If you’re wondering about the best national parks to visit in September, you’re in the right place! September is truly one of my favorite months to travel to many of our national parks. It’s time when you can start to see fall foliage in high altitude areas, while also enjoying good hiking temperatures in lower altitudes, without the peak summer crowds.
I’m an avid national park traveler who has almost been to all 63 US national parks, and these picks are based on my experiences in the parks. Use this list to come up with ideas for a September national park trip, and guide your planning process.
I tried to keep this list short so that I could really focus on the best parks for September, but it was hard to narrow it down. For more ideas, check out my longer lists of the national parks to visit in the summer and the fall.
No matter which national park you visit, please make sure to leave no trace! That includes packing out all of your trash, following all park rules, never feeding wildlife and staying on durable surfaces. Please make an effort to respect our public lands.
16 of the Best National Parks to Visit in September
1. Glacier National Park, Montana
Average temperatures in September: 58° F / 37° F
Glacier is my favorite US national park. There is beauty at every turn, and you have a chance to admire massive lakes, gushing waterfalls, stunning mountain vistas, and lots of wildlife. This high altitude park is not fully accessible during much of the year, and it tends to be best to visit between July and September.
Early September in Glacier will likely bring the perfect hiking temperatures, and it’s a great time to tackle long hikes. By the end of September, you might experience some snow and ice in the higher elevation areas, but it depends on the year. Fall foliage in Glacier usually peaks at the end of the month, but starts to turn in mid-September.
The later in September you visit, the more chances you have for inclement weather. But it also means that you’ll be sharing the views with fewer crowds, and have more vibrant fall colors. It’s a bit of a gamble of exactly when to visit to find that perfect balance, which is true of the other high altitude parks on this list as well. But no matter when exactly you choose to visit within September, I think it’s a great month to visit this stunning park.
Read my guide to visiting Glacier National Park in September
2. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Average temperatures in September: 60° F / 38° F
Rocky Mountain is one of the most visited US national parks for good reason. The park has amazing hiking trails, scenic drives and epic views.
Rocky Mountain sits at a high altitude, so you have a chance of snow and ice at the end of the month. However, the beginning of September is often a great time to partake in long, high altitude hikes.
Rocky Mountain also receives some beautiful fall foliage, which usually peaks in late September. Seeing the golden aspen trees is a beautiful sight.
Keep in mind that timed reservations are required to enter the park (for certain areas and times) throughout the month of September. It’s worth the minimal extra planning to enjoy this park with slightly fewer crowds.
Read my itinerary for Rocky Mountain National Park
3. New River Gorge, West Virginia
Average temperatures in September: 74° F / 55° F
New River Gorge is home to one of the tallest bridges in the United States, and is known for the massive gorge that sits far below the bridge. This is a striking park where you can explore historic mining ruins, hiking among huge rocks, go rock climbing, and more.
September is a great time for hiking in New River Gorge. You’ll experience cooler temperatures than summer and slightly fewer crowds. However, the reason I specifically want to mention this park for September is because of the Gauley River.
The Gauley is a river that merges with the New River, and is quite famous for its rafting. The river has multiple class V+ rapids and is the most adventurous river to raft in the eastern US. However, the river is only accessible for rafting in the fall following releases from the dam at Summersville Lake. Gauley Season begins after Labor Day during weekends in September, and continues for 6 weeks. If you love white water rafting, this is the time to visit this area.
Read my guide to New River Gorge National Park
4. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Average temperatures in September: 81° F / 59° F
Carlsbad Caverns is home to one of the most impressive caves in the United States. One of the most iconic sites in the park is the “Big Room,” which is a cave chamber that has a 255-foot high ceiling in a space that is over 4,000 feet wide. Along with exploring the cave, the park also has hiking trails above ground.
Carlsbad is also home to a huge colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats. Between April and October, you can attend a nightly ranger-led talk and watch 1000’s of bats emerge from the natural cave entrance at sunset, to hunt insects. The peak time to see this occurrence is in August and September. But if you visit in September, you’ll get to enjoy cooler temperatures than August.
