Visiting Zion National Park in January
Are you thinking of visiting Zion National Park and are thinking about Zion in January, then find out everything you need to know about visiting Zion National Park in January with this guide.
It can be a beautiful time to visit the park, though it is also one of the coldest and wettest times of the year in the park. Some of the trails can be closed due to snow and ice or risk of falling ice from the cliffs above.
If you do decide to visit Zion National Park in January then make sure to be prepared with the correct clothing and crampons for your hiking boots and be ready for the fact that you make not be able to do all the hikes that you want to do.
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Zion National Park Weather in January
January in Zion National Park Utah can be cold, generally it is one of the coldest months in the park, though normally December is colder. It can reach highs of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15°c) though on average the temperate during the day is 50 degrees Fahreneit (10°c), with the average temperature on an evening 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4°c), though it can drop to 17 degrees Fahrenheit (-8°c).
Sunrise in January at Zion National Park at the beginning of January is 7.46am and by the end of January it is 7.36am with sunset at the beginning of January at 5.25pm and by the end of January it is 5.55pm meaning that there is between 9 hours 40 mins and 10 hours 20 mins of sunlight during January.
On average there are 7 days of rain and snow in January in Zion National Park though you will find in the areas that are shaded and don’t get much sunlight that there is ice, snow or even mud, because of this not all trails may be open. You will need to check at the visitors center when you arrive at the park.
Is January a good time to visit Zion National Park
January can be a good time to visit Zion National Park to avoid crowds of people as it is the month with the least number of visitors and 5 times less people than July, which is the busiest month in the park. You may find though that not all the trails are open due to the weather and it is the coldest month too, so you need to be prepared for that.
If you are wanting to hike Angels Landing and The Narrows, just know it may not be possible due to the weather.
Camping in Zion in January
It is possible to camp in Zion National Park in January at the Watchman Campground. It is close to the visitors center at the South Entrance to Zion National Park. Reservations need to be made all year round and you can book 6 months in advance.
Each site at the campsite has space for a tent, an RV, a picnic table and access to a fire ring. Electric campsites are $30 a night and tents $20 a night. There are restrooms on site but the nearest showers are in Springdale, a short walk from the campsite.
Does the Zion Shuttle run in January?
The Zion shuttle does not run in January, though it does run the week between Christmas and New Year as this can be a busy time for visitors. As the shuttle is not running, you will need a car inside the park to get to the different trailheads. During this time the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is open to cars.
How many people visit Zion National Park in January?
January is one of the quietest months to visit Zion National Park with only 115,000 visitors in January 2023 compared to the busiest month June 2023 when 565,000 people visited the park.
Hiking Zion in January
Hiking Zion in January can be very enjoyable due to there being no crowds in January. It is the quietest month of the year but depending on the weather it may mean that not all the trails are open.
If you plan to hike the Narrows, you will need a dry suit as the water is close to freezing. Angels Landing can be covered with snow and ice making it very dangerous to hike the last part from Scout’s Landing.
Hikes to enjoy during winter that are normally open are:
- The Riverside Walk Zion National Park – though if there has been a lot of rain and snow, it could be quite muddy.
- The Emerald Pools are a nice gentle hike and at least the lower pools should be open.
- Weeping Rock Trail, this is a paved path, though if there has been snow or rain it can get icy.
- Zion Canyon Overlook Trail, this is a short hike of 1 mile, that starts at the other side of the tunnel going towards the east entrance of the park.
Things to do in Zion National Park in January
There are many things to do in Zion National Park, though most of the activities are outside and include some kind of hiking, though there are many short hikes that you can do so that you are not outside in the cold for a long time.
You can also visit the visitor center that has an outdoor exhibit and to talk with a ranger about what you can do in the park. Unfortunately in January the museum is closed but if you want to watch the 22 minute film that they show about the park, you can watch it here. It is very interesting and worth watching.
Can you hike The Narrows in January
It is possible to hike the Narrows in January though you will need to rent a dry suit and appropriate shoes as the water temperature is around 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3°c). It is possible to rent all the equipment that you need in Springdale, just outside the park.
If you were to attempt to hike the Narrows without a dry suit you would get hypothermia very quickly and end up in hospital or even die.
Can you hike Angels Landing in January
It is possible to hike Angels Landing in January though it can be very icy in places, especially after there has been snow overnight and freezing temperatures. The Angels Landing Permit is available all year and is available in January too.
It can be quite safe to hike to Scouts Landing though you may need Crampons to attach to your hiking boots for the Icy or snowy parts of the trail. If there is snow covering Angels Landing then it is very dangerous to proceed further as it is difficult to tell where the snow is on rock and where the drop starts.
It is only recommended to hike Angels Landing if there is no snow, ice, rain or wind and for good reason as it is very dangerous.
What to wear in Zion in January
When you are visiting Zion in January you will want to make sure you are wearing lots of layers and warm clothing as early morning and early evening the temperatures start to drop and it will be very cold.
- Thick Waterproof Jacket
- Hiking Boots
- Hiking Socks
- Long Sleeve Shirt
- T-shirts
- Warm Leggings
- Warm fleece
- Quick Drying Hiking Pants
- Headband for hiking
- Sunhat or Cap
- Sunglasses
- Water shoes
- Neoprene Socks
If you plan to hike The Narrows then make sure to rent a dry suit in Springdale, it is also recommended to have crampons with you for other hikes, especially hikes higher up as the snow and ice take longer to melt, making the paths very dangerous without crampons.
Check out my full list on what to pack for Zion National Park.
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