Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site in October
October at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 58°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 1" of precipitation and roughly 3" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes October a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 58°F
Range across the year: 4°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 1.0 in
- Snowfall
- 3 in
- Daylight
- 10.6 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 620 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (3.6×) and the January low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 55/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 46°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 65% 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 10.6 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 8.2-hour midwinter low and the 15.8-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 12,028 recreation visits, down 7.1% from 12,942 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 23.2%, 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 | 75°F / 46°F | 1.4× Busy | 70 Good |
| October | 58°F / 33°F | 0.6× Quiet | 55 Fair |
| November | 40°F / 20°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
All twelve months at Fort Union Trading Post, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Fort Union Trading Post in October
The National Park Service tags 3 Fort Union Trading Post activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Jr. Ranger and Jr. Trader at Fort Union · 30-90 minutes
- Tour Fort Union Trading Post · 30-120 minutes
- Watch the Fort Union Trading Post Orientation Film · 9-9 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 58°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, with about 1 inches of precipitation and roughly 3 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is quiet at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 55/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. October sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 1,000 recreation visits at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Union Trading Post in October
Booking a October trip to Fort Union Trading Post 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 Union Trading Post
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.