Cuyahoga Valley National Park in September
September at Cuyahoga Valley National Park averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 52°F, with about 3.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes September a busy month here.
- Average low
- 52°F
- Average high
- 74°F
Range across the year: 18°F to 82°F
- Precipitation
- 3.8 in
- Daylight
- 12.3 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 266,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes September the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.6×) and the January low (0.4×).
September is our recommended month at Cuyahoga Valley: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 63°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 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 9-hour midwinter low and the 15-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,025,325 recreation visits, up 3.9% from 2,912,454 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 21.7%, 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 | 81°F / 59°F | 1.5× Busy | 51 Fair |
| September | 74°F / 52°F | 1.2× Busy | 54 Fair |
| October | 61°F / 41°F | 1.2× Busy | 40 Poor |
All twelve months at Cuyahoga Valley, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Cuyahoga Valley in September
The National Park Service tags 15 Cuyahoga Valley activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Find the Best Fall Colors in Cuyahoga Valley
- Visit Canal Exploration Center · 30-120 minutes
- Let's Go Canalway Questing · 30-75 minutes
- Become a Cuyahoga Valley Junior Ranger · 1-3 hours
- Go Fishing in the Cuyahoga Valley
- Hike the Brandywine Gorge Loop · 1-2 hours
- Kid- and Autism-friendly Activities in the Everett Area · 1-3 hours
- Short Towpath Trail Walks · 30-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 52°F at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, with about 3.8 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 11 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is busy at Cuyahoga Valley National Park (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 54/100. September is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 266,000 recreation visits at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Cuyahoga Valley in September
Booking a September trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Cuyahoga Valley
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.