Great Smoky Mountains National Park in September
September at Great Smoky Mountains National Park averages a daytime high near 68°F and an overnight low around 51°F, with about 5.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes September a busy month here.
- Average low
- 51°F
- Average high
- 68°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 74°F
- Precipitation
- 5.4 in
- Daylight
- 12.2 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: 1.2 million 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×).
On our Best Time to Visit score September rates 46/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is May: 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 4.5 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 11,527,939 recreation visits, down 5.4% from 12,191,834 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 9.2%, 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 | 72°F / 57°F | 1.2× Busy | 53 Fair |
| September | 68°F / 51°F | 1.2× Busy | 46 Fair |
| October | 59°F / 41°F | 1.5× Busy | 24 Poor |
All twelve months at Great Smoky Mountains, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 68°F and an overnight low around 51°F at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with about 5.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is busy at Great Smoky Mountains National Park (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 46/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 1.2 million recreation visits at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Great Smoky Mountains in September
Booking a September trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Great Smoky Mountains
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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.