New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in October
October at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 64°F and an overnight low around 44°F, with about 2.7" of precipitation and roughly 1" of snow. Visitation runs about 1.4× the park's average month, which makes October a busy month here.
- Average low
- 44°F
- Average high
- 64°F
Range across the year: 24°F to 81°F
- Precipitation
- 2.7 in
- Snowfall
- 1 in
- Daylight
- 11.0 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 165,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1984 to 2025.
That makes October the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.9×) and the January low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 42/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 54°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 8.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 43% 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 9.4-hour midwinter low and the 14.6-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,958,440 recreation visits, up 8.1% from 1,811,937 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 49.7%, 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 | 74°F / 55°F | 1.2× Busy | 62 Good |
| October | 64°F / 44°F | 1.4× Busy | 42 Poor |
| November | 53°F / 35°F | 0.6× Quiet | 45 Fair |
All twelve months at New River Gorge, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in October 2026
The National Park Service lists these New River Gorge 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.
- Grandview Visitor Center (visitor center): closed from October 26, 2026 to May 27, 2027
- Thurmond Depot Visitor Center (visitor center): closed from October 31, 2026 to May 26, 2027
Things to do at New River Gorge in October
The National Park Service tags 13 New River Gorge activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hunting in the Park
- Scenic Drive on Fayette Station Road · 45 minutes
- Whitewater Boating
- Bicycling at New River Gorge
- Castle Rock Hike · 30-120 minutes
- Hike the Grandview Rim Trail · 0-2 hours
- Stroll on the Sandstone Boardwalk · 30 minutes
- Trail Run or hike the Little Laurel Trail · 30-120 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 64°F and an overnight low around 44°F at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, with about 2.7 inches of precipitation and roughly 1 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is busy at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (about 1.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. October sits at about 1.4× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 165,000 recreation visits at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1984–2025.
Where to stay near New River Gorge in October
Booking a October trip to New River Gorge National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near New River Gorge
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 New River Gorge in October?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for New River Gorge 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 (1984–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.