Mount Rainier National Park in October
October at Mount Rainier National Park averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 11.3" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.9× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 46°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 64°F
- Precipitation
- 11.3 in
- Daylight
- 10.6 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 112,000 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 (3×) and the February low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 37/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 40°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.4 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 62% 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 10.6 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 8.3-hour midwinter low and the 15.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,635,342 recreation visits, up 0.9% from 1,620,006 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 18.2%, so a October visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 57°F / 41°F | 1.7× Very busy | 44 Poor |
| October | 46°F / 33°F | 0.9× Average | 37 Poor |
| November | 37°F / 26°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 40 Poor |
All twelve months at Mount Rainier, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in October 2026
The National Park Service lists these Mount Rainier 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.
- Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (January 1, 2026 to November 30, 2026)
- Ohanapecosh Campground (campground): closed all month (April 1, 2026 to December 1, 2026)
- Paradise Wilderness Information Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 7, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
- Sunrise Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 15, 2026 to July 3, 2027)
- Ohanapecosh Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 16, 2026 to June 16, 2027)
- White River Campground (campground): closed all month (September 21, 2026 to June 20, 2027)
- Cougar Rock Campground (campground): closed from October 12, 2026 to May 23, 2027
- Longmire Wilderness Information Center (visitor center): closed from October 12, 2026 to May 2, 2027
- Ohanapecosh Campground (campground): closed from October 12, 2026 to June 13, 2027
- White River Wilderness Information Center (visitor center): closed from October 13, 2026 to May 21, 2027
Things to do at Mount Rainier in October
The National Park Service tags 28 Mount Rainier activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Family-Friendly Paradise Activities · 2-6 hours
- Fishing at Mount Rainier National Park
- Hike and Bike Westside Road in Mount Rainier
- Hike Emmons Moraine Trail · 1-2 hours
- Hike to Bench and Snow Lakes · 2 hours
- Ohanapecosh Area Activities · 2-8 hours
- Paddle Sports at Mowich Lake · 2-8 hours
- Road Trip Around the Mountain · 4-8 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Mount Rainier National Park, with about 11.3 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is average at Mount Rainier National Park (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 37/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. October sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 112,000 recreation visits at Mount Rainier National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Mount Rainier in October
Booking a October trip to Mount Rainier National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Mount Rainier
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 October.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.