Official Attendance Datasets

National Park Crowd Calendar

Avoid the traffic and long queues. Browse historical monthly visitor statistics for all U.S. National Parks to find the perfect (and quietest) window for your adventure.

Select Travel Month

Golden Shoulder Season

September Travel Analysis

Best & Least Crowded National Parks in September

The golden shoulder season month: summer crowds drop significantly while temperatures remain pleasant.

15

Quiet Parks

34

Moderate

14

Peak Season

Showing 63 of 63 National Parks for September

Sorted by Lowest Monthly Visits First

🟢 Low Crowds

Kobuk Valley National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

849

vs. Peak (Jul)

71% quieter

29% of peak Jul traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Lake Clark National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

1,084

vs. Peak (Jul)

85% quieter

15% of peak Jul traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Gates of the Arctic National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

1,937

vs. Peak (Jul)

61% quieter

39% of peak Jul traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Isle Royale National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

3,696

vs. Peak (Aug)

59% quieter

41% of peak Aug traffic

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Dry Tortugas National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

5,230

vs. Peak (May)

48% quieter

52% of peak May traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Katmai National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

5,248

vs. Peak (Jul)

61% quieter

39% of peak Jul traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

6,525

vs. Peak (Jul)

82% quieter

18% of peak Jul traffic

🟡 Moderate Crowds

National Park of American Samoa

Sep Estimated Visitors

7,104

vs. Peak (Apr)

28% quieter

72% of peak Apr traffic

🟡 Moderate Crowds

North Cascades National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

9,475

vs. Peak (Jul)

44% quieter

56% of peak Jul traffic

#10

🟢 Low Crowds

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

12,459

vs. Peak (Mar)

59% quieter

41% of peak Mar traffic

#11

🟢 Low Crowds

Virgin Islands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

15,494

vs. Peak (Mar)

72% quieter

28% of peak Mar traffic

#12

🟢 Low Crowds

Pinnacles National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

18,010

vs. Peak (Mar)

60% quieter

40% of peak Mar traffic

#13

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Channel Islands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

18,619

vs. Peak (Jul)

36% quieter

64% of peak Jul traffic

#14

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Congaree National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

19,436

vs. Peak (May)

43% quieter

57% of peak May traffic

#15

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Voyageurs National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

22,350

vs. Peak (Aug)

48% quieter

52% of peak Aug traffic

#16

🟢 Low Crowds

Big Bend National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

23,789

vs. Peak (Mar)

78% quieter

22% of peak Mar traffic

#17

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Great Basin National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

27,868

vs. Peak (Jul)

25% quieter

75% of peak Jul traffic

#18

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Biscayne National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

28,454

vs. Peak (May)

47% quieter

53% of peak May traffic

#19

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Petrified Forest National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

28,771

vs. Peak (Jun)

34% quieter

66% of peak Jun traffic

#20

🟢 Low Crowds

Everglades National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

32,290

vs. Peak (Mar)

67% quieter

33% of peak Mar traffic

#21

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

32,884

vs. Peak (Mar)

40% quieter

60% of peak Mar traffic

#22

🟢 Low Crowds

Kenai Fjords National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

35,125

vs. Peak (Jul)

73% quieter

27% of peak Jul traffic

#23

🟢 Low Crowds

Saguaro National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

37,046

vs. Peak (Mar)

72% quieter

28% of peak Mar traffic

#24

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

37,119

vs. Peak (Jun)

33% quieter

67% of peak Jun traffic

#25

🟢 Low Crowds

White Sands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

39,255

vs. Peak (Mar)

57% quieter

43% of peak Mar traffic

#26

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

41,565

vs. Peak (Jun)

45% quieter

55% of peak Jun traffic

#27

🟢 Low Crowds

Denali National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

45,485

vs. Peak (Jul)

70% quieter

30% of peak Jul traffic

#28

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Mesa Verde National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

55,614

vs. Peak (Jun)

34% quieter

66% of peak Jun traffic

#29

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Mammoth Cave National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

57,890

vs. Peak (Jul)

44% quieter

56% of peak Jul traffic

#30

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Haleakalā National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

65,902

vs. Peak (Jul)

28% quieter

72% of peak Jul traffic

#31

California

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

71,746

vs. Peak (Jul)

37% quieter

15°C / -1°C — Cool autumn hiking weather, early snow possible in October.

#32

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Wind Cave National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

82,554

vs. Peak (Jul)

26% quieter

74% of peak Jul traffic

#33

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Kings Canyon National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

86,040

vs. Peak (Jul)

33% quieter

67% of peak Jul traffic

#34

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Death Valley National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

91,865

vs. Peak (Apr)

37% quieter

63% of peak Apr traffic

#35

Utah

🔴 Peak Traffic

Canyonlands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

100,997

vs. Peak (May)

16% quieter

22°C / 7°C — Pleasant, moderate days and cool desert nights.

