Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in January
January at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 52°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 4.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes January a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 33°F
- Average high
- 52°F
Range across the year: 33°F to 89°F
- Precipitation
- 4.6 in
- Daylight
- 10.0 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 192,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1980 to 2025.
That makes January the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (1.3×) and the December low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 50/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is April: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 42°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 32% 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 10 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 9.7-hour midwinter low and the 14.3-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 2,901,903 recreation visits, down 1.3% from 2,940,804 in 2024.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 54°F / 36°F | 0.7× Quiet | 56 Fair |
| January | 52°F / 33°F | 0.8× Quiet | 50 Fair |
| February | 56°F / 36°F | 0.8× Quiet | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at Chattahoochee River, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Chattahoochee River in January
The National Park Service tags 6 Chattahoochee River activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Be A CHAT Junior Ranger · 1-3 hours
- Chattahoochee Cycling
- Cochran Shoals Fitness Loop
- Exploring Gold Branch · 1-6 hours
- Exploring Palisades East · 1-6 hours
- Exploring Palisades West · 1-6 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 52°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, with about 4.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is quiet at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is December. January sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 192,000 recreation visits at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1980–2025.
Where to stay near Chattahoochee River in January
Booking a January trip to Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Chattahoochee River
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 (1980–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.