Best National Parks to Visit in December

The best national parks to visit in December are the warm ones in the desert Southwest, South Texas and South Florida: Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Saguaro, Big Bend, White Sands, Everglades and Dry Tortugas. If you would rather have snow than sun, December is also when Yellowstone opens for its winter season and the Grand Canyon's South Rim turns quiet and snow-dusted. Redwood rounds out the list for travelers who trade dry trails for empty groves.

December splits the national park map in two. High parks in the Rockies and the Sierra close roads and switch to winter rules, while low desert parks enter their best season of the year. This guide is about December only; for the whole season, see our best national parks to visit in winter, and for an earlier trip, the best national parks to visit in November.

December National Parks at a Glance

Use this table to find the best national park to visit in December for the trip you want.

Park	State	December weather	Best for	Crowds
Death Valley	California & Nevada	Highs about 66°F, lows about 42°F	Desert hiking, dunes, dark skies	Moderate; busy over the holidays
Joshua Tree	California	Cool days, nights often below freezing	Climbing, short hikes, stargazing	Moderate on weekends
Saguaro	Arizona	Mild days, cold evenings	Desert trails	Moderate
Big Bend	Texas	Highs 61–74°F depending on elevation	Mountain and river canyon hiking	Low early, high after Christmas
White Sands	New Mexico	Cool and sunny	Dune sledding, sunset walks	Low
Everglades	Florida	Highs about 77°F, lows about 53°F	Alligators and wading birds	Rising through the month
Dry Tortugas	Florida	Warm, with windy cold fronts	Snorkeling, Fort Jefferson	Low
Yellowstone	Wyoming, Montana & Idaho	Snow, below-zero nights	Snowcoach tours, wolves	Low
Grand Canyon (South Rim)	Arizona	Cold, frequent snow on the rim	Snowy canyon views	Low except holiday week
Redwood	California	Mild and rainy	Quiet old-growth forest, elk	Low

Warm National Parks for a December Trip

The best US national parks to visit in December sit at low elevation in the desert and the subtropics. These seven are the most reliable for mild weather.

Death Valley National Park, California & Nevada

Death Valley is the hottest place in North America in summer, which is exactly why it works in December. Mild days make Golden Canyon, the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and Badwater Basin comfortable instead of dangerous. December falls in the best time to visit Death Valley National Park, which runs from November to March.

Know before you go: the park is huge, and fuel stations are few and expensive, so fill your tank before you enter. Higher viewpoints such as Dante's View can be cold and windy. For more parks in the same state, see the best national parks in California.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

December is Joshua Tree's prime season for climbing and bouldering. The low winter sun makes the rock formations glow in the late afternoon, and short trails such as Hidden Valley and Barker Dam fit easily into a short day. Spring and fall are usually named the best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park, but for climbers December is the peak.

Know before you go: high desert nights drop below freezing, so campers need winter-rated sleeping bags.

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Saguaro has two districts on either side of Tucson. In December you can hike into the Rincon foothills in the east or watch sunset over the saguaro forest in the west without summer heat. December sits in the best time to visit Saguaro National Park, which runs from October to April.

Know before you go: higher Rincon trails can hold snow and ice after storms.

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Big Bend offers three climates in one December day. The NPS reports average December highs of 61°F in the Chisos Basin, 65°F at Panther Junction and 74°F at Rio Grande Village. Lows run from 41°F in the mountains to 29°F along the river, so the desert floor is warmer by day and colder at night. The best time to visit Big Bend National Park is from November to April, so December is right in season.

Know before you go: Chisos Basin campsites and lodge rooms sell out early for the holidays. Snow is rare and usually light.

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

White Sands is one of the easiest December trips for families. Gypsum sand stays cool to the touch, so dune walks and sledding work on any sunny afternoon, and the early December sunset fits a child's day. The best time to visit White Sands National Park is from fall through spring. For more family ideas, see the best US national parks for children.

Know before you go: the park borders White Sands Missile Range, and the main road can close for a few hours during tests.

Everglades National Park, Florida

December opens the Everglades' dry season, which runs from November through April. The NPS describes mild weather with low humidity and clear skies. As water levels drop, wildlife gathers at the remaining pools, which makes the Anhinga Trail and Shark Valley excellent for alligators and wading birds. The dry season is the best time to visit Everglades National Park.

