How Crowded Is Bluestone National Scenic River in December?

December runs about 0.1× Bluestone National Scenic River'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 about 270 recreation visits, based on National Park Service monthly counts from 1993 to 2025.

That makes December the 8th-busiest of the park's twelve months, sitting between the July peak (2.8×) and the January low (0.1×).

On our Best Time to Visit score December rates 42/100 ("Poor"), versus the top-rated May at 68/100 — pleasant weather with noticeably thinner crowds (shoulder season).

Typical December weather, from 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals at the nearest station, averages a daytime high near 45°F and an overnight low around 29°F, with about 3.2" of precipitation and roughly 4" of snow.

That average of about 37°F is cool, so layers and a shorter daylight window matter.

Because June, July and August together draw about 60% 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 9.4 hours of daylight in December to explore — near the year-round minimum.

Park-wide, 2025 drew 12,446 recreation visits, up 69.9% from 7,327 in 2024.

Across the past decade overall visitation has eased about 42.6%, so December may feel a touch quieter than it once did.