Death Valley
The best time to visit.
6 prime · 12 good · December
Best National Parks to Visit in December
December belongs to the deserts and the tropics: Death Valley, Saguaro, Big Bend and Joshua Tree have mild days, the Everglades and the Virgin Islands enter dry season, and Yellowstone's winter season begins mid-month.
Top picks for December: Death Valley, Virgin Islands, Biscayne, Everglades, Big Bend. The week between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest of the year in warm-weather parks.
Prime in December (6)
Virgin Islands
Peak season, with dry, breezy weather and the highest prices.
Biscayne
Dry season and the best weather.
Everglades
Dry season and the best time.
Big Bend
Peak season, with mild desert days and cold nights in the Chisos Mountains.
Saguaro
Peak season, with sunny days in the 60s and 70s.
Season opens in December
Also good in December (12)
Congaree
Mild and bug-free.
Mammoth Cave
The cave stays around 54°F year-round.
Carlsbad Caverns
Underground, it's 56°F year-round, so the cave is always comfortable.
Gateway Arch
Fewer crowds for the tram ride.
Hot Springs
Soaking weather.
Pinnacles
Cool and green after the rains.
White Sands
Cool, clear and calm, the best time for hikes across the dunes.
Zion
Mild and quiet, with highs often in the 50s.
Dry Tortugas
Comfortable temperatures, but cold fronts can bring rough seas and choppy crossings.
Joshua Tree
Cool and clear, with chilly nights that can dip below freezing.
Haleakalā
Humpback whale season on Maui.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Peak travel season.
December by region
| Region | Good or prime in December |
|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest | Nothing rated good |
| California | Death Valley, Pinnacles, Joshua Tree |
| Southwest | Big Bend, Saguaro, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, Zion |
| Rocky Mountains & Plains | Nothing rated good |
| Great Lakes & Northeast | Nothing rated good |
| Southeast | Biscayne, Everglades, Congaree, Mammoth Cave, Gateway Arch, Hot Springs, Dry Tortugas |
| Alaska | Nothing rated good |
| Hawaiʻi & Islands | Virgin Islands, Haleakalā, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes |
Skip these in December
North Cascades, Glacier, Isle Royale, Gates of the Arctic, Glacier Bay, Katmai, Kenai Fjords, Kobuk Valley, Lake Clark, Wrangell–St. Elias. These parks are largely closed, snowbound or dangerously hot in December.
December questions
What are the best national parks to visit in December?
The top-rated national parks for December are Death Valley National Park, Virgin Islands National Park, Biscayne National Park, Everglades National Park, Big Bend National Park. In total, 6 parks are rated prime and 12 more are rated good this month.
Which national parks are least crowded in December?
Most parks in season this month are busy. Go midweek and start early.
Which national parks should I avoid in December?
North Cascades, Glacier, Isle Royale, Gates of the Arctic, Glacier Bay, Katmai, Kenai Fjords, Kobuk Valley are rated poor in December, usually because of closures, snow or extreme heat.
Is December a good time to visit national parks?
December belongs to the deserts and the tropics: Death Valley, Saguaro, Big Bend and Joshua Tree have mild days, the Everglades and the Virgin Islands enter dry season, and Yellowstone's winter season begins mid-month.. The week between Christmas and New Year's is one of the busiest of the year in warm-weather parks.
← NovemberJanuary →All of winter
Last reviewed October 4, 2026. Ratings are editorial. Rules and road openings change each year, so confirm on the official NPS site before you go.