Salem Maritime National Historical Park in October
October at Salem Maritime National Historical Park averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 42°F, with about 5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 3.5× the park's average month, which makes October a very busy month here.
- Average low
- 42°F
- Average high
- 61°F
Range across the year: 18°F to 80°F
- Precipitation
- 5.0 in
- Daylight
- 10.8 hours
Roughly 30% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 109,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
It is the single busiest month of the year at Salem Maritime; January, the quietest, runs only about 0.1× the average — a 27-to-1 swing between high and low season.
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 25/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 52°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 1.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 36% 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 569,839 recreation visits, up 16.6% from 488,831 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 44.1%, so a October visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 72°F / 53°F | 1.7× Very busy | 65 Good |
| October | 61°F / 42°F | 3.5× Very busy | 25 Poor |
| November | 51°F / 33°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 51 Fair |
All twelve months at Salem Maritime, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Salem Maritime in October
The National Park Service tags 6 Salem Maritime activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Salem Maritime B.A.R.K. Ranger · 5-120 minutes
- Become a Salem Maritime Junior Ranger · 30-120 minutes
- Create a Dominican Faceless Doll · 30-180 minutes
- Drive the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway · 3-6 hours
- Shop Waite & Peirce Souvenirs · 5-30 minutes
- Watch the Sunrise from Derby Wharf · 1-3 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 42°F at Salem Maritime National Historical Park, with about 5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is very busy at Salem Maritime National Historical Park (about 3.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 25/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is October and the quietest is January. October sits at about 3.5× the park's average, or 30% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 109,000 recreation visits at Salem Maritime National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Salem Maritime in October
Booking a October trip to Salem Maritime National Historical Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Salem Maritime
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Salem Maritime in October?
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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.