Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in September
September at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 49°F, with about 1.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes September a busy month here.
- Average low
- 49°F
- Average high
- 76°F
Range across the year: 20°F to 89°F
- Precipitation
- 1.7 in
- Daylight
- 12.3 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 23,000 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 (2.6×) and the December low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score September rates 68/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 62°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 16 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 57% 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 8.6-hour midwinter low and the 15.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 228,382 recreation visits, up 3.9% from 219,815 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 7.2%, so September may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How September compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 87°F / 57°F | 2.3× Very busy | 49 Fair |
| September | 76°F / 49°F | 1.2× Busy | 68 Good |
| October | 61°F / 38°F | 0.5× Quiet | 56 Fair |
All twelve months at Bighorn Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 49°F at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, with about 1.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is busy at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 68/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. September sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 23,000 recreation visits at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Bighorn Canyon in September
Booking a September trip to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Bighorn Canyon
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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.