Great Basin National Park in October
October at Great Basin National Park averages a daytime high near 60°F and an overnight low around 36°F, with about 1.3" of precipitation and roughly 2" of snow. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes October a busy month here.
- Average low
- 36°F
- Average high
- 60°F
Range across the year: 20°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 1.3 in
- Snowfall
- 2 in
- Daylight
- 11.0 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 15,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 5th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.2×) and the December low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 42/100 ("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 4.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 48% 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 11 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 161,210 recreation visits, up 6% from 152,068 in 2024.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 73°F / 48°F | 2.1× Very busy | 45 Fair |
| October | 60°F / 36°F | 1.2× Busy | 42 Poor |
| November | 48°F / 26°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Great Basin, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in October 2026
The National Park Service lists these Great Basin facilities as closed during October 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Wheeler Peak Campground (campground): closed all month (September 30, 2026 to May 31, 2027)
- Dump Station (campground): closed from October 18, 2026 to May 28, 2027
Things to do at Great Basin in October
The National Park Service tags 31 Great Basin activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hike the ADA Sky Island Forest Trail · 15-45 minutes
- Hike the Big Wash Trail · 12-24 hours
- Hike to Johnson Lake from Snake Creek · 4-8 hours
- Hike to Wheeler Peak · 4-10 hours
- See the Exhibits at the Great Basin Visitor Center · 5-30 minutes
- Astronomy Ranger Program · 60-120 minutes
- Hike the Shoshone ADA Trail · 10-20 minutes
- Hike to Snake Creek Overlook · 30-90 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 60°F and an overnight low around 36°F at Great Basin National Park, with about 1.3 inches of precipitation and roughly 2 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is busy at Great Basin National Park (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. October sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 15,000 recreation visits at Great Basin National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Great Basin in October
Booking a October trip to Great Basin National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Great Basin
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 Great Basin in October?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Great Basin by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.