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WhenToVisitParks

City Of Rocks National Reserve in January

Very quiet0.1× average month · best-time score 2/100

January at City Of Rocks National Reserve averages a daytime high near 40°F and an overnight low around 21°F, with about 0.8" of precipitation and roughly 6" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.

Average low
21°F
Average high
40°F

Range across the year: 21°F to 86°F

Crowds
0.1× averageVery quiet
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
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  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
Precipitation
0.8 in
Snowfall
6 in
Daylight
9.3 hours

Check access before you plan around January

January draws about 10% of the visits City Of Rocks 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. Official City Of Rocks park page.

Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 840 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1992 to 2025.

That makes January the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the June peak (2.1×) and the February low (0.1×).

On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 2/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

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 14.6 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 45% 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 9.3 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 8.9-hour midwinter low and the 15.1-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 90,898 recreation visits, up 1.1% from 89,949 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 23%, so January may feel a touch quieter than it once did.

How January compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
December39°F / 21°F0.3× Very quiet42 Poor
January40°F / 21°F0.1× Very quiet2 Poor
February45°F / 24°F0.1× Very quiet5 Poor

All twelve months at City Of Rocks, with the best time to visit.

Things to do at City Of Rocks in January

The National Park Service tags 7 City Of Rocks activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

January averages a daytime high near 40°F and an overnight low around 21°F at City Of Rocks National Reserve, with about 0.8 inches of precipitation and roughly 6 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 14.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

January is very quiet at City Of Rocks National Reserve (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 2/100. Our recommended month is October. January draws about 10% of the visits City Of Rocks 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 June and the quietest is February. January sits at about 0.1× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.

A typical January sees about 1,000 recreation visits at City Of Rocks National Reserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1992–2025.

Where to stay near City Of Rocks in January

Booking a January trip to City Of Rocks National Reserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near City Of Rocks

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 City Of Rocks in January?

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← DecemberAll months at City Of RocksWhere to stay near City Of RocksFebruary →

See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in January.

Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1992–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.