Crater Lake in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Harsh season · VisitWhen score 45/100 · #11 of 12 months
January is a harsh-season month at Crater Lake National Park: crowds run 4% of the July peak (5,756 average visits). Weather: highs average 33°F and lows 20°F, with 10.1″ of precipitation and 9.4 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Crater Lake in January
- Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 20°F.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 10.1″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- Traction devices (microspikes) and gaitersSee it on AmazonWhy: 87″ normal snowfall.
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Crowds in January
Crater Lake averages 5,756 recreation visits in January — 4% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
Days are cold (highs average 33°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 20°F). This is one of the wetter months (10.1″ of precipitation on average). Normal snowfall is 87″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 9.4 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CRATER LAKE NPS HQ, OR US (1 mi from park coordinates, 6,485 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.
What to pack for Crater Lake in January
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 20°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 10.1″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 87″ normal snowfall (compare other options)
- Headlamp — only 9.4 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
- Insulated, waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 87″ of snow is normal this month
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Crater Lake are May and June.
Also at their best in January
Other parks whose computed January verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Channel Islands in January — 35% of peak crowds, highs 66°F, score 76/100
- Zion in January — 23% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 76/100
- Carlsbad Caverns in January — 38% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 73/100
- Big Bend in January — 50% of peak crowds, highs 69°F, score 71/100
Common questions
Is Crater Lake crowded in January?
No — January is one of the quieter months: 4% of the July peak, averaging 5,756 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Crater Lake.
What is the weather like in Crater Lake in January?
Average highs of 33°F, lows of 20°F, 10.1″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CRATER LAKE NPS HQ, OR US station). Compare it with other national parks in January.
What should I pack for Crater Lake in January?
Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Rain shell + pack cover; Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in February instead? Crater Lake in February has its own list.
Is everything open at Crater Lake in January?
Rim Drive and the north entrance are typically closed November–June; the south entrance and Rim Village stay open year-round for snow-season lake views. Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.
See also: the best national parks to visit in January · Last verified 2026-09-24