Badlands National Park in September
September at Badlands National Park averages a daytime high near 78°F and an overnight low around 45°F, with about 1.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.5× the park's average month, which makes September a busy month here.
- Average low
- 45°F
- Average high
- 78°F
Range across the year: 10°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 1.5 in
- Daylight
- 12.3 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 129,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes September the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.9×) and the December low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score September rates 64/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 61°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 20.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 64% of annual visitors, choosing September instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 12.3 hours of daylight in September to explore — between the 8.8-hour midwinter low and the 15.2-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,139,361 recreation visits, up 4.1% from 1,094,245 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 11.4%, so a September visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How September compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 88°F / 55°F | 2.5× Very busy | 50 Fair |
| September | 78°F / 45°F | 1.5× Busy | 64 Good |
| October | 63°F / 30°F | 0.6× Quiet | 58 Fair |
All twelve months at Badlands, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Badlands in September
The National Park Service tags 16 Badlands activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Badlands Ranger Programs · 20-60 minutes
- Enjoy the Night Sky · 30-90 minutes
- Hiking Badlands Back Roads With Your Dog
- Visit the White River Visitor Center · 15-60 minutes
- Backcountry Camping
- Campgrounds · reservation required
- Drive Sage Creek Rim Road · 1-2 hours
- Horseback Riding in the Badlands
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 78°F and an overnight low around 45°F at Badlands National Park, with about 1.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 20.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is busy at Badlands National Park (about 1.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 64/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. September sits at about 1.5× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 129,000 recreation visits at Badlands National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Badlands in September
Booking a September trip to Badlands National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Badlands
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Badlands in September?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Badlands by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in September.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.