Missouri National Recreational River in January
January at Missouri National Recreational River averages a daytime high near 30°F and an overnight low around 10°F, with about 0.6" of precipitation and roughly 6" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.5× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 10°F
- Average high
- 30°F
Range across the year: 10°F to 85°F
- Precipitation
- 0.6 in
- Snowfall
- 6 in
- Daylight
- 9.2 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 5,200 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2004 to 2025.
That makes January the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the September peak (1.8×) and the February low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 20°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 35% 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 9.2 hours of daylight in January to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 166,390 recreation visits, up 8.4% from 153,521 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 11.4%, so a January visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 34°F / 14°F | 0.6× Quiet | 37 Poor |
| January | 30°F / 10°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 41 Poor |
| February | 35°F / 14°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
All twelve months at Missouri, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Missouri in January
The National Park Service tags 12 Missouri activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 30°F and an overnight low around 10°F at Missouri National Recreational River, with about 0.6 inches of precipitation and roughly 6 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Missouri National Recreational River (about 0.5× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is September and the quietest is February. January sits at about 0.5× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 5,000 recreation visits at Missouri National Recreational River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2004–2025.
Where to stay near Missouri in January
Booking a January trip to Missouri National Recreational River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Missouri
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 Missouri in January?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Missouri 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 (2004–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.