Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in January
January at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 32°F and an overnight low around 26°F, with about 6.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 26°F
- Average high
- 32°F
Range across the year: 26°F to 61°F
- Precipitation
- 6.7 in
- Daylight
- 6.7 hours
Roughly 0% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 200 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes January the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.6×) and the February low (0×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 0/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 29°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 42.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 62% 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 6.7 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 5.9-hour midwinter low and the 18-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 740,044 recreation visits, about flat from 736,282 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 20.2%, 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 | 33°F / 27°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
| January | 32°F / 26°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 0 Poor |
| February | 34°F / 26°F | 0.0× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
All twelve months at Glacier Bay, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in January 2027
The National Park Service lists these Glacier Bay facilities as closed during January 2027. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.
- Glacier Bay National Park Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 6, 2026 to May 31, 2027)
- Visitor Information Station - Backcountry Office (visitor center): closed all month (October 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027)
Things to do at Glacier Bay in January
The National Park Service tags 5 Glacier Bay activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Camp at Bartlett Cove · 1-3 days
- Experience the Huna Tribal House · 1-3 hours
- Explore Gustavus
- Hike the Trails at Bartlett Cove
- Kayak the Beardslees · 1-3 days
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 32°F and an overnight low around 26°F at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, with about 6.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 42.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (about 0.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 0/100. Our recommended month is May. January draws about 1% of the visits Glacier Bay sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around January.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is February. January sits at about 0.0× the park's average, or 0% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Glacier Bay in January
Booking a January trip to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Glacier Bay
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.