Buffalo National River in October
October at Buffalo National River averages a daytime high near 73°F and an overnight low around 45°F, with about 3.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes October a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 45°F
- Average high
- 73°F
Range across the year: 24°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 3.8 in
- Daylight
- 11.1 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 98,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (2.3×) and the January low (0.2×).
October is our recommended month at Buffalo: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 59°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 11.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 46% of annual visitors, choosing October instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 11.1 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,393,246 recreation visits, down 17.4% from 1,686,348 in 2024.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 83°F / 57°F | 0.9× Average | 72 Good |
| October | 73°F / 45°F | 0.8× Quiet | 64 Good |
| November | 60°F / 35°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 55 Fair |
All twelve months at Buffalo, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Buffalo in October
The National Park Service tags 36 Buffalo activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hike Shine Eye to Gilbert · 4 hours
- Hike the Buffalo River Trail - Woolum to Dillards Ferry · 24-48 hours
- Hike the Old Railroad Trail · 3 hours
- Hike to Hideout Hollow · 1-3 hours
- Paddle Hasty to Carver · 2-3 hours
- Paddle Pruitt to Hasty · 3-5 hours
- Paddling Dillards Ferry to Rush Landing · 4-6 hours
- Paddling North Maumee to Spring Creek · 2-4 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 73°F and an overnight low around 45°F at Buffalo National River, with about 3.8 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is quiet at Buffalo National River (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 64/100. October is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. October sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 98,000 recreation visits at Buffalo National River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Buffalo in October
Booking a October trip to Buffalo National River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Buffalo
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 October.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.