After the holiday shopping, cooking, family gatherings, and celebrations of December, January is usually a time of contemplation, resolutions, and peace and quiet. It’s also a fantastic month to explore some amazing national parks.
After all, what’s a better way to start the new year than visiting a new—maybe tropical—national park?
Visiting national parks in January doesn’t need to involve freezing your butt off in bone-chilling temperatures or plowing your way through feet of snow. Rather the contrary, in fact!
There are several national parks that are downright phenomenal in January, boasting abundant sunshine, comfy temps, and lots of outdoor activities.
For example, in January you can go kayaking in south Florida, hiking in Hawaii, explore Southwest desert landscapes, and bask on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches in the Virgin Islands. Plenty of options, in other words, even in January!
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Contents
- Planning a Visit to National Parks in January
- 9 Best National Parks to Visit in January
- 1. Big Bend National Park, Texas
- 2. Biscayne National Park, Florida
- 3. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
- 4. Everglades National Park, Florida
- 5. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
- 6. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
- Visiting Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in January
- 7. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
- 8. Saguaro National Park, Arizona
- 9. Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands
- When to Visit National Parks
Planning a Visit to National Parks in January
While many national parks shut down—either partially or entirely—during winter, others are among the greatest places to visit in January in the United States.
Thanks to the incredible diversity and wide geographic range of the National Park System, you’ll always find one or more parks to visit, no matter what month or season it is.
January, being the month after the expensive and busy holiday season, is an unusually quiet time in America’s national parks. Many parks also shut down partially or entirely due to severe winter weather, while others—especially the (sub)tropical ones—are in their absolute prime in January.
January is typically a great month to enjoy a quiet national parks experience.
Generally speaking, January has one of the lowest visitation numbers across the National Park System.
Many destinations are in their low season, which means that prices for accommodation, flights, and car rentals are potentially significantly lower than in the peak summer months. That said, though, January storms might cause delays this time of year, so be flexible in your plans.
The following overview of the best national parks to visit in January mainly features parks that offer a getaway from winter weather elsewhere. Most of them are in the country’s warmer, less snowy regions.
9 Best National Parks to Visit in January
So, which national parks are best to visit in January? Whether you’re looking for a winter hiking holiday or want to soak up some tropical sunshine, there are several options for you below:
- Big Bend
- Biscayne
- Dry Tortugas
- Everglades
- Haleakalā
- Hawai‘i Volcanoes
- Mammoth Cave
- Saguaro
- Virgin Islands
For each of these top national parks to visit in January, I’ve also included some basic information, such as expected crowds (based on historical visitation data), typical weather, and—not unimportant—the average sunrise and sunset times in the park.
NOTE: While the national parks below are all amazing in January, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s always a possibility of travel disruptions. Winter weather might cause flight delays or cancellations, even if there’s no severe weather at your departure or arrival airports. Additionally, it’s also possible that some areas in certain parks, including roads and trails, may be temporarily closed. I always recommend checking each specific park’s website for more information about current conditions and road closures.
1. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Location: Southwestern Texas
Expected Crowds: Low
Weather: The average high temperature is 61.5°F (16°C), while the average low temperature is 37.5°F (3°C). The monthly precipitation average is merely 0.69 inches (17.5 mm) in total. Snow is rare but possible in January, so visitors are encouraged to prepare for a variety of weather conditions.
Average Sunrise Time: 7:47 am
Average Sunset Time: 6:16 pm
Visiting Big Bend National Park in January
Winter in Big Bend National Park is usually sunny, pleasant, and mild. Although days with clouds and near-freezing temperatures do occasionally occur, the general Big Bend National Park winter weather is relatively warm and enjoyable.
Average maximum temperatures for January are in the 60s, while this is also among the driest months of the year. Although January is the coolest month of the year in Big Bend National Park, temperatures are typically still pretty enjoyable during the day.
Snowfall is pretty rare and, when it does occur, is usually quite light. This makes January a fantastic time to go hiking and boating in Big Bend.
The National Park Service does advise January visitors to prepare for a variety of weather conditions, though. On any given day in January, temperatures can vary from below freezing to well into the 80s.
Besides hiking and boating, there are many other ways to explore and enjoy these spectacular canyons, rugged desert plains, and mountains on the border of the U.S. and Mexico. Those include bird watching, fishing, stargazing, horseback riding, and scenic drives.
