Mississippi National River & Recreation Area in January
January at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 24°F and an overnight low around 9°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes January a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 9°F
- Average high
- 24°F
Range across the year: 9°F to 83°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Daylight
- 9.0 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 18,000 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 July peak (1.4×) and the December low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 16°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 33% 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 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 8.6-hour midwinter low and the 15.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 224,722 recreation visits, down 12.3% from 256,133 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 22.6%, 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 | 29°F / 15°F | 0.7× Quiet | 41 Poor |
| January | 24°F / 9°F | 0.7× Quiet | 41 Poor |
| February | 29°F / 13°F | 0.8× Quiet | 39 Poor |
All twelve months at Mississippi, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Mississippi in January
The National Park Service tags 4 Mississippi activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 24°F and an overnight low around 9°F at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is quiet at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. January sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 18,000 recreation visits at Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2011–2025.
Where to stay near Mississippi in January
Booking a January trip to Mississippi National River & Recreation Area? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Mississippi
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 (2011–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.