Plan a Vacation to Utah National Parks in January

Visiting Utah National Parks in January is a unique time of year to plan a vacation. As you add places to visit in Utah to your bucket list, visiting the national parks in the state is a must!

At many US National Parks in January, it’s the off season so you can enjoy your vacation without the crowds you find in the summer.

Utah National Parks in January

Here’s our guide to planning a January vacation to Utah National Parks: services available, weather, what to pack, where to stay and things to do!

Check out our handy Utah National Park Road trip itinerary to plan your trip visiting all five parks!

Don’t forget to add the list of Utah State Parks to your list of places to visit. There are stunning State Parks near the National Parks that are must-stop locations!

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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!

Utah National Parks in January

We always recommend visiting National Parks in January when it’s the off-season for many destinations.

All of the Utah National Parks are open every single day. With that being said, not all the visitor centers and amenities are open throughout the whole park during the winter.

Some of the Utah National Parks in the winter require you to be a little more self-reliant. You will want to check each individual park for closures and services before visiting. 

Weather plays a big part when determining the best time to visit Utah National Parks. Be sure you know the expected weather and temperatures for the parks you’ll visit in January:

Arches in January

Winter is a great time to visit Arches National Park. The average highs are near 40 degrees with the lows near 20 degrees. Remember that Arches National Park is located at 5,653 feet above sea level so it does get cold in the winter, even if the sun is out.

Our favorite thing about Arches National Park in January is that the crowds are pretty much gone. We then get to really enjoy the park at our own pace. 

Many of the Arches National Park hiking trails remain open throughout January giving you lots of options to see explore the park. Take warm winter clothing and dress in layers so you’ll actually want to get out of the car when you get to the trailhead. Hiking boots should be warm and waterproof. No one wants soggy feet!

Here’s a list of fun things to do at Arches National Park:

Where to Stay Near Arches:

Mesa Arch at Canyonlands in the winter with snow

Canyonlands in January

Visiting Canyonlands National Park in January requires a little more work on your behalf. This is because several of the amenities are closed throughout the park during the week. 

There are so many Canyonlands hikes, off-road trails, and views to photograph at both regions:

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.

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.

Activities and things to do at Canyonlands National Park:

Where to Stay Near Canyonlands Island in the Sky

There are no lodging facilities in the park, only camping.

hikers on the trail at Bryce Canyon in the snow

Bryce Canyon in January

Bryce Canyon National Park in January is the coldest park of all 5 in Utah due to its elevation. January usually brings the coolest temperatures of the year averaging between 36 degrees Fahrenheit and 11 degrees Fahrenheit.  

With the right winter clothing, you can enjoy all the winter activities at the park! 

In January we recommend doing a few of the day hikes at Bryce Canyon National Park (with snowshoes!) and exploring the Bryce Canyon scenic drive!

Check out the fun list of things to do at Bryce Canyon National Park:

Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon:

Capital Reef in January

Capitol Reef National Park in January means temperatures with highs around 39 and lows around 18 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather during January will be cold, and you may encounter snow.

Capitol Reef hikes are a big attraction at this park. Our favorites are Hickman Bridge and Cassidy Arch. In the winter we recommend exploring the Capitol Reef scenic drive as well!

Here’s a list of fun things to do in Capitol Reef National Park:

Places to Stay Near Capitol Reef

visiting-zion-national-park-utah-photo-jeepers

Zion National Park in January

Zion National Park in January is epic, especially if it snows! The highs are usually around 50 degrees and the lows hover around 25 degrees Fahrenheit. 

All four Zion National Park scenic drives are open to cars in January. The Zion Canyon road is a 6.5-mile drive that you can take to see breathtaking views and rock formations at your own pace.

Definitely explore a few Zion National Park hikes. With so many options you will be sure to find a hike that fits your ability and your mood. 

There are so many activities and fun things to do at Zion National Park:

Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

You definitely want to stay in Springdale which borders the entrance to Zion.

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