What comes to mind when you think of National Parks? Sweeping vistas? Road trips? The smell of pine? Charming towns that have saltwater taffy inexplicably everywhere?

Whatever you think of, tourists with bright white sneakers, sunburns, and upcoming school reports about their trip are probably on the list, too. Most Americans venture out to the national parks in the summertime, when it’s boiling hot and their children are on summer vacation. But if your schedule allows, the best month to visit one of our nation’s great national parks is September. Why? Well…

The Temperature Will Be Perfect

There’s a reason the phrase “sweater weather” inspired a whole song - it’s everyone’s favorite weather. Mild during the day without being too frigid at night, September is the perfect summer-to-autumn transition month.

Many national parks have roads that are still closed during the earlier part of the summer as they wait for them to become passable. In many mountain ranges, snowy roads won’t clear until well into July. By traveling in September, you’ll likely avoid heavy snowfall and extreme heat.

Though you could make the same argument for traveling in spring, know that spring in some of the most popular national parks (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain) is notoriously unpredictable (see snowy roads in July, above). If you do decide to go, make sure you pack a lot of clothing for layering, and don’t leave the sunscreen at home, no matter what time of year you go.

There Will Be Fewer Crowds

After Labor Day, nearly every popular natural tourist destination in the United States is a complete ghost town. A few years ago, one of my relatives got married at a high-end resort in Taos, New Mexico in late September, and the population of Taos Village consisted of resort staff, wedding guests, and precisely one other unrelated family.

The most popular national park by visitation (Great Smoky National Park) had over 12 million visitors in 2019, or an average of a little more than 34,000 people per day. But after Labor Day, those visitation numbers drop dramatically. Fewer crowds means more parking at trailheads, more hygienic bathrooms, and fewer photobombs to ruin your perfect snap of that ‘grammable landmark.

You Could Spot More Animals

One of the biggest benefits to fewer people around is that wildlife typically becomes more visible. The reduction in activity makes animals feel more safe, and therefore they’re more likely to venture closer to areas traveled by humans.

It’s no coincidence that September 4th is National Wildlife Day. Elk, moose, and deer rutting season is typically in September and October. It is truly an amazing spectacle to watch these huge animals locked in an instinctual ritual. If you’re looking to avoid some of the more unsavory wild life, national parks on lakes (such as Isle Royale National Park in Michigan) are typically less plagued by mosquitos and other bugs in the autumn.

It is very important to note: as amazing as this display of nature is, it is extremely dangerous to approach large animals, especially if they are rutting or with offspring. A good rule of thumb is to leave enough distance that you can cover up the animal with your thumb in your vision. Do not approach any large animal, even herbivores, with food, cameras, or for any other reason. If an animal seems injured or distressed, call the park rangers.

Fall is when animals that hibernate typically ramp up their caloric intake to prepare for their winter of sleep. While bears almost never attack people on purpose, they are more likely to be agitated when prevented from reaching their food source. YOU are unlikely to be the food source, but ensuring your camp food is properly stored to avoid bears is crucial. Read more here about how to safely travel in areas with bears.

You’ll Save Money

In the U.S., it’s fairly standard practice to designate Memorial Day-Labor Day the high tourist season, with spring break-Memorial Day and Labor Day-Halloween the cusp seasons. Though the prices likely won’t be as low as they are during the off season, fall is the most dependable time of year for lower prices. Many national parks are near ski areas and therefore have two peak seasons - summer and winter.

If you do your homework, you’ll see that prices for accommodations, rental cars, and other things that fluctuate seasonally will likely drop after Labor Day. Many businesses associated with national parks simply close during the winter - but if you go in that sweet “cusp” season, you’ll avoid both closures and inflated tourist prices.

Amazing Foliage

national parks september a stand of Aspen trees stand out in bright gold against an evergreen forest on a gently sloping mountain — A stand of aspen trees near Rocky Mountain National Park

Mountain-dwellers know that at the beginning of the fall, aspen trees explode into a bright gold color that’s visible from miles away. From Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, to Great Smoky National Park in Tennessee and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, National Parks host some of the most incredible fall foliage the United States has to offer.

Far be it from me to tell you what to post on social media, but fall is by far the most insta-worthy season. While the wildflowers that proliferate across the country in spring are gorgeous, the deep reds, golds, and oranges of autumn have stunning visual impact, and the best time to see those colors are in late September and early October.

While the national parks in the United States are stunning any time of year, fall is undeniably one of the best times to experience the parks. From the perfect weather to the gorgeous foliage, it’s well worth a quick trip to your closest national recreation area.

For more on the national parks, read this list of 9 fun facts about the US national parks. Or, check out this full list of every national park.