Yosemite in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 57/100 · #9 of 12 months
January is a quiet month with trade-offs at Yosemite National Park: crowds run 21% of the August peak (115,014 average visits). Weather: highs average 48°F and lows 29°F, with 7.0″ of precipitation and 9.8 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Yosemite in January
- Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 29°F, below freezing.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 7.0″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.8 hours of daylight in mid-January.
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Crowds in January
Yosemite averages 115,014 recreation visits in January — 21% of what August, the peak month, draws — the quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
Days are cool (highs average 48°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 29°F). This is one of the wetter months (7.0″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 9.8 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YOSEMITE PARK HQ, CA US (3 mi from park coordinates, 4,018 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.
What to pack for Yosemite in January
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 29°F, below freezing
- Rain shell + pack cover — 7.0″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 9.8 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 7.0″ of rain is normal this month
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Yosemite are March and 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
Is Yosemite crowded in January?
No — January is one of the quieter months: 21% of the August peak, averaging 115,014 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Yosemite in January?
Average highs of 48°F, lows of 29°F, 7.0″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YOSEMITE PARK HQ, CA US station).
What should I pack for Yosemite in January?
Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves; Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
Is everything open at Yosemite in January?
Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road typically close November–late May; Yosemite Valley is open year-round. 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