Grand Teton in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Harsh season · VisitWhen score 45/100 · #11 of 12 months

January is a harsh-season month at Grand Teton National Park: crowds run 8% of the July peak (57,211 average visits). Weather: highs average 24°F and lows 1°F, with 2.9″ of precipitation and 9.3 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 Grand Teton in January

Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 1°F.
Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.9″ of precipitation is normal this month.
Traction devices (microspikes) and gaitersSee it on AmazonWhy: 40″ normal snowfall.

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Partial access: Teton Park Road is closed to vehicles roughly November–April (it becomes a ski/snowshoe route); US-26/89/191 through the park stays open. Current NPS conditions →

Grand Teton in January: what the park service says

January is Grand Teton's coldest, snowiest month: at Moose, the park's long-term records show days around 26°F, nights near 1°F and about 43 inches of snowfall. Ranger-led snowshoe hikes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays from early January (January 6 to March 12 in 2026), with snowshoes provided for anyone 8 or older; reservations open by phone at 307-739-3399 on December 1.

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

Granite mountains with a cloudy blue sky and green and yellow trees and plants in the foreground — Grand Teton National Park — photo: NPS Photo/Tobiason (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in January

Grand Teton averages 57,211 recreation visits in January — 8% of what July, the peak month, draws. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Average visits (January)

57,211 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

1.6% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 24°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 1°F). Average precipitation is 2.9″ for the month. Normal snowfall is 40″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 9.3 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station MORAN 5WNW, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates, 6,805 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.

What to pack for Grand Teton in January

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

Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 1°F
Packable rain jacket — 2.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 40″ normal snowfall (compare other options)
Headlamp — only 9.3 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
Insulated, waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 40″ of snow is normal this month
Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Grand Teton are April and May.

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 Grand Teton crowded in January?

No — January is one of the quieter months: 8% of the July peak, averaging 57,211 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Grand Teton.

What is the weather like in Grand Teton in January?

Average highs of 24°F, lows of 1°F, 2.9″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, MORAN 5WNW, WY US station). Compare it with other national parks in January.

What should I pack for Grand Teton in January?

Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Packable rain jacket; Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in February instead? Grand Teton in February has its own list.

Is everything open at Grand Teton in January?

Teton Park Road is closed to vehicles roughly November–April (it becomes a ski/snowshoe route); US-26/89/191 through the park stays open. 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