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WhenToVisitParks

Scotts Bluff National Monument in January

Very quiet0.3× average month · best-time score 42/100

January at Scotts Bluff National Monument averages a daytime high near 41°F and an overnight low around 15°F, with about 0.3" of precipitation and roughly 5" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.

Average low
15°F
Average high
41°F

Range across the year: 15°F to 89°F

Crowds
0.3× averageVery quiet
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
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Precipitation
0.3 in
Snowfall
5 in
Daylight
9.3 hours

Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 3,500 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 Scotts Bluff; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 2.1× the average — so January is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.

On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 42/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 28°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 47% 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 9.3 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 9-hour midwinter low and the 15-hour summer high.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 182,392 recreation visits, down 0.8% from 183,915 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 17.7%, so a January visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.

How January compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
December40°F / 15°F0.3× Very quiet40 Poor
January41°F / 15°F0.3× Very quiet42 Poor
February43°F / 17°F0.3× Very quiet44 Poor

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

Things to do at Scotts Bluff in January

The National Park Service tags 9 Scotts Bluff 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 41°F and an overnight low around 15°F at Scotts Bluff National Monument, with about 0.3 inches of precipitation and roughly 5 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

January is very quiet at Scotts Bluff National Monument (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 42/100. Our recommended month is May.

The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.

A typical January sees about 4,000 recreation visits at Scotts Bluff National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Scotts Bluff in January

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

Top-rated places to stay near Scotts Bluff

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 Scotts Bluff in January?

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← DecemberAll months at Scotts BluffWhere to stay near Scotts BluffFebruary →

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.