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WhenToVisitParks

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in September

Busy1.2× average month · best-time score 62/100Our recommended month

September at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 55°F, with about 3.2" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes September a busy month here.

Average low
55°F
Average high
74°F

Range across the year: 24°F to 81°F

Crowds
1.2× averageBusy
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
Precipitation
3.2 in
Daylight
12.2 hours

Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 145,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1984 to 2025.

That makes September the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.9×) and the January low (0.3×).

September is our recommended month at New River Gorge: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

The daily average of about 65°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 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 9.4-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 September visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.

How September compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
August80°F / 61°F1.6× Very busy55 Fair
September74°F / 55°F1.2× Busy62 Good
October64°F / 44°F1.4× Busy42 Poor

All twelve months at New River Gorge, with the best time to visit.

Things to do at New River Gorge in September

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.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

September averages a daytime high near 74°F and an overnight low around 55°F at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, with about 3.2 inches of precipitation. 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.

September is busy at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 62/100. September is our recommended month for this park.

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 145,000 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 September

Booking a September trip to New River Gorge National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September 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 September?

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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in September.

Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1984–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.