Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 42/100 · #11 of 12 months

January is peak season — expect the year's biggest crowds at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: crowds run 94% of the December peak (142,358 average visits). Weather: highs average 74°F and lows 56°F, with 13.1″ of precipitation and 11.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Crowds in January

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes averages 142,358 recreation visits in January — 94% of what December, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — book early and start days at dawn.

Weather & daylight

Days are mild (highs average 74°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 56°F). This is one of the wetter months (13.1″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 11.1 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station GLENWOOD #2 55.4, HI US (8 mi from park coordinates, 2,200 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.

What to pack for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January

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

• Rain shell + pack cover — 13.1″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 13.1″ of rain is normal this month

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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best month for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is April.

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