Skip to content
Park'd
Get the app
Crowd calendar · September

The best national parks to visit in September

Last verified 27 parks in shoulder season
September puts 27 national parks in shoulder season: open, past or before the peak, and quieter for it. 12 others are at full tilt. Here’s the whole picture, ranked from five years of National Park Service visitor counts.

Big names in shoulder season

The % badge is September’s visitors as a share of the park’s busiest month.

Shoulder season · 27 parks

Our September picks, quietest first

Each park in a month that borders its busy season, ranked by how far below its own peak it runs. Open for business, without the crush. Parks right at the start or end of their season come last.
  • Quiet · under 40% of peak
  • Moderate · 40–69%
  • Busy · 70–89%
  • Peak · 90%+
  • Near-zero visits (likely closed)
  1. 1

    1. Shenandoah National ParkVirginia

    Shenandoah averages 152,559 visits in September, 48% of its October peak. August runs 56% and October 100%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 8, Feb 9, Mar 23, Apr 40, May 50, Jun 53, Jul 59, Aug 56, Sep 48, Oct 100, Nov 48, Dec 11.
    September 2025: 153,478
  2. 2

    2. Voyageurs National ParkMinnesotaIts quiet month

    Voyageurs averages 23,639 visits in September, 49% of its August peak. Crowds are thinning: 100% in August, 23% in October. By our rule, this is Voyageurs' quiet shoulder month.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 6, Feb 13, Mar 7, Apr 0, May 58, Jun 92, Jul 97, Aug 100, Sep 49, Oct 23, Nov 5, Dec 1.
    September 2025: 22,350
  3. 3

    3. Indiana Dunes National ParkIndianaIts quiet month

    Indiana Dunes averages 272,078 visits in September, 53% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 83% in August, 42% in October. By our rule, this is Indiana Dunes' quiet shoulder month.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 15, Feb 16, Mar 26, Apr 33, May 57, Jun 86, Jul 100, Aug 83, Sep 53, Oct 42, Nov 23, Dec 20.
    September 2025: 259,298
  4. 4

    4. Badlands National ParkSouth Dakota

    Badlands averages 137,202 visits in September, 56% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 85% in August, 27% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 5, Feb 5, Mar 10, Apr 16, May 44, Jun 90, Jul 100, Aug 85, Sep 56, Oct 27, Nov 8, Dec 4.
    September 2025: 143,478
  5. 5

    5. Mount Rainier National ParkWashington

    Mount Rainier averages 234,962 visits in September, 56% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 95% in August, 32% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 6, Feb 4, Mar 6, Apr 7, May 20, Jun 53, Jul 100, Aug 95, Sep 56, Oct 32, Nov 7, Dec 5.
    September 2025: 168,751
  6. 6

    6. Kings Canyon National ParkCaliforniaIts quiet month

    Kings Canyon averages 73,668 visits in September, 62% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 80% in August, 43% in October. By our rule, this is Kings Canyon's quiet shoulder month.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 17, Feb 13, Mar 14, Apr 30, May 71, Jun 92, Jul 100, Aug 80, Sep 62, Oct 43, Nov 24, Dec 15.
    September 2025: 86,040
  7. 7

    7. Sequoia National ParkCaliforniaIts quiet month

    Sequoia averages 123,152 visits in September, 63% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 92% in August, 48% in October. By our rule, this is Sequoia's quiet shoulder month.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 23, Feb 21, Mar 29, Apr 42, May 62, Jun 69, Jul 100, Aug 92, Sep 63, Oct 48, Nov 31, Dec 24.
    September 2025: 146,996
  8. 8

    8. Wind Cave National ParkSouth Dakota

    Wind Cave averages 79,016 visits in September, 66% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 84% in August, 25% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 10, Feb 9, Mar 15, Apr 32, May 56, Jun 81, Jul 100, Aug 84, Sep 66, Oct 25, Nov 12, Dec 10.
    September 2025: 82,554
  9. 9

    9. New River Gorge National Park & PreserveWest VirginiaIts quiet month

    New River Gorge averages 185,236 visits in September, 66% of its July peak. August runs 84% and October 69%. By our rule, this is New River Gorge's quiet shoulder month.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 13, Feb 16, Mar 33, Apr 40, May 70, Jun 82, Jul 100, Aug 84, Sep 66, Oct 69, Nov 33, Dec 18.
    September 2025: 198,638
  10. 10

