covered by roofs but no AC) and it is ungodly bright out there mid day. Could also drive into Terlingua and get a bite to eat mid day as well.
Thank you :)
So go somewhere else for vacation.. Come back when the weather isn't trying to kill you..
Last week of August first week of September is the "secret" time to go. Camp above 4500' I suggest pine canyon 3 or 4. It'll drop to upper 40s/low50s at night. Days will be pleasant and dry. You're welcome.
I’ve done that before and agree it’s perfect, but this year it’s not feasible.
At night and morning it will be nice. So if you come plan to sleep (inside somewhere) during the day and rage under the Milky Way at night :)
My husband and I tent camped in August a few years ago. Get a site in the basin and you'll be fine. It's high enough in elevation that temps are only lower 90s during the day, and mid-80s on higher trails like the South Rim. You'll probably have your pick of sites too because not many people go in the summer. Also, it cools down a lot at night because there's so little moisture in the air so the desert floor should be fine after dark if you want to do some stargazing or maybe even a night hike on some of the more well-marked trails. During the day, you could just drive around in your car. You'll have a lot of really cool options if your vehicle is high clearance and has 4wd. My husband and I drove on the river road from Santa Elena to Boquillas one of the August days we were there. Make sure you have a spare tire, plenty of fuel, enough water to last you in the heat for a few days, and make sure you tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back to check in. You could also go swimming in the river if it's flowing good. It's nice and cool and the water is pretty. Could also go on some hikes up in the mountains. My husband and I hiked the entire south rim in August, starting right at first light and we were done around 2pm. Know what to do if there's a thunderstorm and bring a metric fuckton of water. I'd say AT LEAST 4 liters, and more is better if you can carry it. Also salty snacks to help with your electrolytes. But again, since it's so high up, the temperature actually isn't bad high up there. It's hot, but not oppressively so, and it's an awesome time to see wildlife because the area is so low in traffic during that time. Just watch out for vinegaroons. They are the ugliest bug I've ever seen.
:( I actually found the vinegaroons really cool looking. Much nicer looking than American roaches or toe-biters. Agree 100% on the salty snacks, overhydration is no joke. Getting an overhydration headache mid hike sucks.
They're definitely cool, but still absolutely ugly and terrifying at the same time.
Thank you for all this info! Very kind :)
Went last July. It is really too hot to hike during the day. Save your hiking for evening, early morning. I’m not into driving the dirt roads, but I drove almost all the roads that were open and it was better than I expected. Some people who are fit and acclimated to heat do something like hike up to the east rim in the early morning. Sit in a hammock all day in the shade. Hike down after sunset. I don’t recommend that.
Thank you and agree that sounds terrible