Tip: Make sure to sign up for your cave tour ahead of time, they sell out.
Read my New Mexico and West Texas national park itinerary
5. North Cascades National Park, Washington
Average temperatures in September: 46° F / 26° F
North Cascades offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the lower 48 (in my opinion, at least). The park is home to 100’s of glaciers, brilliant blue alpine lakes, and practically endless opportunities for backcountry hiking and camping. This is a park that is especially good for hikers seeking a challenge, but there are also some amazing viewpoints that don’t involve hiking.
September is a great time to visit this enchanting park. In early and mid-September, you have a great chance of solid hiking conditions for the high altitude areas of the park. In late September, you may start to see the gorgeous golden larches, which creates a stunning fall scene. The larches tend to peak in early October, but it depends on the year.
Read my North Cascades itinerary
6. Sequoia National Park, California
Average temperatures in September: 65° F / 40° F
Sequoia is famous for having the biggest trees in the world! The General Sherman Tree is the largest tree in the world by volume, and it’s an incredible feeling to walk among these giants. This park is also home to alpine lakes, interesting rocks, a beautiful cave, and more.
September is a great time to visit Sequoia, as you can enjoy fewer crowds than July and August, while still enjoying good hiking weather. September usually brings mild temperatures and is a great time to explore this area.
Read my Sequoia and Kings Canyon itinerary
7. Channel Islands National Park, California
Average temperatures in September: 77° F / 49° F
The Channel Islands are one of my favorite parks! This series of islands off the coast of California is home to plants and animals found nowhere else, not to mention stunning scenery that can be seen from both land and water.
September and October are often considered the best time of year to visit these islands. September brings warm, mild temperatures, along with a calmer sea, better visibility for snorkeling, and great wildlife opportunities. Fall brings bird migrations and a gathering of northern elephant seals. Plus, the crowds decrease after Labor Day.
Tip: Make sure to book your transportation to the islands ahead of time with Island Packers.
Read my itinerary for Santa Cruz Island
8. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Average temperatures in September: 51° F / 35° F
At over 14,000 feet, Mount Rainier stands tall above Seattle. The park is located just a couple hours from the major city. The mountain itself is not only an active volcano, but the most glaciated peak in the lower 48. Along with the massive peak in the center of the park, Mount Rainier has amazing hiking trails, beautiful wildflowers, waterfalls, and lots of wildlife.
At the beginning of September, the weather is often great for hiking. The snow will have melted on the popular hiking trails, and the crowds will reduce after August. At the end of September, you have a chance to see fall foliage. The most vibrant fall colors in this park actually come from shrubs and other plants, and they turn into a lovely palette of oranges, yellows and reds.
9. Acadia National Park, Maine
Average temperatures in September: 67° F / 48° F
Acadia is an epic national park known for its mountains next to the ocean, rocky cliffs, breathtaking sunrises, and variety of adventures. You can watch one of the first sunrises in the United States, taste popovers at Jordan Pond House, bike along the historic Carriage Roads, climb trails that include ladders built into cliffs, and more.
Acadia is one of the most visited parks, and gets super busy in the summer and fall. September is a good time to visit after the summer crowds have died down a bit. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy cooler weather. Also, the famous Precipice Trail tends to be closed from March to mid-August, so September is a good time if that is on your bucket list.
At the end of September, you may see the start of fall foliage. However, that is best viewed in October.
See my guides to Acadia National Park
10. Kings Canyon National Park, California
Average temperatures in September: 64° F / 27° F
Kings Canyon is home to one of the deepest canyons in the country. It is right next to Sequoia, and the two parks are jointly managed, but this park is often overlooked by visitors. Kings Canyon not only has a large canyon, but it’s also home to sequoia trees, alpine lakes, and incredible hiking opportunities.
September is a great time to visit to enjoy cooler hiking temperatures and fewer crowds than summer.
Read my Sequoia and Kings Canyon itinerary
11. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Average temperatures in September: 76° F / 53° F
Badlands National Park has an understated beauty that includes prairie grasses, stunning overlooks, fossils, interesting rocks, and lots of wildlife. September is a great time to avoid the hot and sticky summer weather. Plus, it won’t be as crowded.
