Big Cypress National Preserve in December
December at Big Cypress National Preserve averages a daytime high near 80°F and an overnight low around 59°F, with about 1.6" of precipitation. Visitation runs about 1.3× the park's average month, which makes December a busy month here.
- Average low
- 59°F
- Average high
- 80°F
Range across the year: 55°F to 94°F
- Precipitation
- 1.6 in
- Daylight
- 10.4 hours
Roughly 11% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: about 176,000 recreation visits in a typical year, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1989 to 2025.
That makes December the 4th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the February peak (1.6×) and the September low (0.6×).
On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 60/100 ("Good"). Our recommended month is November: pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).
The daily average of about 70°F is a comfortable range for hiking and being outdoors all day. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.2 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 17% 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 10.4 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 2,262,731 recreation visits, up 2.1% from 2,216,708 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has risen about 135.4%, 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 | 84°F / 64°F | 1.0× Average | 67 Good |
| December | 80°F / 59°F | 1.3× Busy | 60 Good |
| January | 78°F / 55°F | 1.4× Busy | 54 Fair |
All twelve months at Big Cypress, with the best time to visit.
Things to do at Big Cypress in December
The National Park Service tags 10 Big Cypress activities for winter. Here are 8 of them. Each links to the park's own page for it.
- Fire Prairie Trail · 1-3 hours
- Florida National Scenic Trail · 2-5 days
- Gator Hook Trail · 2-4 hours
- H.P. Williams Wayside Park · 10-30 minutes
- Loop Road Scenic Drive · 1-3 hours
- Nathaniel P. Reed Visitor Center · 5-60 minutes
- Stargazing in Big Cypress
- The Deep Lake Trail · 30-90 minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 80°F and an overnight low around 59°F at Big Cypress National Preserve, with about 1.6 inches of precipitation. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 8.2 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is busy at Big Cypress National Preserve (about 1.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Good" at 60/100. Our recommended month is November.
The busiest month is February and the quietest is September. December sits at about 1.3× the park's average, or 11% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 176,000 recreation visits at Big Cypress National Preserve, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1989–2025.
Where to stay near Big Cypress in December
Booking a December trip to Big Cypress National Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live December availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Big Cypress
Prices for Oct 30–Nov 1, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Visiting Big Cypress 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 (1989–2025), NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020. Updated 2026-10-11.