Monthly Guide

Best National Parks in December

December is the quietest month in most of the park system. Hawaii and the subtropics are in peak form. Desert parks like Death Valley and Joshua Tree offer cool, clear days. Mountain parks are winter wonderlands for snowshoers and cross-country skiers, though most roads are closed. Solitude is almost guaranteed outside of holiday weeks.

Top 10 Parks for December

Ranked by our monthly visit score — a blend of weather comfort, crowd levels, and park accessibility.

#1Yellow flowers in foreground extending out along a rocky coastline to a natural arch.

Channel Islands

CA

ComfortableHidden Gem

Quiet and cool. Gray whales begin their southward migration past San Miguel. Limited boat service keeps visitor numbers low.

#2Downtown Miami in background.

Biscayne

FL

BusyHidden Gem

Dry season begins. Reef conditions improve weekly as winter settles in. Crowds build toward holiday week but stay manageable.

#3Park visitors enjoy a sunset on the moat wall.

Dry Tortugas

FL

BusyHidden Gem

Winter arrives with 77° comfort and moderate crowds. Clear skies return for Fort Jefferson exploration and reef diving.

#4A flowering fishhook pincushion cactus

Saguaro

AZ

Very CrowdedDark Sky

Mid-60s, moderate traffic. Clear winter light on giant cacti, cool mornings for long loops.

#5Two canoes at Nine Mile Pond during sunset.

Everglades

FL

ComfortableHidden Gem

Dry season underway. Cooler mornings, busy weekends, prime alligator viewing. Holiday crowds build toward peak season.

#6Morning light on the badlands below Zabriskie Point.

Death Valley

CA, NV

Moderate CrowdsDark Sky

Cool 63°F days and high crowds mark holiday visits. Zabriskie Point at sunset requires layers.

#7people climbing on boulders are silhouetted against a colorful sunset sky

Joshua Tree

CA

Moderate CrowdsDark Sky

Cool mornings (41°F), mild days. High holiday crowds. Occasional rain. Hidden Valley and Ryan Mountain comfortable all day long.

#8A cloud-filled volcanic crater at sunrise with a mountain rising behind

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

HI

Moderate Crowds

Heaviest crowds of the year with frequent rain. Crater Rim closures return. Book lodging months ahead for holiday visits.

#9Ta'u Island

National Park of American Samoa

AS

Room to BreatheHidden Gem

Conditions improve as the dry season approaches. Warm weather and lighter crowds return to Ofu Beach and the coastal trails.

#10Light falling on tree

Pinnacles

CA

Moderate CrowdsHidden Gem

Winter rains return. Trails can be muddy, but temps stay mild. Moderate crowds focus on cave routes and lower-elevation loops.

Parks to Skip in December

These parks score lowest for December — typically due to harsh weather, road closures, or inaccessibility.

Voyageurs Bitter cold with lows near -2°F. Most facilities and roads are closed.
Lake Clark & Preserve Frigid conditions — lows around 5°F with heavy snow likely.
Kobuk Valley Bitter cold with lows near -22°F. Most facilities and roads are closed.
Katmai & Preserve Frigid conditions — lows around 14°F with heavy snow likely.
Isle Royale Cold and wintry at 30°F highs. Limited access and shortened daylight.