As many people are holiday shopping, decorating their homes, and begin hunkering down for winter, December isn’t usually a busy month in the National Park System.
There are, however, still many national parks that are downright amazing in December—you could even say that some are in their absolute prime this time of year.
Whether you’re planning a trip to get away from the stress of the holiday season or are actually spending the holidays in the parks, you’ll find several beautiful December destinations below.
You can go hiking in Utah and Texas, canoeing and snorkeling in south Florida, and immerse yourself in tropical scenery in Hawaii and the Virgin Islands. The choice is yours!
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Contents
- Planning a Visit to National Parks in December
- 12 Best National Parks to Visit in December
- 1. Big Bend National Park, Texas
- 2. Biscayne National Park, Florida
- 3. Death Valley National Park, California
- 4. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
- 5. Everglades National Park, Florida
- 6. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
- 7. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
- 8. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
- 9. Saguaro National Park, Arizona
- 10. Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands
- 11. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
- 12. Zion National Park, Utah
- When to Visit National Parks
Planning a Visit to National Parks in December
While many national parks shut down—either partially or entirely—during winter, others are among the absolute best places to visit in December.
Thanks to the incredible diversity and wide geographic range of the National Park System, you’ll always find one or more parks to visit, no matter what month or season it is.
December is, of course, the ultimate holiday month, with Christmas and New Year’s Eve highlighted brightly on many people’s calendar.
This also means that the first half of the month is very quiet in the national parks, as people are planning family gatherings and spending money on presents and food.
So, if you’d like a quiet national parks experience, early-December is a fantastic time to plan a trip.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s, on the other hand, is pretty busy. This is an exceptionally popular time to visit national parks. Many of the best national parks to visit in December see a huge spike in visitation during that particular week, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Because late-December is also one of the busiest travel weeks of the entire year, you can expect prices to be significantly higher as well, both for transportation and accommodation.
12 Best National Parks to Visit in December
So, which national parks are best to visit in December? Whether you’re looking for a winter hiking holiday or want to soak up some tropical sunshine, you’ve got a wide range of options:
- Big Bend
- Biscayne
- Death Valley
- Dry Tortugas
- Everglades
- Haleakalā
- Hawai‘i Volcanoes
- Mammoth Cave
- Saguaro
- Virgin Islands
- White Sands
- Zion
For each of these top national parks to visit in December, I’ve provided some basic information below. This includes expected crowds (based on historical visitation data), typical weather, and—not unimportant—the average sunrise and sunset times in the park.
NOTE: In terms of average crowd levels, December is an interesting month. For almost all national parks, the first part of the month will be unusually quiet. The week between Christmas and New Year’s, however, is when visitation increases dramatically, which in its turn also raises the monthly average. So, even if the “expected crowds” below say ‘moderate’ or ‘high’, it’s quite likely that the park will still be relatively quiet during the first three weeks of December. Something to keep in mind!
1. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Location: Southwestern Texas
Expected Crowds: Low
Weather: The average high temperature is 63°F (17°), while the average low temperature is 39°F (4°C). The monthly precipitation average is merely 0.51 inches (13 mm) in total.
Average Sunrise Time: 7:39 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:56 pm
Visiting Big Bend National Park in December
Winter in Big Bend National Park is usually sunny, pleasant and mild. Although days with clouds and near-freezing temperatures do occasionally occur, the general Big Bend National Park winter weather is relatively warm and enjoyable.
Average maximum temperatures from December are well into the 60s, while this is also among the driest months of the year. Snowfall is pretty rare and, when it does occur, is usually quite light. This makes December a fantastic time to go hiking and boating in Big Bend.
The National Park Service does advise December visitors to prepare for a variety of weather conditions, though. Temperatures can vary from below freezing to up into the 80s.
Besides hiking and boating, there are many other ways to explore and enjoy these spectacular canyons, rugged desert plains, and mountains on the border of the U.S. and Mexico. Those include bird watching, fishing, stargazing, horseback riding, and scenic drives.
All in all, Big Bend National Park in December is fantastic. It’s a beautiful month to visit this underrated and less-visited park in southwestern Texas.
