Blue Ridge Parkway in September
September at Blue Ridge Parkway averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 58°F, with about 3.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.4× the park's average month, which makes September a busy month here.
- Average low
- 58°F
- Average high
- 79°F
Range across the year: 29°F to 86°F
- Precipitation
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- 12.2 hours
Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: 1.8 million recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes September the 2nd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the October peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score September rates 50/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is April: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 68°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 4.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 34% 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 12.2 hours of daylight in September to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 16,533,753 recreation visits, down 1.2% from 16,733,639 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 8.9%, 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 | 85°F / 64°F | 1.4× Busy | 46 Fair |
| September | 79°F / 58°F | 1.4× Busy | 50 Fair |
| October | 69°F / 47°F | 1.5× Busy | 36 Poor |
All twelve months at Blue Ridge, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Blue Ridge in September
The National Park Service tags 24 Blue Ridge activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 58°F at Blue Ridge Parkway, with about 3.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is busy at Blue Ridge Parkway (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is October and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.4× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 1.8 million recreation visits at Blue Ridge Parkway, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Blue Ridge in September
Booking a September trip to Blue Ridge Parkway? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Blue Ridge
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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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.