John Muir National Historic Site in January
January at John Muir National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 35°F, with about 3.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.8× the park's average month, which makes January a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 35°F
- Average high
- 56°F
Range across the year: 35°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 3.9 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 7% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 2,800 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes January the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the April peak (1.6×) and the December low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 55/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 46°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.3 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 27% 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 38,384 recreation visits, down 16.1% from 45,753 in 2024.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 57°F / 35°F | 0.7× Quiet | 57 Fair |
| January | 56°F / 35°F | 0.8× Quiet | 55 Fair |
| February | 61°F / 37°F | 0.9× Average | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at John Muir, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at John Muir in January
The National Park Service tags 3 John Muir activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Mount Wanda Hiking Trail · 1-2 hours
- Strentzel/Muir Gravesite Tour · 30-30 minutes · reservation required
- Visit the Strentzel/Muir Home · 1-1 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 56°F and an overnight low around 35°F at John Muir National Historic Site, with about 3.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is quiet at John Muir National Historic Site (about 0.8× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 55/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is April and the quietest is December. January sits at about 0.8× the park's average, or 7% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 3,000 recreation visits at John Muir National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near John Muir in January
Booking a January trip to John Muir National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near John Muir
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting John Muir 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.