    10. Olympic National ParkWashington

    Olympic averages 420,210 visits in September, 67% of its August peak. Crowds are thinning: 100% in August, 42% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 13, Feb 15, Mar 21, Apr 21, May 40, Jun 48, Jul 80, Aug 100, Sep 67, Oct 42, Nov 28, Dec 16.
    September 2025: 516,754
  11. 11

    11. North Cascades National ParkWashingtonIts quiet month

    North Cascades averages 6,671 visits in September, 69% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 84% in August, 19% in October. By our rule, this is North Cascades' quiet shoulder month.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 1, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 4, May 11, Jun 26, Jul 100, Aug 84, Sep 69, Oct 19, Nov 1, Dec 0.
    September 2025: 9,475
  12. 12

    12. Glacier National ParkMontana

    Glacier averages 557,269 visits in September, 73% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 91% in August, 18% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 2, Feb 2, Mar 3, Apr 6, May 27, Jun 72, Jul 100, Aug 91, Sep 73, Oct 18, Nov 3, Dec 2.
    September 2025: 552,479
  13. 13

    13. Great Smoky Mountains National ParkNorth Carolina · Tennessee

    Great Smoky Mountains averages 1,195,307 visits in September, 74% of its October peak. August runs 76% and October 100%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 26, Feb 30, Mar 55, Apr 64, May 77, Jun 91, Jul 96, Aug 76, Sep 74, Oct 100, Nov 62, Dec 47.
    September 2025: 981,366
  14. 14

    14. Glacier Bay National Park & PreserveAlaska

    Glacier Bay averages 88,442 visits in September, 75% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 98% in August, 38% in October. No road in: you arrive by boat or plane, per NPS.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 0, Apr 6, May 70, Jun 92, Jul 100, Aug 98, Sep 75, Oct 38, Nov 0, Dec 0.
    September 2025: 113,781
  15. 15

    15. Theodore Roosevelt National ParkNorth Dakota

    Theodore Roosevelt averages 120,432 visits in September, 75% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 93% in August, 34% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 2, Feb 2, Mar 6, Apr 7, May 45, Jun 85, Jul 100, Aug 93, Sep 75, Oct 34, Nov 7, Dec 1.
    September 2025: 127,296
  16. 16

    16. Rocky Mountain National ParkColoradoIts quiet month

    Rocky Mountain averages 592,233 visits in September, 75% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 85% in August, 50% in October. By our rule, this is Rocky Mountain's quiet shoulder month.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 15, Feb 14, Mar 19, Apr 21, May 40, Jun 79, Jul 100, Aug 85, Sep 75, Oct 50, Nov 19, Dec 16.
    September 2025: 578,186
  17. 17

    17. Redwood National and State ParksCalifornia

    Redwood averages 71,819 visits in September, 76% of its June peak. Crowds are thinning: 85% in August, 52% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 26, Feb 26, Mar 34, Apr 43, May 68, Jun 100, Jul 96, Aug 85, Sep 76, Oct 52, Nov 30, Dec 24.
    September 2025: 129,138
  18. 18

    18. Channel Islands National ParkCalifornia

    Channel Islands averages 27,744 visits in September, 77% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 85% in August, 71% in October. No road in: you arrive by boat or plane, per NPS.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 35, Feb 46, Mar 60, Apr 69, May 72, Jun 89, Jul 100, Aug 85, Sep 77, Oct 71, Nov 64, Dec 46.
    September 2025: 18,619
  19. 19

    19. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National ParkHawaii

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes averages 116,627 visits in September, 77% of its December peak. August runs 92% and October 78%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 94, Feb 82, Mar 79, Apr 73, May 75, Jun 96, Jul 97, Aug 92, Sep 77, Oct 78, Nov 87, Dec 100.
    September 2025: 129,940
  20. 20

    20. Grand Teton National ParkWyoming

    Grand Teton averages 564,320 visits in September, 77% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 92% in August, 34% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 8, Feb 8, Mar 9, Apr 10, May 42, Jun 86, Jul 100, Aug 92, Sep 77, Oct 34, Nov 7, Dec 7.
    September 2025: 617,970
  21. 21

