Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in January
January at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 30°F, with about 2.9" of precipitation and roughly 5" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 30°F
- Average high
- 45°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 2.9 in
- Snowfall
- 5 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 2,000 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 Frederick Douglass; by contrast June, the busiest, runs about 1.5× 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 September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 38°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 33% 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 9.6 hours of daylight in January to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 25,836 recreation visits, down 57.7% from 61,063 in 2019.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 22.2%, 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 | 49°F / 35°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 49 Fair |
| January | 45°F / 30°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
| February | 48°F / 32°F | 1.0× Average | 23 Poor |
All twelve months at Frederick Douglass, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Frederick Douglass in January
The National Park Service tags 7 Frederick Douglass activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Frederick Douglass NHS Junior Ranger · 30-60 minutes
- Collect all the National Capital Parks - East Passport Stamps · 5-10 minutes
- Discover Frederick Douglass’s Home · 30-120 minutes · reservation required
- Frederick Douglass NHS Bookstore · 30-60 minutes
- Frederick Douglass NHS Visitor Center · 5-60 minutes
- Junior Ranger Programs at National Capital Parks - East · 30-90 minutes
- Places of Interest Related to Frederick Douglass · 1-4 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 30°F at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, with about 2.9 inches of precipitation and roughly 5 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 43/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 2,000 recreation visits at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Frederick Douglass in January
Booking a January trip to Frederick Douglass National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Frederick Douglass
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Frederick Douglass 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.