#36

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Crater Lake National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

107,486

vs. Peak (Aug)

43% quieter

57% of peak Aug traffic

#37

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Glacier Bay National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

113,781

vs. Peak (Jul)

31% quieter

69% of peak Jul traffic

#38

🔴 Peak Traffic

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

127,296

vs. Peak (Jul)

18% quieter

82% of peak Jul traffic

#39

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Redwood National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

129,138

vs. Peak (Jun)

42% quieter

58% of peak Jun traffic

#40

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

129,940

vs. Peak (Jan)

28% quieter

72% of peak Jan traffic

#41

Utah

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Arches National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

142,337

vs. Peak (May)

26% quieter

22°C / 7°C — Warm days and cool nights, the most popular season to visit.

#42

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Badlands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

143,478

vs. Peak (Jul)

38% quieter

62% of peak Jul traffic

#43

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Sequoia National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

146,996

vs. Peak (Jul)

27% quieter

73% of peak Jul traffic

#44

California

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Joshua Tree National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

148,905

vs. Peak (Mar)

64% quieter

27°C / 12°C — Cooling temperatures make for excellent rock climbing conditions.

#45

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Shenandoah National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

153,478

vs. Peak (Oct)

53% quieter

47% of peak Oct traffic

#46

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Gateway Arch National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

161,180

vs. Peak (Jul)

68% quieter

32% of peak Jul traffic

#47

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Mount Rainier National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

168,751

vs. Peak (Aug)

61% quieter

39% of peak Aug traffic

#48

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Hot Springs National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

169,340

vs. Peak (Jun)

52% quieter

48% of peak Jun traffic

#49

Utah

🔴 Peak Traffic

Capitol Reef National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

182,374

vs. Peak (May)

18% quieter

19°C / 5°C — Harvest season in historic orchards, crisp autumn skies.

#50

🟡 Moderate Crowds

New River Gorge National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

198,638

vs. Peak (Aug)

26% quieter

74% of peak Aug traffic

#51

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Indiana Dunes National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

259,298

vs. Peak (Jun)

39% quieter

61% of peak Jun traffic

#52

Utah

🔴 Peak Traffic

Bryce Canyon National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

265,048

vs. Peak (Sep)

Peak Month

16°C / -2°C — Crisp, clear air and thinning crowds among the hoodoos.

#53

🔴 Peak Traffic

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

319,067

vs. Peak (Aug)

18% quieter

82% of peak Aug traffic

#54

Arizona

🔴 Peak Traffic

Grand Canyon National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

369,315

vs. Peak (May)

27% quieter

18°C / 0°C — Clear skies and thinning crowds make for ideal hiking weather.

#55

Utah

🔴 Peak Traffic

Zion National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

475,492

vs. Peak (May)

19% quieter

23°C / 9°C — Warm days, cool nights, and fewer crowds than summer.

#56

California

🔴 Peak Traffic

Yosemite National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

487,733

vs. Peak (Jul)

21% quieter

20°C / 6°C — Golden meadows and thinning crowds before the high country closes.

#57

Washington

🔴 Peak Traffic

Olympic National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

516,754

vs. Peak (Aug)

9% quieter

13°C / 4°C — Lush autumn foliage, salmon runs, and returning rains.

#58

Montana

🔴 Peak Traffic

Glacier National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

552,479

vs. Peak (Jul)

28% quieter

13°C / 1°C — Crisp air, larch-gold hillsides, and the season’s first road closures.

#59

🔴 Peak Traffic

Rocky Mountain National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

578,186

vs. Peak (Jul)

24% quieter

76% of peak Jul traffic

#60

Wyoming

🔴 Peak Traffic

Grand Teton National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

617,970

vs. Peak (Jul)

21% quieter

14°C / -3°C — Golden aspens and elk rut, with cold nights returning.

#61

Maine

🔴 Peak Traffic

Acadia National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

659,471

vs. Peak (Aug)

22% quieter

15°C / 5°C — Spectacular fall foliage draws crowds along the Park Loop Road.

#62

Wyoming

🔴 Peak Traffic

Yellowstone National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

839,579

vs. Peak (Jul)

14% quieter

13°C / -3°C — Elk bugling season and thinning crowds before winter snow returns.

#63

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

981,366

vs. Peak (Oct)

37% quieter

63% of peak Oct traffic

Explore More National Park Planning Tools

Browse our full library of interactive park guides, entrance gate maps, and pass calculators.

Data sourced from the NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package 2025.