Know before you go: mosquitoes are fewer than in summer but still appear at dawn and dusk. Ranger programs run at Royal Palm, Flamingo, Shark Valley and the Gulf Coast area.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

About 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas is mostly water, with Fort Jefferson on Garden Key at its center. December water is still warm enough for snorkeling for most visitors. You reach the park by ferry or seaplane from Key West.

Know before you go: winter cold fronts bring wind and rough seas, and crossings can be cancelled, so build a spare day into your plan. If calm water matters most, the best time to visit Dry Tortugas National Park is late spring to early summer.

Snow and Solitude: Winter Scenery in December

If December for you means snow or empty trails rather than sun, these three parks deliver it without a full winter expedition.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho

Yellowstone's winter season begins on December 15. From that date, most park roads are open only to guided snowcoaches and snowmobiles. The road between the North and Northeast entrances stays open to cars all year and leads to the Lamar Valley, one of the best places in the country to watch wolves.

Know before you go: Old Faithful Snow Lodge is one of the few places to stay inside the park in winter, and it books up early. For a summer visit, see our Yellowstone lodging and 4-day itinerary and the 15 most-asked questions about Yellowstone.

Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim), Arizona

The South Rim is open all year. At about 7,000 feet, the rim often gets snow while the canyon below stays bare, which makes the rock layers stand out. Viewpoints along Hermit Road and Desert View are far emptier than in summer.

Know before you go: the North Rim is closed in winter, and the upper sections of trails such as Bright Angel can be icy, so carry traction devices.

Redwood National and State Parks, California

December is part of Redwood's rainy season, and that is its appeal. Fog and rain deepen the color of moss and ferns, groves such as Lady Bird Johnson Grove are almost empty, and Roosevelt elk graze the coastal prairies. For dry trails, the best time to visit Redwood National Park is late spring through early fall.

Know before you go: bring a waterproof shell, and expect some unpaved roads to close after storms.

What About Zion, Sequoia and Arches in December?

These favorites did not make our December list, but they do not close for the winter. Here is what to expect if they are already on your plan.

Is Zion National Park open in December?

Yes, Zion is open all year. Shuttle service on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is reduced in winter, so check current shuttle dates before you go.

Is December a good time to visit Zion National Park?

It is if you want solitude more than warmth. Expect cold mornings, short days and ice on shaded trails. The Narrows is very cold in winter, and most hikers rent dry suits for it.

Is Sequoia National Park open in December?

Yes, but winter driving rules apply. Tire chains may be required on the Generals Highway, and some roads close after storms. The giant sequoias in the snow are one of the great winter sights in the West.

Does it snow in Arches National Park?

Yes, Arches gets occasional light snow in December. Snow on the red rock is beautiful, but trails can turn slick, so check conditions on the morning of your hike.

Planning a December Trip Around the Holidays

Holiday Crowds

Most parks are quiet for the first three weeks of December. The week between Christmas and New Year's brings a sharp spike to the most popular winter parks. If your dates are flexible, travel before December 20, or wait for early January: the same warm parks make a great national park to visit in January, with fewer people.

Christmas Day Closures

Many visitor centers close on December 25, and some parks close entirely. Carlsbad Caverns, for example, has closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day in past years. Check the park's alerts page before you plan a holiday hike, and see our ideas for fun and unusual things to do on Christmas Day.

Short Days and the Geminids

The winter solstice falls on December 21, so start hikes early and carry a headlamp. The long nights have an upside: the Geminid meteor shower peaks around December 13–14, and dark sky parks such as Big Bend and Death Valley are some of the best places to watch it.

Fees and the Nonresident Fee

There are no fee-free days in December. Since January 2026, non-US residents pay a $100 per-person fee on top of the entrance fee at 11 parks: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. If you plan several park trips next year, an annual pass usually pays for itself, and it makes a popular holiday gift.

Mark Your December Parks on the Map

A December trip often means a park all to yourself: an empty dune at sunset, a wolf in the Lamar Valley, fog in the redwoods. When you get home, mark the parks you visited on a wooden national parks map or our National Parks Travel Tracker. If you collect passport stamps, the National Park Stamp Tracker gives each one a place on the wall. A park map is also a thoughtful holiday gift; for more ideas, see our gifts for travelers guide.