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Big Bend · January

Big Bend in January

January is a good time to visit Big Bend — quieter than December, quieter than February.

Expect moderate crowds (5/10), highs near 61°F, and about 10.5 hours of daylight.

Crowd score

How busy it gets

5/10
Moderate

A comfortable middle ground: some company on popular trails, but no gridlock.

About 46% of this park's busiest month.

Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025

Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →

Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe

Visitation

Typical January visits vs. the year

January (typical)44,957
Peak — March96,795
Quietest — August16,110

January draws about 8% of Big Bend’s yearly visitors.

Typical monthly recreation visits, averaged over the most recent three full years.

Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, 2023–2025

Weather

January weather

Avg high
61°F
Avg low
37°F
Precipitation
0.5"
Sunrise
6:48 AM
Sunset
5:17 PM
Daylight
10.5h

Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, PANTHER JUNCTION, TX US

What's open

Big Bend in January: access

Big Bend National Park is always open. You can enter and exit at any time of the day or night. Park entrances are open 24 hours daily, all year.

No seasonal road or area closures reported for this park.

Source: NPS Data API

Conditions

Current alerts

  • Information

    Bringing a Pet to Big Bend?

    Bringing your pet to Big Bend National Park will limit some of your park explorations and opportunities. Pets are not allowed on park trails, in the backcountry, or on the river. Pets are allowed only where vehicles can go. Pets may not be left unattended

    Details on nps.gov →
  • Information

    Big Bend is a NO DRONE Zone

    The use of drones is prohibited in Big Bend National Park. Thank you for preserving the peace and tranquility of Big Bend.

Source: NPS Data API

Context

Big Bend crowds across the year

January: 5/10 crowd5JanFebruary: 6/10 crowdFebMarch: 10/10 crowdMarApril: 8/10 crowdAprMay: 5/10 crowdMayJune: 3/10 crowdJunJuly: 2/10 crowdJulAugust: 2/10 crowdAugSeptember: 3/10 crowdSepOctober: 5/10 crowdOctNovember: 7/10 crowdNovDecember: 7/10 crowdDec

Alternatives

Quieter nearby in January

FAQ

Big Bend in January

How busy is Big Bend in January?

January rates 5/10 for crowds (Moderate) at Big Bend National Park — about 46% of its busiest month. Typical recreation visits: 44,957.

What is the weather like at Big Bend in January?

In January, Big Bend averages a high of 61°F and a low of 37°F, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation.

How much does it cost to visit Big Bend?

Entrance to Big Bend costs $30 (Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less); valid for 7 days.).

When is Big Bend least crowded?

Big Bend is quietest in July and August. If your dates are flexible, those months bring the thinnest crowds of the year.

How many hours of daylight does Big Bend get in January?

In mid-January, Big Bend gets about 10.5 hours of daylight, with sunrise around 6:48 AM and sunset around 5:17 PM.