More About Big Bend National Park
2. Biscayne National Park, Florida
Location: Southern Florida
Expected Crowds: Moderate
Weather: The average high temperature is 76°F (24°C), while the average low temperature is 64°F (18°C). December is the driest month in Biscayne, with no fewer than 26 sunny days and a total amount of precipitation of barely 0.05 inches (1.27 mm).
Average Sunrise Time: 6:57 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:33 pm
Visiting Biscayne National Park in December
No less than 95% of Biscayne National Park, which is just south of Miami, is water. Only 5% is land, which includes a small stretch of mainland shoreline and several offshore islands. Therefore, the only way to explore and experience Biscayne National Park is on boat trips.
A wide array of excursions leave from the Biscayne National Park Institute near the park’s visitor center, from glass-bottom boat tours to snorkeling and scuba diving trips and sailboat outings.
On these boat tours, you can enjoy the stunning seascapes of Biscayne Bay, both from the boat itself and in the water. This park offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world, though the best underwater visibility does occur in summer.
December is a great time to visit Biscayne National Park thanks to southern Florida’s amazing subtropical climate.
This is the dry season in this part of the country, meaning that a visit to Biscayne National Park in December comes with very mild weather and tons of sunshine.
More About Biscayne National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Top Things to Do in Biscayne National Park
- How to Visit Boca Chita Key
- Accommodation
3. Death Valley National Park, California
Location: Southeastern California
Expected Crowds: High
Weather: The average high temperature is 65°F (18°C), while the average low temperature is 38°F (3°C). Total average precipitation is 0.19 inches (4.83 mm). Snow is possible in the mountains; the lower-elevation areas are generally pretty comfortable.
Average Sunrise Time: 6:51 am
Average Sunset Time: 4:34 pm
Visiting Death Valley National Park in December
In summer boasting some of hottest and driest weather in North America with temperatures exceeding 130 degrees Fahrenheit, Death Valley National Park in December is an entirely different story.
Temperatures are still very pleasant—December is the coldest month of the year, but still has an average high temperature of 65°F—yet snow tops the peaks of the park’s towering mountains.
Low-angled sunlight creates stunning patterns of shadows in the badlands below Zabriskie Point, in Badwater Basin, and in the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, just to name a few popular places in Death Valley.
Long and dark nights, often without clouds, make for some of the best night sky viewing opportunities in America in December.
It is worth noting, however, that, although still comfortably warm, December marks the start of the “wet” season in Death Valley National Park. The beginning of the month is typically quite dry, with a slight increase in potential precipitation during the last week. (January and February are the park’s wettest months.)
In terms of crowds, the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas is the quietest time of the whole year in Death Valley National Park.
Christmas through New Year’s, however, is one of the busiest times in the park in winter, the National Park Service says. During the latter third of December, visitors are encouraged to visit on weekdays rather than on weekends.
More About Death Valley National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Death Valley Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Death Valley National Park
- Viewpoints
- Accommodation
4. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Location: 70 miles west of Key West, southern Florida
Expected Crowds: Low
Weather: The average high temperature is 77°F (25°C), while the average low temperature is 69°F (21°C). Average precipitation through December is 2.02 inches (51.3 mm). Although very dry, winter is also the windiest time of year in this region.
Average Sunrise Time: 7:06 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:45 pm
Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park in December
One of the least accessible national parks in America, Dry Tortugas National Park is 70 miles west of Key West. It’s only reachable by seaplane or boat.
This is a glorious destination all year, but it’s particularly amazing in winter, not in the least because it’s one of America’s greatest tropical destinations.
December in Dry Tortugas National Park is warm, typically sunny and—well—dry. The park was named after its dry conditions, specifically its lack of freshwater sources, and the many turtles that frequent its shallow turquoise waters. December is the driest month in the park.
From November to April, there can be the occasional windstorm, though, which cause swells and waves, and reduce visibility underwater.
That said, however, December is not the hurricane season in south Florida—the hurricane season officially ends on November 30—so you don’t have to worry about that at all.
In general, visiting Dry Tortugas National Park in December is a great idea. You can expect beautiful sunny weather and very comfortable temperatures. This is, after all, one of the warmest national parks in December.
Highlights include massive Fort Jefferson, which is the largest brick building in the Americas, stunning beaches, and world-class snorkeling and scuba diving.
Tours, whether by plane or boat, depart from Key West. The Yankee Freedom catamaran is the most popular way to get to the Dry Tortugas from Key West.
