Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in December
December at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 21°F, with about 0.7" of precipitation and roughly 7" of snow. Visitation runs about 0.3× the park's average month, which makes December a very quiet month here.
- Average low
- 21°F
- Average high
- 39°F
Range across the year: 20°F to 89°F
- Precipitation
- 0.7 in
- Snowfall
- 7 in
- Daylight
- 8.6 hours
Roughly 2% of the park's yearly visitors come in December: roughly 5,000 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 Bighorn Canyon; by contrast July, the busiest, runs about 2.6× 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"). Our recommended month is May: the lightest crowds of the park's good-weather months.
The daily average of about 30°F is cold, with winter conditions likely on higher ground. These figures are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16 miles from the park.
Because June, July and August together draw about 57% 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 8.6 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.
Park-wide, 2025 drew 228,382 recreation visits, up 3.9% from 219,815 in 2024.
Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 7.2%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.
How December compares with the months around it
| Month | Avg high / low | Crowds | Best-time score |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | 48°F / 28°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
| December | 39°F / 21°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 41 Poor |
| January | 39°F / 20°F | 0.3× Very quiet | 42 Poor |
All twelve months at Bighorn Canyon, with the best time to visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
December averages a daytime high near 39°F and an overnight low around 21°F at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, with about 0.7 inches of precipitation and roughly 7 inches of snow. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals from the nearest station, about 16 miles from the park, so conditions inside the park can differ, especially at other elevations.
December is very quiet at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (about 0.3× the average month). Our best-time score rates it "Poor" at 41/100. Our recommended month is May.
The busiest month is July and the quietest is December. December sits at about 0.3× the park's average, or 2% of annual visitation.
A typical December sees about 5,000 recreation visits at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1979–2025.
Where to stay near Bighorn Canyon in December
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Top-rated places to stay near Bighorn Canyon
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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.