Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in January
January at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument averages a daytime high near 44°F and an overnight low around 13°F, with about 1.4" of precipitation and roughly 12" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 13°F
- Average high
- 44°F
Range across the year: 12°F to 84°F
- Precipitation
- 1.4 in
- Snowfall
- 12 in
- Daylight
- 9.9 hours
Roughly 4% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 4,200 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 Sunset Crater Volcano; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 1.5× the average — so January is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 44/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
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 1.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 34% 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 — between the 9.6-hour midwinter low and the 14.4-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 73,260 recreation visits, down 10.1% from 81,519 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 31.8%, 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 | 44°F / 12°F | 0.5× Very quiet | 41 Poor |
| January | 44°F / 13°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
| February | 47°F / 16°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 45 Fair |
All twelve months at Sunset Crater Volcano, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 44°F and an overnight low around 13°F at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, with about 1.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 12 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 44/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July 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 4,000 recreation visits at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano in January
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Top-rated places to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano
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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.