Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in January
January at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 20°F, with about 0.7" of precipitation and roughly 9" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 20°F
- Average high
- 39°F
Range across the year: 20°F to 89°F
- Precipitation
- 0.7 in
- Snowfall
- 9 in
- Daylight
- 8.9 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 5,100 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes January the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.6×) and the December low (0.3×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 42/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 29°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 57% 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 8.9 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 8.6-hour midwinter low and the 15.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 228,382 recreation visits, up 3.9% from 219,815 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 7.2%, so January may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 39°F / 21°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 41 Poor |
| January | 39°F / 20°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
| February | 40°F / 21°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
All twelve months at Bighorn Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 20°F at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation and roughly 9 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. January sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 5,000 recreation visits at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Bighorn Canyon in January
Booking a January trip to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Bighorn Canyon
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Bighorn Canyon in January?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Bighorn Canyon by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in January.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.