Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve in September
September at Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 2.6" of precipitation and roughly 3" of snow. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes September an average month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 56°F
Range across the year: -9°F to 71°F
- Precipitation
- 2.6 in
- Snowfall
- 3 in
- Daylight
- 12.5 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: roughly 6,700 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982 to 2025.
That makes September the 4th-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 September rates 52/100 ("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 13 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 83% of annual visitors, choosing September instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 12.5 hours of daylight in September 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 September visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How September compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| August | 67°F / 40°F | 3.3× Very busy | 47 Fair |
| September | 56°F / 33°F | 1.1× Average | 52 Fair |
| October | 39°F / 20°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 3 Poor |
All twelve months at Wrangell - St Elias, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Wrangell - St Elias in September
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
September averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve, with about 2.6 inches of precipitation and roughly 3 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.
September is average at Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve (about 1.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 52/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. September sits at about 1.1× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 7,000 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 September
Booking a September trip to Wrangell - St Elias National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September 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.
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Visiting Wrangell - St Elias in September?
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in September.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1982–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.