Article Overview: Best National Parks to Visit in September
Trying to figure out the best national parks to visit in September is like asking a kid about their favorite birthday present. They love them all! Selecting just 15 here to top the list means the selected parks stand out in some additionally magnificent way.
As a Virgo, my annual gift to myself is a trip to a national park. That means – luckily – I’ve had to whittle lists like this down before in many Septembers.
It is important to note that for some parks, there’s a difference between early September and late September. That’s the beauty and challenge of a September national park trip – are you holding onto the last bit of summer or sipping a pumpkin-spiced latte searching for hoodie weather? Either way, there’s a park on this list for you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Best National Park to Visit in September
Table of contents
- 5 Quick Things to Know about Best National Parks to Visit in September
- Best National Parks to Visit in September
- 15. Grand Canyon National Park
- 14. Hot Springs National Park
- 13. Great Sand Dunes National Park
- 12. Channel Islands National Park
- 11. Mesa Verde National Park
- 10. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- 9. Great Basin National Park
- 8. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- 7. Voyageurs National Park
- 6. New River Gorge National Park
- 5. Badlands National Park
- 4. Glacier National Park
- 3. Zion National Park
- 2. Katmai National Park
- 1. Rocky Mountain National Park
- National Parks to Avoid in September
- Map of Best National Parks to Visit in September
- List of Best National Parks to Visit in September
5 Quick Things to Know about Best National Parks to Visit in September
- Save yourself the time of searching for park entrance fees and get an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass. This covers admission to all national parks and more than 2,000 other federal lands. Plus, it covers the admission of the adults and children in your passenger vehicle. It’s $80 and valid for a year. If you have a fourth grader, senior, or veteran in your family, they could be eligible for free or discounted passes.
- Expect larger crowds at any park during Labor Day weekend and the last Saturday in September. The latter is National Public Lands Day, meaning park admission is free. Many parks also host volunteer cleanups or beautification projects to take part in.
- Several parks added reservation systems or timed entry in the past few years on top of any national park pass. We keep this list updated to help you out. A few of those end in September, some go until October, others are year-round.
- The elk rut begins in September and goes into October. This can mean anything from better wildlife views to certain areas of a park being off-limits. Overall, it means elk will be far more temperamental. Parks with bears see more activity as the animals bulk up for the long winter ahead.
- Fall foliage peaks in different regions at different times. The Rockies peak before the Appalachians. This is one of the most trusted fall foliage prediction maps and should be updated for the current year closer to the end of summer.
Best National Parks to Visit in September
15. Grand Canyon National Park
- Location: Arizona
- Weather: The average highs at the Grand Canyon rim in September range from 70°F to 80°F, while lows range from 45°F to 55°F. At the bottom of the Grand Canyon, temperatures can soar, with highs around 100°F and lows around 70°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise typically occurs around 6:00 AM and sunset around 6:30 PM at the Grand Canyon in September.
- Crowds: Medium at South Rim, low at North Rim.
- Resources: Map | Guidebook | Things to Do | Hikes | Best Views | Closest Cities | South Rim | North Rim | Where to Stay | Winter | Facts
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the best national parks to visit in September, especially for those who love rafting. My Colorado River rafting trip on my 32nd birthday impressed everyone, from the experienced among us to the beginners.
Early in September, you still get some of that summer heat if that’s what you seek without the length or intensity of the inner canyon heat during the day. Plus, the plunge in the Colorado River feels amazing. Water temperatures average 60°F during this month.
At the tail end of monsoon season, you’ll find ongoing chances to get storm views from the rim, but as the month wears on, you get more warm – not hot – sunny days. September marks the first month since June that visitation is below half a million.
The North Rim still only uses about 300-400 cars a day. Faster than you can say, “but the NORTH RIM IS SOOOOOO FAR AWAY,” I’m gone hit you with this fall foliage pic, which peaks as early as the last 10 days of September.
You’ll get views like that for 50 miles approaching the North Rim.
14. Hot Springs National Park
- Location: Arkansas
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 80°F to 90°F, while lows generally fall between 60°F to 70°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise in Hot Springs National Park occurs around 6:45 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:15 PM
- Crowds: Low to Medium
- Resources: Fantastic Facts | Historic Arkansas Sites | Park Conditions
September is a great month to visit Hot Springs National Park because you get a respite from sweltering humidity but get a nice dip in crowds between summer and October.
The community of Hot Springs loads up September weekends with events, like music festivals, but a mid-week park view paired with a weekend adventure to the spas or events meets the sweet spot of everything you wished an Arkansas summer could be but can’t, due to the humidity and bugs.
Hot Springs National Park ranks as one of the most dog-friendly parks in the system, with pets allowed on all trails. You might even get the first signs of fall foliage in late September.
13. Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Location: Colorado
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 70°F to 80°F, while lows generally fall between 35°F to 45°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise occurs around 6:30 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:00 PM.
- Crowds: Medium
- Resources: Map | Guidebook | Things to Do | Where to Stay | Facts
While you definitely should plan for a mid-to-late September trip, Great Sand Dunes offers unique activities of boarding the dunes and seeing wildlife gather in the grasslands.
Fall colors will take over in late September, and this Dark Sky Park offers Milky Way views just 90 minutes after sundown. Just be sure to book a campsite early – they open six months ahead of time.
Rent a jeep or take a tour to Medano Pass, when the bighorn sheep are most active. The 22-mile backroad crosses the creek many times and provides a unique backcountry experience that is ideal in early fall. Plus, creek levels rarely pose a safety risk in September.
12. Channel Islands National Park
- Location: California
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 70°F to 75°F, while lows generally fall between 55°F to 60°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise occurs around 6:30 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:00 PM.
- Crowds: Medium (Average)
- Resources: Where to Stay | Facts | Things to Do
Channel Islands National Park ranks as one of the best national parks to visit in September for ideal snorkeling in the kelp forests with fewer people around you. While this park never reaches a “crowded” level, your experience here can include visiting the mainland of the park, one of the islands, or taking a cruise around the islands for whale-watching or other scenic trips.
Seeing whales is a year-round activity, but in September, you’re in blue whale and humpback whale season. In case you’re not whale-savvy (I wasn’t until this trip), the blue whale measures heavier and bigger than any other animal – yes, even dinosaurs.
In addition, September is one of the few months you can camp on the backcountry beaches of Santa Rosa Island. My threshold for ongoing winds is usually a 5/10, but with views like this, you can’t complain. Plus, you get several canyons to explore, and Soledad Peak views that blow you over (or maybe that was the wind).
I implore you – if you can handle a 15-mile hike in tough winds, don’t miss a chance to see the Point Bennett Seals. It’s worth planning your whole trip around, regardless of the month.
11. Mesa Verde National Park
- Location: Colorado
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 70°F to 80°F, while lows generally fall between 40°F to 50°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise occurs around 6:45 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:15 PM.
- Crowds: Medium
- Resources: Map | Things to Do | Where to Stay | Facts
This best national park to visit in September holds especially true because Mesa Verde National Park is in the middle of two extensive projects to make the self-guided tours of cliff dwellings safer. That means access to the cliff dwellings is only by ranger-guided tours that book up quickly in the summer and only go through mid-October.
Late September visitors also get the start of foliage changes throughout the park, and there’s more than you’d expect here. Combine that with scenic vistas, trails finally escaping the summer heat, and a campground that fills up fast; you can’t beat this time of year among the ancient ruins.
All of the restaurants at the park are open at this time but will close on tiered schedules in October.
10. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Location: Texas
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 70°F to 80°F, while lows generally fall between 50°F to 60°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise around 7:00 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:30 PM.
- Crowds: Low to Medium
- Resources: Map | Facts | Best Hikes
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is one of the best national parks to visit in September if you want to go on extensive hikes without worrying about the windy season or extreme temperatures. The mountain range displays what was once a reef of the Permian Sea, with fossils close enough to touch on the trails.
The park ranks among the least visited national parks, but that’s due to its roadless layout. If you like road-tripping, you can explore Dog Canyon, Salt Basin Dunes, Devil’s Hall, and McKittrick Canyon. Plus, the high point of Texas is waiting to be bagged.
Plus, Carlsbad Caverns National Park sits just 30 miles up the road in New Mexico, showing the underside of this rocky wonderland.
9. Great Basin National Park
- Location: Nevada
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 65°F to 75°F, while lows generally fall in the mid to upper 40s °F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise occurs around 6:45 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:15 PM.
- Crowds: High (for this park, but still not overly crowded)
- Resources: Map | Guide | Park Conditions
One of the best reasons to visit Great Basin National Park in September is the Great Basin Astronomy Festival. The Dark Sky Park offers activities at an astronomy amphitheater and several other notable locations to enjoy the night skies.
I lived in Las Vegas for many years, and it never felt like “fall” until the temperatures got out of the triple digits in October. Great Basin National Park made for a wonderful escape to “hoodie weather” while enjoying some of the darkest skies in the nation with little humidity and pristine skies post-monsoon season. This month brings perfect camping weather, too.
Great Basin’s things to go underground to Lehman Caves, but you can also get a wild caving permit and explore about half a dozen more on your own. Elevations up to 13,000 feet await at Wheeler Peak. Fall colors peak at the higher elevations in late September.
8. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Location: North Dakota
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 65°F to 75°F, while lows generally fall between 40°F to 50°F
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise occurs around 7:00 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:30 PM.
- Crowds: High end of medium
- Resources: Guide | Things to Do | Video | Facts
September crowds at Theodore Roosevelt National Park are down 30% from the summer peak while still providing full access to the park. On the other hand, waiting for the crowds to be cut in half for October means risking winter weather, road closures, and limited access.
In fact, former park superintendent Valier Naylor once said, “September… is a perfect time to visit the park to see wildlife, enjoy a hike with the family, and experience the park during one of the best times of the year.”
At the same time, the entire month of September unveils the fall colors, with past-peak colors sometimes awaiting October crowds. The bison rut is wrapping up, so you might see some bulls squaring off across the field.
DID YOU KNOW: Despite the fact that we commonly call them buffalo, these animals are technically bison. They are the largest mammal in North America (above ground).
7. Voyageurs National Park
- Location: Minnesota
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 60°F to 70°F, while lows generally fall between 40°F to 50°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise occurs around 6:45 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:15 PM
- Crowds: Low end of medium
- Resources: Map | Guide | Things to Do | Hikes | Camping | Where to Stay | Video | Facts
Northern Minnesota is one of the places in the United States where fall colors happen in September, and that makes Voyageurs one of the best national parks to visit in September!
Whether you want to hike your way through the trails or paddle to islands among 218,000 acres, you can’t beat the fall views here.
As a Dark Sky Park, you get the double bonus of brilliant night skies and possible Northern Lights in the fall. Boat tours are available for day and night events. To make the most of a trip here, choose a campsite or rent a houseboat.
In addition, September is well past the mosquito and biting black fly season.
6. New River Gorge National Park
- Location: West Virginia
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 70°F to 80°F, while lows generally fall between 50°F to 60°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise is around 7:00 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:30 PM.
- Crowds: Medium
- Resources: Map | Guidebook | Facts | Things to Do
New River Gorge National Park and nearby Gauley River National Recreation Area top the charts for whitewater destinations in September. In fact, it’s known as “Gauley Season” for the robust activity on September and October weekends. The season for New River Gorge ends in September, but the foliage doesn’t peak until October, so weigh what’s most important to you.
Rock climbers flock to New River Gorge National Park – aka “The New” – from mid-September on for the exquisite experiences provided here. More than 1,400 paths await the eager climber. This is not a beginning rock climber park!
The variety of trails in this park impresses, with challenging routes along rim ridges or walks deep into old-growth forests or even easy hikes to beautiful waterfalls.
5. Badlands National Park
- Location: South Dakota
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 70°F to 80°F, while lows generally fall between 45°F to 55°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise occurs around 6:45 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:15 PM.
- Crowds: Medium
- Resources: Map | Guidebook | Guide | Things to Do | Hikes | Where to Stay | Video | Facts
I couldn’t believe the number of things to do for a birthday trip to Badlands National Park, and I was adamant I didn’t want any part of “North Dakota Cold.”
The weather was perfect, the fall foliage peaks in September, and cultural events were happening within three hours, including the buffalo roundup at Custer State Park and the anniversary of Crazy Horse’s death. Long bicycle rides or meandering scenic drives between the different units create so many paths to see it all.
It’s one of the best national parks to visit in September especially for those who love camping in daytime highs warm enough to enjoy but cool enough to wrap up in a blanket and tell campfire stories.
4. Glacier National Park
- Location: Montana
- Weather: The average highs in September typically range from 60°F to 70°F, while lows generally fall between 35°F to 45°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise around 7:00 AM, and sunset typically happens around 7:30 PM.
- Crowds: High, but not peak
- Resources: Map | Guidebook | Things to Do | Hikes | Where to Stay | Itinerary | Fact
Glacier National Park needs no marketing because it’s well-known as an amazing destination. It suffers from only a shortened season to access the entire park, which can mean incredibly large crowds. Plus, the reservation system (at least in 2024) isn’t required after September 8.
Nothing beats a drive on Going to the Sun Road (GTTSR) when the foliage pops in mid-September. Crowds are lower than the peak summer season, so weekday visits are ideal. GTTSR closes in mid-October. Wildlife is more active in September, especially with bears indulging before hibernation.
The only consideration to think of in September at Glacier National Park comes with the boat tours. Earlier in the month is better, and most tours conclude for the season in mid or late September.
3. Zion National Park
- Location: Utah
- Weather: Still warm, with highs near 80-90°F, but lows get into the 50s. Monsoon season tapers off.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise around 6:45am with sunset around 7:45pm.
