Rapid City Sunrise & Sunset in January 2026

CST43.0750°N, 103.2020°W

Northern Hemisphere • mid-latitude latitude band

Last updated: February 23, 2026

This page shows daily sunrise and sunset times for Rapid City, South Dakota throughout January 2026, displayed in local time. You can view how sunrise and sunset times change day by day across the entire month. January marks a transitional period in daylight patterns. Both morning and evening golden hours in January offer distinct advantages. Morning light tends to be crisp and clear, while evening light often carries warmer tones, making each period valuable for different types of photography and activities. Residents of Rapid City use January's sun time data for everyday planning. Morning commuters check sunrise times, while evening joggers and cyclists rely on sunset times to plan safe routes before darkness falls. The precise timing of sunrise and sunset in Rapid City during January depends on the city's specific coordinates and the Earth's position. Our calculations account for these factors to provide accurate, location-specific data. The daily variations in sun times during January may seem minor, but they reflect the Earth's continuous motion around the sun. These changes affect everything from energy consumption to mood and daily routines. Understanding these patterns helps residents and visitors make the most of each day's available daylight.

January is part of winter in the Northern Hemisphere for Rapid City. Expect shorter days and later sunrises, especially noticeable at 43.1° latitude, with daylight expanding slowly as the month progresses.

January daylight summary

  • Sunrise shifts 14m earlier from the start to the end of the month.
  • Sunset shifts 35m later from the start to the end of the month.
  • Total daylight changes by 49m longer by month end.

Key January Statistics

  • Earliest sunrise: January 1 at 8:25 AM
  • Latest sunrise: January 31 at 8:11 AM
  • Earliest sunset: January 1 at 5:28 PM
  • Latest sunset: January 31 at 6:03 PM
  • Day length change: +0h 49m from start to end of month

January averages

  • Average sunrise: 8:21 AM
  • Average sunset: 5:44 PM
  • Average day length: 9h 23m

Monthly Sun Trend Charts

Sunrise Trend
Sunset Trend
Day Length Trend

Daily Sun Times for January 2026

DateSunriseSunsetDay LengthMorning Golden HourEvening Golden Hour
Jan 18:25 AM5:28 PM9h 3m8:25 AM - 9:11 AM4:42 PM - 5:28 PM
Jan 28:25 AM5:29 PM9h 4m8:25 AM - 9:11 AM4:43 PM - 5:29 PM
Jan 38:25 AM5:30 PM9h 5m8:25 AM - 9:11 AM4:44 PM - 5:30 PM
Jan 48:25 AM5:31 PM9h 5m8:25 AM - 9:11 AM4:45 PM - 5:31 PM
Jan 58:25 AM5:32 PM9h 6m8:25 AM - 9:11 AM4:46 PM - 5:32 PM
Jan 68:25 AM5:33 PM9h 7m8:25 AM - 9:11 AM4:47 PM - 5:33 PM
Jan 78:25 AM5:34 PM9h 9m8:25 AM - 9:10 AM4:48 PM - 5:34 PM
Jan 88:25 AM5:35 PM9h 10m8:25 AM - 9:10 AM4:49 PM - 5:35 PM
Jan 98:25 AM5:36 PM9h 11m8:25 AM - 9:10 AM4:50 PM - 5:36 PM
Jan 108:24 AM5:37 PM9h 12m8:24 AM - 9:10 AM4:52 PM - 5:37 PM
Jan 118:24 AM5:38 PM9h 14m8:24 AM - 9:09 AM4:53 PM - 5:38 PM
Jan 128:24 AM5:39 PM9h 15m8:24 AM - 9:09 AM4:54 PM - 5:39 PM
Jan 138:23 AM5:40 PM9h 17m8:23 AM - 9:08 AM4:55 PM - 5:40 PM
Jan 148:23 AM5:41 PM9h 18m8:23 AM - 9:08 AM4:56 PM - 5:41 PM
Jan 158:23 AM5:42 PM9h 20m8:23 AM - 9:07 AM4:58 PM - 5:42 PM
Jan 168:22 AM5:43 PM9h 21m8:22 AM - 9:07 AM4:59 PM - 5:43 PM
Jan 178:22 AM5:45 PM9h 23m8:22 AM - 9:06 AM5:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Jan 188:21 AM5:46 PM9h 25m8:21 AM - 9:05 AM5:02 PM - 5:46 PM
Jan 198:21 AM5:47 PM9h 27m8:21 AM - 9:05 AM5:03 PM - 5:47 PM
Jan 208:20 AM5:48 PM9h 28m8:20 AM - 9:04 AM5:05 PM - 5:48 PM
Jan 218:19 AM5:50 PM9h 30m8:19 AM - 9:03 AM5:06 PM - 5:50 PM
Jan 228:19 AM5:51 PM9h 32m8:19 AM - 9:02 AM5:07 PM - 5:51 PM
Jan 238:18 AM5:52 PM9h 34m8:18 AM - 9:01 AM5:09 PM - 5:52 PM
Jan 248:17 AM5:53 PM9h 36m8:17 AM - 9:00 AM5:10 PM - 5:53 PM
Jan 258:16 AM5:55 PM9h 38m8:16 AM - 8:59 AM5:12 PM - 5:55 PM
Jan 268:16 AM5:56 PM9h 41m8:16 AM - 8:58 AM5:13 PM - 5:56 PM
Jan 278:15 AM5:57 PM9h 43m8:15 AM - 8:57 AM5:15 PM - 5:57 PM
Jan 288:14 AM5:59 PM9h 45m8:14 AM - 8:56 AM5:16 PM - 5:59 PM
Jan 298:13 AM6:00 PM9h 47m8:13 AM - 8:55 AM5:18 PM - 6:00 PM
Jan 308:12 AM6:01 PM9h 49m8:12 AM - 8:54 AM5:19 PM - 6:01 PM
Jan 318:11 AM6:03 PM9h 52m8:11 AM - 8:53 AM5:21 PM - 6:03 PM

