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WhenToVisitParks

Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River in January

Very quiet0.2× average month · best-time score 42/100

January at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River averages a daytime high near 33°F and an overnight low around 15°F, with about 2.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.2× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.

Average low
15°F
Average high
33°F

Range across the year: 15°F to 82°F

Crowds
0.2× averageVery quiet
  1. J
  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
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  12. D
Precipitation
2.6 in
Daylight
9.3 hours

Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 5,700 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1980 to 2025.

That makes January the 11th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.9×) and the December low (0.2×).

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 24°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.5 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 59% 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 380,245 recreation visits, up 0.8% from 377,061 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 34.9%, 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
December38°F / 21°F0.2× Very quiet2 Poor
January33°F / 15°F0.2× Very quiet42 Poor
February37°F / 17°F0.3× Very quiet44 Poor

All twelve months at Upper Delaware, with the best time to visit.

Things to do at Upper Delaware in January

The National Park Service tags 15 Upper Delaware 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 33°F and an overnight low around 15°F at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, with about 2.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 1.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

January is very quiet at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River (about 0.2× 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 December. January sits at about 0.2× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.

A typical January sees about 6,000 recreation visits at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1980–2025.

Where to stay near Upper Delaware in January

Booking a January trip to Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Upper Delaware

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 Upper Delaware 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 (1980–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.