Yellowstone National Park in September
September at Yellowstone National Park averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 30°F, with about 1.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 2.1× the park's average month, which makes September a very busy month here.
- Average low
- 30°F
- Average high
- 61°F
Range across the year: 1°F to 72°F
- Precipitation
- 1.6 in
- Daylight
- 12.3 hours
Roughly 17% of the park's yearly visitors come in September: about 742,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes September the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.7×) and the November low (0.1×).
September is our recommended month at Yellowstone: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 45°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 61% 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 12.3 hours of daylight in September to explore — between the 8.6-hour midwinter low and the 15.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,762,988 recreation visits, about flat from 4,744,353 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 7.5%, 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 | 71°F / 37°F | 2.3× Very busy | 45 Fair |
| September | 61°F / 30°F | 2.1× Very busy | 37 Poor |
| October | 46°F / 22°F | 0.7× Quiet | 49 Fair |
All twelve months at Yellowstone, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Yellowstone in September
The National Park Service tags 64 Yellowstone activities for fall. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Abandoned Railroad Bed Bike Trail · 2-4 hours
- Bunsen Peak Trail · 2-3 hours
- Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail · 3-6 hours
- Howard Eaton Trail (Canyon Area) · 5-6 hours
- Natural Bridge Trail · 1-2 hours
- Osprey Falls Trail · 4-6 hours
- Riddle Lake Trail · 2-4 hours
- Specimen Ridge Day Hike Trail · 2-4 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
September averages a daytime high near 61°F and an overnight low around 30°F at Yellowstone National Park, with about 1.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
September is very busy at Yellowstone National Park (about 2.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 37/100. September is our recommended month for this park.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is November. September sits at about 2.1× the park's average, or 17% of annual visitation.
A typical September sees about 742,000 recreation visits at Yellowstone National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Yellowstone in September
Booking a September trip to Yellowstone National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live September availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Yellowstone
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 September.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.