Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River in January
January at Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 37°F, with about 0.7" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes January a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 37°F
- Average high
- 62°F
Range across the year: 37°F to 97°F
- Precipitation
- 0.7 in
- Daylight
- 10.3 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: about 60 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1985 to 2025.
That makes January the 6th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (2.6×) and the August low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 60/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is February: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 49°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 13.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 13% 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 10.3 hours of daylight in January to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2013 drew 703 recreation visits, down 25.8% from 947 in 2009.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 37.1%, 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 | 62°F / 38°F | 1.9× Very busy | 40 Poor |
| January | 62°F / 37°F | 0.7× Quiet | 60 Good |
| February | 68°F / 41°F | 0.6× Quiet | 69 Good |
All twelve months at Rio Grande, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Rio Grande in January
The National Park Service tags 7 Rio Grande activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 37°F at Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 13.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is quiet at Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 60/100. Our recommended month is February.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is August. January sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 0,000 recreation visits at Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1985–2025.
Where to stay near Rio Grande in January
Booking a January trip to Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Rio Grande
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Rio Grande 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 (1985–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.