Fort Smith National Historic Site in January
January at Fort Smith National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 30°F, with about 2.9" of precipitation and roughly 1" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.5× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 30°F
- Average high
- 51°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 94°F
- Precipitation
- 2.9 in
- Snowfall
- 1 in
- Daylight
- 9.9 hours
Roughly 4% 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 Fort Smith; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.7× the average — so January is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 51/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is April: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 40°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 34% 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 9.9 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 106,953 recreation visits, down 14.1% from 124,486 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 7.2%, 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 | 53°F / 32°F | 0.6× Quiet | 52 Fair |
| January | 51°F / 30°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 51 Fair |
| February | 57°F / 33°F | 0.6× Quiet | 58 Fair |
All twelve months at Fort Smith, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Fort Smith in January
The National Park Service tags 5 Fort Smith activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Fort Smith BARK Ranger · 10-30 minutes
- Become a Fort Smith Junior Ranger · 45-60 minutes
- Explore the Parade Ground · 30-45 minutes
- Park Passport Stamps at Fort Smith NHS · 2-15 minutes
- Walk the River Loop Trail · 30-60 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 30°F at Fort Smith National Historic Site, with about 2.9 inches of precipitation and roughly 1 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Fort Smith National Historic Site (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 51/100. Our recommended month is April.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.5× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 5,000 recreation visits at Fort Smith National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Smith in January
Booking a January trip to Fort Smith National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Smith
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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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.