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Cuyahoga Valley in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 54/100 · #11 of 12 months

December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Cuyahoga Valley National Park: crowds run 34% of the July peak (125,896 average visits). Weather: highs average 39°F and lows 24°F, with 3.1″ of precipitation and 9.2 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Cuyahoga Valley in December

  1. Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 24°F, below freezing.
  2. Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 3.1″ of precipitation is normal this month.
  3. HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.2 hours of daylight in mid-December.

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Cuyahoga Valley in December: what the park service says

December returns Cuyahoga Valley to winter, averaging 37°F by day, 25°F at night and about 12 inches of snow; the park gets about 61 inches a year in all. Lake-effect snow off Lake Erie can change the weather quickly. Several areas, including Kendall Lake and the Ledges, close from dusk to the morning opening, and dusk comes early this time of year.

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

People in bright orange kayaks paddle around a bend in a river, past green trees and a rocky shore.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park — photo: NPS Photo / D.J. Reiser (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in December

Cuyahoga Valley averages 125,896 recreation visits in December — 34% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the third-quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind.

Average visits (December)
125,896 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)
Share of the year
4.4% of annual visitation
vs. peak (July)
34%

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 39°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 24°F). Average precipitation is 3.1″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 9.2 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station STOW 4 SE, OH US (9 mi from park coordinates, 1,060 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Cuyahoga Valley in December

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

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Cuyahoga Valley are April and May.

Also at their best in December

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

Common questions

Is Cuyahoga Valley crowded in December?

No — December is one of the quieter months: 34% of the July peak, averaging 125,896 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Cuyahoga Valley.

What is the weather like in Cuyahoga Valley in December?

Average highs of 39°F, lows of 24°F, 3.1″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, STOW 4 SE, OH US station). Compare it with other national parks in December.

What should I pack for Cuyahoga Valley in December?

Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves; Packable rain jacket; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in January instead? Cuyahoga Valley in January has its own list.

← Cuyahoga Valley in November All months Cuyahoga Valley in January →

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

Also check in December

The nearest other parks that are not closed or rated Harsh in December, with the same NPS × NOAA verdict. Distance is a straight line.