How Crowded Is Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in January?

January runs about 0.3× Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park's average month, which makes it a very quiet month here — roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in January.

In a typical January the park sees roughly 5,900 recreation visits, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

It is the quietest month of the year at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.9× the average — so January is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.

On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 51/100 ("Fair"), versus the top-rated October at 65/100 — pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

Typical January weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 44°F and an overnight low around 25°F.

That average of about 35°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground.

Because June, July and August together draw about 41% of annual visitors, choosing January instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.

You'll have about 9.7 hours of daylight in January to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 212,899 recreation visits, down 14.6% from 249,166 in 2024.