Best national parks to visit this fall season

Between funding freezes and budget cuts, it’s been a tough year for national parks. But “now is a great time” to return, said Jim Pattiz, co-founder of More Than Just Parks, which promotes and raises awareness about public lands.

Fall days with cooler temperatures offer a respite from summer heat and peak crowds.

The national park system saw sporadic restrictions during the government shutdown, and outdoor parks remained largely open, but there were no workers to staff some historic sites and visitor centers, or direct some tours.

“Now, as operations resume, parks across the country are welcoming visitors back in full,” the National Park Service said in a statement Thursday. “NPS employees and partners are working quickly to restore normal services and ensure visitors can continue to enjoy these treasured places.”

Pattiz said travelers should remember that employees may have their hands full when they return to work, and that it may take time for cleanup or full access to be restored.

“I would just encourage people to give our park employees words of encouragement when you go see them,” Pattiz said. “Thank them for what they’re doing.”

Here are seven parks that are perfect for a late fall visit.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, one of the lesser visited in the country, promises a variety of West Texas wilderness: mountains, canyons, desert and dunes.

The 86,416-acre expanse contains more than 80 miles of hiking trails. Intrepid travelers with eight hours to spare can take on the 8.4-mile hike to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas.

In the fall, visitors can expect sun and mild weather; average temperatures in November range from highs around 60 to lows in the 30s (although these estimates drop 5-10 degrees at higher elevation in the park).

Plan your road trip wisely: You’ll want to arrive with a full tank, as there are no gas stations available inside the park.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park, home to the world’s most iconic cactus, is one of the most easily accessible parks in the country, located just outside Tucson - on both sides, actually. The park is split into two districts with the city in between. Tucson Mountain District to the west and Rincon Mountain District to the east offer similar landscapes and wildlife, but for more cactus action, head west. You can bike, drive, hike or horseback around the park’s scenic loops to best appreciate the otherworldly plants.

Fall visitors can expect average temperatures of 65 degrees during the day and 40 degrees at night. The government shutdown limited access to the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, Rincon Mountain District Entrance Road and Cactus Forest Loop Drive, but all other areas of the park are open. Visit the Saguaro park current conditions website for updates.

Everglades National Park

November kicks off the drier - and high - season at this 1.5-million-acre national park in South Florida, a great alternative to the wetter, more humid months.

Scanning the river of grass for alligators or wading birds is so much more pleasant when you’re not slapping mosquitos away. Expect average lows around 63 and highs of 83.

“Visiting the Everglades this time of year is beautiful; it is the least buggy time of year, many migratory birds are coming in, and there are many plants blooming,” like pastel-flowered muhly grass, the nonprofit Everglades Institute said in a statement. The organization offers van tours, paddling tours and “wet walks” to explore the park.

Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon’s North Rim closed for the season Friday, but the South Rim teems with hiking trails, scenic roads, incredible views and plenty to do.

The park remained open during the government shutdown, but some services such as the South Rim visitors center have been closed; the timeline for a return to normal was not available Thursday.

“It’s usually a quieter time to come visit with great weather,” said Mindy Riesenberg, chief communications officer for the nonprofit Grand Canyon Conservancy. “It’s not hot. It’s beautiful, it’s great for walking and hiking. I find it to be one of the best times of the year to visit.”

Average temperatures at the South Rim reach a high of about 52 degrees in November and dip to 27, but things warm up in the inner canyon to an average high of 68 and low of 46.

Shenandoah National Park

Fall is high season for Shenandoah National Park, but you’ll find fewer crowds after the leaves reach their peak and temperatures dip (in November and December, average highs top out around 39 degrees). That means a quieter time on the park’s 500-plus miles of trail, particularly if you go midweek.

Hikers take note: The weather can change quickly, from a clear day at lower elevations to snow on the trails. Check the park’s conditions website before your visit, particularly if you’re looking to take a scenic trip along Skyline Drive, which can be closed due to icy conditions.

Death Valley National Park

In the summer, Death Valley records some of the hottest temperatures on the planet. In the fall, visitors will find a climate that’s much more humane. November average temperatures range from highs in the 70s to lows in the 40s.

Spend your day hiking through canyons and badlands, then stick around after dark. The park is ranked the highest (gold tier) level by the International DarkSky Association, and according to its website, “Celestial objects which can be viewed from Death Valley are not visible elsewhere in the world.”

Great Smoky Mountains

The Smokies in North Carolina and Tennessee are a fan favorite - more than 12 million visitors came in 2024, the most of any national park. October is the busiest month as leaf peepers flock to fall colors. That’s why Pattiz likes to visit in November, when visitors can still find colorful leaves at lower elevations but avoid traffic jams.

“It’s my favorite time to go because the crowds have died off from their crazy peak times and you don’t have to deal with trying to find a parking spot and all these things that you do in the middle of October,” he said.

He warns that campers should be prepared for “surprisingly low” temperatures at night: At low elevation, the average low is 33 and high is 61. Higher elevations are likely to be colder.

Pattiz said one of the park’s “big draws” is the elk, which can be viewed in parts of the North Carolina side, including Cataloochee, Balsam Mountain and Oconaluftee. He also loves to visit Mingus Mill, a historic grist mill. “It’s quiet and it feels very sort of Old World; you’re taken out of the hustle and bustle of the rest of the park,” he said. The interior is temporarily closed for preservation and rehabilitation.