Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in September
September at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 54°F and an overnight low around 43°F, with about 9.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.9× the park's average month, which makes September a very busy month here.
- Average low
- 43°F
- Average high
- 54°F
Range across the year: 26°F to 61°F
- Precipitation
- 9.2 in
- Daylight
- 12.5 hours
Roughly 16% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 83,000 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 (2.6×) and the February low (0×).
On our Best Time to Visit score September rates 33/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 48°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 42.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 62% 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 12.5 hours of daylight in September to explore — between the 5.9-hour midwinter low and the 18-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 740,044 recreation visits, about flat from 736,282 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 20.2%, so a September visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How September compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 60°F / 48°F | 2.6× Very busy | 34 Poor |
| September | 54°F / 43°F | 1.9× Very busy | 33 Poor |
| October | 45°F / 37°F | 0.5× Quiet | 47 Fair |
All twelve months at Glacier Bay, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Glacier Bay in September
The National Park Service tags 5 Glacier Bay activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Camp at Bartlett Cove · 1-3 days
- Experience the Huna Tribal House · 1-3 hours
- Explore Gustavus
- Hike the Trails at Bartlett Cove
- Kayak the Beardslees · 1-3 days
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 54°F and an overnight low around 43°F at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, with about 9.2 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 42.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is very busy at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (about 1.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 33/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. September sits at about 1.9× the park's average, or 16% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 83,000 recreation visits at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Glacier Bay in September
Booking a September trip to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Glacier Bay
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 September.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.