Badlands · September
Badlands in September
September is a good time to visit Badlands — quieter than August, busier than October.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
A comfortable middle ground: some company on popular trails, but no gridlock.
About 60% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Jul 2026 · alerts checked Jul 10, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical September visits vs. the year
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
September weather
- Avg high
- —
- Avg low
- —
- Precipitation
- 1.5"
- Sunrise
- 5:29 AM
- Sunset
- 5:59 PM
- Daylight
- 12.5h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, WASTA 21.6 SSW, SD US
What's open
Badlands in September: access
The park is open to visitors all year with the exception of weather closures.
No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Caution
Navigation
Do not rely on GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Badlands National Park. Please note that the Visitor Center at 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior SD 57750 is located just off I-90.
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Badlands crowds across the year
FAQ
Badlands in September
How busy is Badlands in September?
September rates 6/10 for crowds (Moderate) at Badlands National Park — about 60% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 141,988.
What is the weather like at Badlands in September?
In September, Badlands averages a high of 0°F and a low of 0°F, with about 1.5 inches of precipitation.