    21. Cuyahoga Valley National ParkOhio

    Cuyahoga Valley averages 291,197 visits in September, 79% of its July peak. August runs 93% and October 80%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 26, Feb 28, Mar 51, Apr 64, May 82, Jun 91, Jul 100, Aug 93, Sep 79, Oct 80, Nov 46, Dec 34.
    September 2025: 319,067
  22. 22

    22. Zion National ParkUtah

    Zion averages 476,048 visits in September, 79% of its June peak. Crowds are building: 77% in August, 82% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 23, Feb 25, Mar 68, Apr 81, May 94, Jun 100, Jul 92, Aug 77, Sep 79, Oct 82, Nov 50, Dec 36.
    September 2025: 475,492
  23. 23

    23. Lake Clark National Park & PreserveAlaskaIts quiet monthSeason’s end

    Lake Clark averages 1,820 visits in September, 30% of its July peak. It's the last busy month of the season: 87% in August, then 2% in October. By our rule, this is Lake Clark's quiet shoulder month. No road in: you arrive by boat or plane, per NPS.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 0, Apr 0, May 7, Jun 78, Jul 100, Aug 87, Sep 30, Oct 2, Nov 0, Dec 0.
    September 2025: 1,084
  24. 24

    24. Kenai Fjords National ParkAlaskaIts quiet monthSeason’s end

    Kenai Fjords averages 41,031 visits in September, 33% of its July peak. It's the last busy month of the season: 86% in August, then 4% in October. By our rule, this is Kenai Fjords' quiet shoulder month.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 0, Apr 0, May 23, Jun 79, Jul 100, Aug 86, Sep 33, Oct 4, Nov 0, Dec 0.
    September 2025: 35,125
  25. 25

    25. Denali National Park & PreserveAlaskaIts quiet monthSeason’s end

    Denali averages 42,715 visits in September, 36% of its August peak. It's the last busy month of the season: 100% in August, then 3% in October. By our rule, this is Denali's quiet shoulder month.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 1, Feb 2, Mar 4, Apr 5, May 28, Jun 89, Jul 98, Aug 100, Sep 36, Oct 3, Nov 1, Dec 2.
    September 2025: 45,485
  26. 26

    26. Isle Royale National ParkMichiganIts quiet monthSeason’s end

    Isle Royale averages 3,309 visits in September, 39% of its August peak. It's the last busy month of the season: 100% in August, then 2% in October. By our rule, this is Isle Royale's quiet shoulder month. No road in: you arrive by boat or plane, per NPS.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 0, Apr 1, May 17, Jun 68, Jul 100, Aug 100, Sep 39, Oct 2, Nov 0, Dec 0.
    September 2025: 3,696
  27. 27

    27. Gates of the Arctic National Park & PreserveAlaskaIts quiet monthSeason’s end

    Gates of the Arctic averages 1,373 visits in September, 40% of its July peak. It's the last busy month of the season: 92% in August, then 0% in October. By our rule, this is Gates of the Arctic's quiet shoulder month. No road in: you arrive by boat or plane, per NPS.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 0, Apr 0, May 12, Jun 78, Jul 100, Aug 92, Sep 40, Oct 0, Nov 0, Dec 0.
    September 2025: 1,937

Low season · 20 parks

Quiet in September, often for a reason

These parks still draw at least 30% of their peak, but the month sits away from their busy season. Low season can mean heat, cold, rain or partial closures, so check the park's nps.gov page before planning around it.

  1. Virgin Islands National ParkUS Virgin Islands

    Virgin Islands averages 13,653 visits in September, 34% of its March peak. August runs 49% and October 40%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 88, Feb 83, Mar 100, Apr 91, May 81, Jun 81, Jul 79, Aug 49, Sep 34, Oct 40, Nov 69, Dec 89.
    September 2025: 15,494

  2. Guadalupe Mountains National ParkTexas

    Guadalupe Mountains averages 12,166 visits in September, 35% of its March peak. Crowds are building: 28% in August, 63% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 34, Feb 46, Mar 100, Apr 79, May 56, Jun 37, Jul 38, Aug 28, Sep 35, Oct 63, Nov 55, Dec 67.
    September 2025: 12,459

