Visiting Canyonlands National Park in January

Have you ever considered planning a trip to Canyonlands National Park in January? It’s one of our favorite times to visit to avoid the crowds and get off-season rates!

Use this Canyonlands National Park guide to plan your January vacation: things to do, what to pack, where to stay, and more!

Canyonlands is a remote park so it’s important to know what to expect: services available, road conditions, and weather when visiting in January.

here are done-for-you 1, 2, and 3-day Canyonlands Itineraries to help you plan your vacation:

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you! Read the full Disclosure Policy.

A Photo Tour of Canyonlands National Park

Take a visual tour through Canyonlands National Park (and Dead Horse Point) to see the stunning landscape in the parks!

Visiting Canyonlands in January

Winter is a quiet time at this Utah National Park. You’ll enjoy the park with fewer people and avoid the heat of summer. In January you won’t wait in line to enter the park and you often have the parking lots and trails to yourself!

But visitor services are reduced at Canyonlands National Park in the winter. You’ll need to be more self-reliant when visiting either Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky or Needles Canyonlands in January.

The hiking trails remain open year-round, but you may encounter snow and ice which may require traction devices and trekking poles.

If you’re ok with those two things, then you should definitely visit Canyonlands in January!

Canyonlands Weather in January

The Canyonlands National Park weather is unpredictable in the winter. January is the second-snowiest month at Canyonlands National Park. When it does snow, it’s not usually large amounts. When a storm rolls through, the park can get a dusting of snow, or even a few inches.

The average highs are near 40 degrees with the lows near 20 degrees. Remember that Island in the Sky is located at 6,100 feet above sea level, and Canyonlands Needles is 5,920 so it does get cold in the winter, even if the sun is out.

Dress in layers when visiting Canyonlands in January. You will definitely want to pack winter clothing and dress in layers. We recommend you have waterproof hiking shoes, winter coat, fleece jacket, winter hat and gloves when visiting in the winter.

After a snow storm, the park road might be closed for plowing for a few hours. Keep in mind that the roads, parking lots, and pullouts in the park can still be icy, especially in shaded areas. You can see current NPS weather conditions on the NPS website.

Green River Overlook at Canyonlands with snow

Is January a Good Time to Visit Canyonlands?

We enjoy the quiet you find in January at Canyonlands, but it’s not for everyone! Check out our guide for finding the best time to visit Canyonlands National Park. Each season and month of the year will have different activities and services available.

Due to unpredictable weather conditions in January, you may be limited on the things you can do at Canyonlands during and after a snow storm if roads are closed.

Services are limited or closed in January – there is no gas, food, or lodging at Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky or Needles Canyonlands.

Know what Canyonlands winter services are available as well as road and trail conditions before heading into the parks.

Remember that both areas of the park are remote locations so always be prepared with water, food and proper clothing so you can be self-reliant.

In January after a snow storm, paved roads may close temporarily so crews can plow. Unpaved backcountry roads may be impassible for longer periods of time so check road conditions before you head out!

Arches & Canyonlands AUDIO TOUR
(GuideAlong)

“Download the app to your phone – no cell or wifi service needed. Based on your GPS location, the app takes you on a guided tour of the park and points out all the interesting features and stops. It’s like having a park ranger in the car with you.”

Things to Do at Canyonlands National Park in January

Check out all the fun things to do at Canyonlands National Park in January. Check out these resources for the two different districts you can visit:

You can enjoy hiking trails, scenic drives, stunning viewpoints and photo spots! But there are no ranger-led programs during the winter.

Here are some tips for visiting Canyonlands in January:

Check road and weather conditions so you’re prepared to enjoy the outdoors.
Be flexible with your schedule, especially in the winter as conditions may close parts of the park.

Canyonlands Visitor Center in January

Check the website for operating hours for the Canyonlands Island in the Sky Visitor Center and a Needles Visitor Center in January. We recommend you stop and talk with the Park Ranger on duty so you get the most updated information like road conditions and trail conditions before you start exploring the park.

You’ll find exhibits, book and map sales, backcountry permits, picnic area, and general information. Water is available year-round at both Visitor Centers.

Canyonlands Scenic Drive in January

If you’re lucky enough, you might get a snow storm that rolls through in January so you can see and photograph the contrast of white snow on the red rock landscape! Due to the elevation at Island in the Sky, check to make sure the Island in the Sky scenic drive is open after a snow storm.

