Walnut Canyon National Monument in January
January at Walnut Canyon National Monument averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 20°F, with about 1.3" of precipitation and roughly 13" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.4× the park's average month, which makes January a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 20°F
- Average high
- 45°F
Range across the year: 20°F to 86°F
- Precipitation
- 1.3 in
- Snowfall
- 13 in
- Daylight
- 9.9 hours
Roughly 3% of the park's yearly visitors come in January: roughly 5,300 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 Walnut Canyon; by contrast April, 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 August: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 33°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 27% 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 187,205 recreation visits, up 22.7% from 152,548 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 14.2%, 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 | 45°F / 21°F | 0.5× Quiet | 39 Poor |
| January | 45°F / 20°F | 0.4× Very quiet | 44 Poor |
| February | 49°F / 23°F | 0.6× Quiet | 37 Poor |
All twelve months at Walnut Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
January averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 20°F at Walnut Canyon National Monument, with about 1.3 inches of precipitation and roughly 13 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 0.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
January is very quiet at Walnut Canyon National Monument (about 0.4× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 44/100. Our recommended month is August.
The busiest month is April and the quietest is January. January sits at about 0.4× the park's average, or 3% of annual visitation.
A typical January sees about 5,000 recreation visits at Walnut Canyon National Monument, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Walnut Canyon in January
Booking a January trip to Walnut Canyon National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live January availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Walnut Canyon
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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.