All in all, Big Bend National Park in January is fantastic. It’s a beautiful month to visit this underrated and less-visited park in southwestern Texas.
More About Big Bend National Park
2. Biscayne National Park, Florida
Location: Southern Florida
Expected Crowds: Moderate
Weather: The average high temperature is about 75°F (24°C), while the average low temperature is 61°F (16°C). January is one of the driest months in Biscayne, with a total amount of precipitation of 1.6 inches (40.6 mm) throughout the entire month.
Average Sunrise Time: 7:07 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:51 pm
Visiting Biscayne National Park in January
No less than 95% of Biscayne National Park, which is just south of Miami, is water. Only 5% is land, which includes a small stretch of mainland shoreline and several offshore islands. Therefore, the only way to explore and experience Biscayne National Park is on boat trips.
A wide array of excursions leave from the Biscayne National Park Institute near the park’s visitor center, from glass-bottom boat tours to snorkeling and scuba diving trips and sailboat outings.
On these boat tours, you can enjoy the stunning seascapes of Biscayne Bay, both from the boat itself and in the water. This park offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world, though the best underwater visibility does occur in summer.
January is a great time to visit Biscayne National Park thanks to southern Florida’s amazing subtropical climate.
This is the dry season in this part of the country, meaning that a visit to Biscayne National Park in January comes with very mild weather and tons of sunshine. For instance, January is the month with the fewest wet days in Biscayne National Park.
More About Biscayne National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Top Things to Do in Biscayne National Park
- How to Visit Boca Chita Key
- Accommodation
3. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Location: 70 miles west of Key West, southern Florida
Expected Crowds: Low
Weather: The average high temperature is 75°F (24°C), while the average low temperature is 65°F (18°C). Average precipitation through January is 1.95 inches (49.5 mm). Although warm and very dry, winter is also the windiest time of year in this region.
Average Sunrise Time: 7:16 am
Average Sunset Time: 6:04 pm
Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park in January
One of the least accessible national parks in the United States, Dry Tortugas National Park is 70 miles west of Key West. It’s only reachable by seaplane or boat.
This is a glorious destination all year, but it’s particularly amazing in winter, not in the least because it’s one of America’s greatest tropical destinations.
January in Dry Tortugas National Park is warm, typically sunny, and—well—dry. The park was named after its dry conditions, specifically its lack of freshwater sources, and the many turtles that frequent its shallow turquoise waters.
From November to April, there can be the occasional windstorm, though, which cause swells and waves, and reduce visibility underwater. That said, however, January is not the hurricane season in south Florida—the hurricane season officially ends on November 30—so you don’t have to worry about that at all.
In general, visiting Dry Tortugas National Park in January is a great idea. You can expect beautiful sunny weather and very comfortable temperatures. Although the “coolest” month of the year, January is also one of the months that sees the least precipitation.
Highlights include massive Fort Jefferson, which is the largest brick building in the Americas, stunning beaches, and world-class snorkeling and scuba diving.
Tours, whether by plane or boat, depart from Key West. The Yankee Freedom catamaran is the most popular way to get to the Dry Tortugas from Key West.
More About Dry Tortugas National Park
4. Everglades National Park, Florida
Location: Southern Florida
Expected Crowds: High
Weather: The average high temperature is 78°F (25°C), while the average low temperature is 54°F (12°C). January is the second-driest month in Everglades National Park, with a total precipitation of only 1.65 inches (41.9 mm).
Average Sunrise Time: 7:10 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:54 pm
Visiting Everglades National Park in January
This sprawling park southwest of Miami—the third-largest national park in the contiguous United States—can be visited throughout the year, but summer does come with high humidity, hot weather, and relentless bugs.
Winter, on the other hand, has none of that. This is the dry season and there are virtually no bugs, humidity is low, and temperatures are more than comfortable.
Although January is one of the busiest months of the year in Everglades National Park, there are still plenty of opportunities to get away from the crowds. This is especially true for more remote parts of the park, such as Flamingo and the Ten Thousand Islands.
The month of January is a glorious time to explore the “River of Grass,” whether you’re going canoeing or kayaking, joining a cruise, or going on a wildlife excursion.
Both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, Everglades National Park encompasses one of the world’s most important wetland regions. For one, this is one of only a few places on Earth where both alligators and crocodiles live.
Other marine animals you might spot include manatees, sharks, and dolphins.
