Gateway National Recreation Area in October
October at Gateway National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 65°F and an overnight low around 51°F, with about 4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 51°F
- Average high
- 65°F
Range across the year: 28°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 4.0 in
- Daylight
- 10.9 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 733,000 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 July peak (1.6×) and the February low (0.6×).
October is our recommended month at Gateway: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 58°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 3.9 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 10.9 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 9.1-hour midwinter low and the 14.9-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 7,696,939 recreation visits, down 13.8% from 8,929,035 in 2024.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 77°F / 62°F | 1.2× Busy | 61 Good |
| October | 65°F / 51°F | 1.0× Average | 58 Fair |
| November | 54°F / 41°F | 0.8× Quiet | 53 Fair |
All twelve months at Gateway, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Gateway in October
The National Park Service tags 3 Gateway activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Birdwatching at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge · 1-3 hours
- Fishing at Gateway · 1-8 hours
- Sandy Hook Multi Use Path · 1-2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 65°F and an overnight low around 51°F at Gateway National Recreation Area, with about 4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is average at Gateway National Recreation Area (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 58/100. October is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. October sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 733,000 recreation visits at Gateway National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Gateway in October
Booking a October trip to Gateway National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Gateway
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.