Death Valley National Park in October
October at Death Valley National Park averages a daytime high near 89°F and an overnight low around 65°F, with about 0.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 65°F
- Average high
- 89°F
Range across the year: 41°F to 115°F
- Precipitation
- 0.1 in
- Daylight
- 11.0 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 111,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 3rd-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.4×) and the June low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 54/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is January: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 77°F is warm enough that midday heat is worth planning around. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 22% 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 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 9.5-hour midwinter low and the 14.5-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,320,134 recreation visits, down 8.4% from 1,440,484 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 18.3%, so October may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 105°F / 79°F | 0.9× Average | 35 Poor |
| October | 89°F / 65°F | 1.0× Average | 54 Fair |
| November | 74°F / 51°F | 1.0× Average | 65 Good |
All twelve months at Death Valley, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in October 2026
The National Park Service lists these Death Valley facilities as closed during October 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Texas Springs Campground (campground): closed until October 14, 2026
- Stovepipe Wells Campground (campground): closed until October 14, 2026
- Sunset Campground (campground): closed until October 14, 2026
- Saline Valley Campground (Primitive) (campground): closed until October 16, 2026
Things to do at Death Valley in October
The National Park Service tags 11 Death Valley activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 89°F and an overnight low around 65°F at Death Valley National Park, with about 0.1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is average at Death Valley National Park (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 54/100. Our recommended month is January.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is June. October sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 111,000 recreation visits at Death Valley National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Death Valley in October
Booking a October trip to Death Valley National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Death 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 October.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.