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WhenToVisitParks

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in September

Busy1.4× average month · best-time score 43/100

September at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine averages a daytime high near 80°F and an overnight low around 65°F, with about 4.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.4× the park's average month, which makes September a busy month here.

Average low
65°F
Average high
80°F

Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F

Crowds
1.4× averageBusy
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  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
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Precipitation
4.5 in
Daylight
12.2 hours

Roughly 12% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 55,000 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 (1.4×) and the January low (0.3×).

On our Best Time to Visit score September rates 43/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

The daily average of about 73°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 2 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 35% 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 9.2-hour midwinter low and the 14.8-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2024 drew 394,175 recreation visits, down 8.3% from 429,967 in 2023.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 47.4%, so September may feel a touch quieter than it once did.

How September compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
August87°F / 71°F1.4× Busy34 Poor
September80°F / 65°F1.4× Busy43 Poor
October69°F / 53°F1.1× Average49 Fair

All twelve months at Fort McHenry, with the best time to visit.

Things to do at Fort McHenry in September

The National Park Service tags 18 Fort McHenry activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

September averages a daytime high near 80°F and an overnight low around 65°F at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, with about 4.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

September is busy at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 43/100. Our recommended month is October.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.4× the park's average, or 12% of annual visitation.

A typical September sees about 55,000 recreation visits at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Fort McHenry in September

Booking a September trip to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Fort McHenry

Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Visiting Fort McHenry in September?

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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.