Yellowstone in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Harsh season · VisitWhen score 22/100 · #11 of 12 months

January is a harsh-season month at Yellowstone National Park: crowds run 5% of the July peak (42,153 average visits). Weather: highs average 23°F and lows 1°F, with 1.8″ of precipitation and 9.2 hours of daylight. Headline access is typically closed this month — see the access warning below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Yellowstone in January

Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 1°F.
HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.2 hours of daylight in mid-January.
Bear spraySee it on AmazonWhy: recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry).

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Access warning: Most park roads close to regular vehicles at the start of November and reopen in stages: the West Entrance–Madison–Old Faithful–Norris–Canyon roads in mid-April (April 17 in 2026), the East and South entrances in early May, and Dunraven Pass in late May. The North Entrance–Northeast Entrance road is open all year; elsewhere winter access is by guided oversnow travel. That typically affects January — verify before planning. Current NPS conditions →

The sun sets behind the sharp point of a snow-covered mountain; pink clouds are reflected in a pond — Yellowstone National Park — photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in January

Yellowstone averages 42,153 recreation visits in January — 5% of what July, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Average visits (January)

42,153 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

1% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

Weather & daylight

It is properly cold (highs average 23°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 1°F). It is typically dry (1.8″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 9.2 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates, 7,835 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.

What to pack for Yellowstone in January

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

Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 1°F
Headlamp — only 9.2 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)

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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Yellowstone are May and June.

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

Is Yellowstone crowded in January?

No — January is one of the quieter months: 5% of the July peak, averaging 42,153 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).

What is the weather like in Yellowstone in January?

Average highs of 23°F, lows of 1°F, 1.8″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US station).

What should I pack for Yellowstone in January?

Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page.

Is everything open at Yellowstone in January?

Most park roads close to regular vehicles at the start of November and reopen in stages: the West Entrance–Madison–Old Faithful–Norris–Canyon roads in mid-April (April 17 in 2026), the East and South entrances in early May, and Dunraven Pass in late May. The North Entrance–Northeast Entrance road is open all year; elsewhere winter access is by guided oversnow travel. Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.

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