Petrified Forest National Park in September
September at Petrified Forest National Park averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 51°F, with about 1.1" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes September an average month here.
- Average low
- 51°F
- Average high
- 82°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 1.1 in
- Daylight
- 12.2 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 53,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes September the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.7×) and the January low (0.4×).
September is our recommended month at Petrified Forest: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 67°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 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 9.7-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 September may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How September compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 88°F / 58°F | 1.2× Busy | 54 Fair |
| September | 82°F / 51°F | 1.0× Average | 71 Good |
| October | 71°F / 40°F | 1.1× Average | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Petrified Forest, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Petrified Forest in September
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
September averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 51°F at Petrified Forest National Park, with about 1.1 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.
September is average at Petrified Forest National Park (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 71/100. September is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 53,000 recreation visits at Petrified Forest National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Petrified Forest in September
Booking a September trip to Petrified Forest National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September 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 September.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.