Mesa Verde National Park in January
January at Mesa Verde National Park averages a daytime high near 35°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 2.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 22°F
- Average high
- 35°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 82°F
- Precipitation
- 2.5 in
- Daylight
- 9.7 hours
Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 5,700 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 Mesa Verde; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 2.3× the average.
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 3/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 28°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 52% 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 9.7 hours of daylight in January to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 463,130 recreation visits, down 3.5% from 480,065 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 12.8%, so January may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 35°F / 22°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
| January | 35°F / 22°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 3 Poor |
| February | 38°F / 24°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 5 Poor |
All twelve months at Mesa Verde, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in January 2027
The National Park Service lists these Mesa Verde 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.
- Morefield Campground (campground): closed all month (November 3, 2026 to April 24, 2027)
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 35°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Mesa Verde National Park, with about 2.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Mesa Verde National Park (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 3/100. Our recommended month is May. January draws about 13% of the visits Mesa Verde 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 July 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 6,000 recreation visits at Mesa Verde National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Mesa Verde in January
Booking a January trip to Mesa Verde National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Mesa Verde
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.