How Crowded Is Niobrara National Scenic River in January?

January runs about 0.1× Niobrara National Scenic River's average month, which makes it a very quiet month here — roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in January.

In a typical January the park sees about 750 recreation visits, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 2004 to 2025.

That makes January the 9th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (4×) and the December low (0.1×).

On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 42/100 ("Poor"), versus the top-rated June at 79/100 — best overall balance of crowds, weather and daylight.

Typical January weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 34°F and an overnight low around 9°F.

That average of about 22°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground.

Because June, July and August together draw about 75% 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 77,476 recreation visits, up 4.2% from 74,387 in 2024.