More About Dry Tortugas National Park
5. Everglades National Park, Florida
Location: Southern Florida
Expected Crowds: Low
Weather: The average high temperature is 79°F (26°C), while the average low temperature is 57°F (14°C). December is the driest month in Everglades National Park, with a total precipitation of only 1.37 inches (34.8 mm).
Average Sunrise Time: 7:01 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:36 pm
Visiting Everglades National Park in December
This sprawling national park southwest of Miami—the third-largest national park in the contiguous United States—can be visited throughout the year, but summer does come with high humidity, hot weather, and relentless bugs.
Winter, on the other hand, has none of that. This is the dry season and there are virtually no bugs, humidity is low, and temperatures are more than comfortable.
The month of December is a glorious time to explore the “River of Grass,” whether you’re going canoeing or kayaking, joining a cruise or going on a wildlife excursion.
Both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, Everglades National Park encompasses one of the world’s most important wetland regions. For one, this is one of only a few places on Earth where both alligators and crocodiles live. Other marine animals you might spot include manatees, sharks, and dolphins.
Everglades National Park is also renowned around the world for its sheer abundance of birds. More than 300 species of birds call the park home, many of which you can see in winter.
High-profile birds in the Everglades are anhingas, roseate spoonbills, great egrets, white-crowned pigeons, snail kites, osprey, bald eagles, wood storks, limpkins and pelicans. All of those can be seen throughout the park in December.
More About Everglades National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Where to See Wildlife in Everglades National Park
- Where to See Alligators and Crocodiles in the Everglades
- Famous Birds of the Everglades
- Best Things to Do in Flamingo
- Best Things to Do in Shark Valley
- Top Sights on the Everglades Main Park Road
- Best Everglades Bike Trails
- Accommodation
6. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Location: Eastern half of Maui, Hawaii
Expected Crowds: Moderate
Weather: The average high temperature is 76°F (24°C), while the average low temperature is 72°F (22°C). (Note that these are averages for the entire park. The high-elevation Summit District is significantly colder than the tropical Kīpahulu District.) Rainfall is possible every day in Kīpahulu; the Summit District is much drier.
Average Sunrise Time: 6:53 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:47 pm
Visiting Haleakalā National Park in December
Even though winter is the wet season in Hawaii, that doesn’t mean visiting the Hawaiian national parks is a bad idea. Rather the contrary, in fact, December in Hawaii is absolutely amazing.
Temperatures remain high throughout the year in most areas, while more precipitation means even lusher tropical scenery.
Haleakalā National Park in Maui, for example, is a phenomenal destination in December. Thanks to its wide range of elevations between the coastal Kīpahulu District and the Summit District, there’s usually some enjoyable weather to be found somewhere in the park.
The Kīpahulu District, for example, has daytime temperatures that range between 70 and 80 degrees year-round, including in winter. This lush area, home to palm trees, waterfalls and natural swimming holes, does get its fair share of rainfall, though, so remember to bring appropriate clothing.
At the spectacular summit of Haleakalā, it can get significantly colder. The National Park Service says that “on average, the temperature drops about 3°F for every 1,000 foot rise in elevation, making the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakalā about 30°F cooler than the coast.”
Popular activities in Haleakalā National Park in December include swimming, camping, hiking, bird watching, photography, sunrise and sunset viewing, and stargazing.
More About Haleakalā National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Haleakalā Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Haleakalā National Park
- Accommodation
7. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Location: Southwestern portion of the Big Island, Hawaii
Expected Crowds: Moderate
Weather: The average high temperature is 72°F (22°C), while the average low temperature is about 54°F (12°C). (There are significant temperature differences between the Kīlauea summit and the coastal area at the end of the Chain of Craters Road. Additionally, the summit of massive Mauna Loa can have freezing temperatures and even snow in any month of the year.) At Kīlauea, rainfall and fog are possible any day in December, as well as in most other months.
Average Sunrise Time: 6:46 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:45 pm
Visiting Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in December
The second national park in Hawaii is Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, located on the Big Island. Home to both Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the most active and biggest volcanoes on the planet, this is a fascinating national park to visit in December.
There are no distinctive seasons in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This basically means that temperatures in winter are as enjoyable as those in summer.
