Mojave National Preserve in January
January at Mojave National Preserve averages a daytime high near 54°F and an overnight low around 40°F, with about 1.3" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1× the park's average month, which makes January an average month here.
- Average low
- 40°F
- Average high
- 54°F
Range across the year: 40°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 1.3 in
- Daylight
- 9.9 hours
Roughly 8% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 60,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1997 to 2025.
That makes January the 7th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the November peak (1.3×) and the August low (0.7×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 46/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 47°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 22% 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 9.9 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 569,844 recreation visits, up 34.1% from 424,864 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 7.7%, 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 | 53°F / 40°F | 1.1× Average | 35 Poor |
| January | 54°F / 40°F | 1.0× Average | 46 Fair |
| February | 55°F / 41°F | 0.9× Average | 51 Fair |
All twelve months at Mojave, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Mojave in January
The National Park Service tags 7 Mojave activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hike Desert Sand Dunes · 1-4 hours
- Hike the Kelso Dunes · 30-180 minutes
- Hike the Rings Loop · 1-2 hours
- Teutonia Peak trail · 0-3 hours
- Visit a Lava Tube · 0-30 minutes
- Visit Kelso Depot
- Wander Through the Joshua Trees · 1-1 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 54°F and an overnight low around 40°F at Mojave National Preserve, with about 1.3 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 12.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is average at Mojave National Preserve (about 1.0× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 46/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is November and the quietest is August. January sits at about 1.0× the park's average, or 8% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 60,000 recreation visits at Mojave National Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1997–2025.
Where to stay near Mojave in January
Booking a January trip to Mojave National Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Mojave
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Mojave in January?
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in January.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1997–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.