Grand Teton in September: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 67/100 · #5 of 12 months
September is peak season — the 4th-busiest month of the year, at Grand Teton National Park: crowds run 77% of the July peak (564,320 average visits). Weather: highs average 66°F and lows 34°F, with 1.6″ of precipitation and 12.6 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Grand Teton in September
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 34°F.
- Bear spraySee it on AmazonWhy: recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry).
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
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Grand Teton in September: what the park service says
September is when Grand Teton's campgrounds begin to close. On the park's 2026 schedule, Colter Bay Tent Village shut on September 7, Lizard Creek on September 13, and Jenny Lake and Colter Bay campgrounds on September 27; the Colter Bay Visitor Center closed September 30. Signal Mountain (to October 11) and Gros Ventre (to October 10) stayed open the longest. The park notes that all dates are subject to change.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in September
Grand Teton averages 564,320 recreation visits in September — 77% of what July, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — book early and start days at dawn.
Weather & daylight
Days are mild (highs average 66°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 34°F). It is typically dry (1.6″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 12.6 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station MORAN 5WNW, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates, 6,805 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of September.
What to pack for Grand Teton in September
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 34°F
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
- Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Grand Teton are April and May.
Also at their best in September
Other parks whose computed September verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Wrangell–St. Elias in September — 25% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 84/100
- Guadalupe Mountains in September — 35% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 81/100
- Gateway Arch in September — 29% of peak crowds, highs 81°F, score 80/100
- Isle Royale in September — 39% of peak crowds, highs 65°F, score 79/100
Common questions
Is Grand Teton crowded in September?
Yes — September runs 77% of Grand Teton's peak, averaging 564,320 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Grand Teton.
What is the weather like in Grand Teton in September?
Average highs of 66°F, lows of 34°F, 1.6″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, MORAN 5WNW, WY US station). Compare it with other national parks in September.
What should I pack for Grand Teton in September?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit; Bear spray — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in October instead? Grand Teton in October has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in September · Last verified 2026-09-24