New River Gorge in January: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 63/100 · #9 of 12 months

January is a solid shoulder-season month to visit New River Gorge National Park: crowds run 13% of the July peak (37,071 average visits), days average 41°F with 9.8 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Crowds in January

New River Gorge averages 37,071 recreation visits in January — 13% of what July, the peak month, draws — the quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — this is genuine quiet-season territory.

Weather & daylight

Days are cold (highs average 41°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 23°F). Average precipitation is 3.5″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 9.8 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station OAK HILL, WV US (4 mi from park coordinates, 2,040 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of January.

What to pack for New River Gorge in January

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 23°F, below freezing
• Packable rain jacket — 3.5″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Headlamp — only 9.8 hours of daylight in mid-January
• Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for New River Gorge are March and April.

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in January · Last verified 2026-07-16