Petrified Forest National Park in January
January at Petrified Forest National Park averages a daytime high near 48°F and an overnight low around 22°F, with about 0.9" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 22°F
- Average high
- 48°F
Range across the year: 22°F to 92°F
- Precipitation
- 0.9 in
- Daylight
- 9.9 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 22,000 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 Petrified Forest; by contrast June, the busiest, runs about 1.7× the average — so January is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 50/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 35°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.8 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 37% 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 — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 559,254 recreation visits, up 7.4% from 520,491 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 20.5%, so January may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 47°F / 22°F | 0.6× Quiet | 44 Poor |
| January | 48°F / 22°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 50 Fair |
| February | 53°F / 25°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 55 Fair |
All twelve months at Petrified Forest, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Petrified Forest in January
The National Park Service tags 15 Petrified Forest activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a BARK Ranger!
- Collect Your Cancellation Stamps · 2-10 minutes
- Explore at the Paleo Exhibits at Rainbow Forest Museum · 30-60 minutes
- Go Geocaching · 60 minutes
- Take a Self-Guided Tour of Giant Logs · 30-60 minutes
- Walk Crystal Forest Trail · 20-120 minutes
- Walk Puerco Pueblo Trail · 10-60 minutes
- Walk the Tawa Trail · 30 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 48°F and an overnight low around 22°F at Petrified Forest National Park, with about 0.9 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 5.8 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Petrified Forest National Park (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 50/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is June and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 4% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 22,000 recreation visits at Petrified Forest National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Petrified Forest in January
Booking a January trip to Petrified Forest National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Petrified Forest
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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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.