Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Capitol Reef in January
Little changes in Capitol Reef from December: highs stay near 42°F (6°C), lows near 22°F (-5°C), and about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow falls.
With a comfort score of 53/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 42°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 22°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.7 in (19 mm)
- Humidity
- 66%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 53/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Cool days top out near 42°F (6°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Average lows of 22°F (-5°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow, and since nights fall well 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 → 53/100).
- Our Utah Mighty Five route recommends Mar – May, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 42°F
- 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 Capitol Reef in January
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Hickman Bridge Trail
Two-mile round trip to a 133-ft natural bridge with views of Capitol Dome.
Fremont Petroglyphs
Boardwalk along Highway 24 with Fremont-culture rock art figures.
Rim Rock Patio
Casual patio bar with beer, pizza and red-cliff views just west of the park.
Capitol Reef Visitor Center
Orientation, trail maps and info on the Waterpocket Fold geology.
Hunt & Gather
Torrey's top dinner spot, with upscale comfort food from local ingredients.
Nearby in January
- Bryce Canyon in January~70 mi · highs 34°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · 5°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Canyonlands in January~75 mi · highs 40°F, 0.6 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Arches in January~95 mi · highs 42°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Zion in January~118 mi · highs 42°F, 1.3 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,104 m to Capitol Reef's ~1,674 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.
Capitol Reef in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Capitol Reef?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 53/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and September & October. Expect highs of 42°F (6°C) and 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow. Our Utah Mighty Five route recommends Mar – May, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Capitol Reef in January?
Average highs are 42°F (6°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 Capitol Reef in January?
Not much: about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 10.1 in (257 mm).
What should I pack for Capitol Reef in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 42°F), 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 Capitol Reef
Planning Capitol Reef in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.