Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve in October
October at Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 20°F, with about 2.2" of precipitation and roughly 9" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes October a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 20°F
- Average high
- 39°F
Range across the year: -9°F to 71°F
- Precipitation
- 2.2 in
- Snowfall
- 9 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in October: about 530 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982 to 2025.
That makes October the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (3.9×) and the January low (0×).
On our Best Time to Visit score October rates 3/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 29°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 13 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 83% 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 9.6 hours of daylight in October to explore — between the 5-hour midwinter low and the 19-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 108,840 recreation visits, up 33.3% from 81,670 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 20.8%, 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 | 56°F / 33°F | 1.1× Average | 52 Fair |
| October | 39°F / 20°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 3 Poor |
| November | 17°F / 2°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
All twelve months at Wrangell - St Elias, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Wrangell - St Elias in October
The National Park Service tags 6 Wrangell - St Elias activities for fall. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Ghost Towns · 6-8 hours · reservation required
- Backpacking in Wrangell-St Elias
- Fishing at Wrangell-St. Elias · 1-8 hours
- Front country Hiking Trails · 2-4 hours
- Virtual Tours
- Webcams
Frequently Asked Questions
October averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 20°F at Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve, with about 2.2 inches of precipitation and roughly 9 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 13 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
October is very quiet at Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 3/100. Our recommended month is May. October draws about 9% of the visits Wrangell - St Elias sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around October.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. October sits at about 0.1× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.
A typical October sees about 1,000 recreation visits at Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982–2025.
Where to stay near Wrangell - St Elias in October
Booking a October trip to Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live October availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Wrangell - St Elias
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 Wrangell - St Elias in October?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Wrangell - St Elias by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in October.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1982–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.