Redwood in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Shoulder · VisitWhen score 58/100 · #12 of 12 months

December is a quiet month with trade-offs at Redwood National Park: crowds run 24% of the June peak (22,579 average visits). Weather: highs average 54°F and lows 38°F, with 15.3″ of precipitation and 9.2 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Redwood in December: what the park service says

Two things to know for a December trip to Redwood. First, the Tall Trees Trail needs a reservation in every season, winter included. Second, the backcountry camping area along Redwood Creek is shut from October 15 to April 1 because of high water, and the park says those dates can shift with the creek level. Rain also makes the two stream crossings on Davison Road, the route to Fern Canyon, harder to drive, and the park advises a high-clearance car. The seasonal footbridge between Stout Grove and Jedediah Smith Campground has been taken down.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

Crowds in December

Redwood averages 22,579 recreation visits in December — 24% of what June, the peak month, draws — this is the quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Weather & daylight

Expect cool days (highs average 54°F), and mornings are chilly (lows average 38°F). This is one of the wetter months (15.3″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 9.2 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station KLAMATH, CA US (4 mi from park coordinates, 28 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Redwood in December

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

• Warm mid-layer (fleece or light puffy) — mornings average 38°F
• Rain shell + pack cover — 15.3″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Headlamp — only 9.2 hours of daylight in mid-December (compare other options)
• Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 15.3″ of precipitation is normal this month

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

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