However, the park is notorious for its rapidly changing weather—mist can roll in at any time, while evenings usually bring some rainfall. Chilly temperatures can also occur unexpectedly. Prepare and bring proper clothing for both sunny and rainy weather.
The park’s significant precipitation does, on the other hand, result in a gorgeous rain forest wonderland.
Numerous hiking trails run through verdant tropical forests, some descending into volcanic craters, others leading to jaw-dropping views. The park also has a few scenic drives, which run past historic sites, overlooks, and other attractions.
Visitation numbers are fairly steady throughout the year, mainly because the park’s weather doesn’t change much. They usually peak around holiday periods, such as Christmas, New Year’s, and the Fourth of July, as well as whenever one (or both) of the park’s volcanoes are erupting.
Early-December is usually a relatively quiet time to visit this unique national park.
More About Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Hawai‘i Volcanoes Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
- Viewpoints
- Accommodation
8. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Location: Southern Kentucky
Expected Crowds: Low
Weather: The average high temperature is 48°F (9°C), while the average low temperature is 32°F (0°C). The temperature inside the cave, however, is a constant 54°F (12°C). December is one of the wetter months in Mammoth Cave National Park, with a total precipitation of about 5 inches (127 mm). Mild to moderate snow is possible.
Average Sunrise Time: 6:49 am
Average Sunset Time: 4:30 pm
Visiting Mammoth Cave National Park in December
The temperature within Mammoth Cave, the longest known cave system in the world, is a constant 54°F, so you can visit the cave year-round. Moreover, December—and especially the first half of the month—is one of the quietest periods in the park in terms of visitation.
A variety of cave tours are available every day through December.
Above-ground, the weather in December is on the chillier side, but it’s still possible to hit some of the trails in Mammoth Cave National Park if you so desire. Note, though, that some snow and ice may occur.
More About Mammoth Cave National Park
9. Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Location: Southern Arizona
Expected Crowds: Moderate
Weather: The average high temperature is 66°F (19°C), while the average low temperature is 41°F (5°C). Sporadic rain showers occur about once a week in December and other winter months. Snow is possible, too, especially in higher-elevation areas of the park. Still, about 50% of December days have completely clear skies.
Average Sunrise Time: 7:20 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:21 pm
Visiting Saguaro National Park in December
December is the “coldest” month of the year in Saguaro National Park, but with an average high temperature of 66°F, things could be much worse.
Thanks to its relatively warm winter temperatures, Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona is at its busiest from November through March. Don’t let that deter you from visiting, though!
There are plenty of opportunities to get away from the crowds, which are still relatively small compared with other parks anyway.
You can enjoy the amazing 65-degree afternoons on the many excellent hiking trails in Saguaro National Park. The King Canyon Trail to Wasson Peak, the Loma Verde Loop and Tanque Ridge Trail are especially great for escaping the busy roadside areas.
Additionally, its two separate districts—the Tucson Mountain District (West) and Rincon Mountain District (East)—both located on either side of Tucson, Arizona, have their own scenic drive. Both roads are open to motorists and cyclists alike.
More About Saguaro National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Saguaro Hikes
- Top Things To Do in Saguaro National Park
- Accommodation
10. Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands
Location: Most of the island of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Expected Crowds: Moderate
Weather: The average high temperature is 84°F (29°C), while the average low temperature is 75°F (24°C). December marks the start of the dry season, with the chance of rainfall decreasing rapidly throughout the month. Some precipitation is possible in December, but major storms are rare.
Average Sunrise Time: 6:42 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:45 pm
Visiting Virgin Islands National Park in December
For a beach holiday, Virgin Islands National Park is arguably the best national park to visit in December. Very few places in America allow you to spend December snorkeling, sunbathing, swimming, and relaxing under palm trees quite like the U.S. Virgin Islands do.
In fact, I don’t think there’s a national park that’s greater for tropical beach vacations than Virgin Islands National Park—especially in December. It’s by far the warmest of all U.S. national parks in December.
This is the start of the dry season in the Virgin Islands (and much of the rest of the Caribbean). Chances of precipitation decrease steadily throughout the month, while temperatures are perpetually high and sunshine is plentiful.