  3. Hot Springs National ParkArkansas

    Hot Springs averages 127,359 visits in September, 37% of its June peak. August runs 62% and October 43%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 37, Feb 59, Mar 72, Apr 68, May 66, Jun 100, Jul 83, Aug 62, Sep 37, Oct 43, Nov 43, Dec 39.
    September 2025: 169,340

  4. Death Valley National ParkCalifornia · Nevada

    Death Valley averages 61,474 visits in September, 38% of its March peak. August runs 47% and October 55%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 58, Feb 73, Mar 100, Apr 88, May 66, Jun 46, Jul 51, Aug 47, Sep 38, Oct 55, Nov 68, Dec 72.
    September 2025: 91,865

  5. Joshua Tree National ParkCalifornia

    Joshua Tree averages 161,892 visits in September, 39% of its March peak. Crowds are building: 34% in August, 51% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 64, Feb 72, Mar 100, Apr 89, May 62, Jun 43, Jul 33, Aug 34, Sep 39, Oct 51, Nov 76, Dec 83.
    September 2025: 148,905

  6. Everglades National ParkFlorida

    Everglades averages 44,014 visits in September, 42% of its February peak. Crowds are thinning: 59% in August, 37% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 99, Feb 100, Mar 99, Apr 86, May 67, Jun 67, Jul 68, Aug 59, Sep 42, Oct 37, Nov 58, Dec 72.
    September 2025: 32,290

  7. White Sands National ParkNew Mexico

    White Sands averages 46,536 visits in September, 47% of its March peak. Crowds are building: 47% in August, 54% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 43, Feb 42, Mar 100, Apr 78, May 71, Jun 63, Jul 67, Aug 47, Sep 47, Oct 54, Nov 52, Dec 58.
    September 2025: 39,255

  8. Lassen Volcanic National ParkCalifornia

    Lassen Volcanic averages 50,271 visits in September, 47% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 56% in August, 35% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 8, Feb 7, Mar 6, Apr 11, May 31, Jun 72, Jul 100, Aug 56, Sep 47, Oct 35, Nov 9, Dec 6.
    September 2025: 71,746

  9. Crater Lake National ParkOregon

    Crater Lake averages 80,963 visits in September, 49% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 76% in August, 23% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 4, Feb 4, Mar 7, Apr 10, May 22, Jun 44, Jul 100, Aug 76, Sep 49, Oct 23, Nov 7, Dec 4.
    September 2025: 107,486

  10. Pinnacles National ParkCalifornia

    Pinnacles averages 19,821 visits in September, 51% of its April peak. August runs 56% and October 55%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 60, Feb 67, Mar 97, Apr 100, May 95, Jun 78, Jul 72, Aug 56, Sep 51, Oct 55, Nov 63, Dec 59.
    September 2025: 18,010

  11. Carlsbad Caverns National ParkNew Mexico

    Carlsbad Caverns averages 27,070 visits in September, 53% of its July peak. August runs 62% and October 55%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 38, Feb 39, Mar 92, Apr 73, May 67, Jun 88, Jul 100, Aug 62, Sep 53, Oct 55, Nov 55, Dec 63.
    September 2025: 32,884

  12. Great Sand Dunes National Park & PreserveColorado

    Great Sand Dunes averages 50,483 visits in September, 53% of its June peak. Crowds are thinning: 73% in August, 41% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 6, Feb 8, Mar 21, Apr 28, May 76, Jun 100, Jul 96, Aug 73, Sep 53, Oct 41, Nov 14, Dec 9.
    September 2025: 41,565

  13. Congaree National ParkSouth Carolina

    Congaree averages 16,974 visits in September, 58% of its May peak. Crowds are building: 47% in August, 73% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 48, Feb 55, Mar 98, Apr 85, May 100, Jun 71, Jul 59, Aug 47, Sep 58, Oct 73, Nov 72, Dec 59.
    September 2025: 19,436

  14. Mammoth Cave National ParkKentucky

    Mammoth Cave averages 57,226 visits in September, 58% of its July peak. Crowds are thinning: 69% in August, 56% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 15, Feb 21, Mar 62, Apr 63, May 62, Jun 84, Jul 100, Aug 69, Sep 58, Oct 56, Nov 33, Dec 29.
    September 2025: 57,890

