Big Bend in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 66/100 · #11 of 12 months
December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Big Bend National Park: crowds run 63% of the March peak (58,354 average visits), days average 59°F with 10.3 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
Crowds in December
Big Bend averages 58,354 recreation visits in December — 63% of what March, the peak month, draws. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging.
Weather & daylight
Daytime stays cool (highs average 59°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 39°F). It is typically dry (0.5″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 10.3 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station CHISOS BASIN, TX US (3 mi from park coordinates, 5,300 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.
What to pack for Big Bend in December
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 39°F
- Headlamp — only 10.3 hours of daylight in mid-December
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best months for Big Bend are June and August.
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
Is Big Bend crowded in December?
Moderately: December runs 63% of the March peak, averaging 58,354 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Big Bend in December?
Average highs of 59°F, lows of 39°F, 0.5″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, CHISOS BASIN, TX US station).
What should I pack for Big Bend in December?
Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy); Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
See also: the best national parks to visit in December · Last verified 2026-09-12