Rock Creek Park in September
September at Rock Creek Park averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 59°F, with about 4.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes September an average month here.
- Average low
- 59°F
- Average high
- 79°F
Range across the year: 26°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 4.5 in
- Daylight
- 12.2 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 202,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes September the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the December low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score September rates 61/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is April: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 69°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 3.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% 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 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,865,048 recreation visits, down 2.7% from 1,917,170 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 18%, 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 | 86°F / 66°F | 1.4× Busy | 41 Poor |
| September | 79°F / 59°F | 1.1× Average | 61 Good |
| October | 68°F / 47°F | 1.0× Average | 55 Fair |
All twelve months at Rock Creek, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Rock Creek in September
The National Park Service tags 21 Rock Creek activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 59°F at Rock Creek Park, with about 4.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is average at Rock Creek Park (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 61/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. September sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 202,000 recreation visits at Rock Creek Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Rock Creek in September
Booking a September trip to Rock Creek Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Rock Creek
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.