Fort Donelson National Battlefield in January
January at Fort Donelson National Battlefield averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 27°F, with about 4.2" of precipitation and roughly 1" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes January a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 27°F
- Average high
- 46°F
Range across the year: 27°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 4.2 in
- Snowfall
- 1 in
- Daylight
- 9.8 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 12,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes January the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the September peak (1.4×) and the December low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 43/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is April: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 37°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 27% 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 9.8 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 9.5-hour midwinter low and the 14.5-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 151,151 recreation visits, down 9% from 166,026 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 24.8%, so January may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 50°F / 31°F | 0.6× Quiet | 50 Fair |
| January | 46°F / 27°F | 0.7× Quiet | 43 Poor |
| February | 51°F / 30°F | 0.9× Average | 37 Poor |
All twelve months at Fort Donelson, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Fort Donelson in January
The National Park Service tags 6 Fort Donelson activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Fort Donelson NB Autotour Route · 30-60 minutes
- Fort Donelson: Then and Now · 30-90 minutes
- Hike the Trails at Fort Donelson NB · 45-90 minutes
- Quilt Trail · 30-180 minutes
- Stop by the Fort Donelson NB Visitor Center · 15-45 minutes
- Want to Become a Junior Ranger? · 30-90 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 46°F and an overnight low around 27°F at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, with about 4.2 inches of precipitation and roughly 1 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is quiet at Fort Donelson National Battlefield (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 43/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is September and the quietest is December. January sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 12,000 recreation visits at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Donelson in January
Booking a January trip to Fort Donelson National Battlefield? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Donelson
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 Fort Donelson in January?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Fort Donelson by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.