Mount Rainier in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Harsh season · VisitWhen score 46/100 · #11 of 12 months

January is a harsh-season month at Mount Rainier National Park: crowds run 6% of the July peak (26,038 average visits). Weather: highs average 35°F and lows 24°F, with 17.2″ of precipitation and 8.9 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 Mount Rainier in January

Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 24°F, below freezing.
Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 17.2″ of precipitation is normal this month.
HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 8.9 hours of daylight in mid-January.

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Partial access: Sunrise and Stevens Canyon roads are typically open only July–September; the road to Paradise is plowed and open year-round (carry chains in winter). Current NPS conditions →

Mount Rainier in January: what the park service says

January at Mount Rainier is winter at every level of the park. Daytime temperatures at Paradise, 5,400 feet up, typically reach only 33°F, falling to 21°F overnight, while Longmire is a few degrees milder. In winter, cars can enter only at the Nisqually Entrance on the road to Paradise; the Carbon River road inside the park is open to walkers and cyclists only. Check road status before setting out, as conditions change.

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

A fan-shaped waterfall cascades over lava cliffs with a rainbow in its mist. — Mount Rainier National Park — photo: NPS Photo / E. Brouwer (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in January

Mount Rainier averages 26,038 recreation visits in January — 6% 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)

26,038 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

1.6% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 35°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 24°F). This is one of the wetter months (17.2″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 8.9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US (4 mi from park coordinates, 5,427 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.

What to pack for Mount Rainier in January

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

Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 24°F, below freezing
Rain shell + pack cover — 17.2″ of precipitation is normal this month
Headlamp — only 8.9 hours of daylight in mid-January (compare other options)
Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 17.2″ of precipitation is normal this month

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Mount Rainier 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 Mount Rainier crowded in January?

No — January is one of the quieter months: 6% of the July peak, averaging 26,038 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Mount Rainier.

What is the weather like in Mount Rainier in January?

Average highs of 35°F, lows of 24°F, 17.2″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, RAINIER PARADISE RS, WA US station). Compare it with other national parks in January.

What should I pack for Mount Rainier in January?

Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves; Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in February instead? Mount Rainier in February has its own list.

Is everything open at Mount Rainier in January?

Sunrise and Stevens Canyon roads are typically open only July–September; the road to Paradise is plowed and open year-round (carry chains in winter). 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