Grand Canyon in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 53/100 · #12 of 12 months

December is a solid shoulder-season month to visit Grand Canyon National Park: crowds run 56% of the July peak (297,951 average visits). Weather: highs average 43°F and lows 24°F, with 1.2″ of precipitation and 9.7 hours of daylight. Roads and services are only partly open this month — see the access note below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Grand Canyon in December

Insulated jacket, beanie and glovesSee it on AmazonWhy: nights average 24°F, below freezing.
HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 9.7 hours of daylight in mid-December.
Sturdy, broken-in hiking bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: every park, every month.

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Partial access: The North Rim is closed to vehicles roughly December–mid-May; the South Rim is open year-round. Current NPS conditions →

Grand Canyon in December: what the park service says

December is firmly winter at Grand Canyon. The park says to expect snow, icy roads and trails, and possible road closures on the South Rim, where nights are usually in the teens°F but sunny afternoons still reach the 40s. The South Rim stays open all year and averages 58 inches of snow, while Phantom Ranch, far below, gets less than one. Call 928-638-7496 for road updates.

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

At Sunset, swirling rain clouds above a vast canyon filled with colorful peaks and cliff walls. — Grand Canyon National Park — photo: NPS/M. Quinn (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in December

Grand Canyon averages 297,951 recreation visits in December — 56% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the third-quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly.

Average visits (December)

297,951 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

6.4% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

56%

Weather & daylight

Days are cold (highs average 43°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 24°F). It is typically dry (1.2″ of precipitation). Mid-month daylight runs 9.7 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station GRAND CANYON VISITOR CTR, AZ US (1 mi from park coordinates, 7,083 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Grand Canyon in December

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

Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 24°F, below freezing
Headlamp — only 9.7 hours of daylight in mid-December (compare other options)
Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month

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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Grand Canyon are February and April.

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 Grand Canyon crowded in December?

Moderately: December runs 56% of the July peak, averaging 297,951 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Grand Canyon.

What is the weather like in Grand Canyon in December?

Average highs of 43°F, lows of 24°F, 1.2″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, GRAND CANYON VISITOR CTR, AZ US station). Compare it with other national parks in December.

What should I pack for Grand Canyon in December?

Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves; Headlamp; Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in January instead? Grand Canyon in January has its own list.

Is everything open at Grand Canyon in December?

The North Rim is closed to vehicles roughly December–mid-May; the South Rim is open year-round. Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.

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.

Zion in December — Shoulder, score 69/100, about 90 mi away
Bryce Canyon in December — Shoulder, score 58/100, about 110 mi away
Petrified Forest in December — Shoulder, score 59/100, about 150 mi away
Capitol Reef in December — Shoulder, score 63/100, about 160 mi away