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WhenToVisitParks

Olympic National Park in January

Very quiet0.3× average month · best-time score 41/100

January at Olympic National Park averages a daytime high near 41°F and an overnight low around 33°F, with about 8.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.

Average low
33°F
Average high
41°F

Range across the year: 33°F to 75°F

Crowds
0.3× averageVery quiet
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Precipitation
8.9 in
Daylight
8.6 hours

Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 88,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

That makes January the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the August peak (2.6×) and the December low (0.3×).

On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 41/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 37°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.1 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 50% 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 8.6 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 8.2-hour midwinter low and the 15.8-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 3,584,187 recreation visits, down 3.6% from 3,717,267 in 2024.

How January compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
December41°F / 33°F0.3× Very quiet40 Poor
January41°F / 33°F0.3× Very quiet41 Poor
February44°F / 33°F0.3× Very quiet46 Fair

All twelve months at Olympic, with the best time to visit.

Seasonal closures in January 2027

The National Park Service lists these Olympic 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.

Things to do at Olympic in January

The National Park Service tags 7 Olympic activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

January averages a daytime high near 41°F and an overnight low around 33°F at Olympic National Park, with about 8.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 15.1 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

January is very quiet at Olympic National Park (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is May.

The busiest month is August and the quietest is December. January sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.

A typical January sees about 88,000 recreation visits at Olympic National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Olympic in January

Booking a January trip to Olympic National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Olympic

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 Olympic in January?

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← DecemberAll months at OlympicWhere to stay near OlympicFebruary →

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.