Everglades National Park is also renowned around the world for its sheer abundance of birds. More than 300 species of birds call the park home, many of which you can see in winter.
High-profile birds in the Everglades are anhingas, roseate spoonbills, great egrets, white-crowned pigeons, snail kites, osprey, bald eagles, wood storks, limpkins, and pelicans. All of those can be seen throughout the park in January.
More About Everglades National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Where to See Wildlife in Everglades National Park
- Where to See Alligators and Crocodiles in the Everglades
- Famous Birds of the Everglades
- Best Things to Do in Flamingo
- Best Things to Do in Shark Valley
- Top Sights on the Everglades Main Park Road
- Best Everglades Bike Trails
- Accommodation
5. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Location: Eastern half of Maui, Hawaii
Expected Crowds: Moderate
Weather: The average high temperature is 75°F (24°), while the average low temperature is 71°F (22°C). (Note that these are averages for the entire park. The high-elevation Summit District is significantly colder than the tropical Kīpahulu District.) Rainfall is possible every day in Kīpahulu; the Summit District is much drier.
Average Sunrise Time: 7:03 am
Average Sunset Time: 6:04 pm
Visiting Haleakalā National Park in January
Even though winter is the wet season in Hawaii, that doesn’t mean visiting the Hawaiian national parks is a bad idea. Rather the contrary, in fact, January in Hawaii is absolutely amazing.
Temperatures remain high throughout the year in most areas, while more precipitation means even lusher tropical scenery.
Haleakalā National Park in Maui, for example, is a great place to visit in January. Thanks to its wide range of elevations between the coastal Kīpahulu District and the Summit District, there’s usually some enjoyable weather to be found somewhere in the park.
The Kīpahulu District has daytime temperatures that range between 70 and 80 degrees year-round, including in winter. This lush area, home to palm trees, waterfalls, and natural swimming holes, does get its fair share of rainfall, though, so remember to bring appropriate clothing.
At the spectacular summit of Haleakalā, it can get significantly colder. The National Park Service says that “on average, the temperature drops about 3°F for every 1,000 foot rise in elevation, making the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakalā about 30°F cooler than the coast.”
Popular activities in Haleakalā National Park in January include swimming, camping, hiking, bird watching, photography, sunrise and sunset viewing, and stargazing.
More About Haleakalā National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Haleakalā Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Haleakalā National Park
- Accommodation
6. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Location: Southwestern portion of the Big Island, Hawaii
Expected Crowds: Moderate
Weather: The average high temperature is 71°F (22°C), while the average low temperature is about 52°F (11°C). (Note that there are significant temperature differences between the Kīlauea summit and the coastal area at the end of the Chain of Craters Road. Additionally, the summit of massive Mauna Loa can have freezing temperatures and even snow in any month of the year.) At Kīlauea, rainfall and fog are possible any day in January, as well as in most other months.
Average Sunrise Time: 6:56 am
Average Sunset Time: 6:02 pm
Visiting Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in January
The second national park in Hawaii is Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, located on the Big Island. Home to both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the most active and biggest volcanoes on the planet, this is a fascinating national park to visit in January.
There are no distinctive seasons in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This basically means that temperatures in winter are as enjoyable as those in summer.
However, the park is notorious for its rapidly changing weather—mist can roll in at any time, while evenings usually bring some rainfall. Chilly temperatures can also occur unexpectedly. Prepare and bring proper clothing for both sunny and rainy weather.
The park’s significant precipitation does, on the other hand, result in a gorgeous rain forest wonderland.
Numerous hiking trails run through verdant tropical forests, some descending into volcanic craters, others leading to jaw-dropping views. The park also has a few scenic drives, which run past historic sites, overlooks, and other attractions.
Visitation numbers are fairly steady throughout the year, mainly because the park’s weather doesn’t change much. They usually peak around holiday periods, such as Christmas, New Year’s, and the Fourth of July, as well as whenever one (or both) of the park’s volcanoes are erupting.
January is usually a relatively busy time in this unique national park, mainly because it’s such a fantastic place to escape the cold winter weather on the mainland.
More About Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Hawai‘i Volcanoes Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
- Viewpoints
- Accommodation
7. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Location: Southern Kentucky
Expected Crowds: Very low
Weather: The average high temperature is about 43°F (6°C), while the average low temperature is 27°F (-3°). The temperature inside the cave, however, is a constant 54°F (12°C). January is a relatively wet month in Mammoth Cave National Park, with a total precipitation of about 4.17 inches (105.9 mm). Mild to moderate snow is possible throughout January.
