Antietam National Battlefield in December
December at Antietam National Battlefield averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 25°F, with about 3.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.7× the park's average month, which makes December a quiet month here.
- Average low
- 25°F
- Average high
- 45°F
Range across the year: 21°F to 86°F
- Precipitation
- 3.5 in
- Daylight
- 9.2 hours
Roughly 6% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 13,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 9th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2×) and the January low (0.2×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 35/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 35°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.9 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 39% 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 9.2 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2024 drew 197,340 recreation visits, up 28.5% from 153,560 in 2023.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 60.5%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 56°F / 32°F | 0.7× Quiet | 46 Fair |
| December | 45°F / 25°F | 0.7× Quiet | 35 Poor |
| January | 41°F / 21°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 43 Poor |
All twelve months at Antietam, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Antietam in December
The National Park Service tags 4 Antietam activities for winter. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Take a short hike on the Tidball Trail · 20-60 minutes
- Take a Short Walk on the Antietam Remembered Trail · 10-45 minutes
- The Union Advance Trail at Antietam · 30-90 minutes
- Visit Antietam National Battlefield Visitor Center · 20 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 25°F at Antietam National Battlefield, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 4.9 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is quiet at Antietam National Battlefield (about 0.7× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 35/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is January. December sits at about 0.7× the park's average, or 6% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 13,000 recreation visits at Antietam National Battlefield, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Antietam in December
Booking a December trip to Antietam National Battlefield? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Antietam
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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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.