Year calendar · 9 places
Januarywhat's in season
What's in season in January?
January is desert superbloom season at the places we track. Desert superbloom is in its usual window at Joshua Tree (Jan 1–Apr 20). Starting this month: earliest bloomers (warrior's plume, shooting stars) at Whiskeytown and early bloomers at Pinnacles. Coming in February: Texas bluebonnets, from Big Bend (Feb 1–Mar 31) and wildflowers, from Point Reyes (Feb 1–Aug 31).
Updated Sep 28. Sources: National Park Service, Joshua Tree wildflower blooms ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Wildflowers of Whiskeytown ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Blooming season at Pinnacles ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Peaking in January
Desert superbloom
1 place in January · 1 starts this month
California
- Joshua TreeJan 1–Apr 20
Also in January
Blooms, blossoms and green-up
Starting in January
- Earliest bloomers (warrior's plume, shooting stars) Whiskeytown · Jan–Apr
- Early bloomers Pinnacles · Jan–Feb
- Green-up San Francisco, California · Jan–Feb
- Wildflowers Joshua Tree · Jan–Apr
Snow and winter
Starting in January
- Lost Horse Guard Station winter rentals Lost Horse Canyon · Jan–Mar
- Most snow Lava Beds · Jan
- Ranger snowshoe walks Black Canyon · Jan–Mar
- Snow most likely Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee · Jan–Feb
Still going at 34 places: snowiest months at noaa's lake placid 2 s station (about 19–23 in. a month), brainard lake ski and snowshoe season, groomed ski trails, snowshoers welcome.
Out and about
Still going at 20 places: campgrounds full every night, visitor center open, best hiking.
Know before you go
Starting in January
- Wayah Bald road closed Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina · Jan–Mar
Still going at 21 places: forest roads closed (2 places), hunting season (use caution off the sandbars), timon and rod & gun campgrounds closed.
Sources (9)
- National Park Service, Wildflowers of Whiskeytown ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Blooming season at Pinnacles ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- USA National Phenology Network, Spring Index 1991–2020 averages ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Joshua Tree wildflower blooms ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US Forest Service, Lost Horse Guard Station ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Lava Beds weather ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Black Canyon winter activities ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- National Park Service, Great Smoky Mountains weather ↗ (opens in a new tab)
- US Forest Service, North Carolina seasonal closures ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Questions people ask
Where is the desert superbloom in January?
At the places we track: Joshua Tree, California (usually Jan 1–Apr 20).
What should I know before a trip in January?
Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina: wayah bald road closed.