Glacier Bay · September
Glacier Bay in September
September is a busy time to visit Glacier Bay — quieter than August, busier than October.
Expect heavy crowds (8/10), highs near 54°F, and about 12.8 hours of daylight.
Crowd score
How busy it gets
Approaching peak season — expect full lots by mid-morning and busy overlooks.
About 71% of this park's busiest month.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Visitation
Typical September visits vs. the year
September draws about 15% of Glacier Bay’s yearly visitors.
Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.
Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025
Weather
September weather
- Avg high
- 54°F
- Avg low
- 43°F
- Precipitation
- 9.2"
- Sunrise
- 5:37 AM
- Sunset
- 6:25 PM
- Daylight
- 12.8h
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, GLACIER BAY, AK US
What's open
Glacier Bay in September: access
There are no entrance gates at Glacier Bay National Park, so we are technically open 24-hours a day; however, services may be extremely limited depending on the time of your visit. The main visitor season is from late-May through early-September with the peak being the month of July. Check the VISITOR CENTERS tab below to see hours for specific facilities, and read the exceptions that detail seasonal changes in hours.
No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
No current alerts or closures reported for this park.
Source: NPS Data API
Context
Glacier Bay crowds across the year
Alternatives
Quieter nearby in September
FAQ
Glacier Bay in September
How busy is Glacier Bay in September?
September rates 8/10 for crowds (Busy) at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve — about 71% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 111,863.
What is the weather like at Glacier Bay in September?
In September, Glacier Bay averages a high of 54°F and a low of 43°F, with about 9.2 inches of precipitation.
How much does it cost to visit Glacier Bay?
Entry to Glacier Bay is free.
When is Glacier Bay least crowded?
Glacier Bay is quietest in January and February. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.
How many hours of daylight does Glacier Bay get in September?
In mid-September, Glacier Bay gets about 12.8 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 5:37 AM and sunset around 6:25 PM.