Last updated: February 23, 2026

About sunrise and sunset in Rapid City in January

Sunrise and sunset times shift slightly each day through January as we move closer to the solstice. The times shown are in local time for Rapid City, South Dakota, and are calculated based on the city's exact geographic coordinates.

You can come back daily to see updated values. This page shows you not just sunrise and sunset times, but also golden hour periods (ideal for photography), dawn and dusk times (civil twilight), and day length for every day of the month. All times are displayed in local time and update automatically based on the current date.

Whether you're planning outdoor activities, photography sessions, or simply want to know when daylight begins and ends, this calendar helps you make the most of each day in January.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is sunrise in Rapid City, South Dakota in January?

Today, the sun rises in Rapid City, South Dakota at 7:40 AM local time. Sunrise shifts slightly each day throughout January, so check this page for the latest times.

What time is sunset in Rapid City, South Dakota in January?

Today, the sun sets in Rapid City, South Dakota at 6:35 PM local time. Sunset shifts slightly each day throughout January, so check this page for the latest times.

How long is the day in Rapid City, South Dakota in January?

Today's daylight in Rapid City, South Dakota lasts about 10h 55m. As we move through January, day length changes gradually, and this page updates daily with new values.

What is golden hour in Rapid City, South Dakota?

Golden hour in Rapid City, South Dakota refers to the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset when the sun is low in the sky, creating warm, soft lighting ideal for photography. These periods occur twice daily and shift gradually throughout the month. For more information about planning photos during golden hour, see our guide on golden hour photography.

How often are these sunrise and sunset times updated?

Sunrise and sunset times are updated daily and are based on reliable astronomical calculations. The times account for your location's exact geographic coordinates, timezone, and the Earth's position in its orbit. You can check back each day to see the latest values.

How People Use This Information

People use sunrise and sunset times for planning outdoor activities, photography, travel, prayer times, fitness routines, gardening, and understanding seasonal daylight changes. SunTimesToday is designed as a quick, location-specific reference that updates daily to reflect accurate astronomical calculations.

Data Source & Accuracy

Sunrise, sunset, daylight length, and twilight times on SunTimesToday are calculated using standard astronomical algorithms based on your selected location and date. Data is updated daily to reflect seasonal and yearly changes. While times are accurate for most practical uses, small variations may occur due to atmospheric conditions and local geography.