Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in September
September at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 64°F, with about 3.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes September a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 64°F
- Average high
- 81°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 3.9 in
- Daylight
- 12.2 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 210,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011 to 2025.
That makes September the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.6×) and the December low (0.5×).
September is our recommended month at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 72°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 2.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 29% 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 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 2,843,263 recreation visits, down 12.6% from 3,251,594 in 2024.
How September compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 88°F / 71°F | 1.0× Average | 52 Fair |
| September | 81°F / 64°F | 0.8× Quiet | 69 Good |
| October | 69°F / 52°F | 1.0× Average | 57 Fair |
All twelve months at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 81°F and an overnight low around 64°F at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, with about 3.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is quiet at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 69/100. September is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is December. September sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 210,000 recreation visits at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011–2025.
Where to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in September
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Top-rated places to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in September.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2011–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.