Cape Hatteras National Seashore in October
October at Cape Hatteras National Seashore averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 61°F, with about 5.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 61°F
- Average high
- 74°F
Range across the year: 40°F to 87°F
- Precipitation
- 5.2 in
- Daylight
- 11.1 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 217,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.9×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 67/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 67°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 45% 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 2,684,009 recreation visits, down 2.9% from 2,762,954 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 13%, so a October visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 82°F / 71°F | 1.4× Busy | 46 Fair |
| October | 74°F / 61°F | 1.0× Average | 67 Good |
| November | 65°F / 52°F | 0.7× Quiet | 63 Good |
All twelve months at Cape Hatteras, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 61°F at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with about 5.2 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 average at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 67/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. October sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 217,000 recreation visits at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Cape Hatteras in October
Booking a October trip to Cape Hatteras National Seashore? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Cape Hatteras
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.