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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Peak crowds · VisitWhen score 39/100 · #12 of 12 months

December is peak season — expect the year's biggest crowds at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: crowds run 100% of the December peak (150,746 average visits). Weather: highs average 74°F and lows 57°F, with 22.3″ of precipitation and 11 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Bring for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in December

  1. Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 22.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
  2. Waterproof bootsSee it on AmazonWhy: 22.3″ of precipitation is normal this month.
  3. Water bottles for the daySee it on AmazonWhy: hydration is one of the NPS Ten Essentials.

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Fountains of molten lava erupting from within a crater next to a whirlwind formed from the eruption.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — photo: NPS Photo (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in December

December is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes's busiest month — an average of 150,746 recreation visits (2021–2025), the park's crowd peak. That crowd level sets the tone for parking, permits and lodging — book early and start days at dawn.

Average visits (December)
150,746 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)
Share of the year
9.7% of annual visitation
vs. peak (December)
100%

Weather & daylight

Days are pleasant (highs average 74°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 57°F). This is one of the wetter months (22.3″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 11 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station GLENWOOD #2 55.4, HI US (8 mi from park coordinates, 2,200 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in December

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

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Want quieter or kinder conditions? The computed best month for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is April.

Also at their best in December

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

Common questions

Is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes crowded in December?

Yes — December runs 100% of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes's peak, averaging 150,746 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes.

What is the weather like in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in December?

Average highs of 74°F, lows of 57°F, 22.3″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, GLENWOOD #2 55.4, HI US station). Compare it with other national parks in December.

What should I pack for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in December?

Rain shell + pack cover; Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in January instead? Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in January has its own list.

← Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in November All months Hawaiʻi Volcanoes 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.