Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in January
January at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 65°F, with about 3.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes January a busy month here.
- Average low
- 65°F
- Average high
- 79°F
Range across the year: 65°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 3.5 in
- Daylight
- 11.0 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 153,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
It is the single busiest month of the year at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes; September, the quietest, runs only about 0.8× the average — a 2-to-1 swing between high and low season.
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 72°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 14.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 25% 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 11 hours of daylight in January to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,877,854 recreation visits, up 31% from 1,433,593 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 11.4%, 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 | 81°F / 67°F | 1.2× Busy | 44 Poor |
| January | 79°F / 65°F | 1.2× Busy | 41 Poor |
| February | 80°F / 65°F | 1.1× Average | 52 Fair |
All twelve months at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 79°F and an overnight low around 65°F at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 14.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is busy at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is January and the quietest is September. January sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 153,000 recreation visits at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January
Booking a January trip to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
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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.