Things to Do in Billings in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Billings
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect festival season - Montana Fair runs mid-August with rodeos, carnival rides, and live music at MetraPark. It's the biggest event of the year with over 250,000 attendees and genuinely showcases local ranching culture, not tourist theater.
- Prime outdoor weather window - Mornings from 6am-11am average 18-24°C (64-75°F) with low humidity, ideal for hiking the Rims trail system. You'll have the trails largely to yourself before the afternoon heat kicks in.
- Late summer produce peaks - Farmers markets overflow with Montana huckleberries, Flathead cherries, and locally raised beef. The Saturday market at South Park runs 8am-noon and prices drop 30-40% compared to June tourist season.
- Shoulder season pricing begins late August - Hotel rates drop 15-25% after the third week as family travel ends. You can snag decent rooms downtown for 80-110 USD versus 130-160 USD in peak July.
Considerations
- Wildfire smoke is unpredictable - August typically sees 3-7 days of moderate to heavy smoke from regional fires. Air quality can swing from excellent to hazardous within 24 hours, forcing indoor backup plans. Check AirNow.gov daily.
- Afternoon heat peaks hard - Temperatures regularly hit 32-35°C (90-95°F) between 2pm-6pm with that 70% humidity making it feel closer to 38°C (100°F). Outdoor activities become genuinely uncomfortable unless you're near water.
- Tourist infrastructure is mixed - Billings isn't set up like Jackson Hole or Bozeman. You'll need a rental car for most activities, rideshare coverage is spotty outside downtown, and many restaurants close Sundays or Mondays.
Best Activities in August
Yellowstone River Float Trips
August water levels stabilize after spring runoff, making this the safest month for lazy floats. The river runs 24-26°C (75-79°F) - warm enough to swim without a wetsuit. Most people do the 3-hour stretch from Huntley to Norm's Island, which is mellow class I water perfect for first-timers. You'll see blue herons, occasional deer, and zero crowds compared to Yellowstone National Park. The humidity actually works in your favor here since you're on the water anyway.
Pictograph Cave State Park Exploration
The caves stay naturally cool at 18-21°C (64-70°F) even when it's blazing outside, making this ideal for afternoon visits when downtown is sweltering. The 2,000+ year old rock art is genuinely impressive and the 0.8 km (0.5 mile) paved trail is accessible for most fitness levels. August sunlight hits the cave paintings at optimal angles between 3pm-5pm. You'll spend 60-90 minutes here total. The park rarely gets crowded - maybe 20-30 people on busy days.
Pompeys Pillar National Monument Visits
This sandstone outcrop 45 km (28 miles) east of Billings features William Clark's actual signature from the 1806 Lewis and Clark expedition - the only remaining physical evidence of their journey you can see. August means you can climb the 200-step boardwalk to the top in early morning before heat sets in. The Yellowstone River views from the top are worth the drive alone. Plan 90 minutes including the small interpretive center. Virtually no international tourists know about this spot.
Downtown Brewery Walking Circuits
Billings has quietly developed a solid craft beer scene with 8-10 breweries within a 2 km (1.2 mile) radius of downtown. August evenings from 6pm-9pm cool down to 21-24°C (70-75°F), perfect for walking between taprooms. Most pour Montana-made beers featuring local ingredients like huckleberries and honey. Pints run 5-7 USD, flights 8-12 USD. The scene skews local rather than touristy, so you'll actually meet Billings residents.
Little Bighorn Battlefield Tours
Located 105 km (65 miles) southeast near Crow Agency, this is where Custer's Last Stand happened in 1876. August grass turns golden brown, looking much like it did during the actual battle. The ranger-led programs run twice daily at 10am and 2pm, providing context you won't get from self-touring. The battlefield sits on the Crow Reservation, adding contemporary Native American perspectives. Budget 3-4 hours including drive time from Billings. The site gets maybe 100-150 visitors daily in August versus 500+ in July.
ZooMontana Family Visits
This 28-hectare (70-acre) zoo focuses on Northern Hemisphere animals adapted to Montana's climate - Siberian tigers, timber wolves, red pandas, and North American river otters. August means active animals in morning hours before heat slows them down. The grounds have decent shade and the sensory garden section stays surprisingly cool. Kids can handle the 1.6 km (1 mile) loop trail easily. Plan 2-3 hours total. Crowds are minimal on weekday mornings.
August Events & Festivals
MontanaFair
The state's largest annual event runs for 9 days in mid-August at MetraPark. You'll see professional rodeo competitions, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, livestock shows, and a full carnival midway. The grandstand concerts bring in country and rock acts - past years featured acts like Toby Keith and ZZ Top. This is authentic Montana culture, not a tourist production. Locals take vacation days to attend. Evening events are most comfortable temperature-wise.
Magic City Blues Festival
Three-day blues festival in early August featuring regional and national blues acts across multiple stages in downtown Billings. Past lineups included Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Tab Benoit. The festival sprawls across several blocks with beer gardens, food vendors, and instrument workshops. Evening concerts run 6pm-11pm when temperatures drop to comfortable levels. Tickets run 25-35 USD per day or 65-85 USD for three-day passes.