In mid-September, you also might start to see the tall prairie grasses turn tones of gold, amber and rust. September is a peaceful and pleasant time to explore this unique park. If you’re planning a longer road trip, the end of September is a great time to see fall foliage in the nearby Black Hills.
Read my itinerary for the Badlands and the Black Hills
12. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Average temperatures in September: 60° F / 30° F
Yellowstone was the first national park in the world. The park protects almost 4,000 square miles of land, and is home to deep canyons, massive lakes, huge waterfalls, geysers, geothermal hot springs, and so much wildlife.
September is a beautiful time to visit Yellowstone. The large crowds of summer have left, and you’ll likely have mild, cool weather that is great for hiking. At the end of September, you might start to see some colorful fall foliage, which includes golden aspens, cottonwoods and shrubs that turn into a sea of orange and red.
September is also a great time for seeing wildlife in Yellowstone, as it’s elk mating season and bears will be foraging before winter. The cooler temperatures also mean that animals are more likely to stay active during the day.
See my guides to Yellowstone National Park
13. Yosemite National Park, California
Average temperatures in September: 83° F / 51° F
Yosemite is a breathtaking park full of massive canyons, huge waterfalls, tall trees, and more. The park offers something different year round, but early fall is one of the best times to visit for good hiking weather and fewer crowds than summer.
Typically, you’ll be able to access all of the park during September, but crowds greatly reduce after Labor Day. September is also a great time for spotting wildlife, as animals are more active in the cooler weather, and black bears are foraging before winter. The biggest downside of visiting in the fall is that the waterfalls will likely be low or dry.
14. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Average temperatures in September: 67° F / 32° F
Grand Teton is famous for its iconic mountain peaks, which tower above the surrounding valley. The park is incredible for hiking, and also offers clear lakes, scenic drives, historic buildings, and lots of wildlife.
September is a pleasant time for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds than the summer months. Just like Yellowstone, this is a great time for active wildlife, as you may see bears bulking up for winter or elk active during their mating season.
In late September, you might get to see fall foliage in Grand Teton, which includes brilliant yellow aspens and cottonwoods.
Read my itinerary for Grand Teton National Park
15. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Average temperatures in September: 76° F / 43° F
Theodore Roosevelt is a beautiful and often overlooked park that offers rolling prairies, winding rivers, interesting rock formations, and lots of wildlife. It’s especially famous for its feral horses, and also home to many bison.
September is a great time for wildlife activity, as the cooler temperatures cause the animals to be more visible and active throughout the day. Late September also brings some fall colors, as cottonwood trees lining the rivers turn a brilliant yellow. Plus, September usually offers fewer crowds and great hiking weather. This is a great park if you’re looking for peace and solitude.
Read my itinerary for Theodore Roosevelt National Park
16. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Average temperatures in September: 70° F / 36° F
Lassen Volcanic is a unique park in Northern California known for its geothermal activity, volcanic landscapes, mountain lakes and jagged peaks. It’s an underrated park that has some really unique landscapes.
September brings nice hiking weather and sunny days. All of the park should be accessible and by visiting later in September, you can hopefully avoid fire season. Plus, you might see some early fall foliage at the end of the month.
Honorable Mentions
- Cuyahoga Valley
- Shenandoah
- Denali
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- Mesa Verde
- Haleakala
- Hawaii Volcanoes
- Bryce Canyon
- Grand Canyon
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you decide on a national park trip for September! From the mountains to the ocean, September is the perfect time to visit some of the most beautiful US national parks. No matter where or when you go, there is so much beauty in the US national parks.
For more US National Park Guides, check out these blogs:
- The Best National Park to Visit in the Spring
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Summer
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall
- The Best National Parks to Visit in the Winter
- How to Avoid Crowds in National Parks
- A Guide to Which National Parks Require Reservations
- Exactly How to Plan a National Park Road Trip
Thanks for Reading!
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