Smith in August

Is it too hot to climb at Smith in August? We're doing a road trip the middle part of August. How's the camping? Deb

I went in early August last year. It was hot. Too hot? Depends on your tastes. We had fun. Chase the shade and you should be fine. Camping's great, awesome views in the mornings, kinda hard to navigate around the campsite in the dark though.

Why problems with campsite? Different options for camping?

We had to set up camp after dark, and there are braids of paths through winding their way around rocks and trees. Made it tough to find the tent again. The sites themselves were fine. I'd stay there again.

You can camp at Skull Hollow 8 miles or so up the road if you're looking to have a bonfire. I've been there in August, and its pretty durn hot by midday. Climbing basalt in the gorges will be cooler (temp-wise, not a style comment)

Camp at skull hollow. It's way more laid back and only like 10 minutes from smith. The bivy area is fine, I just like being able to have a fire and cook near my tent. It gets hot for sure, just be smart. There's always a wall somewhere in the shade.

If your not attached to having fires, or cooking from your tent, I think the Bivy site is the way to go. Showers, outlets for charging, sinks for dishwashing, walk into the park instead of driving, etc. IMO if you want to get roudy, go to Skull Hollow, and if you want to sleep well to climb early while it's cool, Bivy.

As far as the climbing goes, something is always in the shade, so there will always be some fun climbing. I wouldn't (and personally don't) expect to redpoint anything at my limit in August, by then I am usually just getting on the fun/mileage routes.

Since no ones mentioned it. Keep in mind that if you're sleeping in your car and not a tent then you'll want to use Skull Hollow, technically you're not allowed to sleep in your vehicle at the bivy site.
I will say that the bivy site @ Smith has more opportunity for shade.

Skull Hollow used to be a sweet place to camp, before it became run by a business out of Utah. They railroaded the climbing community on taking over what used to be free camping, so be cool and don't camp there.
There are other options which are free really close to Skull, or camping at the bivy is just fantastic. Saves the gas$$ and driving time, it is awesome to just roll out of camp and get hiking towards the climbing. Also, since the cooking area is separate from the camping, you not only get to meet people you get to camp without all the late nighters/drum circles keeping you up. Well worth the 5$, which includes the 3$ parking fee. You're not gonna want a bonfire in August anyway.

As afar as the heat, it is gonna be hot in August. Late Summer is my least favorite time of year to climb at Smith, but I do it anyway and always still have a blast. Just climb mornings/evenings in the sun, spend the rest of your time chasing shade, Watt's guidebook can help here.
Gorge routes get a bit more greasy in the summer, but still great climbing. The west side and Staender Ridge/Marsupials hinterlands gets more wind and can be cooler during the heat of the day. Some people like to climb on Morning Glory wall at 2 in the afternoon and complain about the heat though. Whatever your flavor.

Also, you can rent guidebooks and stickclips, and buy gear at Repoint Climbing Supply in Terrebonne. Redpoint is a great community resource, so give em your $$.