Theodore Roosevelt National Park in January
January at Theodore Roosevelt National Park averages a daytime high near 24°F and an overnight low around 6°F. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 6°F
- Average high
- 24°F
Range across the year: 6°F to 82°F
- Daylight
- 8.7 hours
Roughly 0% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 2,800 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes January the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.7×) and the December low (0.1×).
On our Best Time to Visit score January rates 1/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 15°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.7 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 61% 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 8.7 hours of daylight in January to explore — between the 8.3-hour midwinter low and the 15.7-hour summer high.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 729,893 recreation visits, about flat from 732,951 in 2024.
How January compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| December | 28°F / 10°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 1 Poor |
| January | 24°F / 6°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 1 Poor |
| February | 28°F / 9°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 4 Poor |
All twelve months at Theodore Roosevelt, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in January 2027
The National Park Service lists these Theodore Roosevelt 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.
- Painted Canyon Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (October 25, 2026 to June 15, 2027)
- Roundup Group Horse Camp (campground): closed all month (November 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027)
Things to do at Theodore Roosevelt in January
The National Park Service tags 23 Theodore Roosevelt activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Become a Theodore Roosevelt National Park Junior Ranger
- Bike the South Unit Scenic Drive
- Drive the South Unit Scenic Drive
- Hike Coal Vein Trail · 30-45 minutes
- Hike the Painted Canyon Nature Trail · 30-80 minutes
- Hike Wind Canyon Trail · 5-30 minutes
- See the Stars in Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Watch the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Film: Refuge of the American Spirit · 17 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 24°F and an overnight low around 6°F at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.7 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Theodore Roosevelt National Park (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 1/100. Our recommended month is May. January draws about 5% of the visits Theodore Roosevelt 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 December. January sits at about 0.1× the park's average, or 0% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 3,000 recreation visits at Theodore Roosevelt National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Theodore Roosevelt in January
Booking a January trip to Theodore Roosevelt National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Theodore Roosevelt
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.