Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 42/100 · #11 of 12 months

January is peak season — the 4th-busiest month of the year, at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: crowds run 94% of the December peak (142,358 average visits). Weather: highs average 74°F and lows 56°F, with 13.1″ of precipitation and 11.1 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January

Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 13.1″ of precipitation is normal this month.
Waterproof bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: 13.1″ of precipitation is normal this month.
Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.

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Fountains of molten lava erupting from within a crater next to a whirlwind formed from the eruption. — Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — photo: NPS Photo (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in January

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes averages 142,358 recreation visits in January — 94% of what December, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — book early and start days at dawn.

Average visits (January)

142,358 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

9.2% of annual visitation

vs. peak (December)

94%

Weather & daylight

Days are mild (highs average 74°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 56°F). This is one of the wetter months (13.1″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 11.1 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station GLENWOOD #2 55.4, HI US (8 mi from park coordinates, 2,200 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.

What to pack for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January

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

Rain shell + pack cover — 13.1″ of precipitation is normal this month
Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 13.1″ of precipitation is normal this month

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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best month for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is April.

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 Hawaiʻi Volcanoes crowded in January?

Yes — January runs 94% of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes's peak, averaging 142,358 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes.

What is the weather like in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January?

Average highs of 74°F, lows of 56°F, 13.1″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, GLENWOOD #2 55.4, HI US station). Compare it with other national parks in January.

What should I pack for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January?

Rain shell + pack cover; Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in February instead? Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in February has its own list.

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