Catoctin Mountain Park in January
January at Catoctin Mountain Park averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 23°F, with about 3.8" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes January a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 23°F
- Average high
- 39°F
Range across the year: 23°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 3.8 in
- Daylight
- 9.5 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 18,000 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 October peak (1.4×) and the February low (0.5×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 31°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.1 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 31% 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 9.5 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 9.2-hour midwinter low and the 14.8-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 460,857 recreation visits, up 21.1% from 380,681 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 40.8%, 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 | 43°F / 28°F | 0.6× Quiet | 45 Fair |
| January | 39°F / 23°F | 0.6× Quiet | 41 Poor |
| February | 42°F / 25°F | 0.5× Quiet | 47 Fair |
All twelve months at Catoctin Mountain, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Catoctin Mountain in January
The National Park Service tags 15 Catoctin Mountain activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Orienteering
- Birdwatching - Brown's Farm Trail · 30-60 minutes
- Brown's Farm Trail · 30-45 minutes
- Catoctin Junior Ranger Program · 40-120 minutes
- Deerfield Nature Trail · 40-60 minutes
- Fly Fishing
- Hike to Thurmont Vista: The Pink Blazed Trail · 1-2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 23°F at Catoctin Mountain Park, with about 3.8 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is quiet at Catoctin Mountain Park (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is October and the quietest is February. January sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 18,000 recreation visits at Catoctin Mountain Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Catoctin Mountain in January
Booking a January trip to Catoctin Mountain Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Catoctin Mountain
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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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.