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Ozark National Scenic Riverways in January

Very quiet0.2× average month · best-time score 3/100

January at Ozark National Scenic Riverways averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 21°F, with about 2.8" of precipitation and roughly 2" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.

Average low
21°F
Average high
45°F

Range across the year: 21°F to 92°F

Crowds
0.2× averageVery quiet
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
  6. J
  7. J
  8. A
  9. S
  10. O
  11. N
  12. D
Precipitation
2.8 in
Snowfall
2 in
Daylight
9.7 hours

Check access before you plan around January

January draws about 17% of the visits Ozark sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around January. Official Ozark park page.

Roughly 1% 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 1979 to 2025.

It is the quietest month of the year at Ozark; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 2.6× the average.

On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 3/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is October: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

The daily average of about 33°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.5 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 56% 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 9.7 hours of daylight in January to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,116,835 recreation visits, down 16.9% from 1,343,779 in 2024.

How January compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
December48°F / 24°F0.3× Very quiet47 Fair
January45°F / 21°F0.2× Very quiet3 Poor
February51°F / 24°F0.2× Very quiet8 Poor

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

Seasonal closures in January 2027

The National Park Service lists these Ozark 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.

  • Round Spring Ranger Station (visitor center): closed all month (September 2, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
  • Pulltite Ranger Station (visitor center): closed all month (September 6, 2026 to May 31, 2027)
  • Alley General Store (visitor center): closed all month (November 1, 2026 to May 21, 2027)
  • Alley Mill (visitor center): closed all month (November 1, 2026 to May 21, 2027)

Things to do at Ozark in January

The National Park Service tags 30 Ozark activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. 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 45°F and an overnight low around 21°F at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, with about 2.8 inches of precipitation and roughly 2 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

January is very quiet at Ozark National Scenic Riverways (about 0.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 3/100. Our recommended month is October. January draws about 17% of the visits Ozark sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around January.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.

A typical January sees about 18,000 recreation visits at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Ozark in January

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

Top-rated places to stay near Ozark

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.

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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.