Everglades in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 55/100 · #5 of 12 months

January is peak season — one of the year's busiest months, at Everglades National Park: crowds run 99% of the February peak (102,615 average visits). Weather: highs average 78°F and lows 55°F, with 1.7″ of precipitation and 10.7 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Planning Everglades? Pack the trail map: Everglades Trails Illustrated map on Amazon. · affiliate link, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases

Bring for Everglades in January

Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.
Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.
HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: illumination is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.

Affiliate links: VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Prices can change; Amazon shows the current one.

Everglades in January: what the park service says

January is peak Everglades weather, in the middle of the dry season the park puts at November through April. Afternoons average about 77°F and nights around 53°F, and the park names an abundance of wildlife among the reasons the dry season is so popular. If you plan to go out by boat, the park offers a free boater education course covering the unique features of its marine waters.

Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, checked 2026-11-05.

A sunset creates a silhouette of a cypress tree with needle-like leaves that is shaped like an 'N'. — Everglades National Park — photo: NPS Photo by Miguel Salas (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in January

Everglades averages 102,615 recreation visits in January — 99% of what February, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — book early and start days at dawn.

Average visits (January)

102,615 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

11.6% of annual visitation

vs. peak (February)

99%

Weather & daylight

Daytime temperatures are comfortable (highs average 78°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 55°F). It is typically dry (1.7″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.7 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station ROYAL PALM RS, FL US (8 mi from park coordinates, 7 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.

What to pack for Everglades in January

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

As an Amazon Associate, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases. Gear names above link to Amazon searches or to a specific product — we don't show or set prices; you always see Amazon's current price.

Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Everglades are October and November.

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 Everglades crowded in January?

Yes — January runs 99% of Everglades's peak, averaging 102,615 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Everglades.

What is the weather like in Everglades in January?

Average highs of 78°F, lows of 55°F, 1.7″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, ROYAL PALM RS, FL US station). Compare it with other national parks in January.

What should I pack for Everglades in January?

Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in February instead? Everglades in February has its own list.

See also: the best national parks to visit in January · Last verified 2026-09-24