Gateway Arch in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 67/100 · #11 of 12 months

January is a quiet month with trade-offs at Gateway Arch National Park: crowds run 11% of the July peak (51,776 average visits). Weather: highs average 40°F and lows 24°F, with 2.5″ of precipitation and 9.8 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in January

Gateway Arch averages 51,776 recreation visits in January — 11% of what July, the peak month, draws — the quietest month of the year. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Weather & daylight

It is properly cold (highs average 40°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 24°F). Average precipitation is 2.5″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 9.8 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CAHOKIA ST LOUIS AP, IL US (4 mi from park coordinates, 413 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.

What to pack for Gateway Arch in January

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 24°F, below freezing
• Packable rain jacket — 2.5″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Headlamp — only 9.8 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Gateway Arch are April and September.

Also at their best in January

Other parks whose computed January verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Channel Islands in January — 35% of peak crowds, highs 66°F, score 76/100
• Zion in January — 23% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 76/100
• Carlsbad Caverns in January — 38% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 73/100
• Big Bend in January — 50% of peak crowds, highs 69°F, score 71/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in January · Last verified 2026-09-24