Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Bryce Canyon in January
Little changes in Bryce Canyon from December: highs stay near 34°F (1°C), lows near 14°F (-10°C), and about 0.9 in (23 mm) of rain or snow falls.
With a comfort score of 54/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 34°F (1°C)
- Avg low
- 14°F (-10°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.9 in (23 mm)
- Humidity
- 62%
- Cloud cover
- 49%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 41 min
- Comfort score
- 54/100 · Fair
What January feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 34°F (1°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 14°F (-10°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 0.9 in (23 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – October.
- Comfort holds steady from December (53 → 54/100).
- Our Las Vegas & National Parks route recommends Mar – May, so January falls outside its suggested window.
- Our Utah Mighty Five route recommends Mar – May, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 14°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Bryce Canyon in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Ebenezer's Barn & Grill
Cowboy dinner and live country-music show across from Ruby's Inn.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 34°F.
Rainbow Point
End of the 18-mile scenic drive at 9,100 ft, with the short Bristlecone Loop.
Bryce Point
Southern end of the amphitheater with the widest panorama of the hoodoos.
The Lodge at Bryce Canyon Dining Room
1920s rim lodge dining room, the only sit-down restaurant inside the park.
Queen's Garden Trail
Gentlest trail into the hoodoos, down from Sunrise Point.
Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail
3-mile combo descending through Wall Street's slot to Queen Victoria hoodoo.
Nearby in January
- Zion in January~50 mi · highs 42°F, 1.3 in rain or snow · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Capitol Reef in January~70 mi · highs 42°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Grand Canyon in January~103 mi · highs 52°F, 1.2 in rain · 10°C (19°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Canyonlands in January~136 mi · highs 40°F, 0.6 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,993 m to Bryce Canyon's ~2,496 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Bryce Canyon in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Bryce Canyon?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 54/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – October. Expect highs of 34°F (1°C) and 0.9 in (23 mm) of rain or snow. Our Las Vegas & National Parks route recommends Mar – May, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Bryce Canyon in January?
Average highs are 34°F (1°C) and average lows 14°F (-10°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Bryce Canyon in January?
Not much: about 0.9 in (23 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 10.4 in (263 mm).
What should I pack for Bryce Canyon in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 14°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Bryce Canyon
Planning Bryce Canyon in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.