Capitol Reef National Park in September
September at Capitol Reef National Park averages a daytime high near 80°F and an overnight low around 55°F, with about 1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.6× the park's average month, which makes September a very busy month here.
- Average low
- 55°F
- Average high
- 80°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 91°F
- Precipitation
- 1.0 in
- Daylight
- 12.2 hours
Roughly 14% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 169,000 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 May peak (1.8×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score September rates 56/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is April: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
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 1 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 32% 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 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,388,476 recreation visits, down 2.4% from 1,422,490 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 18.8%, 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 | 88°F / 63°F | 1.1× Average | 58 Fair |
| September | 80°F / 55°F | 1.6× Very busy | 56 Fair |
| October | 66°F / 43°F | 1.5× Busy | 44 Poor |
All twelve months at Capitol Reef, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Capitol Reef in September
The National Park Service tags 11 Capitol Reef 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 80°F and an overnight low around 55°F at Capitol Reef National Park, with about 1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is very busy at Capitol Reef National Park (about 1.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 56/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.6× the park's average, or 14% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 169,000 recreation visits at Capitol Reef National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Capitol Reef in September
Booking a September trip to Capitol Reef National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Capitol Reef
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.