Grand Canyon National Park in September
September at Grand Canyon National Park averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 44°F, with about 1.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes September an average month here.
- Average low
- 44°F
- Average high
- 76°F
Range across the year: 18°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 1.5 in
- Daylight
- 12.2 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 502,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes September the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
September is our recommended month at Grand Canyon: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 60°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 4 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 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,430,653 recreation visits, down 9.9% from 4,919,163 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 22.4%, so September may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How September compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 82°F / 50°F | 1.4× Busy | 54 Fair |
| September | 76°F / 44°F | 1.1× Average | 55 Fair |
| October | 65°F / 33°F | 1.1× Average | 41 Poor |
All twelve months at Grand Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Grand Canyon in September
The National Park Service tags 3 Grand Canyon activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 76°F and an overnight low around 44°F at Grand Canyon National Park, with about 1.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is average at Grand Canyon National Park (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 55/100. September is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 502,000 recreation visits at Grand Canyon National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Grand Canyon in September
Booking a September trip to Grand Canyon National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Grand Canyon
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.