Redwood in September.

Crowd snapshot.

September averages about 71,800 recreation visits in the five-year mean, roughly 76% of June and about 11% fewer than August. The figure is a monthly average, so it can't show how Labor Day weekend compares with the rest of the month. All four campgrounds are open, and Mill Creek stays open into early October. After September 15, Fern Canyon parking no longer needs a reservation.

Weather snapshot.

The Klamath station averages a September high near 66.6°F, the warmest of the year, and a low near 49.8°F, with about 1.3 inches of precipitation. NPS's storm season doesn't start until October. On September 21 the sun rises around 7:03 a.m. and sets around 7:15 p.m. near the center of the park, per the U.S. Naval Observatory. NPS recommends layers, rain gear, and non-slip shoes, since the forest and coast can be slippery.

Access snapshot.

The Fern Canyon parking reservation is required only through September 15; after that, Davison Road is open without one, though Gold Bluffs Beach charges $12 per vehicle and RVs over 24 feet and trailers still aren't permitted. Fern Canyon's footbridges are installed only from June to September, so check the NPS conditions page for whether they are still up. All four campgrounds are open on ReserveCalifornia, with Mill Creek closing in early October. Howland Hill Road stays open, but NPS's scenic drives page says motorhomes, RVs, and trailers will not fit on it. The Tall Trees Trailhead needs a free reservation. Redwood National Park charges no entrance fee.

Seasonal events.

September is in the middle of the elk rut, which NPS puts at late August through October. Bulls are defensive and aggressive and may charge people and vehicles, so watch from well beyond 25 yards and never approach for a photo. NPS names Orick, Elk Meadow, Elk Prairie by the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, and south of Crescent City as the likeliest places to see elk, and a herd is often around Fern Canyon. Once the footbridges come out for the season, Fern Canyon means wading Home Creek.

Audience verdict.

September suits most visitors, from photographers to families with flexible dates. It has the warmest average highs, the elk rut, and fewer visitors than summer. If Fern Canyon matters, decide between the reservation window, which ends September 15, and a reservation-free drive after it. RV travelers still have all four campgrounds, until Mill Creek closes in early October. Keep your distance from elk, since the rut makes bulls unpredictable.

Common questions.

Is September a good time to visit Redwood?

September runs busy at Redwood, about 76% of the June peak, with mild shoulder-season weather (average highs near 67°F). It is one of the busier months, though not always the single peak.

How crowded is Redwood in September?

September averages about 71,819 recreation visits, roughly 76% of Redwood's busiest month (June). That lands it in the middle of Redwood's year for crowds.

How much of Redwood is open in September?

In a typical September, about 100% of Redwood's road network (weighted by how important each route is) is open to wheeled vehicles. Road-opening dates shift year to year, so check the official NPS page for current conditions before you go.

Methodology

Monthly recreation visits come from the official NPS Visitor Use Statistics Data Package, 2025 on NPS IRMA Stats; the statistic shown is Recreation Visits (Redwood National Park), the 5-year mean for 2021-2025. These counts cover Redwood National Park (the NPS-administered lands); the three cooperatively managed California state parks are counted separately, and the 2024-2025 totals reflect an improved NPS counting method rather than real growth, so the reliable timing signal is the month-to-month share of the peak. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Klamath, CA (station USC00044577, 28 ft elevation, coastal lowland). The access score weights how much of the road network is typically drivable that month; Redwood's main roads have no closing season, so the winter dip is our estimate of the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway's winter storm closures and first-Saturday Bike and Hike Days. Seasonal specifics (the Fern Canyon reservation window, Mill Creek Campground's season, visitor center hours) can change; confirm current details on the official NPS Redwood page before booking. Independent site, not affiliated with the National Park Service.