Big Bend National Park in December
December at Big Bend National Park averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 38°F, with about 0.5" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.2× the park's average month, which makes December a busy month here.
- Average low
- 38°F
- Average high
- 62°F
Range across the year: 37°F to 94°F
- Precipitation
- 0.5 in
- Daylight
- 10.1 hours
Roughly 10% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 48,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979 to 2025.
That makes December the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the March peak (2×) and the August low (0.4×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 48/100 ("Fair"). Our recommended month is September: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 50°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.5 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 12% 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 10.1 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 568,104 recreation visits, up 1.2% from 561,458 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 29.3%, 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 | 69°F / 45°F | 1.3× Busy | 55 Fair |
| December | 62°F / 38°F | 1.2× Busy | 48 Fair |
| January | 61°F / 37°F | 1.0× Average | 53 Fair |
All twelve months at Big Bend, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Big Bend in December
The National Park Service tags 15 Big Bend activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Bike Big Bend
- Explore Backcountry Roads
- Primitive Roadside Campsites · reservation required
- Backpacking Big Bend · reservation required
- Big Bend Junior Rangers
- Birdwatch at Rio Grande Village Nature Trail · 15-45 minutes
- Hike the Lost Mine Trail
- See the Rio Grande
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 62°F and an overnight low around 38°F at Big Bend National Park, with about 0.5 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 2.5 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is busy at Big Bend National Park (about 1.2× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Fair" at 48/100. Our recommended month is September.
The busiest month is March and the quietest is August. December sits at about 1.2× the park's average, or 10% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 48,000 recreation visits at Big Bend National Park, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Big Bend in December
Booking a December trip to Big Bend National Park? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Big Bend
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.