Average Sunrise Time: 6:56 am
Average Sunset Time: 4:52 pm
Visiting Mammoth Cave National Park in January
The temperature within Mammoth Cave, the longest known cave system in the world, is a constant 54°F, so you can visit the cave year-round. Moreover, January is one of the quietest periods in the park in terms of visitation—by far.
A variety of cave tours are available every day through January.
Above-ground, the weather in January is on the chillier side, but it’s still possible to hit some of the trails in Mammoth Cave National Park if you so desire. Note, though, that some snow and ice may occur, while frost is not uncommon during the nighttime.
More About Mammoth Cave National Park
8. Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Location: Southern Arizona
Expected Crowds: High
Weather: The average high temperature is 64°F (18°C), while the average low temperature is 39°F (4°C). Sporadic rain showers can occur about once a week in January and other winter months. Snow is possible, too, especially in higher-elevation areas of the park. Still, about 50% of January days have completely or mostly clear skies.
Average Sunrise Time: 7:23 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:41 pm
Visiting Saguaro National Park in January
January is the second-coldest month of the year in Saguaro National Park, after December. However, with an average high temperature of 64°F, things could be much worse.
Thanks to its relatively warm winter temperatures, Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona is at its busiest from November through March. Being well in the middle of that period, January is in the top three of busiest months in Saguaro. Don’t let that deter you from visiting, though!
There are plenty of opportunities to get away from the crowds, which are still relatively small compared with other national parks anyway.
You can enjoy the amazing 64-degree afternoons, which are often pretty sunny as well, on several excellent hiking trails in Saguaro National Park. The King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak, the Loma Verde Loop, and Tanque Ridge Trail are especially great for escaping the busy roadside areas.
Additionally, its two separate districts—the Tucson Mountain District (West) and Rincon Mountain District (East)—both located on either side of Tucson, Arizona, have their own scenic drive. Both roads are open to motorists and cyclists alike.
More About Saguaro National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Saguaro Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Saguaro National Park
- Accommodation
9. Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands
Location: Most of the island of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Expected Crowds: Moderate
Weather: The average high temperature is 83°F (28°C), while the average low temperature is 74°F (23°C). January is in the dry season, with the chance of rainfall decreasing rapidly throughout the month. A little precipitation is possible in January, but major storms are rare.
Average Sunrise Time: 6:52 am
Average Sunset Time: 6:02 pm
Visiting Virgin Islands National Park in January
For a beach holiday in January, few national parks are better than Virgin Islands National Park. Very few places in America allow you to spend January snorkeling, sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing under palm trees quite like the U.S. Virgin Islands do.
In fact, I don’t think there’s a national park that’s greater for tropical beach vacations than Virgin Islands National Park. This is arguably the warmest, sunniest, and driest national park you can visit in January.
January is in the middle of the dry season in the Virgin Islands (and much of the rest of the Caribbean). Chances of precipitation decrease steadily throughout the month, while temperatures are perpetually high and sunshine is plentiful.
Popular things to do in Virgin Islands National Park in January include glamping at Cinnamon Bay Beach, turtle viewing at Maho Bay Beach, and snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach, which is considered one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
More About Virgin Islands National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Hikes in Virgin Islands National Park
- Best Beaches in Virgin Islands National Park
- Scenic Views in Virgin Islands National Park
- Virgin Islands National Park Snorkeling Guide
- Historic Plantation Ruins in Virgin Islands National Park
- Accommodation
When to Visit National Parks
For a nice visual overview of when to visit the national parks, I recommend checking out my national parks calendar in this blog post. It highlights the best months to visit each of the 63 U.S. national parks, which should help you plan your itinerary.
For an overview of the best national parks for a specific month, check out these blog posts (this is a series that is still in progress; I’ll add more months as I publish the posts):
- February: Best National Parks to Visit in February
- March: Best National Parks to Visit in March
- December: Best National Parks to Visit in December
Additionally, the following blog posts may also be helpful:
- Winter (cold): Best National Parks for Winter Wonderlands
- Winter (warm): Best National Parks for Warm Winter Getaways
- Spring: Best National Parks to Visit in Spring
- Summer: Best National Parks for Summer Island Vacations
- Fall: Best National Parks for Fall Foliage