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Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in December

Very quiet0.1× average month · best-time score 1/100

December at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore averages a daytime high near 28°F and an overnight low around 15°F, with about 1.9" of precipitation and roughly 26" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.

Average low
15°F
Average high
28°F

Range across the year: 7°F to 77°F

Crowds
0.1× averageVery quiet
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  2. F
  3. M
  4. A
  5. M
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Precipitation
1.9 in
Snowfall
26 in
Daylight
8.3 hours

Check access before you plan around December

December draws about 13% of the visits Apostle Islands sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around December. Official Apostle Islands park page.

Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 2,600 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.

It is the quietest month of the year at Apostle Islands; by contrast August, the busiest, runs about 3× the average.

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 1/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is June: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.

The daily average of about 21°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.2 miles from the park.

Because June, July and August together draw about 63% 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 8.3 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 261,009 recreation visits, up 2.9% from 253,703 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 19.8%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.

How December compares with the months around it

MonthAvg high / lowCrowdsBest-time score
November40°F / 26°F0.2× Very quiet2 Poor
December28°F / 15°F0.1× Very quiet1 Poor
January22°F / 7°F0.1× Very quiet1 Poor

All twelve months at Apostle Islands, with the best time to visit.

Seasonal closures in December 2026

The National Park Service lists these Apostle Islands facilities as closed during December 2026. The dates are the park's own, read on October 11, 2026. A facility that is not listed here may still be closed, so confirm on the park's site before you go.

Reviewed by WhenToVisitParks Editorial Team · Updated

Frequently Asked Questions

December averages a daytime high near 28°F and an overnight low around 15°F at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with about 1.9 inches of precipitation and roughly 26 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 9.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.

December is very quiet at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 1/100. Our recommended month is June. December draws about 13% of the visits Apostle Islands sees in an average month. Numbers that low usually mean limited access: closed roads, closed facilities or deep-winter conditions. The count alone does not say which, so check the park's current conditions before planning around December.

The busiest month is August and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.1× the park's average, or 1% of annual visitation.

A typical December sees about 3,000 recreation visits at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.

Where to stay near Apostle Islands in December

Booking a December trip to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.

Top-rated places to stay near Apostle Islands

Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Visiting Apostle Islands in December?

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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.