Theodore Roosevelt National Park in October
October at Theodore Roosevelt National Park averages a daytime high near 54°F and an overnight low around 33°F. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 54°F
Range across the year: 6°F to 82°F
- Daylight
- 10.6 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 56,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes October the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.7×) and the December low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 50/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 44°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 61% 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 10.6 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 8.3-hour midwinter low and the 15.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 729,893 recreation visits, about flat from 732,951 in 2024.
How October compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 71°F / 46°F | 1.9× Very busy | 55 Fair |
| October | 54°F / 33°F | 0.9× Average | 50 Fair |
| November | 39°F / 20°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Theodore Roosevelt, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in October 2026
The National Park Service lists these Theodore Roosevelt facilities as closed during October 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Painted Canyon Visitor Center (visitor center): closed from October 25, 2026 to June 15, 2027
Things to do at Theodore Roosevelt in October
The National Park Service tags 23 Theodore Roosevelt activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Theodore Roosevelt National Park Junior Ranger
- Bike the South Unit Scenic Drive
- Drive the South Unit Scenic Drive
- Hike Coal Vein Trail · 30-45 minutes
- Hike the Painted Canyon Nature Trail · 30-80 minutes
- Hike Wind Canyon Trail · 5-30 minutes
- See the Stars in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Watch the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Film: Refuge of the American Spirit · 17 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 54°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is average at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (about 0.9× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. October sits at about 0.9× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 56,000 recreation visits at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Theodore Roosevelt in October
Booking a October trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Theodore Roosevelt
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.