How Crowded Is Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in December?

December runs about 0.1× Apostle Islands National Lakeshore's average month, which makes it a very quiet month here — roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in December.

In a typical December the park sees roughly 2,600 recreation visits, 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 — so December is the easiest time to have the place largely to yourself.

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 41/100 ("Poor"), versus the top-rated May at 67/100 — best overall balance of crowds, weather and daylight.

Typical December weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, 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.

That average of about 21°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground.

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.