Travel Guide For Visiting Utah in January

We get asked often what it’s like visiting Utah in January, specifically the National Parks. We’ve written this guide that includes where to go, things to do, what to pack, and where to stay for a Utah vacation in January.

When looking for places to visit in Utah in the winter in the month of January, it’s important to know the expected weather you may encounter this time of year at the various vacation spots around the state.

We have lived in Utah for over 20 years and have traveled around the state in January. The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting various Utah locations, especially in January.

January weather and temperatures will vary between Northern and Southern Utah, with those in the south about 10 degrees warmer. Keep in mind the higher elevation temperatures will be cooler than the average by 10 to 20 degrees.

There are fun Utah vacation ideas like exploring the National and State Parks. You can also still do many outdoor activities like hiking, biking, scenic drives, and photography. But you’ll need to be prepared for cold temperatures and the possibility of snow!

Use our Utah Packing Lists to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in January! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!

Utah packing lists for spring summer fall and winter

This site contains affiliate links which means WE may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. We only provide links to products we actually use and/or wholeheartedly recommend! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full Disclosure Policy.

A Photo Tour of Utah National Parks

Take a visual tour through all five Utah National Parks to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!

Northern and Southern Utah in January

The state of Utah is usually divided into two regions: northern and southern. It’s important to keep up with road and weather conditions when visiting Utah in the winter!

You’ll find fun places to visit in Utah in January and winter activities all around the state. Here’s a quick summary of what to expect in the two main regions.

Northern Utah in January:

Salt Lake City and Park City are the largest cities in Northern Utah. You’ll find vibrant main streets and downtown centers with nightlife, festivals, historic buildings and performing arts.

Northern Utah is also home to mountains, forests, lakes and reservoirs where you can snowshoe, snow ski, snowmobile, and ice fish during the winter.

Southern Utah in January:

Driving from the north to Southern Utah you’ll pass small towns with limited services. Take note where the various Utah vacation spots are located around the state. A drive from Salt Lake City to any of the National Parks in the south can take 4 to 5 hours.

You’ll find all 5 Utah National Parks in Central and Southern Utah. In January, after the New Year’s holiday, the parks aren’t crowded. Keep in mind the 5 National Parks will be busy over holiday weekends so try to avoid that time if you can.

Before heading out to explore the park, check with the visitor center for updated conditions. During the winter hiking trails may close, or may require traction devices due to ice.

There’s an equally stunning list of Utah State Parks and National Monuments around the state to hike, bike, and off-road.

Utah NP Mighty 5 AUDIO TOUR
(GuideAlong)

“It’s just like having a tour guide along for the ride. You’ll hear stories, local tips & navigation play automatically, all based on your location. Best of all it doesn’t need cell signal, the tour works offline with GPS.”

Utah Weather in January

Here’s a summary of the average Utah weather in January around the state:

Average temperature in Northern Utah (Salt Lake City): highs 39 / lows 24 degrees F. The average January snowfall in the Northern part of Utah:

Salt Lake City – 7.6 days / 12.7 inches
Logan – 8.6 days / 12.9 inches
Provo – 5.6 days / 12.5 inches
Alta – 14 days / 74.7 inches
Park City – 11.4 days / 34 inches

Average temperature in Southern Utah (St. George): highs 54 / lows 28 degrees F. The average January snowfall in the Southern part of Utah:

Moab (Arches/Canyonlands) – 1.5 days / 2.1 inches
Bryce Canyon – 6.3 days / 19.8 inches
Capitol Reef – 1.9 days / 3.8 inches
Cedar City – 4.9 days / 9.5 inches
Zion – 0.5 days / 0.5 inches
St. George – 0.1 days / 0.5 inches

It’s important to know the expected weather forecast and temperatures for the parks you’ll visit in January so we’ve written detailed guides for each National Park in Utah:

Remember to stay hydrated and use sun protection, even in the winter months. Dress in layers and pack winter clothing when visiting Utah in the winter:

fleece jacket
insulated jacket
waterproof hiking boots
Darn Tough socks
winter hat
gloves
lip balm and lotion – it’s a dry environment!

