Skip to content

Big Bend · October

Big Bend in October

October is a good time to visit Big Bend — busier than September, quieter than November.

Expect moderate crowds (5/10), highs near 80°F, and about 11.5 hours of daylight.

Crowd score

How busy it gets

5/10
Moderate

A comfortable middle ground: some company on popular trails, but no gridlock.

About 48% of this park's busiest month.

Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025

Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →

Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe

Visitation

Typical October visits vs. the year

October (typical)46,859
Peak — March96,795
Quietest — August16,110

October draws about 9% of Big Bend’s yearly visitors.

Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.

Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025

Weather

October weather

Avg high
80°F
Avg low
55°F
Precipitation
1.2"
Sunrise
5:54 AM
Sunset
5:22 PM
Daylight
11.5h

Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, PANTHER JUNCTION, TX US

This week

7-day forecast for Big Bend

DayConditionsHighLowPrecip chance
Mon 19Overcast71°F54°F2%
Tue 20Overcast75°F60°F2%
Wed 21Overcast74°F58°F0%
Thu 22Overcast75°F59°F1%
Fri 23Overcast75°F61°F22%
Sat 24Overcast72°F63°F22%
Sun 25Overcast67°F60°F33%

Forecast data by Open-Meteo

Source: Open-Meteo

What's open

Big Bend in October: access

Big Bend National Park is always open. You can enter and exit at any time of the day or night. Park entrances are open 24 hours daily, all year.

No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.

Source: NPS Data API

Conditions

Current alerts

  • Information

    Bringing a Pet to Big Bend?

    Bringing your pet to Big Bend National Park will limit some of your park explorations and opportunities. Pets are not allowed on park trails, in the backcountry, or on the river. Pets are allowed only where vehicles can go. Pets may not be left unattended

    Details on nps.gov →
  • Information

    Big Bend is a NO DRONE Zone

    The use of drones is prohibited in Big Bend National Park. Thank you for preserving the peace and tranquility of Big Bend.

Source: NPS Data API

Context

Big Bend crowds across the year

January: 5/10 crowdJanFebruary: 6/10 crowdFebMarch: 10/10 crowdMarApril: 8/10 crowdAprMay: 5/10 crowdMayJune: 3/10 crowdJunJuly: 2/10 crowdJulAugust: 2/10 crowdAugSeptember: 3/10 crowdSepOctober: 5/10 crowd5OctNovember: 7/10 crowdNovDecember: 7/10 crowdDec

Alternatives

Quieter nearby in October

FAQ

Big Bend in October

How busy is Big Bend in October?

October rates 5/10 for crowds (Moderate) at Big Bend National Park — about 48% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 46,859.

What is the weather like at Big Bend in October?

In October, Big Bend averages a high of 80°F and a low of 55°F, with about 1.2 inches of precipitation.

How much does it cost to visit Big Bend?

Entrance to Big Bend costs $30 (Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less); valid for 7 days.).

When is Big Bend least crowded?

Big Bend is quietest in July and August. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.

How many hours of daylight does Big Bend get in October?

In mid-October, Big Bend gets about 11.5 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 5:54 AM and sunset around 5:22 PM.