Fort Union National Monument in January
January at Fort Union National Monument averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 14°F, with about 0.4" of precipitation and roughly 4" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 14°F
- Average high
- 51°F
Range across the year: 14°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 0.4 in
- Snowfall
- 4 in
- Daylight
- 9.8 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 280 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 Union; by contrast June, 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 43/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 33°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 9,217 recreation visits, down 3.7% from 9,570 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 12.5%, 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 | 51°F / 15°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 40 Poor |
| January | 51°F / 14°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
| February | 54°F / 17°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 41 Poor |
All twelve months at Fort Union, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 51°F and an overnight low around 14°F at Fort Union National Monument, with about 0.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 4 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Fort Union National Monument (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 43/100. Our recommended month is October.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Fort Union National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Fort Union in January
Booking a January trip to Fort Union National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Fort Union
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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.