Yellowstone in December: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

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

December is a harsh-season month at Yellowstone National Park: crowds run 4% of the July peak (33,648 average visits). Weather: highs average 23°F and lows 3°F, with 2.4″ of precipitation and 8.8 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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Bring for Yellowstone in December

Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 3°F.
Packable rain jacketSee it on AmazonWhy: 2.4″ of precipitation is normal this month.
HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 8.8 hours of daylight in mid-December.

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Access warning: Most park roads close to regular vehicles at the start of November and reopen in stages: the West Entrance–Madison–Old Faithful–Norris–Canyon roads in mid-April (April 17 in 2026), the East and South entrances in early May, and Dunraven Pass in late May. The North Entrance–Northeast Entrance road is open all year; elsewhere winter access is by guided oversnow travel. That typically affects December — verify before planning. Current NPS conditions →

Yellowstone in December: what the park service says

December is a quiet month at Yellowstone, with very cold temperatures and heavy snow; Yellowstone Lake averages about 34 inches of snowfall. Only the road between the North and Northeast entrances is open to regular vehicles, and some roads begin opening to commercially guided snowcoach and snowmobile trips in late December, weather permitting. Look for wolves in Lamar Valley, the bighorn sheep rut, and trumpeter swans on open rivers.

Source: NPS, checked 2026-11-05.

The sun sets behind the sharp point of a snow-covered mountain; pink clouds are reflected in a pond — Yellowstone National Park — photo: NPS / Jacob W. Frank (public-domain NPS media)

Crowds in December

Yellowstone averages 33,648 recreation visits in December — 4% 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.

Average visits (December)

33,648 (mean 2021–2025, NPS)

Share of the year

under 1% of annual visitation

vs. peak (July)

Weather & daylight

Expect cold conditions (highs average 23°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 3°F). Average precipitation is 2.4″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 8.8 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US (6 mi from park coordinates, 7,835 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of December.

What to pack for Yellowstone in December

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

Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 3°F
Packable rain jacket — 2.4″ of precipitation is normal this month
Headlamp — only 8.8 hours of daylight in mid-December (compare other options)
Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)

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

Is Yellowstone crowded in December?

No — December is one of the quieter months: 4% of the July peak, averaging 33,648 visits (NPS, 2021–2025). See every month at Yellowstone.

What is the weather like in Yellowstone in December?

Average highs of 23°F, lows of 3°F, 2.4″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, YELLOWSTONE LAKE, WY US station). Compare it with other national parks in December.

What should I pack for Yellowstone in December?

Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Packable rain jacket; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page. Going in January instead? Yellowstone in January has its own list.

Is everything open at Yellowstone in December?

Most park roads close to regular vehicles at the start of November and reopen in stages: the West Entrance–Madison–Old Faithful–Norris–Canyon roads in mid-April (April 17 in 2026), the East and South entrances in early May, and Dunraven Pass in late May. The North Entrance–Northeast Entrance road is open all year; elsewhere winter access is by guided oversnow travel. 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.

Rocky Mountain in December — Shoulder, score 57/100, about 380 mi away
Badlands in December — Shoulder, score 60/100, about 400 mi away
Arches in December — Shoulder, score 63/100, about 410 mi away
Great Basin in December — Shoulder, score 65/100, about 430 mi away