Death Valley National Park in December
Crowds and weather in December · NPS visitor counts 2022–2025 · NOAA 1991–2020 averages
December at a glance
Crowds: Busy — about 4,005 visitors a day, 78% of the March peak. December is the 9th quietest month of 12.
Weather: average high 66°F (19°C), low 41°F (5°C); 0.3 in (7 mm) of precipitation on about 1 days.
Verdict: ○ Mild weather, busy.
Similar weather with fewer people: January (65% of peak, high 67°F).
December visitors, year by year
| December | Recreation visits | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 109,456 | 3,531 |
| 2023 | 106,429 | 3,433 |
| 2024 | 122,031 | 3,936 |
| 2025 | 125,321 | 4,043 |
“Unusually low” marks a year when December's share of the annual total was less than half the other years' — usually a closure (storms, fire, a government shutdown) or a counting gap. The typical figure above uses the median share of 2022–2025, scaled to 2025's total.
December compared with the months around it
| Month | Crowds · visitors/day | High / low · precip. |
|---|---|---|
| November | Busy73% of peak · 3,723/day | 77° / 50°F0.1 in · 0 wet days |
| December | Busy78% of peak · 4,005/day | 66° / 41°F0.3 in · 1 wet days |
| January | Busy65% of peak · 3,305/day | 67° / 42°F0.4 in · 1 wet days |
All 12 months at Death Valley →
Other parks with mild weather and fewer people in December
- White Sands
58% of peak · high 56°F
Months with few visitors can mean seasonal closures of roads, shuttles or campgrounds. Check current conditions on the official Death Valley National Park website before you go.
Sources. Visitor counts: National Park Service, Visitor Use Statistics (recreation visits, final figures through 2025; typical months use 2022–2025). Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station DEATH VALLEY NP, USC00042319, -194 ft / -59 m). Both are U.S. Government works in the public domain. How we calculate.
Park Months is an independent site and is not affiliated with the National Park Service or NOAA.