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WhenToVisitParks

Lincoln Memorial in January

Quiet0.6× average month · best-time score 43/100

January at Lincoln Memorial averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 30°F, with about 2.9" of precipitation and roughly 5" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes January a quiet month here.

Average low
30°F
Average high
45°F

Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F

Crowds
0.6× averageQuiet
  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
2.9 in
Snowfall
5 in
Daylight
9.6 hours

Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 333,000 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 Lincoln Memorial; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.3× 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 38°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 30% 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 7,743,295 recreation visits, down 8.7% from 8,479,349 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 10.1%, 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
December49°F / 35°F0.8× Quiet39 Poor
January45°F / 30°F0.6× Quiet43 Poor
February48°F / 32°F0.6× Quiet45 Fair

All twelve months at Lincoln Memorial, with the best time to visit.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

January averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 30°F at Lincoln Memorial, with about 2.9 inches of precipitation and roughly 5 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 3 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

January is quiet at Lincoln Memorial (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 43/100. Our recommended month is September.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.

A typical January sees about 333,000 recreation visits at Lincoln Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Lincoln Memorial in January

Booking a January trip to Lincoln Memorial? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Lincoln Memorial

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.