Fort Larned National Historic Site in October
October at Fort Larned National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 44°F, with about 2.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 44°F
- Average high
- 71°F
Range across the year: 20°F to 94°F
- Precipitation
- 2.7 in
- Daylight
- 11.0 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: roughly 2,500 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the May peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.3×).
October is our recommended month at Fort Larned: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 57°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 5.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 9.4-hour midwinter low and the 14.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 26,219 recreation visits, about flat from 26,113 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 12.6%, 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 | 84°F / 57°F | 1.1× Average | 65 Good |
| October | 71°F / 44°F | 1.1× Average | 53 Fair |
| November | 57°F / 31°F | 0.5× Quiet | 53 Fair |
All twelve months at Fort Larned, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Fort Larned in October
The National Park Service tags 8 Fort Larned activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Fort Larned Living History
- Picnic at Fort Larned
- Visit the Fort Larned Blacksmith · 10-30 minutes
- Fort Larned Visitor Center · 30-60 minutes
- Hike the Fort Larned History & Nature Trail · 45-60 minutes
- See Santa Fe Trail Ruts · 5-10 minutes
- Tour Fort Larned with a Ranger · 45-90 minutes · reservation required
- Tour Fort Larned's Original Sandstone Buildings · 1-2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 44°F at Fort Larned National Historic Site, with about 2.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is average at Fort Larned National Historic Site (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 53/100. October is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is May and the quietest is January. October sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 3,000 recreation visits at Fort Larned National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Larned in October
Booking a October trip to Fort Larned National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Larned
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.