How Crowded Is Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park in January?
January runs about 0.6× Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park's average month, which makes it a quiet month here — roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in January.
In a typical January the park sees about 225,000 recreation visits, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
It is the quietest month of the year at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal; by contrast June, the busiest, runs about 1.3× the average — so January is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 78/100 ("Excellent"), versus the top-rated February at 80/100 — the best overall balance of crowds and daylight.
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 — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 4,579,704 recreation visits, up 3.6% from 4,421,276 in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
January is quiet at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Excellent". The single best month overall is February.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 225,000 recreation visits at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Chesapeake & Ohio Canal in January
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Top-rated places to stay near Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
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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). Updated 2026-07-14.