FIND HIKING GEAR AT REI

FIND HIKING GEAR AT AMAZON

Is January a Good Time to Visit Utah?

One of the best times to visit Utah is January. In the north you can enjoy winter activities like snow skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

In the south you can still enjoy activities like hiking and biking because “most of the time”, the weather isn’t snowy and daytime temperatures aren’t too cold.

The one exception is Bryce Canyon National Park in January. Due to it’s elevation, the weather and temperatures are more aligned to what you’d experience in the northern part of the state. Expect snow, cold temperatures, and winter activities.

Yes, it does snow in the southern parts of Utah, but it doesn’t usually stay on the ground too long so you can enjoy all those fun outdoor activities without crowds or heat!

Things to Do in Utah in January

Here’s a fun list of places to visit and things to do in Utah in January:

January Winter Activities in Utah

There are a variety of snow-sports and winter activities to do in January around the state of Utah. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

balanced rock with snow at Arches — Balanced Rock with snow at Arches National Park

Utah National Parks in January

All of the Utah National Parks are open year-round, and every single day in January. The Visitor Centers at all five parks will have shortened hours in January.

Some of the National Parks in Utah now have permits to enter or do certain activities, so be sure to check about reservations required when determining the best time to visit Utah National Parks.

We’ve written specific guides about visiting Utah National Parks in January:

Utah State Parks in January

Check out this list of Utah State Parks where you can enjoy hiking, biking, climbing, photography, and stargazing. Here are a few of our favorite State Parks in Utah to visit in January:

hiking trails at Bryce Canyon in December — Hiking trails at Bryce Canyon in the winter

Hiking in Utah in January

In January you can enjoy snowshoeing in northern Utah and hiking in southern Utah. You may need traction devices on trails that are icy.

There are plenty of trails that offer a variety of different terrains all around the state at National parks, State parks, National forests, and Wilderness areas.

Check out these fun winter hiking ideas at Utah National Parks:

Utah Scenic Drives in January

In January the Utah Scenic Drives in the lower elevations around the state are open to explore – here’s a list of the ones we recommend for winter drives:

mesa arch in the winter with snow — Mesa Arch in the winter with snow

Utah Photography in January

Winter is a good time of year to photograph snowy landscapes and forests in Northern Utah.

In Southern Utah the contrast of snow with the red sandstone cliffs is stunning. We always hope for a bit of snow when we visit the Utah National Parks.

In January the sunrise and sunset times aren’t too early or too late:

When it snows at these parks, you’ll get unique photos of the landscape formations with white snow!

We highly recommend rechargeable hand warmers and photographer gloves for those cold early morning sunrise outings!

Utah Stargazing in January

You won’t find a better location than Utah for stargazing! Did you know that Utah has the highest concentration of certified International Dark Sky Parks in the world!?

We definitely recommend you take time to view the night skies during your vacation. And better yet, photograph the milky way at these Utah locations!

Northern Utah Stargazing Locations:

Antelope Island State Park
Dinosaur National Monument
East Canyon State Park
Jordanelle State Park
North Fork Park

Southern Utah Stargazing Locations:

Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Dead Horse Point State Park
Goblin Valley State Park
Goosenecks State Park
Hovenweep National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument

Utah Tours in January

You’ll find a variety of tours around Utah in January! In Park City you can enjoy snowmobile tours, ice fishing tours, dog sledding, and more!

At the Utah National Parks you can do hiking, biking, rock climbing, and off-road tours to explore the red rock landscape!

Remember, always double-check availability and safety guidelines before booking any tour.

Utah Travel Guides & Maps

Places to Stay in Utah in January

Utah Bucket List of Things To Do

To find even MORE fun things to do in January, we’ve compiled this comprehensive list of must-do activities that belong on every Utah Bucket List: things to see, do and taste all around the state! Grab the free printable by clicking the graphic below!

Travel Guide For Visiting Utah in January

This site contains affiliate links which means WE may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. We only provide links to products we actually use and/or wholeheartedly recommend! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full Disclosure Policy.

A Photo Tour of Utah National Parks

Northern and Southern Utah in January

Utah NP Mighty 5 AUDIO TOUR
(GuideAlong)