The Best National Parks to Visit in November — Ranked by Data
The best national parks to visit in November are Gateway Arch, Great Basin and Badlands — ranked by a fixed formula over official NPS crowd data (2021–2025), NOAA weather normals and daylight, with seasonal closures counted against inaccessible parks.
Top 10 for November
| # | Park | Verdict | Score | Crowds vs peak | High/Low | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gateway Arch National Park | Shoulder | 75 | 22% | 55°F/36°F | 10.1h |
| 2 | Great Basin National Park | Shoulder | 75 | 9% | 48°F/26°F | 10.1h |
| 3 | Badlands National Park | Shoulder | 74 | 8% | 49°F/21°F | 9.7h |
| 4 | Wind Cave National Park | Shoulder | 73 | 12% | 48°F/23°F | 9.7h |
| 5 | Canyonlands National Park | Best window | 72 | 35% | 55°F/26°F | 10.1h |
| 6 | Mammoth Cave National Park | Best window | 72 | 33% | 61°F/40°F | 10.2h |
| 7 | Mesa Verde National Park | Shoulder | 72 | 15% | 45°F/30°F | 10.2h |
| 8 | New River Gorge National Park | Best window | 72 | 33% | 54°F/33°F | 10.1h |
| 9 | Petrified Forest National Park | Best window | 72 | 45% | 58°F/28°F | 10.3h |
| 10 | Arches National Park | Best window | 71 | 44% | 56°F/33°F | 10.1h |
Score = 45% weather comfort (NOAA 1991–2020 normals) + 35% quietness (NPS visitation 2021–2025) + 20% daylight, with penalties where headline access is typically closed. Identical formula for every park. Methodology.
Think twice in November
At the other end of the ranking: Denali (harsh conditions), Kobuk Valley (harsh conditions), Katmai (headline access typically closed), Yellowstone (headline access typically closed), Glacier (headline access typically closed). Every park's page explains exactly why, with the underlying numbers.
Common questions about November
What is the best national park to visit in November?
Gateway Arch National Park scores highest for November (75/100): crowds at 22% of its peak, average highs of 55°F and 10.1 hours of daylight. Great Basin and Badlands come next.
Which national parks are least crowded in November?
Compared with each park's own busiest month, the quietest in November are North Cascades (1% of peak), Voyageurs (5% of peak) and Theodore Roosevelt (7% of peak). This leaves out parks in their harsh season or with main access typically closed.
Which national parks are warm in November?
The warmest by average high are American Samoa (87°F), Virgin Islands (87°F) and Everglades (83°F), from NOAA 1991–2020 normals at each park's nearest weather station.
Which national parks are best avoided in November?
Denali (harsh conditions), Kobuk Valley (harsh conditions), Katmai (main access typically closed), Yellowstone (main access typically closed) and Glacier (main access typically closed) sit at the bottom of the November ranking. Each park's November page shows the numbers behind that.
How are the parks ranked?
Each park gets a score out of 100 for November: 45% weather comfort (NOAA 1991–2020 normals), 35% quietness (NPS visits, 2021–2025 average) and 20% daylight. Parks whose main access is typically closed lose points and are never marked as a best month. The same formula is used for every park.
All 63 parks in November
No parks match.
Last verified 2026-09-24
Plan your gear after choosing a park
Check the park's weather and trail conditions before choosing sizes or equipment. These options are starting points for comparison; none is required for every visit.
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- Black Diamond Storm 550 headlampSee price on AmazonView on Amazon
A rechargeable light to consider if your plans include walking after dark. Check battery runtime and carry an appropriate backup.
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Compare fit, weather protection and packed size with the conditions on your park page.