Badlands National Park in December
December at Badlands National Park averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 11°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 0.1× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 11°F
- Average high
- 39°F
Range across the year: 10°F to 88°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Daylight
- 8.8 hours
Roughly 1% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 10,000 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 Badlands; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 2.9× the average.
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 2/100 ("Poor"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 25°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 20.6 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 64% 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 8.8 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 1,139,361 recreation visits, up 4.1% from 1,094,245 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 11.4%, so a December visit is likely to feel busier than it did a few years ago.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 49°F / 20°F | 0.2× Very quiet | 49 Fair |
| December | 39°F / 11°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
| January | 37°F / 10°F | 0.1× Very quiet | 2 Poor |
All twelve months at Badlands, with the best time to visit.
Seasonal closures in December 2026
The National Park Service lists these Badlands 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.
- White River Visitor Center (visitor center): closed all month (September 26, 2026 to May 22, 2027)
- Cedar Pass Campground (campground): closed all month (October 15, 2026 to April 1, 2027)
Things to do at Badlands in December
The National Park Service tags 13 Badlands activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Hiking Badlands Back Roads With Your Dog
- Backcountry Camping
- Badlands Sunrises & Sunsets
- Campgrounds · reservation required
- Drive Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) · 1-2 hours
- Drive Sage Creek Rim Road · 1-2 hours
- Hiking the Badlands · 1-5 hours
- Spotting Wildlife in the Badlands
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 11°F at Badlands National Park, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 20.6 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Badlands National Park (about 0.1× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 2/100. Our recommended month is May. December draws about 12% of the visits Badlands 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 July 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 10,000 recreation visits at Badlands National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Badlands in December
Booking a December trip to Badlands National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Badlands
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.