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WhenToVisitParks

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve in January

Very quiet0.1× average month · best-time score 0/100

January at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve averages a daytime high near 24°F and an overnight low around 10°F, with about 0.7" of precipitation and roughly 14" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.

Average low
10°F
Average high
24°F

Range across the year: 10°F to 69°F

Crowds
0.1× averageVery quiet
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
Precipitation
0.7 in
Snowfall
14 in
Daylight
6.2 hours

Check access before you plan around January

January draws about 12% of the visits Lake Clark 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. Official Lake Clark park page.

Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 140 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982 to 2025.

It is the quietest month of the year at Lake Clark; by contrast August, the busiest, runs about 3.3× the average.

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 17°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 36.5 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 70% 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 6.2 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 5.3-hour midwinter low and the 18.6-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2017 drew 22,755 recreation visits, up 7.8% from 21,102 in 2016.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 109.9%, 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
December27°F / 15°F0.2× Very quiet0 Poor
January24°F / 10°F0.1× Very quiet0 Poor
February30°F / 15°F0.2× Very quiet1 Poor

All twelve months at Lake Clark, with the best time to visit.

Seasonal closures in January 2027

The National Park Service lists these Lake Clark 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.

Things to do at Lake Clark in January

The National Park Service tags 4 Lake Clark activities for winter. 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 24°F and an overnight low around 10°F at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation and roughly 14 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 36.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

January is very quiet at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 0/100. Our recommended month is May. January draws about 12% of the visits Lake Clark 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 August and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.1× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.

A typical January sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Lake Clark National Park & Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1982–2025.

Where to stay near Lake Clark in January

Booking a January trip to Lake Clark National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Lake Clark

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 Lake Clark 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 (1982–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.