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WhenToVisitParks

Canyon de Chelly National Monument in September

Busy1.3× average month · best-time score 54/100

September at Canyon de Chelly National Monument averages a daytime high near 83°F and an overnight low around 50°F, with about 0.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes September a busy month here.

Average low
50°F
Average high
83°F

Range across the year: 19°F to 93°F

Precipitation
0.9 in
Daylight
12.2 hours

Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 59,000 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 August peak (1.4×) and the February low (0.6×).

On our Best Time to Visit score September rates 54/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

The daily average of about 66°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 11.2 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 33% 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 340,586 recreation visits, down 12.1% from 387,433 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 49.6%, so September may feel a touch quieter than it once did.

How September compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
August90°F / 59°F1.4× Busy36 Poor
September83°F / 50°F1.3× Busy54 Fair
October70°F / 38°F0.9× Average57 Fair

All twelve months at Canyon de Chelly, with the best time to visit.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

September averages a daytime high near 83°F and an overnight low around 50°F at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, with about 0.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

September is busy at Canyon de Chelly National Monument (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 54/100. Our recommended month is October.

The busiest month is August and the quietest is February. September sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.

A typical September sees about 59,000 recreation visits at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Canyon de Chelly in September

Booking a September trip to Canyon de Chelly National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Canyon de Chelly

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 Canyon de Chelly in September?

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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.