Acadia National Park in January
January at Acadia National Park averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 15°F, with about 4.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 15°F
- Average high
- 33°F
Range across the year: 15°F to 79°F
- Precipitation
- 4.5 in
- Daylight
- 9.0 hours
Roughly 0% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 14,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes January the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the August peak (2.5×) and the February low (0×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 2/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 24°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 56% 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 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 8.7-hour midwinter low and the 15.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,079,318 recreation visits, up 3% from 3,961,661 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 21.3%, so a January visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 38°F / 22°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 1 Poor |
| January | 33°F / 15°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
| February | 35°F / 18°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 4 Poor |
All twelve months at Acadia, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in January 2027
The National Park Service lists these Acadia facilities as closed during January 2027. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Islesford Historical Museum (visitor center): closed all month (September 19, 2026 to June 15, 2027)
- Sieur de Monts Nature Center (visitor center): closed all month (October 13, 2026 to June 14, 2027)
- Schoodic Woods Campground (campground): closed all month (October 15, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
- Seawall Campground (campground): closed all month (October 15, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
- Blackwoods Campground (campground): closed all month (October 22, 2026 to May 2, 2027)
- Schoodic Institute Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall (visitor center): closed all month (October 28, 2026 to April 30, 2027)
- Hulls Cove Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027)
- Acadia Gateway Center (visitor center): closed all month (January 1, 2027 to May 19, 2027)
Things to do at Acadia in January
The National Park Service tags 32 Acadia activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bike Carriage Roads
- Birding Seawall
- Hike Bar Island Trail · 45-90 minutes
- Hike Cadillac North Ridge Trail · 2-4 hours
- Hike Giant Slide Loop · 2-4 hours
- Hike Jordan Pond Path · 1-3 hours
- Hike Pemetic South Ridge · 2-3 hours
- Hike Wonderland Trail · 30-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 15°F at Acadia National Park, with about 4.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Acadia National Park (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 2/100. Our recommended month is May. January draws about 5% of the visits Acadia sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around January.
The busiest month is August and the quietest is February. January sits at about 0.1× the park's average, or 0% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 14,000 recreation visits at Acadia National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Acadia in January
Booking a January trip to Acadia National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Acadia
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.