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WhenToVisitParks

Crater Lake National Park in September

Very busy1.7× average month · best-time score 49/100Our recommended month

September at Crater Lake National Park averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 37°F, with about 1.9" of precipitation and roughly 2" of snow. Visitation runs about 1.7× the park's average month, which makes September a very busy month here.

Average low
37°F
Average high
63°F

Range across the year: 19°F to 69°F

Crowds
1.7× averageVery busy
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  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
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Precipitation
1.9 in
Snowfall
2 in
Daylight
12.3 hours

Roughly 14% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 89,000 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 July peak (3.4×) and the January low (0.1×).

September is our recommended month at Crater Lake: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 50°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 3 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 65% 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 12.3 hours of daylight in September to explore — between the 8.8-hour midwinter low and the 15.2-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 632,242 recreation visits, up 25.2% from 504,942 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 19.4%, so September may feel a touch quieter than it once did.

How September compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
August69°F / 42°F2.8× Very busy48 Fair
September63°F / 37°F1.7× Very busy49 Fair
October51°F / 30°F0.8× Quiet38 Poor

All twelve months at Crater Lake, with the best time to visit.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

September averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 37°F at Crater Lake National Park, with about 1.9 inches of precipitation and roughly 2 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

September is very busy at Crater Lake National Park (about 1.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 49/100. September is our recommended month for this park.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.7× the park's average, or 14% of annual visitation.

A typical September sees about 89,000 recreation visits at Crater Lake National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Crater Lake in September

Booking a September trip to Crater Lake National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Crater Lake

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.