United States, North America

Austin in August

Peak heat, low rain, brown hills. The one upside: the bat flights are at their biggest as the summer pups join.

Think twiceHottest month, highs near 98F (37C), 100F-plus stretches common

Austin Texas skyline, United States — AustinPhoto: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

August is a month to think twice about visiting Austin. Peak heat, low rain, brown hills. The one upside: the bat flights are at their biggest as the summer pups join.

Weather: Hottest month, highs near 98F (37C), 100F-plus stretches common
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What August is like in Austin

August is the hottest month in Austin. Highs sit near 98F (37C), stretches of 100F-plus days are common, rain is scarce, and the hills turn brown. Outdoor plans work only early in the morning or around sunset. Crowds are light and hotel prices are low. The one real upside is the bats, whose flights are at their biggest as the summer pups join.

This month is best avoided by most travelers, especially anyone sensitive to heat. If you have to come, build each day around water and air conditioning. For a comfortable trip with great weather, wait for late October or November.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Austin this month.

The biggest bat flights of the year

Young bats join the colony in late summer, making the dusk emergence from the Congress Avenue Bridge the most dramatic it gets.

Indoor Texas history

The Capitol, the Bullock Museum, and the LBJ Library are cool, free or low-cost ways to spend hot afternoons.

Cheap stays

Hotel rates are among the lowest of the year, especially midweek.

What to pack for August

Breathable, light-colored clothes
A large insulated water bottle
Strong sunscreen and a hat
A swimsuit for the springs

Our timing tip

Get to the bat bridge early and grab a spot on the lawn or book a sunset boat on Lady Bird Lake for the best view.

Book Austin for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Austin
Opens a hotel search for Austin in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Austin
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Austin
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Austin for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Austin

Full guide

Barton Springs Pool

Go at opening on a weekday for the quiet swim. Check the city schedule for weekly cleaning closures and reduced winter hours before you drive over.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Congress Avenue Bridge bat flight

Roughly March through October, the Mexican free-tailed bats pour out at dusk. Watch from the bridge, the lawn by the Statesman site, or a boat on Lady Bird Lake. Late summer brings the biggest flights.

Tickets and tours →

Texas State Capitol

Taller than the US Capitol and free to tour, with guided tours daily. The grounds are a shaded escape downtown and a good first stop with kids.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Bullock Texas State History Museum

The best one-stop primer on Texas, a block from the Capitol. A reliable air-conditioned half day in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Peak bloom runs March through May. The spring plant sale and the bluebonnet fields make April the showpiece month.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake

Rent a kayak or paddleboard, walk the 10-mile Butler Trail loop, and picnic on the Great Lawn. Before 9am in summer is the only sane window.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the SXSW, ACL, F1, and UT football calendars before you book anything. A random weekend in October can cost double the weekend before it.
Stay midweek. Austin fills with weekend visitors and bachelor and bachelorette parties Thursday through Saturday; Sunday through Wednesday hotel rates drop hard.
Barbecue lines: arrive before the pit opens on a weekday, or order ahead where it is offered. Many famous spots sell out of brisket by early afternoon.
For bluebonnets, go on a weekday morning and drive past the famous roadside spots; fields a few miles farther out are just as good and nearly empty.

Know before you go

ACL Fest closes a large part of Zilker Park for weeks around the festival for setup and recovery, and Barton Springs parking and access are affected. Check city notices if a swim is on your October list.
Barton Springs Pool closes for regular cleaning and occasional flood debris; a big rain upstream can shut it for days. Always check the pool page the morning you go.
Hamilton Pool and many Hill Country swimming spots close swimming after heavy rain or for bacteria counts, sometimes for long stretches. Reservations do not guarantee a swim.
Central Texas sits in Flash Flood Alley. Spring and fall storms can flood low-water crossings in minutes. Never drive into water over a road; turn around.

Austin in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Austin?

August is a month to think twice about visiting Austin. Peak heat, low rain, brown hills. The one upside: the bat flights are at their biggest as the summer pups join.

What is the weather like in Austin in August?

Hottest month, highs near 98F (37C), 100F-plus stretches common.

Is Austin crowded in August?

August is one of the quieter months in Austin; most sights can be done without long waits.