Best national parks to visit in September
Ranked by hiking and camping weather from 10 years of data. Top pick: Sequoia.
Based on 10 years of weather data, the national parks with the best hiking and camping weather in September are Sequoia, Yosemite, Redwood National and State Parks. 32 of the 34 destinations we track score good or better this month; Cloud Peak Wilderness, Everglades, Death Valley are the toughest bets on weather alone.
Sequoia National Park96 · Excellenthighs near 70°F, lows 49°F, mostly dry
Yosemite National Park94 · Excellenthighs near 80°F, lows 53°F, mostly dry
Redwood National and State Parks94 · Excellenthighs near 69°F, lows 54°F
Bryce Canyon National Park93 · Excellenthighs near 70°F, lows 50°F
Grand Canyon National Park91 · Excellenthighs near 76°F, lows 54°F- Great Sand Dunes National Park90 · Excellenthighs near 71°F, lows 48°F
Yellowstone National Park89 · Excellenthighs near 63°F, lows 42°F
Badlands National Park89 · Excellenthighs near 79°F, lows 56°F
Grand Teton National Park88 · Excellenthighs near 66°F, lows 42°F
Glacier National Park87 · Excellenthighs near 68°F, lows 46°F
Acadia National Park87 · Excellenthighs near 66°F, lows 57°F, 8 wet days
Rocky Mountain National Park86 · Excellenthighs near 67°F, lows 40°F, 8 wet days
Crater Lake National Park86 · Excellenthighs near 61°F, lows 41°F
Joshua Tree National Park85 · Excellenthighs near 83°F, lows 67°F, mostly dry
White Mountain National Forest85 · Excellenthighs near 67°F, lows 50°F, 10 wet days- Indiana Dunes National Park85 · Excellenthighs near 75°F, lows 61°F, 9 wet days
- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore84 · Excellenthighs near 69°F, lows 59°F, 10 wet days
Cuyahoga Valley National Park84 · Excellenthighs near 75°F, lows 58°F, 10 wet days
Shenandoah National Park83 · Excellenthighs near 69°F, lows 53°F, 11 wet days
New River Gorge National Park83 · Excellenthighs near 75°F, lows 58°F, 10 wet days
Great Smoky Mountains National Park82 · Excellenthighs near 80°F, lows 62°F, 11 wet days
Big Bend National Park82 · Excellenthighs near 81°F, lows 64°F, 8 wet days
Olympic National Park80 · Excellenthighs near 68°F, lows 51°F, 12 wet days
North Cascades National Park80 · Excellenthighs near 71°F, lows 51°F, 12 wet days
Buffalo National River80 · Excellenthighs near 83°F, lows 65°F
Zion National Park79 · Excellenthighs near 84°F, lows 58°F, 7 days over 90°F
Mammoth Cave National Park79 · Excellenthighs near 82°F, lows 63°F, 9 wet days
Mount Rainier National Park76 · Excellenthighs near 58°F, lows 40°F, 9 wet days
Grand Mesa76 · Excellenthighs near 61°F, lows 40°F, 11 wet days
Arches National Park71 · Goodhighs near 87°F, lows 60°F, mostly dry, 11 days over 90°F
White Sands National Park67 · Goodhighs near 87°F, lows 65°F, 12 days over 90°F
Cloud Peak Wilderness61 · Goodhighs near 55°F, lows 37°F, 9 wet days, snow on ~4 days
Everglades National Park38 · Poorhighs near 88°F, lows 75°F, 23 wet days, 6 days over 90°F
Death Valley National Park30 · Poorhighs near 100°F, lows 82°F, mostly dry, 27 days over 90°F
Scores rate average weather only — temperature, rain, snow and heat at each park's main visitor area. Seasonal roads, crowds and reservations matter too; each destination guide covers them.
Frequently asked questions
What national park is best to visit in September?
On weather alone, Sequoia scores highest in September (highs near 70°F, lows 49°F, mostly dry). Check each park's guide for road closures, crowds and permits.
Where is it warm in September?
Warmest highs this month: Death Valley (~100°F), Everglades (~88°F), White Sands (~87°F).
Is September a good time to go camping?
Depends where. 32 of 34 parks we track have good or excellent camping weather in September. Watch overnight lows: Cloud Peak Wilderness averages 37°F, Grand Mesa averages 40°F at night.