Petrified Forest National Park in October
October at Petrified Forest National Park averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 40°F, with about 1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 40°F
- Average high
- 71°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 1.0 in
- Daylight
- 11.1 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 61,000 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 June peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 52/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 55°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 5.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 11.1 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 559,254 recreation visits, up 7.4% from 520,491 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 20.5%, so October may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 82°F / 51°F | 1.0× Average | 71 Good |
| October | 71°F / 40°F | 1.1× Average | 52 Fair |
| November | 58°F / 28°F | 0.6× Quiet | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at Petrified Forest, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Petrified Forest in October
The National Park Service tags 15 Petrified Forest activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a BARK Ranger!
- Collect Your Cancellation Stamps · 2-10 minutes
- Explore at the Paleo Exhibits at Rainbow Forest Museum · 30-60 minutes
- Go Geocaching · 60 minutes
- Take a Self-Guided Tour of Giant Logs · 30-60 minutes
- Walk Crystal Forest Trail · 20-120 minutes
- Walk Puerco Pueblo Trail · 10-60 minutes
- Walk the Tawa Trail · 30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 71°F and an overnight low around 40°F at Petrified Forest National Park, with about 1 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is average at Petrified Forest National Park (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 52/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. October sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 61,000 recreation visits at Petrified Forest National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Petrified Forest in October
Booking a October trip to Petrified Forest National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Petrified Forest
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.