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.

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 National Park weather
• Bryce Canyon National Park weather
• Canyonlands National Park weather
• Capitol Reef National Park weather
• Zion National Park weather

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:

• Auto Touring → Arches National Park Scenic Drive
• Backpacking
• Biking
• Hiking → Best Hikes in Arches National Park
• Junior Ranger Program
• Photography → Arches National Park Photography
• Ranger-Led programs
• Stargazing- Don’t miss checking out the amazing night skies! 
• Visitor Center

Where to Stay Near Arches:

• Where to Stay Near Arches National Park
• Arches National Park Camping
• Hotels near Arches National Park 
• RV Parks Near Arches National Park
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Moab – we enjoyed our stay and highly recommend this hotel due to its location close to Arches.
• 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!
• Vacation Rentals – we really like rentals with a kitchen, washer and dryer and amenities like a swimming pool and hot tub.

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:

• Canyonlands Island in the Sky vs Needles
• Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky
• Needles Canyonlands

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:

• Auto tour → Island in the Sky Scenic Drive
• Backpacking
• Biking
• Climbing
• Hiking → Canyonlands Hikes
• Junior Ranger Program
• Photography → Best Photo Spots at Canyonlands Island in the Sky
• Ranger-led programs
• Stargazing
• Visitor Center

Where to Stay Near Canyonlands Island in the Sky

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

• Island in the Sky Campgrounds
• Needles Canyonlands Camping
• Where to stay near Canyonlands
• Hotels near Canyonlands National Park
• RV Parks Near Canyonlands National Park
•  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 town – 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).

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:

• Auto tour → Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
• Backpacking
• Biking
• Climbing
• Hiking → Bryce Canyon Hikes
• Horseback riding
• Junior Ranger Program
• Photography → Bryce Canyon Photo Spots
• Ranger-led programs
• Stargazing
• Visitor Center

Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon:

• Bryce Canyon Places to Stay
• Bryce Canyon Hotels
• Bryce Canyon Winter Lodging
• Bryce Canyon National Park Camping
• Bryce Canyon National Park RV Vacation
• Vacation Rentals Near Bryce Canyon
• Best Western Ruby’s Inn – easy access right outside the park
• Best Western Plus – also right outside the park

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:

• Auto tour → Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
• Backpacking
• Camping
• Fruit picking in the orchards (seasonal)
• Gifford House treats
• Hiking → Capitol Reef Hikes
• Horseback riding
• Junior Ranger Program
• Photography → Capitol Reef National Park Photography
• Ranger Led Programs
• Rock climbing
• Stargazing
• Visitor Center

Places to Stay Near Capitol Reef

• Places to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park
• Capitol Reef National Park Camping
• Hotels near Capitol Reef National Park
• RV Parks Near Capitol Reef National Park
• Capitol Reef Resort – this is where we stay! Make it a unique experience and stay in a teepee or covered wagon!
• Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel – basic rooms and cabins with a deli and store right on the property which is so convenient!
• Vacation Rentals Near Capitol Reef – we like finding a place with a kitchen so we can prepare our own food.

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:

• Auto tour → Zion National Park Scenic Drives
• Backpacking
• Bicycling
• Camping
• Hiking → Zion National Park Hikes & Zion Hikes Without the Shuttle
• Horseback riding
• Junior Ranger Program
• Museum
• Photography → Zion National Park photo spots
• Ranger-led activities
• Stargazing
• Visitor Center

Where to Stay Near Zion National Park

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

• Places to Stay at Zion National Park
• Camping in Zion National Park
• RV Parks near Zion National Park
• Holiday Inn Express – our favorite place to stay with an outdoor pool and amenities you’d find in a high end hotel
• Zion Lodge – we haven’t had a chance to stay here yet, but you can’t go wrong staying right IN the park!
• Under Canvas Zion – if you want to experience a less crowded part of Zion, this is the place! It’s in the Kolob section of the park.
• Vacation Rentals in Springdale – you’ll want to stay in Springdale so you’re close to the park entrance and can walk to shopping and restaurants. 

Utah Travel Guides & Maps

Plan a Utah National Parks Vacation

• Utah National Park Road Trip Itinerary
• Best Time to Visit Utah National Parks
• Arches National Park Travel Guide
• Bryce Canyon Travel Guide
• Canyonlands National Park Guide
• Capitol Reef National Park Guide
• Zion National Park Travel Guide