Effigy Mounds National Monument in January
January at Effigy Mounds National Monument averages a daytime high near 27°F and an overnight low around 10°F, with about 1.2" of precipitation and roughly 9" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.5× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 10°F
- Average high
- 27°F
Range across the year: 10°F to 83°F
- Precipitation
- 1.2 in
- Snowfall
- 9 in
- Daylight
- 9.2 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 2,200 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 July peak (2×) and the December low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 40/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 18°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 42% 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 56,912 recreation visits, down 8.2% from 61,975 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 7.1%, 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 | 33°F / 17°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
| January | 27°F / 10°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 40 Poor |
| February | 32°F / 13°F | 0.6× Quiet | 38 Poor |
All twelve months at Effigy Mounds, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 27°F and an overnight low around 10°F at Effigy Mounds National Monument, with about 1.2 inches of precipitation and roughly 9 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Effigy Mounds National Monument (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 40/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. January sits at about 0.5× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 2,000 recreation visits at Effigy Mounds National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Effigy Mounds in January
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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.