Russell Cave National Monument in September
September at Russell Cave National Monument averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 60°F, with about 4.4" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.1× the park's average month, which makes September an average month here.
- Average low
- 60°F
- Average high
- 82°F
Range across the year: 29°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 4.4 in
- Daylight
- 12.2 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: roughly 1,600 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes September the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the April peak (1.4×) and the January low (0.5×).
September is our recommended month at Russell Cave: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 71°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 0.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 30% 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 9,261 recreation visits, up 6.7% from 8,678 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 31.9%, 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 | 87°F / 66°F | 1.2× Busy | 44 Poor |
| September | 82°F / 60°F | 1.1× Average | 58 Fair |
| October | 72°F / 48°F | 1.3× Busy | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Russell Cave, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Russell Cave in September
The National Park Service tags 6 Russell Cave activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Russell Cave Junior Ranger · 1-2 hours
- Earn Your Russell Cave B.A.R.K Ranger Badge · 5-120 minutes
- Pack a Picnic and Make a Day of it
- Take a Hike on the Russell Cave Nature Trail · 30-60 minutes
- View the Russell Cave Film · 7 minutes
- View the Russell Cave Museum · 5-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 82°F and an overnight low around 60°F at Russell Cave National Monument, with about 4.4 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is average at Russell Cave National Monument (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 58/100. September is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is April and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 2,000 recreation visits at Russell Cave National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Russell Cave in September
Booking a September trip to Russell Cave National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Russell Cave
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 Russell Cave in September?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Russell Cave by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.