Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Canyonlands in January
Little changes in Canyonlands from December: highs stay near 40°F (4°C), lows near 22°F (-5°C), and about 0.6 in (16 mm) of rain or snow falls.
With a comfort score of 52/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 40°F (4°C)
- Avg low
- 22°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.6 in (16 mm)
- Humidity
- 61%
- Cloud cover
- 54%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 52/100 · Fair
What January feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 40°F (4°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 22°F (-5°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 0.6 in (16 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 April & May and September & October.
- Comfort holds steady from December (52 → 52/100).
- 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 22°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Canyonlands in January
With highs near 40°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Island in the Sky Visitor Center
Info, maps and ranger talks on the mesa-top district.
Moab Diner
Retro diner on Main Street serving green chile, burgers and big breakfasts.
Grand View Point Overlook
Southern tip of the mesa with a 100-mile view over canyons cut by the Green and Colorado rivers.
Moab Coffee Roasters
Main Street coffee and gelato stop for an early start before the drive to the park.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Overlook 2,000 ft above a gooseneck bend of the Colorado River.
Nearby in January
- Arches in January~32 mi · highs 42°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Capitol Reef in January~75 mi · highs 42°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Bryce Canyon in January~136 mi · highs 34°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Aspen in January~175 mi · highs 30°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 6°C (10°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Canyonlands in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Canyonlands?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 52/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and September & October. Expect highs of 40°F (4°C) and 0.6 in (16 mm) of rain or snow. Our Utah Mighty Five route recommends Mar – May, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Canyonlands in January?
Average highs are 40°F (4°C) and average lows 22°F (-5°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Canyonlands in January?
Not much: about 0.6 in (16 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 9.1 in (230 mm).
What should I pack for Canyonlands in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 22°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Canyonlands
Planning Canyonlands in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.