Official Attendance Datasets

National Park Crowd Calendar

Avoid the traffic and long queues. Browse historical monthly visitor statistics for all U.S. National Parks to find the perfect (and quietest) window for your adventure.

Select Travel Month

Golden Shoulder Season

September Travel Analysis

Best & Least Crowded National Parks in September

The golden shoulder season month: summer crowds drop significantly while temperatures remain pleasant.

15

Quiet Parks

34

Moderate

14

Peak Season

Showing 63 of 63 National Parks for September

Sorted by Lowest Monthly Visits First

🟢 Low Crowds

Kobuk Valley National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

849

vs. Peak (Jul)

71% quieter

29% of peak Jul traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Lake Clark National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

1,084

vs. Peak (Jul)

85% quieter

15% of peak Jul traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Gates of the Arctic National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

1,937

vs. Peak (Jul)

61% quieter

39% of peak Jul traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Isle Royale National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

3,696

vs. Peak (Aug)

59% quieter

41% of peak Aug traffic

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Dry Tortugas National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

5,230

vs. Peak (May)

48% quieter

52% of peak May traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Katmai National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

5,248

vs. Peak (Jul)

61% quieter

39% of peak Jul traffic

🟢 Low Crowds

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

6,525

vs. Peak (Jul)

82% quieter

18% of peak Jul traffic

🟡 Moderate Crowds

National Park of American Samoa

Sep Estimated Visitors

7,104

vs. Peak (Apr)

28% quieter

72% of peak Apr traffic

🟡 Moderate Crowds

North Cascades National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

9,475

vs. Peak (Jul)

44% quieter

56% of peak Jul traffic

#10

🟢 Low Crowds

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

12,459

vs. Peak (Mar)

59% quieter

41% of peak Mar traffic

#11

🟢 Low Crowds

Virgin Islands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

15,494

vs. Peak (Mar)

72% quieter

28% of peak Mar traffic

#12

🟢 Low Crowds

Pinnacles National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

18,010

vs. Peak (Mar)

60% quieter

40% of peak Mar traffic

#13

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Channel Islands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

18,619

vs. Peak (Jul)

36% quieter

64% of peak Jul traffic

#14

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Congaree National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

19,436

vs. Peak (May)

43% quieter

57% of peak May traffic

#15

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Voyageurs National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

22,350

vs. Peak (Aug)

48% quieter

52% of peak Aug traffic

#16

🟢 Low Crowds

Big Bend National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

23,789

vs. Peak (Mar)

78% quieter

22% of peak Mar traffic

#17

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Great Basin National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

27,868

vs. Peak (Jul)

25% quieter

75% of peak Jul traffic

#18

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Biscayne National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

28,454

vs. Peak (May)

47% quieter

53% of peak May traffic

#19

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Petrified Forest National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

28,771

vs. Peak (Jun)

34% quieter

66% of peak Jun traffic

#20

🟢 Low Crowds

Everglades National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

32,290

vs. Peak (Mar)

67% quieter

33% of peak Mar traffic

#21

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

32,884

vs. Peak (Mar)

40% quieter

60% of peak Mar traffic

#22

🟢 Low Crowds

Kenai Fjords National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

35,125

vs. Peak (Jul)

73% quieter

27% of peak Jul traffic

#23

🟢 Low Crowds

Saguaro National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

37,046

vs. Peak (Mar)

72% quieter

28% of peak Mar traffic

#24

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

37,119

vs. Peak (Jun)

33% quieter

67% of peak Jun traffic

#25

🟢 Low Crowds

White Sands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

39,255

vs. Peak (Mar)

57% quieter

43% of peak Mar traffic

#26

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

41,565

vs. Peak (Jun)

45% quieter

55% of peak Jun traffic

#27

🟢 Low Crowds

Denali National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

45,485

vs. Peak (Jul)

70% quieter

30% of peak Jul traffic

#28

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Mesa Verde National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

55,614

vs. Peak (Jun)

34% quieter

66% of peak Jun traffic

#29

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Mammoth Cave National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

57,890

vs. Peak (Jul)

44% quieter

56% of peak Jul traffic

#30

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Haleakalā National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

65,902

vs. Peak (Jul)

28% quieter

72% of peak Jul traffic

#31

California

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

71,746

vs. Peak (Jul)

37% quieter

15°C / -1°C — Cool autumn hiking weather, early snow possible in October.

#32

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Wind Cave National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

82,554

vs. Peak (Jul)

26% quieter

74% of peak Jul traffic

#33

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Kings Canyon National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

86,040

vs. Peak (Jul)

33% quieter

67% of peak Jul traffic

#34

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Death Valley National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

91,865

vs. Peak (Apr)

37% quieter

63% of peak Apr traffic

#35

Utah

🔴 Peak Traffic

Canyonlands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

100,997

vs. Peak (May)

16% quieter

22°C / 7°C — Pleasant, moderate days and cool desert nights.

