Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site in December
December at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site averages a daytime high near 38°F and an overnight low around 24°F, with about 3.4" of precipitation and roughly 8" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.6× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 24°F
- Average high
- 38°F
Range across the year: 19°F to 81°F
- Precipitation
- 3.4 in
- Snowfall
- 8 in
- Daylight
- 9.1 hours
Roughly 5% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 9,900 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 10th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (1.4×) and the January low (0.5×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 37/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 31°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 33% of annual visitors, choosing December instead steps outside that summer crush — the single biggest lever on how crowded the park feels.
You'll have about 9.1 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 162,905 recreation visits, down 16% from 193,903 in 2024.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 49°F / 33°F | 0.8× Quiet | 36 Poor |
| December | 38°F / 24°F | 0.6× Quiet | 37 Poor |
| January | 34°F / 19°F | 0.5× Quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Allegheny Portage Railroad, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Allegheny Portage Railroad in December
The National Park Service tags 7 Allegheny Portage Railroad activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 38°F and an overnight low around 24°F at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, with about 3.4 inches of precipitation and roughly 8 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 7.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site (about 0.6× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 37/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.6× the park's average, or 5% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 10,000 recreation visits at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Allegheny Portage Railroad in December
Booking a December trip to Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Allegheny Portage Railroad
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See the full ranking of the best national parks to visit in December.
Source: National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.