Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Zion in January
Little changes in Zion from December: highs stay near 42°F (6°C), lows near 22°F (-5°C), and about 1.3 in (32 mm) of rain or snow falls.
With a comfort score of 57/100 (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
- 1.3 in (32 mm)
- Humidity
- 66%
- Cloud cover
- 47%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 42 min
- Comfort score
- 57/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Afternoons only reach about 42°F (6°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Average lows of 22°F (-5°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 1.3 in (32 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with lows well below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April – June and August – October.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, December – February.
- Comfort improves from 54/100 in December to 57/100.
- 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
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Zion in January
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Canyon Overlook Trail
One-mile hike on the east side to a view down Pine Creek and switchbacks.
Zion Canyon Visitor Center
Hub for the free canyon shuttle and ranger trail conditions.
Zion Canyon Brew Pub
Zion Brewery's pub right outside the park gate with a riverside patio.
Emerald Pools Trail
Short hikes to pools and seasonal waterfalls below cliffs, starting at Zion Lodge.
Bit & Spur Restaurant
Long-running Southwestern restaurant with a garden patio and red-rock views.
Nearby in January
- Bryce Canyon in January~50 mi · highs 34°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · 5°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Grand Canyon in January~97 mi · highs 52°F, 1.2 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Capitol Reef in January~118 mi · highs 42°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Las Vegas in January~141 mi · highs 58°F, 0.7 in rain · 9°C (16°F) warmer by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Zion NP.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,087 m to Zion's ~1,782 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.
Zion in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Zion?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 57/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April – June and August – October. Expect highs of 42°F (6°C) and 1.3 in (32 mm) of rain or snow. Our Utah Mighty Five route recommends Mar – May, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Zion 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 Zion in January?
Not much: about 1.3 in (32 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 13.1 in (332 mm).
What should I pack for Zion in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 42°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 22°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Zion in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.