#36

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Crater Lake National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

107,486

vs. Peak (Aug)

43% quieter

57% of peak Aug traffic

#37

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Glacier Bay National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

113,781

vs. Peak (Jul)

31% quieter

69% of peak Jul traffic

#38

🔴 Peak Traffic

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

127,296

vs. Peak (Jul)

18% quieter

82% of peak Jul traffic

#39

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Redwood National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

129,138

vs. Peak (Jun)

42% quieter

58% of peak Jun traffic

#40

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

129,940

vs. Peak (Jan)

28% quieter

72% of peak Jan traffic

#41

Utah

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Arches National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

142,337

vs. Peak (May)

26% quieter

22°C / 7°C — Warm days and cool nights, the most popular season to visit.

#42

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Badlands National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

143,478

vs. Peak (Jul)

38% quieter

62% of peak Jul traffic

#43

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Sequoia National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

146,996

vs. Peak (Jul)

27% quieter

73% of peak Jul traffic

#44

California

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Joshua Tree National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

148,905

vs. Peak (Mar)

64% quieter

27°C / 12°C — Cooling temperatures make for excellent rock climbing conditions.

#45

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Shenandoah National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

153,478

vs. Peak (Oct)

53% quieter

47% of peak Oct traffic

#46

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Gateway Arch National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

161,180

vs. Peak (Jul)

68% quieter

32% of peak Jul traffic

#47

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Mount Rainier National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

168,751

vs. Peak (Aug)

61% quieter

39% of peak Aug traffic

#48

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Hot Springs National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

169,340

vs. Peak (Jun)

52% quieter

48% of peak Jun traffic

#49

Utah

🔴 Peak Traffic

Capitol Reef National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

182,374

vs. Peak (May)

18% quieter

19°C / 5°C — Harvest season in historic orchards, crisp autumn skies.

#50

🟡 Moderate Crowds

New River Gorge National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

198,638

vs. Peak (Aug)

26% quieter

74% of peak Aug traffic

#51

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Indiana Dunes National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

259,298

vs. Peak (Jun)

39% quieter

61% of peak Jun traffic

#52

Utah

🔴 Peak Traffic

Bryce Canyon National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

265,048

vs. Peak (Sep)

Peak Month

16°C / -2°C — Crisp, clear air and thinning crowds among the hoodoos.

#53

🔴 Peak Traffic

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

319,067

vs. Peak (Aug)

18% quieter

82% of peak Aug traffic

#54

Arizona

🔴 Peak Traffic

Grand Canyon National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

369,315

vs. Peak (May)

27% quieter

18°C / 0°C — Clear skies and thinning crowds make for ideal hiking weather.

#55

Utah

🔴 Peak Traffic

Zion National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

475,492

vs. Peak (May)

19% quieter

23°C / 9°C — Warm days, cool nights, and fewer crowds than summer.

#56

California

🔴 Peak Traffic

Yosemite National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

487,733

vs. Peak (Jul)

21% quieter

20°C / 6°C — Golden meadows and thinning crowds before the high country closes.

#57

Washington

🔴 Peak Traffic

Olympic National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

516,754

vs. Peak (Aug)

9% quieter

13°C / 4°C — Lush autumn foliage, salmon runs, and returning rains.

#58

Montana

🔴 Peak Traffic

Glacier National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

552,479

vs. Peak (Jul)

28% quieter

13°C / 1°C — Crisp air, larch-gold hillsides, and the season’s first road closures.

#59

🔴 Peak Traffic

Rocky Mountain National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

578,186

vs. Peak (Jul)

24% quieter

76% of peak Jul traffic

#60

Wyoming

🔴 Peak Traffic

Grand Teton National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

617,970

vs. Peak (Jul)

21% quieter

14°C / -3°C — Golden aspens and elk rut, with cold nights returning.

#61

Maine

🔴 Peak Traffic

Acadia National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

659,471

vs. Peak (Aug)

22% quieter

15°C / 5°C — Spectacular fall foliage draws crowds along the Park Loop Road.

#62

Wyoming

🔴 Peak Traffic

Yellowstone National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

839,579

vs. Peak (Jul)

14% quieter

13°C / -3°C — Elk bugling season and thinning crowds before winter snow returns.

#63

🟡 Moderate Crowds

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Sep Estimated Visitors

981,366

vs. Peak (Oct)

37% quieter

63% of peak Oct traffic

Explore More National Park Planning Tools

Browse our full library of interactive park guides, entrance gate maps, and pass calculators.

Data sourced from the NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package 2025.