Washington Monument in October
October at Washington Monument averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 52°F, with about 3.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes October an average month here.
- Average low
- 52°F
- Average high
- 69°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- 11.0 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 39,000 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 August peak (1.3×) and the February low (0.7×).
October is our recommended month at Washington Monument: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 61°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 2.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 31% 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 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 9.3-hour midwinter low and the 14.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 247,208 recreation visits, down 0.6% from 248,750 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 38.5%, 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 | 81°F / 64°F | 1.0× Average | 63 Good |
| October | 69°F / 52°F | 1.0× Average | 61 Good |
| November | 58°F / 42°F | 0.9× Average | 48 Fair |
All twelve months at Washington Monument, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 69°F and an overnight low around 52°F at Washington Monument, with about 3.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is average at Washington Monument (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 61/100. October is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is February. October sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 39,000 recreation visits at Washington Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Washington Monument in October
Booking a October trip to Washington Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Washington Monument
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.