You’ll also see the same cool contrast of white snow against colorful stone spires driving through Needles Canyonlands. We like to stop at all pullouts to enjoy the diverse beauty of the stone spires in this part of the park.

Canyonlands Hiking in January

In January Canyonlands hikes are very enjoyable when the sun is out. It’s quite different from summer when you’re sweating and worrying about heat exhaustion.

Be sure to stay hydrated and carry a hydration pack or a refillable water bottle in your backpack. You’ll even need to still wear sunscreen in the winter!

Most of the trails at Canyonlands are fully exposed to the sun, which is perfect for your visit in January. Keep in mind you may encounter ice, snow and mud in shady areas of the trails because January is the coldest month of the year at the park and the wet areas don’t dry out.

You may need traction devices on some trails. Check with the visitor’s center for the most current trail conditions. Permits are required for backcountry hiking. Services to get those permits are limited in January so plan ahead!

Here’s a list of good Island in the Sky hikes: Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, Aztec Butte and Upheaval Dome. And here’s a list of hikes at the Needles district: Roadside Ruin, Pothole Point and Cave Spring.

Here’s a list of fun Canyonlands Needles hikes that are easy: Roadside Ruin, Pothole Point, Cave Spring. There are a few popular difficult hikes as well: Chelser Park Loop and Druid Arch trails.

Canyonlands Photography in January

We love it when it snows during our January trip to Canyonlands. The landscape of red rocks with white snow is so pretty! Be prepared for all types of winter photography due to weather. You can still capture amazing photos with rain, snow and fog.

Canyonlands National Park photography is best at sunrise and sunset. Our favorite sunrise spots at Island in the Sky are Grand View Point and Mesa Arch. We like the Colorado River Overlook at sunset. The colors are vibrant and the light creates a spectacular glow on the red rocks that cannot be missed.

If you’re serious about photography, check out our Arches & Canyonlands Photography Guide and Itinerary. We share the best photography spots at each park for sunrise, sunset and even night time…and give you our favorite 3 day itinerary!

And since January will be cold, pack the winter photography gear you’ll need to take amazing pictures at Canyonlands! We like to use photographer gloves and keep rechargeable hand warmers in our coat pockets!

Canyonlands Stargazing in January

It will be cold in January at night, but it’s worth it to set aside one evening to stay after the sun sets and LOOK UP! You’ll quickly see why Canyonlands has the slogan: “Half the Park is After Dark”.

Canyonlands is internationally recognized as one of the best places for stargazing because of its remote location, accessibility, altitude and clear skies. It’s a popular destination for astrophotographers so you won’t be alone in the park at night.

Canyonlands 4×4 Off-Road Trails in January

January may not be the best time for exploring the off-road trails at Canyonlands. If the Shafer Trail is open, and you have the right vehicle, we recommend this challenging, unpaved backcountry road in Island in the Sky that connects with Moab.

And check out the 4×4 trails at Needles Canyonlands, but again check to see if they’re open or if you’ll need a permit.

At Canyonlands, high-clearance 4WD vehicles with a low range gear (4LO) are required on all off-road trails. ATVs, OHVs, or UTVs are not permitted inside the park. Do not attempt to drive these trails if you are inexperienced since there is a high risk of vehicle damage that could lead to towing costs in excess of $1,000!

Find a MOAB OFF-ROADING TOUR

More Canyonlands Activities

BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps:

Where to Stay Near Canyonlands

There are no lodging facilities in the park, but there are campgrounds:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Moab – we enjoyed our stay and highly recommend this hotel due to its location close to Canyonlands.
Purple Sage – our all-time favorite place to stay in Moab – walking distance to shopping, full kitchen, and only 8 units so you don’t feel lost in a large hotel.
Red Cliffs Lodge – rooms up to 6 people – located 17 miles from Moab, this lodge is known for its beautiful location, winery and activities like horseback riding, fishing and more!
Townhomes south of Moab – we really like the townhomes in Spanish Valley with kitchen, washer and dryer in the unit and a swimming pool/hot tub (just a 5 minute drive south of Moab).

Camping in Canyonlands in the Winter

There are 12 sites at Willow Flat Campground at Island in the Sky. They are first-come, first-served. This campground is open year-round.

There are 26 sites at The Needles Campground. During the winter these sites are all first-come, first-served.

Visit the NPS website for more information on camping at Canyonlands in the winter.

Visiting Canyonlands National Park in January

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you! Read the full Disclosure Policy.

A Photo Tour of Canyonlands National Park