Sequoia in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Harsh season · VisitWhen score 43/100 · #12 of 12 months

December is a harsh-season month at Sequoia National Park: crowds run 24% of the July peak (47,026 average visits). Weather: highs average 37°F and lows 17°F, with 6.9″ of precipitation and 9.7 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

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Sequoia in December: what the park service says

December in Sequoia means planning for snow on the road up. The park service says chain requirements are most common from November to March, and that when they are in force all vehicles need chains or cables on board, four-wheel drive or not, with a 25 mph limit. Bring a pair sized for your tires: Grant Grove sells only limited sizes, and restrictions keep you from driving in merely to buy them.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

Crowds in December

Sequoia averages 47,026 recreation visits in December — 24% of what July, the peak month, draws — this is the third-quietest month of the year. Plan lodging and entries with that in mind — crowds are thin by this park's standards.

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 37°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 17°F). This is one of the wetter months (6.9″ of precipitation on average). Normal snowfall is 35″ — expect snow on the ground. Mid-month daylight runs 9.7 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station LODGEPOLE, CA US (4 mi from park coordinates, 6,735 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Sequoia in December

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

• Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 17°F
• Rain shell + pack cover — 6.9″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Traction devices (microspikes) and gaiters — 35″ normal snowfall (compare other options)
• Headlamp — only 9.7 hours of daylight in mid-December (compare other options)
• Insulated, waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 35″ of snow is normal this month

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Looking for a better window? The computed best months for Sequoia 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