Niobrara National Scenic River in October
October at Niobrara National Scenic River averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 34°F. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes October a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 34°F
- Average high
- 63°F
Range across the year: 9°F to 88°F
- Daylight
- 10.8 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: roughly 1,600 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2004 to 2025.
That makes October the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (4×) and the December low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 68/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 48°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 75% 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 10.8 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 8.9-hour midwinter low and the 15.1-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 77,476 recreation visits, up 4.2% from 74,387 in 2024.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 78°F / 48°F | 1.2× Busy | 77 Excellent |
| October | 63°F / 34°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 68 Good |
| November | 48°F / 22°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 11 Poor |
All twelve months at Niobrara, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Niobrara in October
The National Park Service tags 4 Niobrara activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Float the Niobrara River · 1-8 hours
- Bike the Cowboy Trail
- Hike to Fort Falls · 20-60 minutes
- Shoot Winter Photography at Fort Falls
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 63°F and an overnight low around 34°F at Niobrara National Scenic River. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is very quiet at Niobrara National Scenic River (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 68/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. October sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 2,000 recreation visits at Niobrara National Scenic River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2004–2025.
Where to stay near Niobrara in October
Booking a October trip to Niobrara National Scenic River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Niobrara
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 (2004–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.