Death Valley in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
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January is one of the best months of the year to visit Death Valley National Park: crowds run 58% of the March peak (93,132 average visits). Weather: highs average 67°F and lows 43°F, with 0.4″ of precipitation and 9.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Death Valley in January
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy)See it on AmazonWhy: mornings average 43°F.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-January.
- Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
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Death Valley in January: what the park service says
January sits in the middle of Furnace Creek Campground's reservation season, which the park service runs from October 15 to April 15. Reservations open six months ahead (July, for a January stay) and close two days before arrival. If Furnace Creek is booked, the rest of Death Valley's park campgrounds take no reservations at all: they work first-come, first-served, and the park warns that many run only part of the year, so look up the one you have in mind first.
Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.
Crowds in January
Death Valley averages 93,132 recreation visits in January — 58% of what March, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind.
Weather & daylight
Daytime temperatures are comfortable (highs average 67°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 43°F). It is typically dry (0.4″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 9.9 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station DEATH VALLEY NP, CA US (1 mi from park coordinates, -194 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.
What to pack for Death Valley in January
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 43°F
- Headlamp — only 9.9 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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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 Death Valley crowded in January?
Moderately: January runs 58% of the March peak, averaging 93,132 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Death Valley.
What is the weather like in Death Valley in January?
Average highs of 67°F, lows of 43°F, 0.4″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, DEATH VALLEY NP, CA US station). Compare it with other national parks in January.
What should I pack for Death Valley in January?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in February instead? Death Valley in February has its own list.
See also: the best national parks to visit in January · Last verified 2026-09-24