North Cascades in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Harsh season · VisitWhen score 22/100 · #12 of 12 months

December is a harsh-season month at North Cascades National Park: crowds run under 1% of the July peak (13 average visits). Weather: highs average 32°F and lows 26°F, with 7.2″ of precipitation and 8.3 hours of daylight. Headline access is typically closed this month — see the access warning below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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North Cascades in December: what the park service says

December puts North Cascades in full winter: State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, has closed for snow and avalanche danger, usually from mid- to late November, at milepost 130 near Colonial Creek or 134 at the Ross Dam Trailhead. Visitor centers are shut, so self-issue backcountry permits are available outside the Marblemount Wilderness Information Center or the Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

Crowds in December

North Cascades averages 13 recreation visits in December — under 1% 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 32°F), and nights drop below freezing (lows average 26°F). This is one of the wetter months (7.2″ of precipitation on average). Normal snowfall is 51″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 8.3 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station STEHEKIN 4 NW, WA US (12 mi from park coordinates, 1,257 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for North Cascades in December

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

• Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 26°F, below freezing
• Rain shell + pack cover — 7.2″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 51″ normal snowfall (compare other options)
• Headlamp — only 8.3 hours of daylight in mid-December (compare other options)
• Insulated, waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 51″ of snow is normal this month

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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for North Cascades are May and June.

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