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WhenToVisitParks

Crater Lake National Park in January

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

January at Crater Lake National Park averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 20°F, with about 10.1" of precipitation and roughly 87" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.

Average low
20°F
Average high
33°F

Range across the year: 19°F to 69°F

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

Check access before you plan around January

January draws about 9% of the visits Crater Lake 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 Crater Lake park page.

Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 5,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

It is the quietest month of the year at Crater Lake; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 3.4× the average.

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

The daily average of about 27°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 65% 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 9.2 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 8.8-hour midwinter low and the 15.2-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 632,242 recreation visits, up 25.2% from 504,942 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 19.4%, so January may feel a touch quieter than it once did.

How January compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
December33°F / 19°F0.2× Very quiet2 Poor
January33°F / 20°F0.1× Very quiet2 Poor
February34°F / 19°F0.1× Very quiet4 Poor

All twelve months at Crater Lake, with the best time to visit.

Seasonal closures in January 2027

The National Park Service lists these Crater Lake facilities as closed during January 2027. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

January averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 20°F at Crater Lake National Park, with about 10.1 inches of precipitation and roughly 87 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

January is very quiet at Crater Lake National Park (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 2/100. Our recommended month is September. January draws about 9% of the visits Crater Lake 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 July and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.1× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.

A typical January sees about 5,000 recreation visits at Crater Lake National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Crater Lake in January

Booking a January trip to Crater Lake National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Crater Lake

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.

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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.