Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in January
January at Martin Luther King, Jr. 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 0.5× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 30°F
- Average high
- 45°F
Range across the year: 30°F to 90°F
- Precipitation
- 2.9 in
- Snowfall
- 5 in
- Daylight
- 9.6 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 119,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011 to 2025.
That makes January the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (1.6×) and the December low (0.5×).
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 2.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 29% 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 2,843,263 recreation visits, down 12.6% from 3,251,594 in 2024.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 49°F / 35°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
| January | 45°F / 30°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
| February | 48°F / 32°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
All twelve months at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 30°F at Martin Luther King, Jr. 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 2.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 43/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is December. January sits at about 0.5× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 119,000 recreation visits at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011–2025.
Where to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in January
Booking a January trip to Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
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 Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in January?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in January.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2011–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.