- Crowds: Medium
- Resources: Map | Guide | Where to Stay | Facts | Complete Fall Guide | Visitor’s Guide | Park Conditions
I think one of the single best reasons to visit Zion National Park in September is the warmer water of the Narrows and the little risk that it will be closed due to water levels. The same goes for river trips on the Virgin River. I’ve been burned by the Narrows twice in April.
You’ll still face big crowds, but weekdays will be better than weekends, and you’re past the peak. October will pick up again. September makes one of the best months for rock climbing in Zion, and the longer hikes won’t be as scorching hot during midday.
Shuttle service runs throughout the month but does cut back two hours in mid-September.
ZION CONSTRUCTION: As of this publication, it looks like a major road construction project at the south entrance will last until at least 2026, starting in the fall of 2024. Pay special attention to things to do in Kolob Canyon or from the East Entrance to avoid that chaos.
2. Katmai National Park
- Location: Alaska
- Weather: Highs around 50-55°F with lows down to 35-40°F.
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Approx 7:45am for sunrise, around 8:35pm for sunset.
- Crowds: Medium
- Resources: Facts | Map | Guidebook | Park Conditions
Two words summarize why Katmai National Park is one of the best national parks in September – fat bears. Since 2014, Fat Bear Week in October took over social media sites globally. The salmon runs to fuel the bears run from June through September, with the bears going to their dens in mid-to-late October. However, September brings the groups back to Brooks Falls, looking for the last of the food for the season.
Brooks Falls is a hot spot of activity in September, but services are only provided by the park through September 17. Visits are allowed through the end of the month. September is also the last good month to explore Katmai’s backcountry.
Sure, it takes some planning (and budgeting) to experience this adventure, but it’s one of the best ways to see the survival of the fattest firsthand.
1. Rocky Mountain National Park
- Location: Colorado
- Weather: Highs around 65-75°F, with lows around 35-45°F
- Sunrise & Sunset Times: Sunrise around 6:45am with sunset around 7:15pm.
- Crowds: Medium
- Resources: Map | Guide | Where to Stay | Photo Guide | Facts | Park Conditions
You can’t get around the timed entry at Rocky Mountain National Park in September, as it runs through October 22, but you can get a park with 20% smaller crowds compared to peak summer. Plus, the fall foliage blends across the 14ers down to the lower elevations throughout the month. The Autumn Gold Festival makes a bucket list event in Estes Park.
The hiker shuttle and Trail Ridge Road remain available through September, barring an early winter storm. One of the things I love most about the Rockies in September is the rarity that snowfall will shut everything down.
September marks the elk rut in Rocky Mountain National Park, with bugling sounds heard through the valleys. Most trails are still accessible without spikes (but bring them just in case) and enjoy the prequel to winter.
National Parks to Avoid in September
As I learned the hard way for the three years I lived in Florida, planning a trip at the peak of hurricane season is just asking for disappointment. Of the major hurricanes that hit Florida between 1851 and 2023, 51% of them were in September, and the season runs from June through November.
In early August 2017, I found an insanely low rate at the Ritz Carlton on Key Biscayne. I planned to knock off the Everglades, Biscayne National Park, and Dry Tortugas on my annual trek. As a collector of lighthouse memorabilia, I simply couldn’t believe my luck.
Two weeks later, I watched a tropical wave off the coast of Africa turn into a hurricane that hit land three times before it even came near Florida; I knew the nascent storm was a birthday buster. By September 8, I was putting my mattresses up in front of my windows, locking hurricane shutters, and filling everything that held tap water so I’d have clean water in the aftermath.
The only celebration on my birthday was the power coming back on, a luxury thousands of my neighbors still wouldn’t have for weeks.
National Parks During Hurricanes
All that said, I would recommend not planning a trip to one of the Florida national parks or any of the national seashores along the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean. At least don’t fall in love with the plan.
Hurricanes do this mental mind game with you for up to 10 days ahead of time – when will it turn? How strong will it be? Should I ride it out and risk getting stuck or cancel and risk being too cautious? It’s certainly not ideal for those of you (like me) prone to anxiety with trip planning. This bodes especially true for Virgin Islands National Park, and you should always heed warnings to get off the island if a storm is approaching.
In addition, parks close for days or weeks after the event to clean up the mess and make it safe for guests to return. If you happen to end up in this situation, you might be able to volunteer during the cleanup.
The only exception might be Acadia National Park, as major hurricanes rarely hit that region. Plus, you get plenty of advance notice to leave.
Map of Best National Parks to Visit in September
List of Best National Parks to Visit in September
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Katmai National Park
- Zion National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Badlands National Park
- New River Gorge National Park
- Voyageurs National Park
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Great Basin National Park
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Channel Islands National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Hot Springs National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
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