Badlands in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 60/100 · #10 of 12 months

December is a quiet month with trade-offs at Badlands National Park: crowds run 4% of the July peak (10,544 average visits). Weather: highs average 37°F and lows 12°F, with 0.3″ of precipitation and 8.9 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Badlands in December: what the park service says

December is one of the two driest months at Badlands, along with January, but it is cold: average highs near 39°F and lows around 17°F. Winters bring 12 to 24 inches of snow in total, and the park says roads through the Badlands may close in winter or in extreme weather, and can be slick and icy. Check road conditions before leaving.

Source: NPS 1, NPS 2, checked 2026-11-05.

Crowds in December

Badlands averages 10,544 recreation visits in December — 4% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Weather & daylight

Days are cold (highs average 37°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 12°F). It is typically dry (0.3″ of precipitation). Normal snowfall is 6″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 8.9 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station WASTA, SD US (22 mi from park coordinates, 2,328 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Badlands in December

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 12°F
• Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 6″ normal snowfall (compare other options)
• Headlamp — only 8.9 hours of daylight in mid-December (compare other options)
• Insulated, waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 6″ of snow is normal this month

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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Badlands are April and May.

Also at their best in December

Other parks whose computed December verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• American Samoa in December — 17% of peak crowds, highs 88°F, score 66/100
• Everglades in December — 72% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 64/100
• Biscayne in December — 77% of peak crowds, highs 80°F, score 62/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-24