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Great Basin · September

Great Basin in September

September is the busiest time to visit Great Basin — busier than August, busier than October.

Expect peak crowds (10/10), highs near 73°F, about 12.4 hours of daylight, and 3 seasonal closures in effect.

Crowd score

How busy it gets

10/10
Peak

The park's busiest time. Reservations, early starts, and patience recommended.

About 90% 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 September visits vs. the year

September (typical)25,749
Peak — July28,536
Quietest — February1,746

September draws about 17% of Great Basin’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
73°F
Avg low
48°F
Precipitation
1.1"
Sunrise
5:18 AM
Sunset
5:44 PM
Daylight
12.4h

Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, GREAT BASIN NP, NV US

What's open

Great Basin in September: access

Park Grounds and Trails Check "Visitor Centers" tab for facility-specific hours

Seasonal closures may apply:

  • Park Closure

    Wheeler Peak Campground Seasonal Closure

    The Wheeler Peak Campground will close for the season on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Availability in the other park campgrounds can be found on recreation.gov.

  • Park Closure

    Dump Station Seasonal Closure

    Due to incoming winter weather, the park's dump station will be closing for the season at 12:00 pm on Friday, October 9, 2026. After that time, there will be no potable water available inside the National Park.

  • Park Closure

    Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive Seasonal Closure

    Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is closed to vehicle traffic at the Summit Trailhead due to impacts from winter weather.

Source: NPS Data API

Conditions

Current alerts

  • Caution

    No Potable Water in Park Campgrounds

    There currently is no water available in any campground in Great Basin National Park.  Water is available at the RV Fill and Dump Station, the Great Basin, and the Lehman Caves Visitor Center as well as some local businesses.  

Source: NPS Data API

Context

Great Basin crowds across the year

January: 1/10 crowdJanFebruary: 1/10 crowdFebMarch: 1/10 crowdMarApril: 3/10 crowdAprMay: 6/10 crowdMayJune: 9/10 crowdJunJuly: 10/10 crowdJulAugust: 8/10 crowdAugSeptember: 10/10 crowd10SepOctober: 7/10 crowdOctNovember: 1/10 crowdNovDecember: 1/10 crowdDec

Alternatives

Quieter nearby in September

FAQ

Great Basin in September

How busy is Great Basin in September?

September rates 10/10 for crowds (Peak) at Great Basin National Park — about 90% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 25,749.

What is the weather like at Great Basin in September?

In September, Great Basin averages a high of 73°F and a low of 48°F, with about 1.1 inches of precipitation.

How much does it cost to visit Great Basin?

Entry to Great Basin is free.

When is Great Basin least crowded?

Great Basin 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 Great Basin get in September?

In mid-September, Great Basin gets about 12.4 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 5:18 AM and sunset around 5:44 PM.