George Washington Memorial Parkway in January
January at George Washington Memorial Parkway averages a daytime high near 43°F and an overnight low around 26°F, with about 3.3" of precipitation and roughly 3" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 26°F
- Average high
- 43°F
Range across the year: 26°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 3.3 in
- Snowfall
- 3 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 249,000 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 George Washington; by contrast August, the busiest, runs about 1.4× 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 34°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.6 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 9.6 hours of daylight in January to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 6,732,932 recreation visits, down 0.7% from 6,782,717 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 9.7%, 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 | 47°F / 30°F | 0.7× Quiet | 37 Poor |
| January | 43°F / 26°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
| February | 46°F / 27°F | 0.5× Quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at George Washington, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at George Washington in January
The National Park Service tags 10 George Washington activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Blue Line - DC Metro · 1-2 days
- Cast Your Gaze Across the City Skyline from the Netherlands Carillon · 1-2 hours
- Clara Barton National Historic Site · 15-60 minutes
- Drive on the George Washington Memorial Parkway · 15-120 minutes
- Multi-Park Loop
- Panoramic Views at the US Marine Corps War Memorial · 1-2 hours
- Retreat to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove · 1-2 hours
- Silver Line - DC Metro · 1-2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 43°F and an overnight low around 26°F at George Washington Memorial Parkway, with about 3.3 inches of precipitation and roughly 3 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at George Washington Memorial Parkway (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 August and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 249,000 recreation visits at George Washington Memorial Parkway, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near George Washington in January
Booking a January trip to George Washington Memorial Parkway? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near George Washington
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.