Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in October
October at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument averages a daytime high near 65°F and an overnight low around 28°F, with about 1.4" of precipitation and roughly 1" of snow. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 28°F
- Average high
- 65°F
Range across the year: 12°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 1.4 in
- Snowfall
- 1 in
- Daylight
- 11.1 hours
Roughly 9% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 10,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.5×) and the January low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 40/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 46°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 34% 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 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 73,260 recreation visits, down 10.1% from 81,519 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 31.8%, 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 | 75°F / 40°F | 1.1× Average | 52 Fair |
| October | 65°F / 28°F | 1.0× Average | 40 Poor |
| November | 53°F / 18°F | 0.7× Quiet | 36 Poor |
All twelve months at Sunset Crater Volcano, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 65°F and an overnight low around 28°F at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, with about 1.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 1 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is average at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 40/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. October sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 9% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 10,000 recreation visits at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano in October
Booking a October trip to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano
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.