Popular things to do in Virgin Islands National Park in December include glamping at Cinnamon Bay Beach, visiting historic plantation ruins, turtle viewing at Maho Bay Beach, and snorkeling at Trunk Bay Beach, which is considered one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
More About Virgin Islands National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Beaches in Virgin Islands National Park
- Best Hikes in Virgin Islands National Park
- Places to Watch the Sunrise in Virgin Islands National Park
- Historic Plantation Ruins in Virgin Islands National Park
- Scenic Views in Virgin Islands National Park
- Virgin Islands National Park Snorkeling Guide
- Accommodation
11. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Location: Southern New Mexico
Expected Crowds: Low
Weather: The average high temperature is 57°F (14°C), while the average low temperature is 21°F (-6°F). Precipitation occurs mainly in the form of occasional winter storms, which bring rain and possibly light snow. The total precipitation in White Sands National Park in December is only 0.79 inches (20.07 mm), though.
Average Sunrise Time: 6:58 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:02 pm
Visiting White Sands National Park in December
Looking for a warm national park that still offers a white Christmas experience, albeit an atypical one? White Sands National Park it is!
Although you’re unlikely to see actual snow on these extraordinary sand dunes, their bright white gypsum sand does remind imaginative visitors of snow-covered slopes. It’s essentially a warm winter wonderland in the southern New Mexico desert.
And if that’s not all, you can even go sledding here. Sand sledding on the soft sand of the White Sands dunes is one of the park’s most popular things to do. Just like you would in actual winter sports resorts, make sure to bring sunscreen and sunglasses.
Note, though, that nights do get rather cold in White Sands National Park in December. The average nightly temperature is well below freezing this time of year.
Comfortable daytime temperatures, on the other hand, allow for outdoor activities like the above-mentioned sledding, as well as dune hiking, bicycling, picnicking, and landscape photography.
More About White Sands National Park
12. Zion National Park, Utah
Location: Southwestern Utah
Expected Crowds: Low
Weather: The average high temperature is 54°F (12°C), while the average low temperature is 30°F (-1°C). The weather is generally chilly, but can be pretty comfortable on sunny days. Total precipitation in December is 1.6 inches (40.64 mm) on average, most of which is in the form of snow.
Average Sunrise Time: 7:36 am
Average Sunset Time: 5:16 pm
Visiting Zion National Park in December
Early to mid-December is one of the quietest times of the year in Zion National Park. And for a national park that’s so incredible crowded otherwise, that alone is a great reason to visit the park in December.
This is easily one of the most popular national parks in the United States. So, for the most enjoyable park experience, I strongly recommend visiting in the shoulder or even low season, i.e. December.
In the first three weeks of December, you won’t have to wait in traffic to get into the park, trails will be quiet, and you shouldn’t have issues finding a place to stay near Zion.
Additionally, December is one of just a few months when you’re allowed to drive your own vehicle on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive—another major perk of visiting Zion in early-December. (During the long busy season, you need to take the free park shuttle bus to explore Zion Canyon.)
The only exception to this is the holiday season at the end of the month, which is when the shuttle bus does run and, as such, private cars are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive.
Fun things to do in Zion National Park in December are stargazing, scenic drives, enjoying potentially stunning snowy Zion Canyon scenery, and hiking some of the park’s amazing trails.
Note, however, that snow and ice are not uncommon, so think twice before hitting iconic Zion hiking trails like Observation Point and, particularly, Angels Landing. The Park Service recommends wearing traction devices when hiking in Zion National Park in winter.
More About Zion National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Best Zion Hikes
- Best Views in Zion National Park
- Accommodation
When to Visit National Parks
For a nice visual overview of when to visit the national parks, I recommend checking out my national parks calendar in this blog post. It highlights the best months to visit each of the 63 U.S. national parks, which should help you plan your itinerary.
For an overview of the best national parks for a specific month, check out these blog posts (this is a series that is still in progress; I’ll add more months as I publish the posts):
- January: Best National Parks to Visit in January
- February: Best National Parks to Visit in February
- March: Best National Parks to Visit in March
Additionally, the following blog posts may also be helpful:
- Winter (cold): Best National Parks for Winter Wonderlands
- Winter (warm): Best National Parks for Warm Winter Getaways
- Spring: Best National Parks to Visit in Spring
- Summer: Best National Parks for Summer Island Vacations
- Fall: Best National Parks for Fall Foliage