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Best national parks to visit in December
All 63 US national parks ranked by December camping weather, using NOAA 1991–2020 averages at each park. Top picks: Dry Tortugas, Biscayne, Channel Islands, Death Valley, Saguaro.
#1Dry Tortugas
Florida
100 avg 76° / 67°F · 2.4 in
Entry: Not required · $15 per person
#2Biscayne
Florida
100 avg 78° / 58°F · 2.3 in
Entry: Not required · No entrance fee
#3Channel Islands
California
100 avg 66° / 47°F · 2.1 in
Entry: Not required · No entrance fee
#4Death Valley
California, Nevada
100 avg 66° / 41°F · 0.3 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#5Saguaro
Arizona
100 avg 65° / 42°F · 0.9 in
Entry: Not required · $25 per vehicle
#6Everglades
Florida
100 avg 80° / 59°F · 1.9 in
Entry: Not required · $35 per vehicle
#7Joshua Tree
California
100 avg 62° / 40°F · 0.6 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#8Pinnacles
California
99 avg 62° / 33°F · 3.1 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#9Big Bend
Texas
99 avg 62° / 38°F · 0.5 in
Entry: Not required · $30 per vehicle
#10Congaree
South Carolina
87 avg 60° / 39°F · 3.5 in
Entry: Not required · No entrance fee
#11Virgin Islands
US Virgin Islands
87 avg 85° / 75°F · 2.9 in
Entry: Not required · No entrance fee
#12Carlsbad Caverns
New Mexico
81 avg 57° / 35°F · 0.6 in
Entry: Timed entry for the cavern · $15 per person
#13Haleakalā
Hawaii
79 avg 61° / 45°F · 5.3 in
Entry: Sunrise reservation (3–7 am) · $30 per vehicle
#14Guadalupe Mountains
Texas
72 avg 54° / 33°F · 0.8 in
Entry: Not required · $10 per person
#15White Sands
New Mexico
66 avg 56° / 22°F · 0.7 in
Entry: Not required · $25 per vehicle
Key dates in December
- Christmas tree permit season Confirmed
- 2027 national park fee-free days announced Expected
Questions
What are the best national parks to visit in December?
Based on NOAA average weather, the mildest parks in December are Dry Tortugas, Biscayne, Channel Islands, Death Valley, Saguaro.
Which national parks should I avoid in December?
For camping weather, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, Cuyahoga Valley, Mesa Verde, Great Basin score lowest, because of cold, heat or rain.
Are there free national park days in December?
There is no national park fee-free day in December in 2026.
The score (0–100) rates weather only: best with average highs of 62–82°F, nights above freezing and under 3 inches of precipitation. It doesn't account for road closures, crowds or snow on high trails; check each park guide. All park guides
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