  15. Mesa Verde National ParkColorado

    Mesa Verde averages 61,959 visits in September, 66% of its June peak. Crowds are thinning: 74% in August, 52% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 7, Feb 7, Mar 17, Apr 30, May 60, Jun 100, Jul 95, Aug 74, Sep 66, Oct 52, Nov 15, Dec 9.
    September 2025: 55,614

  16. Dry Tortugas National ParkFlorida

    Dry Tortugas averages 5,755 visits in September, 67% of its May peak. Crowds are thinning: 74% in August, 57% in October. No road in: you arrive by boat or plane, per NPS.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 81, Feb 75, Mar 91, Apr 91, May 100, Jun 94, Jul 86, Aug 74, Sep 67, Oct 57, Nov 74, Dec 84.
    September 2025: 5,230

  17. Petrified Forest National ParkArizona

    Petrified Forest averages 42,663 visits in September, 67% of its June peak. Crowds are building: 66% in August, 70% in October.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 37, Feb 33, Mar 74, Apr 66, May 91, Jun 100, Jul 84, Aug 66, Sep 67, Oct 70, Nov 45, Dec 46.
    September 2025: 28,771

  18. Biscayne National ParkFlorida

    Biscayne averages 45,559 visits in September, 74% of its May peak. August runs 74% and October 59%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 74, Feb 81, Mar 96, Apr 90, May 100, Jun 81, Jul 95, Aug 74, Sep 74, Oct 59, Nov 66, Dec 77.
    September 2025: 28,454

  19. National Park of American SamoaAmerican Samoa

    American Samoa averages 2,435 visits in September, 78% of its April peak. August runs 24% and October 45%.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 35, Feb 62, Mar 50, Apr 100, May 32, Jun 14, Jul 76, Aug 24, Sep 78, Oct 45, Nov 35, Dec 17.
    September 2025: 7,104

  20. Katmai National Park & PreserveAlaskaSeason’s end

    Katmai averages 5,472 visits in September, 44% of its July peak. It's the last busy month of the season: 79% in August, then 2% in October. No road in: you arrive by boat or plane, per NPS.

    Crowd index by month: Jan 0, Feb 0, Mar 0, Apr 0, May 1, Jun 34, Jul 100, Aug 79, Sep 44, Oct 2, Nov 0, Dec 0.
    September 2025: 5,248

Peak season · 12

Expect crowds in September

Deep off-season

Under 30% of the peak: few visitors, and services may be limited.

Likely closed · 0

Near-zero visits

Every national park averages real visitor numbers in September. Individual roads and campgrounds can still be closed.

How we rank

Crowds, not weather

Every number here is National Park Service recreation visits, averaged by calendar month over 2021–2025. A park’s crowd index compares each month with its own busiest month (100). Peak season is 80 or above; shoulder months border the peak and still reach 30. We rank shoulder months quietest first.

We don’t score weather, and a quiet month can be quiet because of it. The crowd calendar has the full method and every park’s twelve months side by side; each park page links to its nps.gov conditions.

September 2025 at a glance

The small figure on each row is the park’s actual September 2025 count from NPS Visitor Use Statistics. Unusual months are kept as reported and flagged in the text.

FAQ

National parks in September, answered

What are the best national parks to visit in September?
For fewer crowds without the off-season, look at the parks in shoulder season in September: Shenandoah, Voyageurs, Indiana Dunes, Badlands, Mount Rainier and Kings Canyon, and 21 more. They're ranked quietest first on this page, from NPS visitor counts for 2021–2025.
Which national parks are busiest in September?
12 parks are in peak season in September, led by Bryce Canyon, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Basin and Yosemite.
Which national parks are closed in September?
No national park averages near-zero visits in September, but individual roads, campgrounds and visitor centers do close seasonally. Check the park's nps.gov page.
Is September a busy month in the national parks?
Across all 63 parks combined, September averages about 10,305,547 recreation visits, the 4th busiest month of the year (2021–2025 average).

Sources · 2

  1. 1.NPS Visitor Use Statistics — monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (IRMA stats REST service) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior) — Visitor Use Statistics Program
  2. 2.NPS Visitor Use Statistics Definitions · National Park Service

More from the data

Keep exploring

Park'd · free on iPhone & Android

Your parks map, in your pocket.

Park'd for iPhone and Android: check off every national park on a map, log trips with photos, notes and a favorite memory, and watch your stats and badges grow.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play