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WhenToVisitParks

Gateway Arch National Park in January

Very quiet0.3× average month · best-time score 43/100

January at Gateway Arch National Park averages a daytime high near 41°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 2.7" of precipitation and roughly 5" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.

Average low
22°F
Average high
41°F

Range across the year: 22°F to 89°F

Crowds
0.3× averageVery quiet
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  2. F
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Precipitation
2.7 in
Snowfall
5 in
Daylight
9.6 hours

Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 42,000 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 Gateway Arch; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 2.9× 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: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

The daily average of about 31°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.1 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 48% 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, 2025 drew 2,209,028 recreation visits, down 13.8% from 2,563,052 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 37.8%, so a January visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.

How January compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
December45°F / 27°F0.5× Quiet39 Poor
January41°F / 22°F0.3× Very quiet43 Poor
February46°F / 26°F0.4× Very quiet44 Poor

All twelve months at Gateway Arch, with the best time to visit.

Things to do at Gateway Arch in January

The National Park Service tags 12 Gateway Arch activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

January averages a daytime high near 41°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Gateway Arch National Park, with about 2.7 inches of precipitation and roughly 5 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

January is very quiet at Gateway Arch National Park (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 July and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.

A typical January sees about 42,000 recreation visits at Gateway Arch National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Gateway Arch in January

Booking a January trip to Gateway Arch National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Gateway Arch

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 Gateway Arch 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.